May is National Strawberry Month. It’s the perfect time to gather the family and go strawberry picking. If your aging parent struggles with bending over, you can always grab fresh berries at a farm stand. Strawberries contain anthocyanins, which are good for the heart. They’re also high in vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin B. Studies reported in the International Journal of Cancer also found strawberry extract and powder may help battle cancer.

Once you’ve picked strawberries, you’ll want to wash them off and have them on hand for snacks. Strawberries are a quick and healthy snack that most seniors enjoy. When you have a full flat of berries, however, they do need to be frozen or used before they go bad. Here are a few things you can do with the strawberries you picked.

Freeze Them

Wash, trim, and place strawberries on a cookie sheet and place them in the freezer. Once frozen, you can move them to Ziploc bags. Frozen strawberries make great ice cubes in water. They’re also perfect for quick breakfast smoothies any senior will love. Add a handful of frozen strawberries to a blender. Add two cups of almond, cashew, coconut, or soy milk and blend until smooth. Add honey to taste.

Create a Refreshing Drink for Hot Days

Fill a jug of fresh water and add a couple cups of fresh strawberries slices. Top this off with fresh mint and a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. This is a nice alternative to glasses of water on a hot summer’s day.

Toss Them in Salads

Make a salad using baby spinach leaves and sliced strawberries. You can add protein by tossing in nuts and goat cheese. If a dressing is desired, poppy seed dressing goes well, but you could also mix olive oil, honey, and balsamic vinegar for a quick and easy dressing.

Eat Them in Fondue

Make some chocolate dipping sauce for your mom or dad using a mixture of 1 cup of chocolate chips and ¼ cup heavy cream. Microwave at medium for a minute or two and stop to stir every 30 seconds. Stir until smooth and creamy. Dip strawberries in the chocolate sauce and enjoy. Any unused sauce is easily refrigerated and reheated by yourself, your parent, or an elder care provider.

One of the biggest challenges you’ll face with a parent who wants to age at home is meals. It’s hard to know if your parent is eating enough or eating too often. With an elder care service coming to your mom or dad’s home, you’ll have a record of what was eaten and when.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring elder care in Princeton, NJ or the surrounding areas, please call Independence Home Care today at 609-208-1111 for more information.

Sources:  http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/strawberry_nutrition_and_health_benefits_of_strawberries?page=6