Foil Packet Dinners--Written By Katherine McPherson

In an ideal world, dinner would be a great time to relax and enjoy spending time with your family while consuming delicious and healthy food. As a caregiver, you may feel a responsibility to provide your loved one with good nutrition. Sometimes this is easier said than done. Often, we have competing priorities and lack of time. This can be further complicated by various family food preferences. If this sounds familiar, I hope this dinner idea can help you.
Currently, I have an abundance of squash and zucchini in my garden. So I simply sliced these vegetables along with some onion and used them as the base for individual tin foil dinners for each person at our house. This mixture was then seasoned with salt and pepper and a pat of butter was added to each packet. Individual chicken breasts that had been marinating in Italian dressing were placed on the vegetables. I sealed up each packet and put everyone's dinner on a cooking sheet together. I baked them at 375 degrees for 45 minutes (until the chicken was done at 170 degrees in the thickest part of the breast). Lastly, I transferred each dinner from its packet to a plate (be careful when opening the packets) and added some Parmesan cheese to each serving. I served this alongside some steamed broccoli and it was a complete and fresh meal. It took less than 10 minutes to put together and clean-up was minimal.

Maybe your loved one has different food preferences than you or has dietary restrictions that can be limiting for the whole family. Other foods that are convenient in tin packets include potatoes (just slice them very thin or dice them), bell peppers, mushrooms and hamburger patties. Any seasoning or herbs can be used (pesto is another good one for chicken and either potatoes or zucchini). Some people may add shredded cheddar cheese, cooked bacon or barbecue sauce after baking. Modifying this concept to suit everyone's diet is simple and allows minimal preparation to accomplish different meals for the whole family. In addition, others can help by making their own packets and all meals that are cooked together are done at the same time. Assembling each meal could even be done the day prior to baking. Just pull the packets out of the refrigerator and put them in the oven when you are ready. This means you have one less thing to coordinate and this can make a huge difference in a busy day. This meal is also very forgiving as it does not over-cook easily and the foil packet keeps the meat moist (which makes it tender).

I hope this idea may help you and your family have an easy, affordable, healthy and delicious home-cooked dinner together.

Practice an Attitude of Gratitude

Ever get discouraged? Bogged down by responsibilities? Overwhelmed by your endless "to do lists"? I know I sure do. But, a few weeks ago I met an amazing person who shared a life principle that really helps.

He shared that maintaining an attitude of gratitude (which simply means to practice giving thanks) helps produce joy. Oh, I know, sometimes it doens't seem like there's anything to be thankful or grateful for...but over the last few weeks I tried to live by his principle. And you know what? It made me joyful!


I'm convinced that gratitude helps to overcome fatigue. It squelches frustrations. And, helps lighten the load!
So, wanna try it out? If so, ask yourself these questions:

• Who has helped me during a time of great difficulty?
• Who encourages or inspires me to be better than I ever thought possible?
• Who empowers me to live with greater excellence?
• Who showers me with genuine belief and praise for my talents?
• What is your favorite memory?
• What can I be thankful for? The key is to find gratefulness in the simplest of things: people in your life, your pet, your home, food on the table, moments with loved ones, running water, air-conditioning...

Begin to express thanks out loud, especially when you feel discouraged. You might also consider sending a note of thanks to people you appreciate.

It may not feel natural at first...but...practicing praise and maintaining an attitude of gratitude produces strength and joy.

Take Time To Rest

"Rest isn't laziness...Rest is a certain step toward renewal." (Virelle Kidder, Meet Me At the Well, pg. 52.)

What helps you rest? Do you even remember anymore? Or have you tirelessly served to the extent you have nothing left to give?

Today's Tip: Take Time To Rest

What brings you peace? Write a list of a few things that only takes a few minutes but brings you peace; allow yourself a little time each day to do them. Begin small. Take a five minute walk alone, or sit quietly enjoying the scenery. Take time to replenish your soul. Stimulate your mind with a good book.

The best way to maintain the strength to serve those you love is to remain healthy and strong. It's ok to care for your own needs too.

Feeling a little edgy? Feeling worn out? Time to take a little time for you and rest.

Enjoy a Superfood Smoothie

Enjoy a Superfood Smoothie

Photo from here

Summer is in full swing and when temperatures go up appetites can go down. Taking care of our bodies (including maintaining a healthy diet) can be a challenge when balancing busy lives and competing priorities. Consider trying the following recipe for a blueberry smoothie as either breakfast or a snack. Loaded with blueberries, yogurt and flaxseeds, it makes good nutrition possible for both those who struggle with enjoying healthy foods and caregivers who are super busy (sound familiar?). Who doesn't need more fruit, omega-3s and calcium in their lives?

You may already know that blueberries are one of the healthiest foods we can consume. Livestrong.com reports some of the advantages of this fruit include:

• Rich in Antioxidants to Strengthen and Support the Immune System
• Relieves Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms
• Source of Fiber
• Beneficial for Short-Term Memory

Fresh blueberries can be frozen to enjoy in this smoothie or you can purchase them already frozen (this is a budget-friendly way to enjoy this fruit year-round).

Blueberry Smoothie
1 c. frozen wild* blueberries
½ c. plain or vanilla yogurt
1 c. lowfat milk
2 TBS ground flaxseeds
Put all ingredients into the blender and puree. Enjoy! Makes 1 large or two small servings.

For anyone who wants to learn more about the health benefits of blueberries, check out this link.
More on the nutritional information for flaxseeds here.

*wild blueberries have higher levels of antioxidants in them than cultivated blueberries. You can usually find wild blueberries in the frozen section of the supermarket, but any type of frozen blueberry will work fine in this recipe.

The Best Place to Start is with...

I don't like to admit my limitations. Sometimes I even try hiding my short-coming and press on under the illusion I can do anything...that is until exhaustion overrides my determination.

Ever share similar struggles?

Today's Tip:

Regardless of what obstacles we face in life, the best way to meet the challenge is with honesty...Honesty with our own expectations...Honesty with our limitations...Honesty with our frustrations.

In her book, Meet Me at the Well, Virelle Kidder writes, "Caring for others' deep needs exhausts us to our core. There's a limit to how much anyone can do."

Admitting we can't do it all is difficult. But, asking for help and acknowledging our feelings is healthy. Take time today, to renew your strength. Find a place to relax and evaluate where you need help. Be honest with yourself...NO ONE can do it all.

If you are at a place where you need help caring for your loved one, don't hesitate to contact us at our Broward County Office: 954-578-7189 or through our national site at: http://www.griwoldspecialcare.com/

It's a Great Time for a Picnic

It's a Great Day for a Picnic: Written by Katherine McPherson



 photo from here

Sandy, a talented caregiver, has a way of engaging clients who typically don’t like to do activities. She takes Jane, a lady whom she cares for, on a “picnic”. Jane has dementia and is hesitant to leave her couch and television (which is always on the news). Sandy encourages Jane to help her pack a lunch of finger foods. They don’t leave the house (due to Jane’s declining mobility), but they do go to the sunroom for lunch. It can be an effective way to change the scenery for Jane (because let’s face it- the news is not always uplifting), and it makes lunch seem more like an event. Finger foods are tasty and they eliminate the need for silverware, which can be a challenge for Jane to use at times.  Some foods they enjoy include small sandwiches (cucumber, chicken salad and egg salad are favorites), pickles or chips, sliced fruit and cookies.  Sandy’s thoughtful idea makes a positive impact on Jane’s day by creating a fun and positive environment, helping her relax, have an enjoyable meal and participate in light-hearted conversation. Maybe having a picnic could create a joyful experience for you and your loved one too.

Take Time To Journal

Ever, "find yourself currently overwhelmed by your responsibilities, torn in two by the needs of other, or waking up begging for strength to get you through the next day, then we might be related. Do people count on you to be strong but your emotional tank was empty long ago?...Ever want to quit?" (Excerpt from Virelle Kidders book, Meet Me at the Well.)

Caring for those that are aging, disabled or a combination can be tiring. Watching their deterioration disarms the best of us. But there is hope. You don't have to remain overwhelmed. Our mission is to offer helpful hints to caring for loved ones who demand long term care.

One of the greatest helps you can offer your loved one is nurturing your own health and well-being. Each Tuesday, we hope to offer you helpful hints to caring for your own needs in order to help empower you to assist those you love most. On Thursdays, our mission will be to offer helpful suggestions to engage your loved one in healthy activities.

Today's Tip: Take time to journal.

Write out your feelings. Express your emotions.

What should you write about? Address thoughts like: What do you wish? What do you miss? What do you still love to do? What do you enjoy or appreciate about your loved one? How are you feeling? Write it down...yes both the good and the bad emotions. Really, you can write about anything. The point is to provide you a healthy outlet for yourself. Journaling provides the opportunity to express things that may otherwise go un-said, allowing an outlet for pent-up emotions. Journaling also provides a time for quiet reflection.

Take time to write...release stored up frustrations...and feel renewed through quiet reflection.

Written by: Julie Gorman with excerpts from Virelle Kidder's Book: Meet Me at the Well