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Elder Care Tips: Enjoying a Healthy and Delicious Meatless Cookout this Summer

Elderly Care in Wexford PA

The summer is here and that means many people are thinking about heading outside and enjoying a cookout with their friends and family. If your parent has begun an elder care journey it is possible that you are thinking more about what they are eating and focusing more on their nutritional needs rather than relying completely on the tried-and-true standbys of the classic cookout. Many older adults are turning to meatless or at least reduced-meat diets as a means of protecting their health and wellbeing for longer. This does not mean, however, that your parent cannot still enjoy a satisfying and delicious cookout with the rest of your friends and family.

Try these tips for planning a healthy and delicious meatless cookout this summer:

  • Make your own veggie patties. Homemade versions are far less expensive than store bought and are tastier, more filling, and can be tailored to your parent's preferences.
  • Go for the flavor. Choose meatless foods that still remind you of your favorite cookout flavors. This can mean grilling those veggie patties for the distinctive flavor or glazing tofu in barbecue sauce. Get creative and find ways to stick to nutrition while still enjoy familiar favorites.
  • Bulk up the nutrition. Remember that your cookout still needs to have the right balance of nutrition. Create side dishes that offer protein so that they can team up with your main dish to replace the protein of meat. This recipe is perfect for your parent to make with their elderly health care services provider so that they can feel like they are an active part of the event, and it offers protein, fiber, and healthy fat as well as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for a healthy, flavorful side.

What You Will Need

  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 4 ears of corn with no husk
  • 1 cup of diced red bell peppers
  • 1 teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of sea salt
  • 1/2 of a cup of snow peas
  • 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
  • 1 can of black beans
  • 1/4 of a cup of cider vinegar
  • 3/4 of a cup of red onion, diced
  • A grill
  • A cutting board
  • A sharp knife
  • A serrated knife
  • A cutting board
  • A medium sauté pan
  • A serving bowl

What to Do

  • Use the sharp knife to dice the red pepper if needed and set aside
  • Use the sharp knife to dice the red onion if needed and put aside
  • Drain and rinse the black beans thoroughly and set aside
  • Mince the garlic using the sharp knife and set aside
  • Julienne the snow peas and set aside
  • Preheat the grill to medium heat
  • Place the corn on the grill, and turn frequently as it cooks
  • Grill about 2 minutes, or until the corn is now lightly charred
  • Move the corn to a cutting board
  • Use the serrated knife to remove the kernels from the corn and set aside
  • Place the medium sauté pan over medium high heat
  • Add the olive oil to the sauté pan
  • When the oil is heated, add the onion and pepper
  • Sauté the onion and pepper for 3 minutes
  • Add the beans, corn and vinegar to the onion and pepper pan
  • Sauté again for another 2 minutes
  • Stir in the snow peas and garlic
  • Continue to sauté for an additional minute
  • Remove the pan from the heat
  • Empty the contents of the pan into the serving bowl
  • Season the bowl with pepper and salt to taste
  • Serve still warm or cold out of the refrigerator

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring in-home elderly care in Wexford, PA, please call the caring staff at Home Helpers. Call today (412) 385-4286.​

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