BOREDOM BUSTERS – Part 1 | Sharon Village Care Homes

Below are a dozen ideas … in no particular order. Simply choose the one(s) you find most appealing and bust that boredom.

Listen to Music

Whether on CD, an mp3 player, an iPod, or the radio, you can listen to your favourite music. Not only can music lift your spirits, but studies show that music often awakens memories long buried. This is especially helpful if you’re concerned about increasing forgetfulness.

Listen to Radio Programs

With the right device, you can listen to your local station, satellite radio, or online stations. The possibilities—from music to news broadcasts to talk shows—are virtually endless. A great boredom buster!

Lend a Hand

Although you may not be able to do what you once did, offering a kind work or a helping hand can go a long way to making you feel better—as well as brightening someone else’s day.

Redecorate Your Room

It doesn’t take much effort to completely change the feel of a room. You can switch up the pictures, buy and new throw cushion, add a small shelving unit and regularly change what you display. And if you enjoy decorating for the holidays or different seasons, think of adding a few key pieces. These touches can add that special something to even the smallest living spaces.

Surf the Internet

Of course there are some precautions you should take before exploring the Internet, but it is a wonderful place to learn new things, keep in touch with family and friends, and explore and develop new interests. It computers and the Internet intimidate you, ask someone who is comfortable online to give you some pointers.

Go on a Virtual Vacation

An actual vacation is far more fun, but there are options when that is not a possibility. Check out Google Earth online and choose a place you’d like to visit. Many locations have street view options and you can tour countless exotic spots without leaving your residence.

Participate in Online Social Networking

What’s all this talk about Facebook and Twitter? If you have access to the Internet, you may want to open an account to stay in touch with family and friends. If you don’t know how to go about it, just ask one of your grandchildren—or someone else’s. They would likely get a kick out of guiding you through the process. Emailing and learning to use Skype are two additional options you might like.

Plan an Event

Before moving into the residence, you may have loved to plan events and throw parties. Of course it isn’t exactly the same now—far from it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t let your imagination run wild and put together an event for you and the other residents.

Start a Club

Do you enjoy scrapbooking or stamp collecting, knitting or reading? Why not gather a few likeminded people together for meetings once every week or two? It will give you—and them—something to look forward to.

Attend a Social Event

Many seniors’ residences plan regular social events. This may not be your “thing,” but why not attend. Who knows? You might have a really great time and make a new friend or two.

Throw a Party

Why not reserve one of the community rooms, decorate it with matching paper tablecloths, napkins, plates, and cups? Invite some of the other residents for a theme party or a “just because” get-together. Serve punch and cookies, play some music, and have fun.

Help a Charity

With the holiday season fast approaching, there are many charities asking for contributions. One way you can help out is to choose a reputable charity and ask for contributions from staff members and fellow residents … if this is allowed. For example, Samaritan’s Purse sends shoeboxes filled with daily necessities, toys, etc. to underprivileged children. Relief organizations like International Needs and World Vision have catalogues of items you can buy for various impoverished communities around the globe.

The post BOREDOM BUSTERS – Part 1 appeared first on Sharon Village Care Homes.

from Sharon Village Care Homes http://ift.tt/1tlXMYg

Sharon Village Care Homes

21 TIPS FOR BEATING CHRONIC FATIQUE | Sharon Village Care Homes

The following are general suggestions and may not apply to you specifically.

1. Eat several small meals throughout the day.

Large meals require a lot of energy to digest and often make you sleepy. Eating several small meals and snacks gives you ongoing energy. Plus, your body doesn’t have to work so hard to break down the food.

2. Stay active—physically and mentally.

Sometimes, you may drift off because you’re inactive and/or bored. Go for a walk. Invite a few people to play cards or a board game. Put together a puzzle. Read a book.

3. Exercise.

Ask a physiotherapist or personal trainer to put together a simple exercise routine for you and do the exercises every couple of days.

4. Make a habit of chatting with family, friends, and fellow residents.

It’s usually harder to nod off when you’re talking to someone. And sleeping during the day can make it hard to do so restfully at night.

5. Do what you can to minimize stress.

Pay particular attention to those things that cause you stress—and avoid them as much as possible. Do what you can to develop a genuinely positive attitude. This goes a long way to fighting stress.

6. Check with your doctor if you think your medication is affecting your sleep.

If you suspect that something you’re taking is making it difficult to rest through the night, arrange to talk to your doctor and see what he or she can do for you.

7. Determine whether an afternoon nap revitalizes you or makes you more sleepy.

An early afternoon nap may be just what you need to prevent you from falling asleep too early. On the other hand, it may have the opposite effect. If you feel groggy for an extended period after your nap and find it interferes with your sleep at night, it would be good to do things differently. Instead, you could do your exercises or visit with a friend.

8. Don’t consume too much liquid in the evening.

Having to get up in the night to use the washroom leads to a broken sleep, and not everyone can fall back to sleep quickly after they’ve been up even for a few minutes.

9. Avoid foods and beverages that give you energy—or agitate you—especially at the end of the day.

It’s definitely best to avoid refined sugar and caffeine in the evening—most anytime actually.

10. If possible, have a warm bath or shower in the evening.

This isn’t always practical, but a warm bath can be just the thing to relax and get sleepy.

11. Choose the right pillow.

If your pillow is too hard or too soft, too fluffy or too flat, it can affect your sleep. Some people rest well with no pillow. And others need two.

12. See to it that you’re not too hot—or too cold—when you’re in bed.

Some people like a nip in the air and enjoy having their window open all year round. Others need to be warm and toasty. Perhaps having several layers of blankets is the best option for you. That way you can pull them up or toss them off accordingly.

13. Listen to relaxing music or purchase a white noise machine.

Music can be very soothing, especially instrumental music that doesn’t bring lyrics to mind. If that doesn’t work for you, you may want to purchase a white noise machine that will mask other sounds while you sleep.

14. Keep reading material on your night table.

Reading at night makes many people drowsy. There are backlit electronic readers (Kobo and Kindle, for example) that are lightweight and may be the perfect solution. It isn’t always practical to keep the light on and try to hold a physical book while you’re trying to fall asleep.

15. You may also want to keep a pen and notepad by your bed.

If you think of something you don’t want to forget, simply jot it down and the note will be waiting for you in the morning.

16. Make the room as dark as possible.

Many people sleep most soundly if their room is totally dark. You may want to purchase room-darkening blinds and ask that your door be shut when you are in bed for the night.

17. Don’t wait until you’re overtired to head to bed.

Being too tired can have the same effect as not being tired at all. Try to get to bed before you reach this stage.

18. Give yourself time to wind down.

If you’ve had an especially busy day—mentally and/or physically—give yourself time to decompress before trying to get to sleep. Watch a little television. Listen to some music. Read a chapter or two in your favourite book.

19. As much as possible, follow the same nighttime ritual every evening.

Routine can be very helpful. It trains your body and your mind to know it’s time for sleep.

20. Keep to a fairly strict sleep schedule.

Whenever possible, go to bed at the same time every night and rise at the same time every morning.

21. Count your blessings.

And instead of counting sheep, why not count blessings as you nod off? Talk about a great way to develop a positive attitude, de-stress, and rest peacefully.

The post 21 TIPS FOR BEATING CHRONIC FATIQUE appeared first on Sharon Village Care Homes.

from Sharon Village Care Homes http://ift.tt/1wGtZyC

Sharon Village Care Homes

17 Ways to Deal with Losing a Loved One | Sharon Village Care Homes

It’s probably the hardest thing you will ever have to deal with, losing a loved one.

No one should tell you to get over it—no matter how long ago it was, but there are things you can do to move forward, to deal with your loss.

17 Ways to Deal with Losing a Loved One:

1. Allow yourself to grief. You don’t have to pretend everything is alright when it isn’t. While it has been said that there are stages to grief, it has also been said that sometimes those stages get jumbled; a stage that you think has passed will resurface with no warning. Such is the nature of the process.

2. Keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings. It often helps to work through things on paper. You don’t have to write it for anyone but yourself. It’s perfectly acceptable to be 100 percent honest with yourself and write openly. Don’t pretend. Be real.

3. Go through old photographs and allow yourself the time to revisit the memories surrounding each picture. You may laugh or cry—or both. That’s fine. And if something you want to be sure to remember resurfaces, make note of it and keep the paper and photo together.

4. You may want to scrapbook these thoughts and pictures—or have someone do it for you. Even better, work on the project together with another individual who was also close to your loved one, a friend or family member.

5. Make an audio recording of your memories for yourself or for your family. Just like writing, it sometimes help to verbalize thoughts and feelings.

6. And don’t forget to share your heart with a compassionate friend, family member, pastor—even a professional counselor. That individual can help you work things through.

7. Listen to your loved one’s favourite music. Be aware that this can bring an onslaught of emotions, but it can make the individual seem closer and can stir happy memories.

8. You may want to write a letter to your loved one. Pour out your heart to him or her. Again, it may make him or her seem closer.

9. If you’ve kept cards and notes he or she wrote to you, you may want to reread them. Don’t rush. Savour each one. Think of the occasion and again, make note of memories that surface that you don’t want to forget.

10. Did your loved one have a favourite book? It might be a good time to read it and see why he or she liked it so much. A favourite movie? Watch it. A favourite food? Enjoy.

11. There are organizations that bring dogs and cats into care centres. Interacting with a pet can be very therapeutic. If you’re an animal lover—and even if you’re not—you may want to ask if this service would be available to you. You might be surprised at the comfort and joy you experience when you interact with an animal.

12. And speaking of therapy, art therapy is also a great way to work through your emotions. You may not be particularly artistic, but you can express your emotions in abstract art. Dark colours and harsh, angular, geometric shapes often reflect “negative” emotions, while bright colours and flowing lines often reflect joy and happiness. It’s perfectly acceptable if your work is a combination of the two.

13. Don’t feel guilty if these things are just too hard. Maybe you need to otherwise occupy your mind for a while. (One woman had to put away all the photos of her father-in-law after he passed away. The two were very close and it took quite a while before she could put them back out, but she did—eventually.)

14. This might be the perfect time to start a new hobby, something you’ve always wanted to do.

15. And how about making some new friends? It’s never too late to do that.

16. Though your laughter may sound strange in your own ears. You may even feel guilty about laughing, but you don’t have to. Watch a comedy, read a book of jokes, whatever makes you laugh.

17. And remember . . . there are people who care about you and what you’re going through—and those who are going through the same thing. You are not alone.

The post 17 Ways to Deal with Losing a Loved One appeared first on Sharon Village Care Homes.

from Sharon Village Care Homes http://ift.tt/1zqEWVy

Sharon Village Care Homes

The Tapestry of Life | Sharon Village Care Homes

Each thread in a tapestry is important. Some stand out right away. It may even seem that the other threads are unnecessary. But take just one away and the whole tapestry changes.

It’s the same with life. Each of us has an important part to play. Just because your part, your thread, doesn’t seem to stand out like it once did doesn’t mean it isn’t of great worth.

Have you ever considered the following?

1. Some threads are bold and dynamic. Perhaps you’re an extrovert and even now brighten up a room whenever you enter. You may wear the label “Life of the Party”.

2. Perhaps you’re warm and caring. If you were a colour, you would be a rich, warm brown or green. You exude calm and peace. And who doesn’t need more of that in their life?

3. You may be shy and reserved. You may feel like you have no colour, eggshell white or beige perhaps. Don’t underestimate your importance to the tapestry. Too many loud colours can be overwhelming. Too many similar earth tones won’t provide the needed contrast. You come alongside people and temper the effects of the other threads. You are vital.

4. Each thread appears on the surface of the tapestry of life at times only to run along on the underside for a while. Enjoy these times. Be refreshed. Prepare yourself for your next appearance. Think your time is over? As long as you draw breath you are part of someone’s tapestry. Think of your children, grandchildren, friends, even the staff of the care centre. Seek to be a beautiful influence no matter what your colour.

5. When some people think of tapestries, they think of the large works of art that hung on the walls of medieval castles. These amazing pieces portrayed important events in the life of the kingdom. They told a story. Each thread was added carefully and skillfully with the completed work in mind. When that completed work was hung, everyone saw the same picture and likely knew its history and meaning. It’s wonderful to realize you are part of something important, something that will speak to the current generation and generations to come.

6. Other tapestries are what you may think of as modern or postmodern art. The threads are rougher, more textured. They are woven together into what looks like abstract art to some, a jumbled mess to others. But when you step back and see the overall effect, it is easier to see the beauty. There is order and reason—even if it isn’t evident at first. Life can be like that. Sometimes it takes looking at things from a different perspective to see beauty in the tapestry.

7. It is a good idea to not only look at your place in the tapestry of life but to see your own life as a tapestry as well. There are bright threads that represent the joyous times; dark threads that represent the hard times and, even so, add depth and definition; and more subdued colours that represent the day-to-day.

8. Can you envision the tapestry of your life? Just for you—or maybe to share with others—try to describe that tapestry in words or, if you’re artistically-inclined, in a drawing or painting. Let your mind travel over the years. What was an ordinary day like growing up? As an adult? Most days are ordinary, made up of quiet colours that act as the backdrop for the other threads. They may overwhelm your memories. You may have to look carefully to see the bright threads—and you may be tempted to turn away from the dark ones, but together they make up the work of art that is your life. Contemplate that work of art; deliberately look for the beauty even when it’s hard to see—and seek to add beauty to the tapestry of other’s lives each day.

The post The Tapestry of Life appeared first on Sharon Village Care Homes.





from Sharon Village Care Homes http://ift.tt/1wA0Si0

Sharon Village Care Homes

How to Make Friends | Sharon Village Care Homes

When life changes dramatically, there are many things you may have to relearn. One of them is how to make new friends.

Before we consider how, let’s consider why.

If you have recently moved to a care centre, you may not know anyone else who lives there.

Your family and friends may live far away and be unable to visit regularly. (They may also be busy or unable to travel for various reasons.)

People are social creatures; we need one another. Interaction with others keeps your mind stimulated. Exercise for your mind is as important as exercise for your body—maybe even more so.

Conversation can turn to humorous things your grandchildren or great grandchildren have done. Laughter really is good medicine.

Those you befriend will also benefit from your newfound relationships. Though it can be discouraging when you can no longer do what you once did, you can still brighten someone else’s day and that’s a very good thing.

Let’s face it, you can’t have too many friends.

According to the Mayo Clinic, friendships . . .

• Increase your sense of belonging and purpose

• Boost your happiness and reduce your stress

• Improve your self-confidence and self-worth

• Help you cope with traumas, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one

• Encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise

This and further information is available on the Internet at http://ift.tt/1j2O23m

How do you make friends?

Participate in planned activities and strike up a conversation with someone new. Even if these activities aren’t your first choice, give them a try if you’re able. You just might discover a new interest—and a new friend or two—in the process.

If you’re an extrovert overflowing with ideas, why not work with the staff to plan an activity that isn’t already on the schedule.

Eat meals in the dining room rather than your own room. If you have assigned seating, strike up a conversation and get to know the people at your table. If you can choose where to sit, try to make connections with a number of other residents.

Don’t simply migrate to the same table for each meal.

If you enjoy reading, why not start a book club with a few of the other residents?

Invite one or two friends back to your room to play cards, knit, or watch TV.

Do you like to paint? Draw? Take pictures? Ask around and see if one or more of the other residents would like to join you.

Find someone who spends a good deal of time alone and strike up a conversation. Maybe they’re shy and just waiting for someone to make friends with them.

It is of course fine to spend time on your own—introverts especially need to do so in order to recharge. Though it may seem awkward and uncomfortable at first, express appreciation to those who approach you. As you chat, you may realize you have lots in common and a new friendship is formed.

While interacting with your friends in person is important, that doesn’t mean you can’t stay in touch with people and make new friends online. Facebook, for example, can be overwhelming, but it is a great way to connect with others. Ask a friend or family member to help you set up an account and show you the basics. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask for further instructions. You don’t want to set up an account that you never use.

The same is true of Skype, it’s an amazing way to stay in touch with family and friends—especially those at a distance. The video option is a great way to watch the grandbabies grow up when you can’t be with them.

Whether in person or online, the simplest way to make friends is to be friendly.

While it’s sad that anyone would have to issue a warning in an article about making friends, the truth is some people will try to take advantage of you. If someone does something or asks something of you that makes you uncomfortable, discuss it with a third party you know you can trust. Don’t let this warning deter you from making new friends; simply proceed with caution.

The post How to Make Friends appeared first on Sharon Village Care Homes.

from Sharon Village Care Homes http://ift.tt/1Agd5Gi

Sharon Village Care Homes

Life Through the Lens | Sharon Village Care Homes

Countless individuals have discovered the joy of viewing life through the lens of a camera.

Digital technology makes it the perfect time to get started.

Digital cameras come in a wide variety of styles bearing an equally wide variety of price tags. If you’re not familiar with digital cameras, you can choose the one that’s right for you with a little guidance from someone “in the know.” You may even want to borrow one from a friend or family member before deciding which one to purchase for yourself.

The photos you take appear on a screen. No more film. And no more developing all your pictures to see which ones you want to keep.

The more expensive cameras have a wide variety of attachments you can purchase if you find you enjoy photography—all kinds of lens and flashes, for example.

Tips for Choosing the Right Camera

1. Make sure the screen is big enough for you to see the images clearly.

2. Make sure you are able to change the batteries and SD card without assistance if at all possible. (The SD card is where the pictures are stored and some are very small.)

3. Make sure you can easily see the settings in order to select the best one.

4. Of course, cost is a factor. Don’t pay for several features you will never use. On the other hand, don’t settle for a model you’ll tire of easily. Your confidence and ability will grow, and you don’t want to outgrow your camera too quickly.

Tips for Picture Taking

1. Ignore the naysayers. No, it isn’t too late to take up photography. No, there isn’t a shortage of things to take pictures of—no matter where you live. No, it doesn’t matter if your shots are blurry. (After all you’re just learning. Plus, there are times the pros intentionally focus on one element of the picture and blur all but the primary subject.)

2. Go snap happy. You just never know when you’re going to capture an exceptional shot. Some award winning photos have been happy accidents.

3. Snap pictures of people and events you want to remember. Don’t worry if the photos aren’t perfect. Some moments should be immortalized even so. After all, they’ll never come again.

4. Look for beauty all around: in people’s faces, in the bouquet of flowers on the nurses’ desk, in the billowing clouds outside the window.

5. Just like paintings, photographs can be realistic or abstract. If certain shapes and/or colours catch your eye, snap a picture.

6. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Sometimes the image you capture will be even more intriguing than you thought it was going to be.

7. Children make wonderful subjects for photos. Just remember to always ask the parents’ or caregiver’s permission to take pictures of children.

8. Of course, respect others’ right to privacy. If they don’t want you to take their picture, don’t.

9. Technically, you need signed model release forms and property release forms . . . especially if you publish your pictures, even on a family member’s Facebook page or blog—or your own.

Finding Resources

Borrow books on the subject of picture taking (especially digital photography) from the local library. You may also want to purchase a book or two that catch your attention. There are many available from brick and mortar stores as well as online.

Visit a local art gallery that features photographs. You just may get some great ideas for your own work.

Type “photographers” into your computer’s search engine. Visit a wide variety of sites and see how many amazing things can be captured with the camera lens.

What to Do with Your Photographs

Develop those you particularly like. (You may also want to save them to CD to either develop at a later time or replace photos that get damaged or lost over time.)

Keep your prints in a photo box to look through every now and then.

Buy a simple photo album to display your work. (It’s best not to use those with adhesive. The pages will eventually discolour and the adhesive makes it virtually impossible to remove the photos at a later time.)

Scrapbook your work—or ask someone else to do so for you.

Purchase a digital frame and upload your photos so they can cycle through. This makes a wonderful, space-saving way to preserve your favourite shots. Plus, digital frames with pictures you’ve taken yourself make wonderful gifts.

No matter what you do with your photos, enjoy exploring life through the lens.

The post Life Through the Lens appeared first on Sharon Village Care Homes.

from Sharon Village Care Homes http://ift.tt/11vXlTE

Sharon Village Care Homes

Starting a Book Club | Sharon Village Care Homes

So, you’ve been a lifelong reader . . . or maybe not. That’s okay!

Let’s look at six reasons to keep or start reading, six ways to form a book club, six ways to run your meetings, and six suggested questions to guide the discussion.

Reasons to Read:

1. Reading helps keeps your mind sharp.

2. Reading fills the hours and starves off boredom and loneliness.

3. Reading reminds you of things you may have forgotten and teaches you new things.

4. Reading provides fodder for conversation.

5. Reading something you normally wouldn’t read expands your horizons.

6. Reading the classics reminds you that some things do last. Read books published in the 21st Century, they will remind you that life goes on.

How to Form a Book Club:

1. Chat with your friends about their interest in forming a book club.

2. Get four to six people to commit (If you cannot generate interest among at least three other people, consider asking those outside your immediate circle of friends.)

3. Plan an initial get-together. Discuss what you each would like to get out of the book club, come up with a list of guidelines, appoint a group leader (someone who can keep the conversation going and involve all the members). And, of course, you will want to choose a book to read. Have several books on a wide variety of topics available. Restrict the length to 250-300 pages so as not to scare off new readers. Always go with the majority’s choice.

4. Get a hold of enough copies of the books for everyone. Once each participant has a copy set a time for your next meeting. You may wish to discuss the first half of the book at the next meeting. You don’t want to let so much time go by that participants lose interest. You may even want to meet once a week and discuss a single book for the month, limiting discussion to the first quarter then the first half.

5. Remind book club members a week before the next meeting and maybe again the day before.

6. As the founder of your new book club, make sure you read the book and make notes along the way so you can keep the discussion moving.

How to Run Your Meetings:

1. Touch base with everyone the day of the meeting to verify who will be able to attend.

2. Open the meeting by welcoming everyone and get right into the discussion. You can always chat at the end of the meeting.

3. The leader should ask one question at a time (suggestions below) and give each person the opportunity to respond if he or she would like. Remember that everyone’s opinion is valid. Conflicting views are fine, but keep the discussion respectful.

4. If the conversation starts to head in an unexpected direction, it is the leader’s responsibility to get it back on track—unless the new direction turns out to be more interesting. The leader should keep everyone involved and encourage them to participate.

5. It is the leader’s responsibility to keep an eye on the time and allow each member to make a final comment or two.

6. You will then want to make plans for the next meeting. If applicable, you will want to choose a new book. Make sure those who didn’t choose the current book have a say in picking the next one. (You could let one of them choose or their vote could count as two this time round.)

Suggested Questions to Guide the Discussion

1. What did you think of the opening paragraph of the book? How did it draw you in and make you want to read more?

2. What do you like about the author’s style? Is there anything you don’t care for?

3. Can you relate to any of the characters? Which one(s) and in what way? (fiction)

4. How did the author make the story/factual information memorable?

5. How do you feel about the book so far? What do you especially like? Is there anything you particularly don’t like?

6. Would you like to read other books by the same author? Why or why not?

Even if you have vision problems, many books are available in large print and/or in audio format. Don’t let failing eyesight rob you of the many benefits of reading and discussing what you’ve read.

The post Starting a Book Club appeared first on Sharon Village Care Homes.

from Sharon Village Care Homes http://ift.tt/1xQyaXe

Sharon Village Care Homes

Helping Alzheimer’s Patients Overcome Obstacles using Art

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s, or if you’re in early stages, then you know how scary and confusing the upcoming years seem. Alzheimer’s Disease is a difficult one for families to overcome. It carries all kinds of obstacles that are foreign and overwhelming. Often, families will look to London care homes to help take care of their family member. At Sharon Village Care Homes, we see this as the first step towards working through this disease.

Read more here 

The Benefits of Art in Helping Alzheimer’s Patients Overcome Obstacles

Eat Your Veggies | Sharon Village Care Homes

First, let me mention that 1. I am not a dietician or a nutritionist 2. I am well aware that readers may have dietary restrictions for many different reasons. The following are simply guidelines for healthy eating. Please check with your doctor or another trained professional if you have any questions or concerns.

Although you may no longer prepare your own meals, the information below can provide you with guidelines as to why you should eat an abundance of food within certain categories and restrict your intake of others.

Fruit and Vegetables

Fruit and vegetables, especially the darkly coloured ones, provide a wide range of nutrients.

Vitamin A keeps your skin and mucous membranes supple and smooth as well as being good for your eyesight. (Your mom wasn’t wrong when she told you carrots helped you see in the dark.)

Vitamin E is found in green, leafy vegetable and is important for healthy nerves and muscles.

Calcium is important for healthy bones, and while it is available in milk, cheese, yogurt, etc., it is also available in dark leafy greens like kale and broccoli. Calcium is also in sesame seeds and almonds.

Magnesium is also important for healthy bones and can also be found in those dark, leafy vegetables.

And these are only a few of the aforementioned vitamins and minerals.

Grains

There has been a lot of talk lately about the benefits of removing gluten from your diet. You may or may not find this helpful, but before you do, check out the information available online and talk to a trained professional. It’s important to do our homework—even when formal education is long behind us.

Whole grains provide fibre, vitamins, and minerals. They lower blood pressure and cholesterol and improve the body’s ability to process needed nutrients.

Meat and Meat Alternatives

The protein found in meat and dairy is considered “high-quality protein or complete protein.” While protein can also be found in plant-based foods, it is often incomplete. Therefore, vegetarians and vegans must be especially careful to make sure they are getting all the protein they need.

The human body needs the right balance of proteins to move, think, hear, and see. If it’s a bodily function that’s part of healthy living, it’s likely connected with an adequate amount of protein.

Dairy

As mentioned above, dairy products are a source of complete protein. Most people know dairy products are a good source of calcium, but they may not know that the body needs Vitamin D to absorb the calcium. In Canada it is added to milk.

While some people are lactose intolerant and experience pain or discomfort after drinking milk or eating ice cream, the addition of “friendly bacteria” to things like yogurt and buttermilk makes them more digestible.

Water

The debate is still on about how much water we should actually consume in a day, but one thing is for certain, many people do not drink enough of it.

Water, of course, flushes waste from our body, but it does so much more than that.

Our bodies use water to . . .

- Digest food

- Produce energy

- Build tissue

- Send messages between cells (so we can see, think, etc.)

- Regulate temperature

- Keep moving body parts lubricated

As you likely know, coffee and other caffeinated drinks don’t count because they actually leach water from our systems. It has been suggested by some that for every cup of coffee or tea a person drinks, they should add eight ounces to their water intake over and above the daily minimum.

Desserts

Satisfying your sweet tooth too frequently can lead to many problems; so, as the saying goes, “Everything in moderation.”

I’m not suggesting you give up your favourite treat, but with a little research, you can find some wonderful, healthier alternatives.

Plus, fresh fruit is wonderfully sweet and supplies an abundance of health benefits while giving you your “sugar fix.”

Trouble Eating?

Even though I don’t have difficulty eating a variety of foods, sometimes I enjoy making my own smoothies.

Here’s what I do:

Add yogurt, unsweetened fruit juice (frozen or fresh fruit), and a half scoop of whey protein powder to a blender.

Voila! I have a healthy breakfast or snack that tastes so decadent it’s hard to believe it’s overflowing with health benefits—as well as flavour.

For more information on healthy eating, I recommend the book from which I gleaned much of the information in this article, Nutrition for Canadians for Dummies: A Reference for the Rest of Us!

The post Eat Your Veggies appeared first on Sharon Village Care Homes.

from Sharon Village Care Homes http://ift.tt/1umPvqA

Sharon Village Care Homes