An update from Dana Pierce, Nutrition Administrator
Sometimes it’s hard to get enough fruit and vegetables in our diet. If you go to fast food places, you won’t find much in the way of healthy fruit and veggies. I know it seems easier to grab some chips or cookies when you feel like a little snack sometimes, but that’s not a healthy option.
Why are fruits and veggies important to eat? They’re low in calories—naturally! They may reduce disease risk, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and some cancers. They’re rich in vitamins and minerals that help you feel healthy and energized.
The USDA recommends eating 5–9 servings of fruits and veggies daily. That sounds like a lot, but it’s easy with these tips:
• Ensure at least half of your plate is full of fruits and veggies.
• Vary your veggies! Fresh or frozen? Cooked or raw? Red, orange, or green? Picking different options will keep meals interesting.
• You can cook frozen or fresh vegetables in the microwave for a quick side dish.
• Try a new fruit, vegetable, or recipe twice a month.
Frozen and canned produce count—they’re just as nutritious as fresh produce, can be stored long-term, and are perfect for bulking up less substantial meals.
Here are some ways to include fruits and vegetables in your meals and snacks throughout the day:
• Add fruit to whole-grain cereal, such as sliced bananas, or raisins.
• Choose celery sticks or baby carrots with a dip as a side dish instead of chips.
• Stir in cooked, frozen, or leftover vegetables, such as peas, chopped asparagus, or sliced mushrooms to cooked brown rice.
Upcoming Events
Caregiver Gatherings
Monthly • Muncie & Liberty
Caregivers: come together and take a break, enjoy food, share resources, and support one another. The additional Muncie Gathering is the second Thursday of the month, 1:30–3pm, at The Woodlands. The new Liberty Gathering is the second Tuesday of the month, 11:30am–12:30pm, at Pizza King.
Fall Festival
September 26, 2024 • Liberty
LifeStream’s annual Fall Festival draws crowds of over 400 older adults for a day of pontoon boat rides, a health fair, car show, musical entertainment, crafts, and much more. The Fall Festival is held at the Treaty Line Pioneer Village. Visit lifestreaminc. org/fall-festival to learn more.
What’s Cooking?
Very Berry Smoothie
This refreshing pineapple, banana, and berry blend smoothie has 2 & 1/2 cups of fruit per serving. Serves 2.
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup frozen raspberries
1 cup pineapple chunks
1 banana
1 cup skim milk (or almond milk)
1 & 1/2 cups ice
Directions:
Peel and slice the banana.
Gather all ingredients and combine in a blender.
Cover and blend until smooth.
Serve right away or pour into ice cube trays and freeze. During the week, pop out the ice cubes for a quick on-the-go breakfast.
Source: (My Plate U.S. Dept of Agriculture, n.d.)
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
September 17–October 22 • Virtual Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC) helps caregivers and care partners prioritize their well-being and take care of themselves while caring for a friend or loved one. This six-week virtual course meets every Tuesday from 10:30am–12pm via Zoom. Visit lifestreaminc.org/PTC to learn more and register.
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
Menus subject to change New! Turkey & Sweet Potato
Penne Pasta
Glazed Pork Loin
September is Healthy Aging Month!
An update from Gina Harvey, Wellness Educator
September is Healthy Aging month! This is a time to focus on the positive aspects of growing older. Living a healthy and active lifestyle can improve your physical, social, and mental well-being. Maybe one of the first things you think of when considering a healthy lifestyle is physical activity. Staying active is key to maintaining your independence and mobility. Fitting in extra activity throughout your day may be easier than carving out a solid 30–60 minutes. Engage yourself in activities YOU enjoy so that it doesn’t feel like “work.” Taking walks with a friend, joining an exercise class at your local senior center, and gardening are all great ways to stay active.
Look for activities that challenge your mind and spirit. Learn a new hobby or other activity to engage your brain. Exercise your brain by completing a puzzle, playing a game, or reading a good book. Practice mindful breathing or yoga to help relax your mind.
Keep up with social connections and make them a priority. Scheduling time to talk or meet with friends and family can enhance your sense of belonging and purpose. Having someone to discuss problems with can reduce your stress levels and improve the chance of finding positive solutions.
Optimal nutrition can complement all of the above and improve your health. Different colored veggies and fruits offer unique vitamins and minerals. Eat the rainbow to ensure that you are getting the most from the foods you consume! There are many things you can do to age well!
Are you interested in joining a class on fall prevention, healthy eating, or joining an exercise group? LifeStream’s wellness programs are here to help! For more information about wellness classes, visit lifestreaminc.org/wellness, or contact Gina Harvey, Wellness Educator, at gharvey@lifestreaminc.org.
Outreach Corner
An update from Angie Jenkins, Outreach Coordinator
It’s wild to think that summer is almost over and we are close to fall temperatures! The summer has been busy for LifeStream as we wrapped up our Aging Well Conference, Golf Outing, the Wayne & Fayette County Fair Senior Days, as well as many other community events.
Next up is the planning and preparation of our fall and winter events, including our annual Fall Festival in Liberty on Thursday, September 26. We hope that you will sign up to come spend the day with us and our community friends as we enjoy a fun fall day of activities. We will also be working on our annual National Caregiver Month event for November as well as our AngelWish project for the holiday season!
We hope that you have taken the opportunity to join us at one of our events as it is our goal to help provide you with education and resources that could be beneficial in maintaining a healthy active lifestyle!
To learn more about upcoming LifeStream events, visit lifestreaminc.org/calendar, or contact Angie Jenkins, Outreach Coordinator, at ajenkins@lifestreaminc.org.
Volunteers Transform Communities
An update from Laura Bray, Volunteer Services Administrator
For all of their time, energy, and commitment to helping others, volunteers typically find it difficult to accept recognition. This is something that we at LifeStream Services want to proclaim from the top of the highest mountain! We honor our volunteers throughout the year, including the LifeStream Golden Hoosier Award. The LifeStream Golden Hoosier Award nominees for this year include nine exceptional people, each of whom have achieved success with many different volunteer initiatives.
For their extraordinary spirit, enthusiasm, and time spent helping others, we would like to recognize Barbara Twigg, Helen Martin, Lawrence “Rock-n-Roll” Schuler, Lonnie Snow, Maribeth Taylor, Randall Davis, Rebecca Monroe, Sharon Bentz, and Tabo “Ty” Smith!
Two of these individuals have now been nominated for the Golden Hoosier Award, the state’s top volunteer recognition for senior volunteerism. The ceremony is to take place later this year in our state’s capitol.
Nominated from Liberty, Indiana, Lonnie Snow is well known for his adept leadership, ingenuity, organization, patience, and commitment to the Special Olympics. When not working with the Olympians, Lonnie is always eager to assist Santa in bringing festive cheer and the spirit of the season to the community.
Because of his unrelenting commitment to helping others, Randall Davis of Redkey, Indiana, has also been nominated. A Better Life–Brianna’s Hope was founded by Randy. For many struggling with addiction and substance abuse, Randy has been a source of inspiration and hope. In addition, he is passionate about thanking other veterans for their service by offering them gift cards and supports.
We want to sincerely thank our volunteers for sharing your willingness to go above and beyond; without you, many people would not be aware of the passion that lies at the core of a volunteer’s heart.
If you’re interested in learning more about LifeStream’s volunteer opportunities, please contact Laura Bray, Volunteer Services Administrator, at (765) 808-8827 or lbray@lifestreaminc.org.
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.
