Meet the Mettler Center Staff #3: Mary Knight

Name: Mary Knight

Position at Mettler Center: Mettler University Coordinator

Years at Mettler Center: I've been at the Mettler Center for 7 years, and was a member for several years before I started working at the Center.

College/Education: Iowa State University, Ames, IA. I have a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics Education - emphasis in both Nutrition and Textiles and Clothing. I also have a minor in Chemistry. I am a certified chef in healthy cooking techniques through the Culinary Institute of America.

When you are not working at Mettler, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Well anyone who knows me knows how much I love to spend time with my family. My husband, Bruce, and I are empty nesters, but our children still live in Champaign. Bruce and I love to cook together, travel, play golf, watch movies and sit on our deck in the summertime. On Sundays, we have a tradition that our children come over for dinner and we play games.

Why is health and well-being an important part of your life?

I grew up in a family, my mother was a nurse and my dad was a dentist. Being healthy and active was just a normal part of our family. My dad was an athlete and my mother also cooked healthy all the time; I think that's where I began to know that fitness was an essential part of your life, but healthy eating was as well.

In what ways of your life are you the healthiest - and in others, less so?

To this day, I still cook healthy meals; I don't know any other way. And I try to work out, but I can say it's a struggle at times. I like that I have a family that encourages me and will work out with me.

What one health secret would you like to share with our readers?

I don't think it's really a secret, but drinking water I think is essential in a healthy lifestyle. It not only keeps you hydrated, but helps with your digestion, helps burn fat and gets that blood circulating. Lack of water can cause fatigue and after all, our bodies are 65% made of water, so it only makes sense to drink water to keep our bodies functioning properly.

What's the biggest risk you've ever taken - and were you glad that you did it?

Several years ago, my family and I went camping in West Virginia. My husband and kids wanted to go white water rafting. I thought they were crazy, but they talked me into it. It was a blast, even though I feel out of the raft at one point. I'm glad I did it - so now I don't have to do it again!

When you need to unwind, what do you do?

I'll sit on my sofa and watch a really good movie and of course, most of the time, it's a chick flick. Listening to music and just spending time with my husband, Bruce. We love being empty nesters!

How many cooking classes are offered at Mettler Center?

We offer several cooking classes for adults throughout the year, our Everyday Cooking Classes. We've done coffee shop treats, bread classes - really a whole variety. We also offer Kids Cooking Classes. I think it's so important to get kids involved in nutrition, cooking and fitness at a young age. I think that comes across in all of our classes.

Are the classes just for members or can anyone take them?

Anyone can take a class, not just cooking, but all of our Mettler University classes. We have both free and fee-based classes for members and non-members.

How do you find time to cook healthy foods for you and your family?

As I said, I don't really know any other way. It really doesn't take anymore time to cook healthy. It just becomes a way of life.

What advice would you give someone who wants to eat healthy but doesn't like to cook?

I would suggest to them to start out small, find a good healthy cookbook that has recipes for 3-4 ingredients. Eating healthy is a way of life, and if you cook just simple meals, you can still control what you're eating. You can't do that if you're not cooking and going out all the time. It takes some patience, but in the long run, being healthy is a way of life.

If you could tell non-members one thing about the cooking classes at Mettler Center, what would it be?

Not only are they educational and you get great recipes and get to try the food, but we have tons of fun!

More information about how you can get involved with Mettler's Cooking School is available on our website. Check out the classes available, as well as special services like "fit and fun" birthday parties and team building cooking classes. And don't forget to find out about all of the other Mettler University offerings on our Mettler U webpage.