Griffin Center in Oxford to host cooking demo on stress-relieving herbs

OXFORD - In recognition of Women’s Health Month, the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen will host a free cooking demonstration about the nutritional and stress-relieving benefits of common garden herbs.

Garden Calm & Herbal Stress Relief will be May 21 at 5 p.m. at The Griffin Center for Healthy Living at Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road.

Former Executive Director of Massaro Farm and sustainable nutrition expert Caty Poole will discuss spring herbs and how they can be combined into teas and tinctures that can lower blood pressure, detox the liver, help control blood sugar, and contribute to overall stress relief and a person’s level of calm. 

Poole will demonstrate how to make a simple tea blend, and all participants will receive an herbal tincture that can help relieve stress and promote calm.

Space is limited for this event, so registration is required. 

Visit www.griffinhealth.org/garden-calm or call The Griffin Center for Healthy Living coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up.

The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen is part of Griffin’s commitment to the Planetree person-centered care model, which promotes greater well-being in communities through access to health information and assistance in helping individuals address the social determinants of health such as access to fresh nutritious foods and how to prepare them.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin Health cooking demo in Oxford to feature adaptive equipment uses

OXFORD - The Griffin Center for Healthy Living, Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road will host a cooking demonstration for individuals who have difficulty cooking due to health conditions such as arthritis and various auto-immune diseases.

Griffin Health Occupational Therapist Jenna Reno and Executive Chef Todd Concilio will lead Adaptive Equipment Uses in the Kitchen April 28 from 5-6:15 p.m. 

This interactive cooking workshop will guide participants through making a fresh and delicious pasta salad while demonstrating adaptive equipment and practical techniques that make cooking safer, easier, and more enjoyable.

Participants will learn how to use tools such as jar openers, rocker knives, non-slip cutting boards, easy-grip utensils, and other adaptive kitchen devices that help reduce strain on the hands, wrists, and shoulders. 

The demonstration will help attendees build confidence and independence in the kitchen by breaking down each step of the recipe into manageable tasks.

This event is ideal for older adults experiencing arthritis, decreased strength, limited mobility, or coordination challenges, as well as anyone interested in learning new strategies for safer meal preparation. 

Additionally, there will be valuable tips on energy conservation, joint protection, and kitchen setup to support everyday cooking at home.

This event is free, but seating is limited and reservations are required. 

Visit www.griffinhealth.org/adaptive-equipment or contact the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up.

Opened in 2020, the Griffin Center for Healthy Living is a unique facility in which Griffin Health partners with the community in wellness – offering education, guidance and assistance in preventing and managing chronic disease, and promoting overall well-being. 

The Center is part of Griffin’s mission to empower individuals to make choices that change their lifestyles for the better, and embodies Griffin’s goal to not only care for individuals when they are not well, but to build a meaningful relationship, guide, and coach them to maximize their quality of life. 

Visit griffinhealthyliving.org for more information about the Center's features and upcoming community events.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin Center for Healthy Living in Oxford to host olive oil tasting, presentation

OXFORD - In recognition of American Heart Month, the Griffin Center for Healthy Living is hosting a free olive oil tasting and presentation about its heart health benefits. 

Olive it Up! Will be held Feb.19 from 5-6 p.m. at the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen, Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road.

Dr. Tassos Kyriakides, assistant professor at Yale School of Public Health and certified olive oil sommelier, will guide attendees through the versatile flavors of extra virgin olive oils, highlighting their impact on human and planetary health and the important role it plays in the Mediterranean diet. 

Dr. Kyriakides, a native of Cyprus, earned a degree in biochemistry as a Fulbright Scholar at UCLA and received his Ph.D. in epidemiology of infectious diseases at the Yale School of Public Health. As an assistant professor, he helps design, guide and collaborates on numerous clinical research projects involving nutrition.

Opened in 2020, the Griffin Center for Healthy Living is a unique facility in which Griffin Health partners with the community in wellness – offering education, guidance and assistance in preventing and managing chronic disease, and promoting overall well-being. 

The Center is part of Griffin’s mission to empower individuals to make choices that change their lifestyles for the better, and embodies Griffin’s goal to not only care for individuals when they are not well, but to build a meaningful relationship, guide, and coach them to maximize their quality of life. 

Visit griffinhealthyliving.org for more information about the Center's features and upcoming community events.

This event is free, but seating is limited and reservations are required. 

Visit www.griffinhealth.org/olive-it-up or contact the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin Center for Healthy Living in Oxford cooking demo to highlight eating clean

Start Eating Clean with Healthy Chicken Chili

OXFORD - The Griffin Center for Healthy Living is helping individuals start the new year off with better nutrition with Eating Clean for the New Year, a free cooking demonstration Jan. 22 from 5-6:15 p.m. at the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen, Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road.

This free culinary workshop will discuss how to make conscious dietary changes to improve one’s health in 2026 and will feature a demonstration of a healthy and hearty chicken chili with a secret, unexpected ingredient to boost its nutritional value by Griffin Executive Chef Mike Rizzio.

This event is free, but seating is limited and reservations are required. Visit www.griffinhealth.org/eating-clean or contact the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up.

Griffin Center for Healthy Living in Oxford to host class on baking with sourdough

OXFORD - The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen is inviting individuals to learn a new healthy baking technique to start 2026 with a free cooking demonstration about making sourdough and the nutritional benefits of fermentation.

The Yeast You Can Do will be presented Jan. 15 at 5 p.m. at The Griffin Center for Healthy Living at Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road.

Former Executive Director of Massaro Farm and sustainable nutrition expert Caty Poole will discuss clean eating, weight management and overall healthy lifestyle decisions, including the gut health benefits of probiotics in fermented foods. 

Poole will demonstrate how to make and maintain a sourdough bread starter, discuss different flours, methods of baking and troubleshoot various issues that arise. Participants will receive a 1/2 cup sourdough starter.
Sourdough is often considered a healthier bread option due to its long fermentation, which improves digestibility, has a lower glycemic index, boosts gut health by breaking down fructans and creates prebiotics and probiotics. 

This sourdough process also makes minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium more available for absorption and reduces gluten content (though sourdough bread is not gluten-free).

Space is limited for this event; registration is required.

Visit www.griffinhealth.org/yeast-you-can-do or call The Griffin Center for Healthy Living coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up.

The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen is part of Griffin’s commitment to the Planetree person-centered care model, which promotes greater well-being in communities through access to health information and assistance in helping individuals address the social determinants of health such as access to fresh nutritious foods and how to prepare them.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin Health in Oxford to offer free weight-loss workshops

OXFORD - The Griffin Center for Healthy Living will offer free workshops in January to help individuals lose weight through lifestyle change.

Weight-Loss Toolkit – A Well-Being Program is a free, evidence-based healthy eating and active living course for adults based on Eating Smart, Being Active©. 

This six-week program provides tools and tips for sustained weight loss, such as creating individualized meal plans and proven weight-loss exercises.

There will two sessions held on Wednesdays Jan. 21 and 28, and Feb. 4, 11, 18, and 25 at The Griffin Center for Healthy Living, Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road. One session will be from 1:30-3 p.m. and the other session will be from 4-5:30 p.m.

Based on the latest research findings from the American Dietary Guidelines and written by educators at Colorado State University, Weight-Loss Toolkit educates and empowers participants to lead a healthy life through concepts for physical activity, food preparation, cooking and shopping skill development, and food safety. 

Nutrition education for chronic disease management is integrated into every class.

To register or for more information, visit griffinhealth.org/weight-loss-toolkit or contact The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin in Oxford to offer free diabetes prevention program

OXFORD - The Griffin Center for Healthy Living will host a session of Living Healthy to Prevent Diabetes, its free diabetes prevention program this January to help empower individuals to lower their risk for the chronic health condition.

This six-week program helps individuals develop a structured lifestyle change program that can cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%, and, with sustained behavior, continues to lower risk for years to follow. At weekly meetings, Diabetes Care & Education Specialist Mary Swansiger, RN, CDCES, will guide participants in learning about healthy eating, weight management, physical activity, coping skills, healthy lifestyle goal setting and stress management.

There will be a session on Tuesdays Jan. 27, Feb. 3, 10, and 24, and March 3 and 10 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Griffin Health Center for Healthy Living, Quarry Rock, 300 Oxford Road.

This free wellness program is part of Griffin’s commitment to improve community wellness through free education, guidance and assistance in preventing and managing chronic disease. Griffin’s mission is to empower individuals to make choices that change their lifestyles for the better, and to go beyond caring for individuals when they are not well by building a meaningful relationship, guiding, and coaching them to maximize their quality of life.

Register at www.griffinhealth.org/living-healthy-to-prevent-diabetes or contact The Griffin Center for Healthy Living coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up or for more information.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

 

Griffin in Oxford to host 6-week diabetes self-management program

OXFORD - Living Healthy with Diabetes is a free, six-week diabetes self-management program that engages participants in learning and discussing clinical and lifestyle self-management behaviors to improve their health, blood sugars, emotional wellness, and quality of life. 

The program integrates trusted information from the National Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes and The Association of Diabetes Care & Education Curriculum to empower individuals diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes to manage their health and well-being.

There will be a session on Tuesdays Jan. 27, Feb. 3, 10, and 24, and March 3 and 10 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Griffin Health Center for Healthy Living, Quarry Rock, 300 Oxford Road.

At weekly meetings, Diabetes Care & Education Specialist Mary Swansiger, RN, CDCES, will guide participants to manage their well-being with insightful education on healthy eating, weight management, physical activity, medication, glucose technology, health-related risk management, and coping with a chronic condition.

This free wellness program is part of Griffin’s commitment to improve community wellness through free education, guidance and assistance in preventing and managing chronic disease.

Griffin’s mission is to empower individuals to make choices that change their lifestyles for the better, and to go beyond caring for individuals when they are not well by building a meaningful relationship, guiding, and coaching them to maximize their quality of life.

Register at griffinhealth.org/living-healthy-with-diabetes or contact The Griffin Center for Healthy Living coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up or for more information. 

Shared from a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin Health in Oxford offers 'Healthier Gingerbread Man' cooking demo

OXFORD -The Griffin Center for Healthy Living is helping families have healthier holidays with a free cooking demonstration.

The Healthy Gingerbread Man will be Dec. 11 from 5-6:15 p.m. at the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen, Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road.

Griffin Health Chef Mike Rizzio will lead a cooking demonstration on how to make and decorate a gingerbread man that includes nutritional ingredients like flaxseed mill, coconut oil and wheat flour, and uses healthier monk fruit and unsulphured molasses instead of sugar.

Opened in 2020, the Griffin Center for Healthy Living is a unique facility in which Griffin Health partners with the community in wellness – offering education, guidance and assistance in preventing and managing chronic disease, and promoting overall well-being. 

The Center is part of Griffin’s mission to empower individuals to make choices that change their lifestyles for the better, and embodies Griffin’s goal to not only care for individuals when they are not well, but to build a meaningful relationship, guide, and coach them to maximize their quality of life. 

Visit griffinhealthyliving.org for more information about the Center's features and upcoming community events.

This event is free, but seating is limited and reservations are required. Visit www.griffinhealth.org/healthy-gingerbread-man or contact the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up.

This is a press release from Griffin Health. 

Food drive at Quarry Walk in Oxford to support Seymour Oxford Food Bank

 

Griffin Health in Oxford to host Healthy Eating for Diabetes cooking demo

OXFORD - In recognition of Diabetes Awareness Month, the Griffin Center for Healthy Living is helping individuals understand how to manage or prevent the condition with a free cooking demonstration.

Healthy Eating for Diabetes will be Nov. 25 from 5-6:15 p.m. at the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen, Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road. 

Griffin Health Chef Mike Rizzio will lead a cooking demonstration of Spaghetti Squash Stir Fry with Chicken and Vegetables. This colorful stir-fry swaps noodles for roasted spaghetti squash, creating a lower carb base that’s hearty and satisfying. Paired with lean chicken breast, a medley of crisp vegetables, and a savory-sweet sesame soy sauce, this plate is packed with plenty of nutritious fiber and protein.

Opened in 2020, the Griffin Center for Healthy Living is a unique facility in which Griffin Health partners with the community in wellness – offering education, guidance and assistance in preventing and managing chronic disease, and promoting overall well-being. The Center is part of Griffin’s mission to empower individuals to make choices that change their lifestyles for the better, and embodies Griffin’s goal to not only care for individuals when they are not well, but to build a meaningful relationship, guide, and coach them to maximize their quality of life. 

Visit griffinhealthyliving.org for more information about the Center's features and upcoming community events.

This event is free, but seating is limited and reservations are required. 

Visit www.griffinhealth.org/healthy-nutrition-for-diabetes or contact the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Food drive Nov. 16 at Quarry Walk to benefit Seymour Oxford Food Bank

 

Griffin Health Center in Oxford to host cooking demo on natural health tonics

OXFORD - The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen will host a free nutrition education presentation and cooking demonstration about natural health tonics.

Natural Health Tonics to Boost Immunity will be  Oct. 30 at 5:15 p.m. at The Griffin Center for Healthy Living at Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road.

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, former Executive Director of Massaro Farm and sustainable nutrition expert Caty Poole will discuss natural health tonics that are high in vitamin C and how the natural antiviral properties of herbs and honey can be a powerhouse to fight common germs during cold and flu season and can be helpful in preventing cancer. 

Poole will also demonstrate how to make the immunity boosting fire cider and elderberry syrup.

Space is limited so registration is required. 

Visit www.griffinhealth.org/natural-tonics or call The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin Center in Oxford to hold cooking demo for peak sports performance

OXFORD - The Griffin Center for Healthy Living invites high school athletes and their parents to a free presentation and cooking demonstration about proper nutrition for peak performance in sports.

Faster, Focused, Fueled: Nutrition Essentials for High School Athletes will be offered Oct. 18 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen, Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road.

This free culinary workshop will feature a discussion led by Griffin Health Trainer Alexander DeMoura on the essentials of healthy eating for athletes followed by a demonstration of how to make a healthy high-protein breakfast that’s the perfect start for an active day.

This event is free, but seating is limited and reservations are required. 

Visit www.griffinhealth.org/faster-focused-fueled or contact the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up.

Opened in 2020, the Griffin Center for Healthy Living is a unique facility in which Griffin Health partners with the community in wellness – offering education, guidance and assistance in preventing and managing chronic disease, and promoting overall well-being. 

The Center is part of Griffin’s mission to empower individuals to make choices that change their lifestyles for the better, and embodies Griffin’s goal to not only care for individuals when they are not well, but to build a meaningful relationship, guide, and coach them to maximize their quality of life. Visit www.griffinhealthyliving.org for more information about the Center's features and upcoming community events.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.