The beauty of summertime is the ease with which the community comes together—festivals, barbecues, reunions, and more. The common thread between all these get-togethers? Food! Food brings us together, and summer’s bounty has so much to offer. In today’s blog, we want to help you gather with friends and family and enjoy some healthy foods, so we’re sharing a few recipes and tips for delicious (and nutritious) eating this summer!
Sometimes when we think about healthy foods, we automatically think “boring.” That’s far from the truth! If you don’t believe us, just ask Chatham Place at Mary Wade’s award-winning Director of Food Services, Hunter Merrill. Hunter oversees all operations and programs related to food on our campus. He is a master at making flavorful, nutrient-rich foods that feed the body and mind.
Residents at Chatham Place at Mary Wade love Hunter’s Baked/Grilled Tilapia with Mango Salsa. This recipe looks and tastes just like summer. It also packs a punch nutritionally with Omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins such as vitamin D and B2. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends regular fish intake as an essential part of a healthy diet; this recipe helps you get these essential nutrients in.
Check out this special recipe by trying it for yourself!
Fish | Salsa |
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Strawberries can be substituted for the mango; both are excellent.
In addition to being healthy, this meal is very colorful and looks great as a plate presentation… making it a great choice for parties and get-togethers.
Fruits and vegetables are some of the healthiest foods we can eat. Unless you have health conditions that prevent you, you can enjoy them (and all the antioxidants that come with them)
freely! Not only are they tasty, but they are a great natural tool to prevent heart disease and high blood pressure.
Hunter gave us the pleasure of gathering a list of fruit and vegetable-focused recipes for you to try this summer. We couldn’t pick a favorite, so we wanted you to pick yours.
Are you more of a traditionalist, going straight for the apple recipes? Or are you looking for the outliers, like garlic and okra?
No matter your tastes, check out the recipes by clicking on your fruit/veggie of choice!
A trip to your local Farmer’s Market is a wonderful way to connect with local growers and eat some of the freshest foods available. You’ll get the opportunity to socialize, stretch your legs, and enjoy the sights and sounds of summer. You might even discover healthy food choices along the way! These are a few of the many reasons Chatham Place at Mary Wade Residents love our planned trips to local markets. It’s a lovely way to spend the morning (and, of course, your tastebuds and waistline will thank you too!)
Likewise, gardening helps you get active while growing foods you love. If gardening in the ground is a challenge (or not possible,) consider something as simple as planting lettuce, your favorite herbs, or even a tomato in a pot. Gardening reduces stress, improves muscle strength, and helps us get Vitamin D. The exercise can even improve muscle strength! It’s a win-win for body, mind, and spirit! At Chatham Place at Mary Wade, residents are planting and enjoying herb and vegetable planters on campus this summer. We can’t wait!
In addition to Farmer’s Market visits and gardening, Chatham Place at Mary Wade residents will also enjoy summertime cooking demonstrations that help them enjoy the bountiful foods of the season.
It’s going to be a summer of fun, tasty, healthy foods. And, of course, it’s a time to share these summertime food favorites in a vibrant community with one another. So challenge yourself to try a new recipe, visit a local Farmer’s Market, or even grow your own. You won’t regret it!
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At Chatham Place at Mary Wade, our Food Services program works diligently not just to create healthy meals, but to develop programming that encourages healthy relationships with food. At Chatham Place, food truly becomes a community experience. In the process, residents support and improve their health with fresh, seasonal food options. Learn more about Chatham Place at Mary Wade by giving us a call: (475) 900-6040
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