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Welcome to the March Issue of:
The Senior Solution!
Spring is in the Air…
Spring Into Action!
National Nutrition Month
March has arrived, and the traces of spring have already started to awaken from their long winter nap! This is the time of year that always manages to make us feel rejuvenated by even just a sample of warmer weather. It is also brimming with a wealth of opportunities for the elderly to participate in outdoor activities! Encourage your loved ones to make time for a walk and check out the stimulating signs of spring—new buds, green lawns, and spring flowers peeking through the ground. To further share in the joys of spring, there are many easy activities that can engage a senior to within their level of ability. Gardening is a great activity to be enjoyed at any level! Whether you simply take potting soil and zinnia seeds and plant them in a pot, or pick up bedding plants from a local nursery and assemble them in large pots on the patio, this is a wonderful opportunity for a senior to nurture the plants with proper sunshine and water. Also, the growth of the plants can be a great topic of conversation. Gathering cut flowers and arranging them in pretty vases is an easy afternoon activity. Make a gardening calendar that contains the dates of planting and duties for nurturing. Other great spring activities for seniors to participate in are listening to the sounds of nature, such as birds chirping, frogs in the pond, crickets, etc. Perhaps the rejuvenated energy from spring can be a catalyst for a little spring-cleaning, decorating, or exchanging of winter clothes for spring and summer ones. Rather than conventionally drying your laundry in the machine, hang it up outside on the clothesline! Spend time cleaning up the yard by gently raking or clearing away sticks. Making sure that seniors are given the opportunity to participate in activities that engage their mental and physical health is vital in maintaining a vibrant lifestyle! http://voices.yahoo.com/spring-activitiessenior-citizens-2838177.html?cat=12
National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign started by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to “focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.” There is plenty of information available on the website: http://www.eatright.org/. Consumer research has confirmed that taste wins the battle against nutrition as the main reason why one food is chosen rather than another. To embrace this year’s theme of “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right,” here are a few top tips on how to help you eat healthy: 1. Vegetables and Fruits: loaded with nutrients, such as fiber, which help you feel full. 2. Whole Grains: As a good source of dietary fiber, consume more whole-wheat and rye bread, brown rice, oatmeal and whole-grain cereal.
SENIOR SOLUTIONS ISSUE 35
MARCH 2014
St. Patrick’s Day Grasshopper Pie Recipe! Ingredients • 1 pkg. (3.4oz) pistachio Jell-O pudding (fat-free and sugar-free version available) • 1 1/2 cups cold skim milk • 2 cups thawed Cool Whip Free, divided • 6 Oreo Mint Crème cookies, chopped • 1 square Baker’s semi-sweet chocolate, melted • ¼-1/2 tsp. mint extract (optional) • Green food coloring (optional) Directions Beat the pudding mix and milk in bowl for two minutes. Stir in the Cool Whip and chopped cookies. Gently spoon mixture into the crust, and then cover with the remaining Cool Whip and drizzle with melted chocolate. Refrigerate or freeze for two hours or until firm. Slice and serve! (If you froze the pie, let it sit out for 10 min before cutting. Bon Appétit!
3. Fish: Contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids, so try to consume at least twice a week. 4. Unsalted Nuts and Seeds: A small handful can be a satisfying snack. 5. Start Gardening: Try growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs to add extra flavor and vitamins. 6. Substitute Fried Foods: Use other cooking methods that do not add so much fat and calories— such as roasting, grilling, baking, or steaming. 7. Limit Sugars: They can add extra calories without any nutritional content. Beverages and soft drinks sweetened with sugar are the number one source. http://ecowatch.com/2014/03/04/dailytips-for-eating-right-during-nationalnutritionmonth/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium= rss&utm_campaign=daily-tips-for-eatingright-during-national-nutrition-month
http://healthyrecipes.wiki a.com/wiki/Reduced_Fat_ Grasshopper_Pie
CDC’s Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign informs men and women aged 50 years and older about the importance of having regular colorectal cancer screening tests. Screening tests help find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they have a chance to turn into cancer. This prevents the disease! Screening also can find this cancer at an early stage, when treatment is most effective. However, about one-third of adults aged 50 or older (about 22 million people)—the age group at greatest risk of developing colorectal cancer—have not been screened appropriately. For an overview of the Screen for Life Campaign, check out this link: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/pdf/sfl_backgrounder.pdf
At Your Place’s mission is to help seniors live confidently and age gracefully in their own homes for as long as possible. We choose to make a positive difference in the lives of mature adults and their families who love them. Call us today at 360-859-3085! 2