Laureate Group

Good thing that whole grains are gaining in popularity

Guest Author, Diane Szalai, Director of Dining Services

At the beginning of each year, there is a tradition for food columnists to identify upcoming trends in foods and tell us what food trends from the prior year are out of favor. This is always an amusing process. This year’s columnists declared that meatballs are in, but cupcakes are out. Moroccan and Jewish foods will be showing up at trendy restaurants. But the best news is that whole grains are continuing to grow in popularity.

Whole grains are better sources for fiber and important nutrients such as potassium, magnesium and selenium because their bran and germ have not been removed by milling. Refined grains are milled, to remove the bran and germ, to give them a finer texture and extend shelf life. Unfortunately, the milling strips out nutrients and fiber, too. Refined grains include white flour and white rice, and are the basis for many of our favorite breads, crackers, cereals, desserts and pastries.

Whole grains - barley, brown rice, bulgur, buckwheat, millet, quinoa, wheat berries and oatmeal – are increasingly easier to find in local markets and offered in new versions of some favorite staples, such as whole-wheat pasta. There are now whole grain versions of white bread, so those who prefer the texture of white bread have options. The hard part is to know if a product is truly a whole grain and this requires a check of the Nutrition Facts panel. Look for the word “whole” and that it is among the first of the ingredients listed.

In our Laureate communities we have added a large range of whole grain options for our residents.

Seniors trying to downsize? Tips to get rid of all that stuff.

Are you one of those people who have discovered that somehow, someway, someone snuck into your house and left behind a whole lot of stuff? How did it all accumulate in your house? And what is in those boxes in the back bedroom that aren't clearly labeled?

If you're like a lot of the families I work with you've collected a lot of possessions over the years. Many older adults have lived in their home for many years, and there hasn't been a reason or the motivation to work on getting rid of the clutter. Just put it in the basement, attic or garage and then you don't have to see it. Out of sight, out of mind. And how much of it belongs to your children? When they moved out all those years ago did they leave a few things behind? Do they even remember the stuff is still there? 

Downsizing all too often happens when crisis hits, when something changes in health and a move into assisted living becomes a necessity. And when this happens, feelings can get hurt over the decisions about what goes and what stays, what family member gets what, and who is in charge.What if you didn't wait for the crisis?