February is National Cherry Month. And it’s not just about boosting the cherry farmers in Wisconsin. February is also the month in which the first United States President, George Washington, was born.
The first POTUS may or may not have chopped down a cherry tree, but he’s famous for admitting to it.
Nutritional Value of Cherries
If your experience of cherries is limited to the overly sweet bottled cherries so often draped on desserts, you’re in for a surprise. Raw, unprocessed cherries are delicious! And they’re so naturally sweet, it’s kind of a crime to add sugar to them.
Cherries are not only rich in Vitamin C, they are also a good source of Vitamin A and antioxidants. And, when eaten raw, they have gobs of fiber as well.
Incorporate Cherries Into Your Senior’s diet
If your senior already loves cherries, this is a good month to get her to share some recipes. Getting seniors in the kitchen cooking and baking is a great way to stimulate their brains. Activities like cooking are also a good way to prevent depression and social isolation in seniors. So ask mom to share her famous cherry pie recipe with you!
If your senior isn’t used to eating cherries, this would be a good time to experiment with some nutritious recipes. Cherries are delicious, just washed and eaten right out of the bag. Try putting some in a lovely porcelain bowl and see if mom or dad will eat them that way.
If your senior has a habit of eating non-nourishing treats, like candy and donuts, see if you can get him to substitute a bowl of cherries. You might find that he can give up one or two unhealthy snacks in favor of a healthy one.
You can also embed cherries in a fruit salad, a pie, a crisp, pancakes, muffins, and other tasty treats.
Dried Cherries Are Nature’s Candy
Dried cherries are also delicious and highly versatile. They can be added to cereal, yoghurt, salads, and pies. Dried cherries are extremely rich and sweet and can be swapped out for candy. Their texture is much like a jelly bean.
If you are cooking with something that is naturally sour, like rhubarb or lemons, throwing in some dried cherries will offset the bitterness and complement the flavor. Dried cherries are also a great addition to something that might otherwise be a little bland, like oatmeal cookies or yellow cake.
If you don’t have the time to spend with your senior, celebrating the existence of cherries, consider hiring home care. Home care specialists, who work with your senior one-on-one in the comfort of his house or apartment, can find ways to engage your senior with national holidays. Doing so alleviates the loneliness seniors so often feel.
In conclusion, it’s always a good time to learn about nutrition and try new flavors, especially flavors that come attached to excellent nutrition. See if your senior wants to learn some new ways to use cherries this month!
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Home Care in Seneca, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116. Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens, Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding areas.
Sources
https://www.self.com/story/its-national-cherry-month-3-de
https://www.marthastewart.com/316618/oatmeal-and-dried-cherry-cookies
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