February Tips for Seniors
February 13, 2012 by admin
Filed under News & Press
Cooking is an activity that brings generations together. Cooking is a fun, tactile experience that requires concentration and coordination – emotional and physical stimulation for people of all ages.
Dark chocolate covered strawberries pack a great nutritional punch for a mere two simple ingredients, and only two pots are required to prepare them, making clean up a breeze.
Strawberries and dark chocolate are both filled with antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals which can cause damage that leads to heart disease. They both lower blood pressure too. Strawberries are a great source of fiber, manganese, potassium and vitamin C. They are an anti-inflammatory good for easing arthritis and other inflammatory disorders.
Dark chocolate is good for your heart. Studies have shown that consuming a small bar of dark chocolate everyday can reduce blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure. Dark chocolate has also been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) and it tastes good too.
Dark chocolate stimulates endorphin production, which gives a feeling of pleasure. It contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant, and contains theobromine, caffeine and other substances which are stimulants.
Information from WEbMd.com, About.com/longevity, and Health diaries .com
Try this simple recipe for a fun and nutritious Valentine’s Day treat.
Wash and de-stem one dozen large strawberries. Dry thoroughly.
Melt in a double boiler 8oz of dark chocolate. When melted turn off heat.
(You may melt in a microwave in a glass bowl. Use high setting in one minute increments until melted. Be careful not to burn the chocolate.)
Dip strawberries in chocolate and cool on wax paper.
Eat and enjoy!
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This fabulous dessert is nutritionally ‘brain healthy’ with all of the berries and dark chocolate flakes. Socially heart healthy, as it serves four people so you should have some friends over to share it. Physically heart healthy, if you go to a ‘pick your own’ farm and pick your own berries or, build up a little arm muscle tone while you froth the milk and grate the chocolate. I know once you eat it you will get a little aerobic exercise from dancing around the kitchen with joy.
