Beet Soup

I just recently heard on a public radio program about the cardiovascular benefits of eating beets.  Sure beats an hour on the treadmill.  Here's one of my favorite beet recipes.

Ingredients:
2 large or 4 small roasted beets, diced
1 T olive oil
1 sweet onion, diced
1 medium potato, diced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
2 stalks of celery, diced 
Veggie or beef broth
S&P to taste
1/2 t thyme is nice, too

Start by roasting the beets, which is simple enough to do.  Remove the greens from the beets but don't cut into the beet proper.  Wrap the beets securely in some foil with a few tablespoons of water and bake at 400 degrees for an hour.  Allow them to cool, slice a small amount off of the top and root section, and slip the peelings off under running water.

While the beets are roasting saute the remaining vegetables in the olive oil until they get just a touch of color.  Add enough broth to cover, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until tender.  Add the roasted, diced beets.

At this point I like to cool the soup and put it into the blender to bring it to a chunky consistency.  I also like to serve it with a splash of apple cider vinegar mixed into each bowl.  Other great toppings include a spoon of sour cream or some warmed goat cheese.

True Confession - I find it a bit difficult to "write" recipes because most of the dishes I create contain whatever I have on hand or my new, great food passion.  Right now I really have a thing for thyme.  It goes into just about everything I make.  My husband is delighted that I'm past my jalapeno phase.  So if you happen to have some mushrooms or other veggies in the fridge that are about to expire, try them in your latest soup creation.  Happy eating!

Activity-Centered Care

I recently received an email from Monica Heltemes, Occupational Therapist and owner of MindStart, a company that creates activities for persons with memory loss.  Monica sent an article published this month which once again states something most caregivers know.  "Studies have shown that nursing home risidents with dementia spend 70-80% of their time with nothing to do."  By not tapping into the remaining cognitive, social and emotions capabilities of persons with dementia living in Alzheimer's units, a state of "excess disability" or disability beyond what is directly attributable to the disease is promoted.  Engagement, and how to engage persons with Alzheimer's, are then highlighted in the article with the words, routine, reduce and reassurance. 

Routine can mean going with the flow with activities done in a typical order and time line each day.  This could include not only activities that are typical to the daily routine of the facility but also activities based on the person's past interests.

Reduce refers to a reduction in the number of steps of a task, reduction in the directions given for the task, and reduction in the level of abstractness of the task.  Multiple choice instead of open-ended questions and games with only matching involved are some of the ways toward reduction.

And reassurance offered in the form of praise and acknowledgment gives the person pride in the moment and a feeling that can last long after the activity.  

Lastly, Monica has created a number of tools for use by staff, family members, or volunteers working with adults in memory care units.  Take a look at what's available at the MindStart site - www.mind-start.com.  And thanks to you, Monica, and other caregivers for all that you do.

Pretty Paper Part One

Right after the busy holiday season we were looking for a fun and easy project.  The project? Painted paper.

Supplies:
  Brown paper bags or craft paper
  Acrylic craft paint
  Brushes
  Masking tape

First the paper bags were cut into manageable pieces.  We cut them into 9 to 10 inch squares.  Next, we taped them into place, taping just two sides, onto flexible plastic that we use for work surfaces.  This kept the paper stable while residents applied the paint.

We then painted the paper with acrylic craft paint and dried the pieces with a hand held dryer.  Finally the paper was decorated with additional colors that were stenciled on, sponged on, or dotted on with a cotton swab.  In the picture you can see strips of blue masking tape along the edges of the paper.  That will be trimmed off so don't worry about the edges.

Bet you wonder what to do with all your lovely looking paper?  That's going to happen on week two of this project and we'll show you next month.  Bet you can come up with some great ideas of your own.

Resolutions

I've often heard people discuss the possibility of a better world.  I've also heard the opinion that one way to make a better world is to begin with the self, i.e. if everyone used all of the bettering energy on making themselves a better person, the world would naturally become a better place to live.

Truthfully, in my most cynical moments, I find that it's much easier to see the speck in someone else's eye.  Also, it takes a lot less energy to criticize than it does to become a better person.  These thoughts came to mind when a group of us got into a discussion about New Year's resolutions.  Groan!  Well, a person could take the easy way out and resolve to do something that they can't fail at, citing the benefit to their self-esteem, such as, I hereby resolve to gain at least ten pounds during the next year.  Feeling good when you reach your goal?  Probably not.

But the word, resolution, was causing discomfort in our group until someone suggested adopting an area of emphasis.  They pointed out that having an area of emphasis did not have an end goal, such as losing ten pounds, but would rather concentrate on a certain way of being.  This particular person said that they were going to focus on being more affirming to other people, pointing out people's contributions rather than their faults. 

This could be as simple as a thank-you whenever someone gives an assist, or it could be an observation that puts a positive spin on someone's efforts.  "That was nice of you to (fill in the blank).  What a thoughtful thing to do."  Takes about ten seconds to say.  Could really make someone's day!