An update from Dana Pierce, Nutrition Administrator
Vitamin A is important for older adults. It plays a crucial role in supporting a healthy immune system, is essential for maintaining good vision, and can help maintain healthy skin.
You can find vitamin A in eggs, milk, liver, and cheese. It can also be found in carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes, cantaloupe, and squash. Broccoli, kale, and spinach are also good sources.
Eating a well-balanced diet with a variety of healthy foods helps insure that you’re getting enough important vitamins and minerals. Find new ways to add a variety of fruits and veggies to your daily intake. I love having cut cantaloupe in the fridge for a quick breakfast or snack. Summer squash is delicious roasted or cooked on the grill. You can even add it to your salads for a nice change! I use spinach in a variety of dishes from eggs to soups and sandwiches. It’s a great replacement
for lettuce and has a much higher nutritional value. Mangoes are another tasty summertime treat! They are good alone or added to smoothies or cereal.
I found a cantaloupe sorbet recipe for you to try. It’s so refreshing and will be just the thing to help you beat the heat!
As always, check with your doctor before making changes to your diet.
Upcoming Events
16th Annual Golf Outing
August 7 • Yorktown
LifeStream’s Annual Golf Outing raises funds to help us continue our mission—to provide the right information, resources, and support for improving quality of life and maintaining independence for older adults, those with disabilities, and caregivers. While supporting a good cause, the day will also host a variety of competitions to compete for cash prizes and gifts cards, with the overall champion taking home the John R. Craddock Cup.
What’s Cooking?
Cantaloupe Sorbet
Ingredients:
4 ½ cups fresh cantaloupe 1 medium cantaloupe, cubed
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoon water, or more as needed
Directions:
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
JOY Games South
August 25–27 • Richmond
LifeStream is excited to once again host the 2025 JOY Games South (Just Older Youth) August 25–27. There will be many fun and competitive activities planned during the four-day event, kicking off with the Meet & Greet on July 14! Those who are 55 and older can participate in activities including pickleball, Bingo, chair volleyball, Euchre, a golf scramble, and more. Registration opens July 7. Visit lifestreaminc.org/joy-games
2. Place the cubed cantaloupe onto the baking sheet, leaving space in between the cubes to allow for even freezing and not touching so they don’t create a giant glob of frozen cantaloupe.
3. Place the tray into the freezer and freeze the cantaloupe overnight, or until completely frozen—at least 4-6 hours.
4. Place the frozen cantaloupe into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the cantaloupe becomes crumbly.
5. Add the lemon juice, honey, and water at this time and then pulse again. You may need to add more water until the mixture becomes more fluid, but not slushy. (You’re looking for a soft sorbet texture at this point.)
6. Taste and add any additional honey as needed at this time if it needs to be a little sweeter.
7. If the mixture becomes too slushy and does not resemble sorbet, you can return to the freezer for 30 min. to an hour to allow it to re-solidify.
8. Serve immediately, or store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Please visit lifestreaminc.org/nutrition for more resources and information about our programs and services.
Your donation counts!
LifeStream coordinates the meals at 21 senior café sites throughout 12 counties. We rely on donations from generous people like you to help us continue to reach and help us serve more people in need. You can find donation boxes at the meal sites that will help us continue the sites and feed more people. You can make your donation by sending a check to 1701 Pilgrim Blvd. Yorktown, IN 47396 or visit lifestreaminc.org/nutrition to make a donation online
New!
Veronica Gober MS RDN LD
Staying Cool and Hydrated
An update from Gina Harvey, Wellness Educator
The heat is on! July and August are known for steamy days with lots of sunshine. Don’t let the weather keep you from enjoying your favorite outdoor activities. Follow a few simple tips to keep your activity levels high, while staying cool and hydrated:
• Keep a water bottle with you and take drinks often to stay hydrated.
• Wear lightweight, breathable clothes to stay cool.
• Protect your eyes and wear sunglasses.
• Take breaks often and find a shady spot to rest.
• Plan activities for earlier or later in the day when it is cooler out and the sun is less intense.
• Wear sunscreen and reapply often.
I think it goes without saying that staying physically active is very important. It is a known prescription for weight maintenance, improved sleep, chronic illness management, and comes with a bonus of improved mood and energy!
Finding ways to stay active during all the months of the year is vital to your overall health. Choose an activity that you enjoy and make space in your schedule to do it. Invite a friend or relative to join in with you.
Classes are being scheduled and hosted at local senior centers, senior housing, and community centers throughout the LifeStream 12-county service area. If you would like to learn more about A Matter of Balance or other wellness courses, contact Gina Harvey, Wellness Educator, at gharvey@lifestreaminc.org.
Outreach Corner
An update from Angie Jenkins, Outreach Coordinator
We are almost halfway through 2025 and celebrating Our Golden Year, and the LifeStream team has been busy out in the community. Here are a few upcoming events to look out for:
We have our 2nd annual JOY Games North coming on July 14–17 at the YMCA and other locations in Muncie. This is a wonderful event for folks ages 55+ to come join us and your peers for a few days of competitive and non-competitive sports such as giant Jenga, football toss, chair volleyball, Euchre, Bingo, pickleball, and a golf scramble along with other sports. Registration is required along with a $15 fee that provides you with a t-shirt, swag, and lunch. You can visit lifestreaminc.org/joy-games or call (765) 759-1121 to register.
We will also be hosting our annual JOY Games South in Richmond from August 25–27. JOY Games South has been an established event for many years, so we have more competitive and non-competitive sport opportunities. Most events will be happening at the Richmond Senior Center, with the exception of the golf scramble and pickleball, which will take place at other partnering locations. This event requires a registration along with a $15 fee. Stay tuned as those details will be coming out very soon!
To learn more about upcoming LifeStream events, visit lifestreaminc.org/calendar, or contact Angie Jenkins, Outreach Coordinator, at ajenkins@lifestreaminc.org.
Volunteering is Changing Lives
An
update from Laura Bray, Volunteer Services
Administrator
Do you believe volunteering has the power to transform your life? You can ignite a fire within yourself that you were unaware existed by simply dedicating an hour of your time once a week, every other week, once a month, or whatever works for you.
LifeStream volunteers tell us that they have made new friends, have a reason to get out of bed in the morning, have someone who is depending on them, or have a purpose that they are enthusiastic about.
What spark do you have? There is a volunteer program out there that needs you, whether you enjoy working with kids, seniors, animals, feeding those in need, or the environment. You could change your life and the lives of those you touch!
We provide a program that would be a fantastic way to begin your volunteer work or increase the difference you are already making in the world. Many isolated seniors are waiting for a buddy to call and say “hello” through our Friendly Caller service! You are not required to volunteer at a set time or to leave your home—what could make volunteering more ideal?
Do you have a passion for helping others? If so, the Friendly Caller Program could be the perfect opportunity for you! Volunteers are always needed and welcome. Contact Laura Bray, Volunteer Services Administrator, at (765) 808-8827 or lbray@lifestreaminc.org to find out more about how you can impact someone’s life.
Volunteer Concierge Program
What is the Volunteer Concierge Program?
Who can volunteer?
How to sign up to volunteer
When you can’t, we can.
A volunteering initiative in which individuals are matched with older adults in need of a friendly visit or task assistance such as housekeeping, meal prep, light yard work, or companionship.
Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older with a desire to impact an older adult’s life through support and companionship.
Those interested in being part of the Volunteer Concierge Program can fill out an application at lifestreaminc.org/support/volunteer or contact Laura Bray, Volunteer Services Administrator, at (765) 808-8827 or lbray@lifestreaminc.org.
Learn more about LifeStream and the Volunteer Concierge Program at (800) 589-1121 or visit lifestreaminc.org.
