Fruit Salad Recipe

Found this recipe and thought of a few ways to incorporate other activities into this. To see recipe click on link above.

1. Make this fruit salad in your next cooking class.

2. Have a resident council meeting and ask if they would like to have more fresh fruit in their diets if the response is yes then ask everyone what their favorite fruit is. Take the top three favorite's and let dietary know that Resident Council Members requested that these fruits be offered more often at meals.

3. Have a social serving the fruit salad

4. Fruit trivia

5. Fruit craft

6. Fruit prizes at bingo

I'm sure there are more ideas, but that's all that comes to mind right now. If you can think of anything else please leave a comment letting me know.  

I love chickens! They come in so many varieties and I would love to have a couple of each. Where this love for them came I have no idea. I've never lived in a place where I could keep them. I would think most residents might have had some at some point in their life. So came my thought to have a chicken day! You can go to BackyardChickens.com for some great information on the subject. Be creative and see how many things you can do on chicken day. One time while I was having an exercise program, I don't remember how the subject of killing chickens came up but it did and it actually turned out to work as part of the exercise program. Ask your residents during exercise how this is done and you'll see what I mean. Please come back here and let me know if you do this.


P.S. Which resident reminds me of Chickens? When I asked Mr. A if he would like some fried chicken from KFC, he said "Oh no! I grew up on a chicken farm and they are dirty animals! I don't eat chicken!

FRUIT OR VEGITABLE?

I thought this would make good trivia questions. Especially if you have your trivia while they wait for their meals.

• Bell Pepper – Fruit
• Asparagus – Vegetable
• Squash – Fruit
• Garlic – Vegetable
• Pumpkin – Fruit
• Tomato – Fruit
• Potato – Vegetable
• Cucumber – Fruit
• Avocado – Fruit

vanilla banana black & white milk shake - oh, how posh!


I found this interesting recipe at

oh, how posh! 

An online resource for entertaining in style. oh, how posh! offers inspiring ideas and stylish trends for creating fabulous holiday parties, cocktail parties, and everyday get-together's. 

Don't you think this would be a great treat. I signed up for their newsletters so that I can get some of their ideas and more recipes. Head on over there and check it out.

Sweet Celebrities: A List of Pastries and Desserts Named After People

Cakespy.com is a Dessert Detective Agency dedicated to seeking sweetness (literally) in everyday life. This is the cutest list from A to Z with cute graphics and fun information. This could be a fun Activity. Let me know if you use this in your program and what you did. Click on the link above to see the post.

Beautiful, Impressive and Moist--the Bundt Cake Is perfect Every Time!

Bundt Cake Day is on Sunday. I found some interesting information I would like to share on a website called the Big Blend.  
Back in the 1950s the Nordic Ware Company started making bundt cake pans for those wanting a coffee cake pan. However, the pans were not really popular until the Pillsbury Bake-Off competition of 1966. The Big Blend Site offers some great tips to making the perfect bundt cake and a great recipe. I was thinking it would be fun to have a Bundt Cake Day. Have the residents share their memories of baking. Let me know what you did if you decide to do something. Click on the Link above to see more at Big Blends website.
I really enjoy their newsletter and encourage you to subscribe, I assure you you will find interesting information. 
I would also like to share their mission with you, because I really like what they are about.


Our Mission: Our Mission: "Big Blend Magazine is a company based on the belief that education is the most formidable weapon that can be waged against fear, ignorance and prejudice. It is our belief that education starts at home and branches outward. Education leads to travel, and travel leads to understanding, tolerance, and appreciation of cultures and customs different to our own, and ultimately to world peace. Our company is further based on the principle that networking, communication, and helping others to promote and market themselves leads to financial stability; thus paving the way to better education, travel, and the spirit of giving back to the community."

Candy Cups for the Thanksgiving Table: "
Guest Post by Jodi of Pleasant Home

I love finding such great talent and passing it on to you. For instructions on how to make these please click on the link above.




Using this simple tutorial, you could add these leaves for dozens of other projects for your Thanksgiving decor.

DIY Indian Corn Place Cards: "


These clever Indian corn place cards look like they're made using a glass vase, but they're not. They're actually constructed of clear pastry bags, which makes them a perfect take-home treat for your Thanksgiving guests. Here's what you'll need to make 'em.

• clear pastry bags--12'
• wooden circles--about 1 1/4' in diameter
• yellow, red and brown M & M's
• double-sided tape
• tan twisty ties
• raffia
• scissors

To see how it all goes together, follow this jump.
"

Free Memory Screenings Nationwide: Nov. 17th

Free Memory Screenings Nationwide: Nov. 17th: "

If you are caring for a senior who you think may be experiencing some memory loss, or if you just want to make sure your own memory is functioning well, take advantage of the free memory loss screeings offered at locations nationwide on November 17, 2009, by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

Memory loss can sometimes be slowed, when diagnosed early, by the use of medications, brain exercises and meditation. By discovering the type of memory loss, a senior can more effectively manage the challenges which will lie ahead.

National Memory Screening Day

Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Place: Hundreds of convenient locations nationwede. Click here to find a memory screening location in your state.

You will also be able to obtain information about early warning signs for dementia and you can find out about all senior services in your state on Caregiverlist's by-state information pages.

"

Oreo Cookie Turkeys

Oreo Cookie Turkeys:

I found these adorable turkey at the idea room. Click on the link for further instructions.



All you need is:

Double Stuff Oreos (2 per turkey)
Small Reeses' Peanut Butter Cups (1)
Whoppers (1)
Candy Corn
White Frosting
Black Frosting

Prizes:

Finalists: Care.com will select 3 Finalists each week in November. Each Finalist will receive:

• A $100 dining gift certificate!
• Each Finalist’s nominator will receive a free 3-month membership to Care.com.

Grand Prize Winner: At the end of the month, Care.com will select 1 Grand Prize Winner from among the 12 Finalists. The Grand Prize Winner will receive:

• $500 in dining, entertainment, and hotel gift certificates
• As well as a bag of goodies from Care.com!
• The Grand Prize Winner’s nominator will receive a $100 dining gift certificate and a bag of goodies.

Check out the 2008 winners:

Mary O'Brien of Norton, MA was selected for the selflessness she has displayed to so many people in her life. From caring for her 10 children and 16 grandchildren, to providing daily support for her aunt and uncle who she invited to live in her home in their old age, Mary exemplifies a Care Hero. Described as ‘the most incredible mother, grandmother, wife and friend,’ Mary has spent her life helping others and is truly a model caregiver.

Brenda Banez of Raynham, MA was also chosen for her courageous parenting since the tragic loss of her husband in a car accident. As described by her sister, ‘Brenda amazes me everyday. Her four children are her life and every decision made is in their best interest. She drives to and from school and takes care of nap time, potty training, breakfast-lunch-dinner, bath time, bible stories, prayer and memories of Dad all before bed. ’ Brenda’s courage and constant commitment to her family in the face of adversity makes her a true Care Hero.

 

I don't know this child or anything about him really, but it was brought to my attention that his name is Noah and he is 5 years old. Noah is in the last stages of a 2 1/2 yr battle with Neuroblastoma Cancer. The family is celebrating Christmas next week and Noah's request is to get lot's of Christmas cards. Let's get him some.

Please send cards to:
Noah Biorkman
1141 Fountain View circle
South Lyon, MI 48178

Diane Donahue ADC, CDP
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