Cooking Up Health At The Wellness Kitchen

By Judy Salamacha ~

Nancy Walker always knew her career would involve cooking, but it took swinging at several of life’s curve-balls to discover her passion would be adapting her creative cooking talents to serve those struggling with cancer and critical illness.

A “therapeutic chef,” Walker founded, The Wellness Kitchen and Resource Center (WKRC) based in Templeton across from Twin Cities Community Hospital.

“When someone receives a life threatening diagnosis, they are frightened,” she said. “We’ve seen people walk in — their faces gray. Our client liaison, Kiley Embry, will sometimes talk with them for hours guiding them towards a place to start. Their color comes back. It’s amazing to watch.”

True to its mission established in 2009, WKRC provides a supportive atmosphere offering healing foods and resources. Walker explained, “One-third of the meals provided are free to those with lower income and no caregiver support. Another third can afford to pay for their meals while dealing with serious health problems. Many more are busy folks who want to support and purchase meals to maintain personal healthy eating.”

Inspired by author Rebecca Katz, savory broths and menu items are prepared for pick-up, purchase, or onsite consumption by six employees and a team of volunteers at the nonprofit center located at 1255 Las Tablas Rd.

“Lately we’ve been blending meals for those feeding with IVs or through feeding tubes,” Walker said. “They provide nutrition but also flavors to help them want to eat again. Our bone marrow broth builds back strength after hip replacement surgery.” All meals are cooked fresh, frozen, gluten-free with no GMOs and served in glass containers.

Want to learn more and help a friend? Calendar Saturday, July 16 from 5-8 p.m. for WKRC’s annual fundraiser, “Soul Kitchen,” an evening of dining and wine tasting. The donation is $35 per person with all proceeds benefiting the Pay It Forward Program.

“Friends and neighbors typically want to help by cooking meals,” said Walker, who understands the heartfelt offering might satisfy affected family members but not help the one who needs sustenance. The Pay It Forward gifting program provides nutritious meals for those with cancer or a critical illness. Tickets are available at The Wellness Kitchen or online at: eventbrite.com.

Walker offers cooking classes at The Wellness Kitchen in Templeton and Idler’s Appliance Street in San Luis Obispo. Idler’s is also the South County pick-up center for WKRC. She also enjoys telling her story at community group meetings.

Her fireman father is her hero, however, her mother Julia is her inspiration. Bill Walker died at 49 not fighting fires for the City of Los Angeles Fire Department, but of lung cancer. He left Julia and four adoring daughters while focused on cheerleading his love through her radiation treatments. “But my mother didn’t give up,” said Walker. “She moved forward. Today she is 82 and beautiful.”

Walker is convinced her mother survived by eliminating all the negativity she could control in her life. Julia couldn’t control the loss of her mother, father and her second husband to cancer, nor her sister’s Type-2 Diabetes complications, but when diagnosed again with cancer, Julia decided to try non-traditional treatments. “My mother chose living a clean and healthy life,” Walker said, “seeking better nutrition, exercising, and meditation.”

Walker intended to “pay it forward” when she moved to the Central Coast by opening a B&B focused on healthy living. “I wanted a place where a mom and daughter or a couple could visit and learn about the healing life my mother had discovered.”

But a divorce interrupted her plans. To move forward she sought employable skills at the culinary school of The Art Institute of Phoenix. That’s where she learned to cook with butter and salt, Walker said. Not seeking to open a French cuisine restaurant, she transferred to Bauman College training in holistic nutrition and culinary arts. “I learned to appreciate the farmer’s efforts growing foods with sunshine, dirt, water, love and healing intent.”

After opening The Wellness Kitchen in 2009, she instantly realized its need. She expanded into an 1892 Victorian manse in Templeton in 2010, but her dream was still half-baked. “It created peacefulness but I became a property manager for support groups.” In 2012 she approached oncologist, Dr. Sanjay Ganpule, who owned the Las Tables property. “He was instantly supportive.”

Walker focuses on her mission. “First WKRC offers healing foods and hope to people recently diagnosed with a life threatening health challenge then we become part of a team to help them through recovery by providing nutrition and culinary education to continue living healthy.”

Freelance writer, columnist and author, Judy Salamacha’s Then & Now column is a regular feature of Tolosa Press. Contact her at: [email protected] or (805) 801-1422 with story ideas.