Over the past several years, it has become apparent to institutions, such as the Episcopal<br>Medical Trust, that it is in everyone’s best interests to focus greater attention on the collective<br>health and well-being of its leadership, members and employees. To protect and safeguard<br>the health of groups and individuals means that we must face the challenge of dealing with<br>chronic conditions such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer.<br>It follows that diet must become the focal point of any such plan. <br><br>Since eighty percent of healthcare costs are lifestyle-related and thus, preventable, the<br>Episcopal Medical Trust is developing a wellness strategy designed to move the denomination<br>into a culture of wellness. Cooking for a Healthy Church is a fun and tasty step in this direction.<br><br>However, it also is hoped that this cookbook will become an important ecumenical tool for<br>congregations and other institutions, as well as families and individuals, to learn to prepare<br>and promote healthy foods and preparation techniques…without sacrificing taste and<br>appetite appeal.