Learn to Live Independently: The Ultimate Neuro-Diverse Cooking Course
Are you a neuro-diverse adult and you want to be more independent? You want to learn how to shop, budget and cook and bake for yourself, BUT, you have no idea where to begin? I can teach you to confidently prepare delicious meals on your own.
My name is Lisa Dickie. I am a Special Education Teacher and now I am the owner of Dickie’s Cooking School. In the past 5 years I have taught hundreds of neuro-diverse people – from all ages, skill level and experience – how to cook food they love to eat.
I have designed cooking programs for teens and adults at CAMH, Community Living Toronto, Holland Bloorview and the Down Syndrome Association of Toronto. This course isn’t just about cooking, it’s about learning how to shop, plan, budget so that you can cook and bake with ease.
By the end of this program, you will …
Know exactly what groceries to get for the week.
Grocery shopping can be overwhelming! You’ll learn how to plan your meals, make a grocery list, and grab what you need with ease. Plus, you’ll also have everything you need for the week!
Know how to choose the freshest products.
You’ll learn how to choose the FRESHEST produce and some tricks to keep it fresher longer.
Understand what goes into a healthy meal.
You’ll develop a basic sense of nutrition. You’ll understand why you need protein and fiber, how much fruit and vegetables you need to eat and how to prepare healthy and balanced meals.
Know how to keep your kitchen clean and safe.
You’ll know how to handle raw meat safely and learn how to clean all your surfaces for a safe and healthy kitchen.
Develop knife skills and learn how to chop like a pro!
A knife is an essential kitchen tool and learning how to use a knife properly makes cooking so much faster and more enjoyable. You’ll learn the best way to chop everything from onions and potatoes to even carving a roasted chicken.
Know how to use leftovers.
Not only will you learn how to cook loads of amazing meals, but you’ll also learn how to use leftovers so you can save time and not waste food. You’ll also learn when it is time to put leftovers in the compost.
Understand the basics of baking.
You’ll come to understand how to handle batter and dough depending on what you are baking and learn to bake your own amazing biscuits, muffins, cakes, and cookies.
"Kathleen has developed knowledge, skills and confidence around nutrition, safe food handling, following recipes and food preparation, all while making unique and delicious meals that we get to taste. The secret ingredient in all this is Lisa. Her warmth and caring creates a very positive atmosphere and her sense of humor always makes the classes fun. I would highly recommend Dickies Cooking School."
Sally, Parent
Learn to Live Independently: The Ultimate Neuro-Diverse Cooking Course
8 COMPREHENSIVE MODULES PLUS
A WEEKLY LIVE VIRTUAL 2 HOUR LESSON (AND LIFETIME ACCESS TO REPLAY)
BONUS RECIPES WITH DETAILED VIDEO INSTRUCTION
LESSONS AND QUIZZES SO YOU CAN PRACTICE WHAT YOU LEARN
VIDEO SKILL LIBRARY FOR EASY REFERENCE
WEEKLY SHOPPING LISTS, MEAL AND BUDGET PLANNER
VIRTUAL COOKBOOK WITH 30, 45, AND 60 MINUTE MEALS
FACEBOOK GROUP TO CHAT WITH LISA AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM
EACH LESSON INCLUDES: TEXT PDF, VIDEO, VIDEO NO SOUND, LIMITED TEXT WITH GRAPHICS
In this module, we’ll learn how onions, celery and carrots are key ingredients to have in your kitchen. You’ll learn the basics of soup and how soup is a fast, easy, inexpensive, and super healthy meal. We’ll cover key kitchen skills: how to use a knife and the safest and best way to chop onions, garlic, celery, and carrots. We will cover grocery costs and students will be given a sample shopping list and menu plan for the week.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Video skill library: how to chop: onion, garlic, celery, carrots
- 5 amazing soup recipes
- Learn how to store and defrost leftovers
In this module, we will learn about protein, why we need it and where we can get it. We’ll learn different ways to cook eggs and how they can be used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ll learn about cross contamination and how to safely handle raw chicken and how to clean our work surfaces and hands. We’ll cover leftovers and how to use them and how long they last.
- Learn how to roast and carve a chicken.
- Learn how to check if your chicken is completely cooked.
- Learn 5 meals with eggs that you can be make in less than 30 minutes.
Not only will you learn how much fruit and vegetables you should eat every day and how to pick the freshest fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. You’ll also learn about how to save money and time by using frozen fruits and vegetables. You’ll get a handy list of the healthiest fruits and vegetables so you can make healthy choices every week.
- Learn how boost a smoothie or a meal by adding sneaky healthy ingredients.
- Learn what to look for when choosing fresh fruit and vegetables so they last longer.
- Learn how to cut and store fresh fruits and vegetables so you have healthy snacks and quick salads and soups.
In this module, we’ll learn about different cuts of beef and the many ways beef can be prepared. We’ll learn to read the best before date on packaging, learn the price per pound/kilogram and how to tell if meat is spoiled. We’ll learn how to freeze and the best way to defrost meat.
- How to clean surfaces when handling raw meat.
- PDF Guide: temperature guide to rare, medium and well-done meat.
- How to make a marinade and what are the best meats to marinade.
In this module we’ll learn about fibre and why it is important to eat. We’ll learn how plant-based protein is an excellent source of protein and fibre and is super inexpensive compared to beef, chicken or fish. We’ll learn how to add legumes (like chickpeas and lentils) to salads, soups, stews and dips. We’ll learn how to read nutrition labels and the difference between dry and canned legumes and how they are used differently.
- PDF protein and fibre chart
- Skill Library: how to cook with dried legumes
- Fast easy snacks and dips with legumes
In this module we’ll learn about the different types of rice and how to prepare them. We’ll learn how to use grains as a side or the main course in a meal. We’ll also learn how grains can add texture, and flavour and fibre to a meal and how them also excellent leftovers.
- 5 fast and healthy weekday recipes that can be prepared in less than 40 minutes
- Skill Library: the tricks for perfect pasta
- Skill Library: how to wash rice
Fish is an excellent source of protein and is a great choice for a fast healthy meal. In this module we’ll learn about the different varieties of fish and the best ways to prepare them. We’ll also learn the many ways to season and marinade, and how to use canned fish for lunches and salads.
- Learn how to remove bones and skin from fish
- How to defrost fish safely and how to check if it is fully cooked
- Easy recipes with canned fish
Homemade baked goods are fresher, more delicious, and often healthier. Plus, baking is so much FUN! In this module we’ll learn how to stock your pantry, so we always have the supplies we need to bake. We’ll learn about gluten and how it affects baking. This module teaches the differences in muffins, cookies, and cakes.
- Learn the secret to making perfect biscuits
- Skill Library: how to “make” buttermilk
- Bake a birthday cake from scratch
Introductory class, 8 modules and Concluding class
In just 8 weeks you will go from overwhelmed and confused to being a comfortable confident cook. You’ll go from feeling bored with your dinner options to excited about trying new. You’ll learn how shop for groceries, how to plan your menus for the week and have the tools to follow a recipe and even to improvise when you want to throw a fast meal together. You’ll learn how to budget for your food and how to store it safely. You’ll be a master in your kitchen!
Shop with Confidence
No more wandering through the supermarket, grabbing random items. No more heading straight to the frozen pizza. You’ll know what items you use the most every week, how to plan your menus and groceries each week, how to buy the freshest produce and how to check for best before dates.
Prepare Healthy Delicious Meals
Are you tired of eating sandwiches and cereal and frozen pizzas? Not only will you learn the basics of cooking, but you’ll also learn recipes from different countries and learn a range of seasonings and flavours. You will learn how to cook a variety of healthy, nutritious meals.
SAVE MONEY
Not only will you learn to cook delicious healthy meals, week after week, you’ll also learn invaluable tricks to save money at the grocery store. You’ll learn how to pick the best produce and how to store it, so it lasts longer. You’ll also learn how to use leftovers, when to freeze and how to minimize food waste.
Private Facebook Group
You’ll get exclusive access to our private Facebook Group. There will be weekly bonus cooking lessons, discussion groups and you’ll have access to additional cooking resources and tips.
"Lisa is so special to me. She makes the classes so much fun. I am making great progress in acquiring skills and confidence."
Matt, student
Frequently Asked Question
What our most successful students asked before joining:
Learn to Live Independently: The Ultimate Neuro-Diverse Cooking Course
Learn to Live Independently: The Ultimate Neuro-Diverse Cooking Course
is PERFECT for you if…
- You are tired of eating frozen dinners over and over again.
- You want to learn more about nutrition and eating healthy, balanced meals.
- You want to learn to cook meals you LOVE to eat.
- You are overwhelmed about making a grocery list, planning a budget and shopping and want help with that.
- You have no clue how to tell when food is bad and it is time to throw it out.
- You are ready to start cooking and shopping for yourself.
- You are ready to be more independent and confident in the kitchen.
"Gus has gained so much confidence in the kitchen since cooking with Lisa. He enjoys cooking and baking. He has learned more than cooking. He has learned to plan a meal, determine what ingredients are needed, how much of the ingredients are needed and of course to make healthy choices. The food that he has learned to cook is delicious and healthy. I cannot thank Lisa enough for running this program!"
Frances, Guardian
I can’t wait for you to join:
Learn to Live Independently: The Ultimate Neuro-Diverse Cooking Course
I have spent five years developing cooking classes for the neuro-diverse community. And what I have discovered in that time is that there are so many young adults who want to be independent, who want to learn how to shop and prepare meals for themselves, but they don’t have a place to do this. Creating a digital course allows me to share my knowledge, my love of cooking (and eating) with more people.
I developed this program to give educators and students easy access to lessons, and materials that they can practice at home -- because that is where they will ultimately need to learn how to apply their skills.
Learning to cook and prepare healthy, balanced meals is an essential life skill and this course gives people the opportunity to not only learn key cooking principles, dozens of recipes, plus practice skills, but also learn how to shop, budget and store food. It is a one-stop-shop.
Lisa Dickie
Lisa Dickie
Founder, Dickie's Cooking School
Founder, Dickie's Cooking School