by Purdue Nutrition Education Program Advisor
Submitted by Marcia Sweet
NEPA Tracy Cochran does not back down from a challenge. She is convinced she can make a healthier version of her clients’ favorites that they will enjoy – and, along the way, persuade them to make other lifestyle changes.
She is so certain that she has started the “Challenge Tracy” campaign.
“I’ve found that senior centers/senior residents can be very…how shall we say it divided/set in their ways/isolated, and so forth,” Tracy explained. “So, I’ve started accepting challenges where they give me one of their favorite, not-so- healthy recipes, and I utilize a Purdue-approved recipe to give them a healthier alternative.”
One agency challenged her to make hobo beans. The dish calls for, among other ingredients, bacon, brown sugar, and barbecue sauce.
“I chose MyPlate baked beans (utilizing ham instead of bacon – cut fat three-fold! – and added minced peppers just to name a couple things),” Tracy said.
Her seniors loved the new dish. The concept has become so popular that the agency is taking her up on the challenge. If their clients find a recipe healthier than Tracy’s, they win a prize donated by the senior center.
As she was volunteering with the St. Vincent de Paul of Martin County Food Pantry, which was closed to in-person classes but offering curbside food pick-up, she worked beside a man she had encountered before but did not know. She struck up a
“Seniors don’t like to be talked at, but like to be talked to and engaged in activities,” Tracy said.
Get to know Tracy:
What areas/counties do you serve?
“I work in Noble and Whitley Counties (but I’ve picked up other agencies when needs arise in LaGrange, Steuben, and DeKalb).”
What group do you most often work with?
“I work most often work with adults and older adults (equally).”
What is your favorite part about being a NEPA?
“My favorite part about being a NEPA is, of course, helping others make healthier changes to their diet/exercise plan!”
Do you have a success story you would like to share?
“It involved an older gentleman at a senior housing complex. He made one significant change: he stopped eating cream cheese. He had been eating cream cheese daily ‘forever’ per his self-report, because he thought it was healthy and counted toward his dairy intake. It was neat to see him learn new things and to be so proactive in making healthy change. He was one that asked a lot of questions and acted really appreciative.”
What are some of your personal interests?
“My personal interests are volunteering at church and spending time with family and friends (cards and dominos). I also like to stay active, so working outside and fixing things around the house make me happy. I have been reading more and getting ready to start learning/practicing piano again.”