On a hot day, you don't want to stand over a stove. Even a grill can seem unbearable. If you cook your parents' meals, too, you need to have nutritious meals that are ready to go. Salads are one of the best meals to keep on hand.

Here are some quick and easy salads for hot days. 
 
Apple and Chicken Salad 
 
Peel and cube four Granny Smith apples and toss them in lemon juice to keep from browning. Add a cup of walnuts or pecans, a half cup of golden raisins, a half cup of dried cranberries, and two cups of shredded chicken breast. Add half of a diced red onion and two stalks of chopped celery. 
 
Mix those ingredients with just enough mayonnaise to help moisten all of the ingredients. Serve that on lettuce leaves or whole-grain bread. 
 
Cauliflower Salad 
 
Buy frozen cauliflower. Toss the cauliflower and sliced red onion in a few tablespoons of walnut oil. and brown it on the grill or roast it in the oven at a cooler time of day or in advance. If you're making it in advance, store it in the freezer until needed. 
 
Toss the grilled/roasted cauliflower and onion mixture with the juice and zest of one lemon. Add a cup of fresh spinach, a can of low-sodium chickpeas, a half cup of feta, and a few teaspoons of tahini. If you want additional protein, some cooked shrimp work well in this salad. 
 
Couscous Salad 
 
When you're out shopping, purchase some fresh mozzarella pearls, canned tuna, large couscous, olives, roasted red peppers, and a bag of frozen Italian vegetables. Make a vinaigrette with olive oil, garlic, fresh herbs, and balsamic vinegar. 
 
Cook the couscous on a cooler day and keep bags of the cooked grain in the freezer. You can also cook it early in the morning and tuck it into the fridge to cool. To make the salad, toss the couscous, mozzarella, tuna, and vegetables with the vinaigrette. Place it in a lidded container or freezer bag and store. 
 
Zoodle Asian Salad 
 
If you haven't discovered zoodles, you need to try this salad. Zoodles are zucchini cut into noodles using a wide peeler or zoodle cutter. You can purchase pre-cut zoodles in many grocery stores. 
 
Microwave the zoodles for a couple of minutes to soften them. Whisk a quarter-cup of creamy peanut butter with a tablespoon of sesame oil, two tablespoons of soy sauce, and enough water to thin it out. Toss the noodles with that dressing, a quarter-cup of diced green onions, a sliced red pepper, and a bag of frozen edamame. 
 
Make sure your parents have access to healthy meals all week long. One way to ensure they have nutritious meals is by hiring senior care aides to cook for them. Senior care providers can prepare meals from scratch as often as your parents need. Call our senior care agency to discuss rates and other beneficial services that your parents might want. 

 If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Services in Chicago IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823. ​

Senior Care Chicago IL
 
It’s common knowledge that exercise and diet are the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise promotes a healthy heart, mind and body, reducing the risk of diseases such as cancer, stroke and diabetes. 

​As we age, cartilage, the shock absorber between bones, tends to become brittle and results in pain upon movement. To avoid the jarring exercises of jogging, tennis or aerobic classes, seniors are taking up the gentle art of tai chi. This low-impact exercise has been in existence for thousands of years and is practiced by 250 million people world-wide, including a growing number of seniors in the United States. 

Why Tai Chi? 

Tai chi is a Chinese martial art that consists of a sequence of movements with one flowing into the other. This mindful exercise is said to help maintain flexibility and balance as well as strength. Peter Wayne, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the Tai Chi Mind-Body Research Program believes, “A growing body of carefully conducted research is building a compelling case for tai chi as an adjunct to standard medical treatment for the prevention and rehabilitation of many conditions commonly associated with age.”   

Tai chi improves muscle strength in the core muscles of the back and abdomen as well as the arms and legs. It increases flexibility and improves balance by training proprioceptors—sensors that provide the information regarding muscle length and tension as well as joint angle. This information aids the ability to know where your body is in space, thereby increasing balance. 

​Where Tai Chi?  

Tai chi is growing in popularity in the United States. Senior Community Centers and the local YMCA are common places where classes are offered. The Arthritis Foundation offers a 12-movement tai chi program.  

Tai chi provides some aerobic benefits, though other activities may be required to get the heart up to speed. Check with your parent’s health care provider before suggesting this exercise or the additional benefits of other aerobic activities.  

​Senior Care Provider 

If your parent is not a joiner and you find they are uncomfortable going to a tai chi class alone, consider hiring a senior care provider for part time assistance. These professionals can either provide transportation as well as companionship. They can also assist with the daily tasks of living, so that you have time to accompany your parent to the local tai chi class and maybe even merit some of the benefits yourself.  
 
​Resources:  www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-health-benefits-of-tai-chi 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Services Chicago IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.