No matter how hectic the world gets, we are still responsible for the health and well-being of our bodies. The hustle and bustle of each day can make maintaining a healthy lifestyle inconvenient – but the University of Kentucky can help.

The UK College of Agriculture and Cooperative Extension Service offer The Wildcat Way to Wellness, a program that encourages personal growth through improving your diet, taking time out for yourself and energizing your life. The Wildcat Way to Wellness provides Kentuckians with realistic approaches to making life a happier and healthier experience.

Janet Tietyen, UK extension food and nutrition specialist and creator of The Wildcat Way to Wellness program, believes that everyone can benefit from examining daily diet and activity habits. "Comparing how you live to what is recommended as healthy really points out where changes would make a difference," she says.

The program offers Personal Pyramid Profiles, which show you specific ways to change your diet and lifestyle, making daily activities more meaningful and fulfilling. The program even offers the Pyramid Plan for a Healthy Weight, an up-to-date look at healthy ways for Kentuckians to shed those unwanted pounds.

Most of us think of changing our diet as a huge undertaking and a task no one has time for. The Wildcat Way to Wellness program is designed to consider that way of thinking. "There is enough time and resources out there to get healthy. CATSkills for Health, a major component of the program, is a flexible way to reshape your diet," Tietyen says. CATSkills, which integrates cooking, activity and time to be well, addresses the concerns Kentuckians might have with changing their diets.

In addition to also offering information on dietary supplements, strength-building exercises and nourishing the body and soul, The Wildcat Way to Wellness program teaches people how to support Kentucky agriculture by purchasing locally-grown foods. Kentucky State Fair goers might want to check out more than livestock and midway rides this year. The College of Agriculture and the Cooperative Extension Service are showcasing The Wildcat Way to Wellness program by holding two free cooking schools at the fair, both focusing on healthy ways to enjoy all the foods Kentucky has to offer.

The first class, Kentucky Fish, Vegetables and Bread, will be from 4:00 - 5:00 PM on August 20 at the South Wing cooking stage. Participants will see creative cooking demonstrations and learn where to purchase delicious Kentucky catfish, shrimp, breads and fall vegetables.

Session II starts at 11:00 AM on August 26. Kentucky Fruits, Cheeses and Wines focuses on buying the best local apples and grapes, as well as learning Kentucky wine and cheese basics. Participants can also find this class on the South Wing cooking stage.

For more information on The Wildcat Way to Wellness program and The Wildcat Way to Wellness cooking schools, visit the program's web site at www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/fcs/wildcat.