Refreshing Summer Salad, and it’s Probably Not What You’re Expecting



Most may think watermelons should be eaten alone, in slices, after a hot summer day. But have you tried adding them to your salad? It may sound strange, but sometimes the best experiences come from something unexpected. Trust us on this one – our residents at Lester Senior Living love our chef’s simple watermelon salad with feta and arugula. Not only is this summer salad easy to prepare, but it’s also one of the most refreshing dishes to bring to an end of summer BBQ with your family and friends.

Serves 6 | Total Time to Make: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups of watermelon sliced into cubes
  • 3 cups of fresh arugula
  • 4 oz. of feta cheese crumbles
  • Zest 1 whole lemon
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup of your favorite herb (some of our chef’s favorites are: basil, oregano, dill or fresh mint)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions:

1.    Grab a large bowl, ideally the same one you’d like to serve the salad in, to eliminate extra clean-up.

2.    Next, grab a cutting board and slice your watermelon into cubes that are about 1 inch thick, and then set them aside.

3.    In your large bowl, add the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and herbs and whisk together to create your dressing.

4.    Next, add your watermelon cubes into the bowl and mix together so they have a chance to really absorb the flavor of the dressing.

5.    Now, add the arugula and feta cheese and make sure it is mixed well with the watermelon.

6.    Zest the lemon on top, add salt and pepper to taste and stir all the ingredients together.

7.    Optional: Add whole basil leaves on top of the salad as a garnish, serve and enjoy with your company!

Senior diets at Lester Independent Living

The independent living residents at Lester have the option to eat in our spacious dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day if they’d like! The chefs at Lester understand that some residents may have dietary restrictions or kosher preferences and will gladly make any changes necessary to ensure resident satisfaction. Our independent living residents enjoy a variety of cuisines, ranging from a comfort meal like matza ball soup to a refreshing watermelon feta salad.

For more information about how we’re helping seniors to eat healthy in Morris County, NJ, please give us a call today – we’d love to have you over for lunch! You could also visit our website to learn more about what full independent lifestyles look like at Lester Senior Living: https://jchcorp.org/

The original blog is posted on: https://jchcorp.org/refreshing-summer-salad-and-its-probably-not-what-youre-expecting/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What Does Supported Independent Living Mean for Seniors?

Image
It comes as no surprise that seniors would like to remain independent for as long as possible. However, this is only feasible when they have the right supports in place. At Lester Senior Living, our independent seniors have the opportunity each day to explore our community as they please. They wake when refreshed and eat when they are hungry, and the only schedule they follow is the one they created themselves. The best part is that support services are readily available if needed to ensure they stay active within our community. In this article, our senior caregivers in Morris County will demonstrate what independent living with support looks like in our community.   Independent Living with Support at Lester Senior Living in NJ  The independent living apartments and assisted living apartments are located in two different buildings separated by the main lobby. While residents from both of these distinctions can come together for meals, fitness classes, movie nights a...
Read more

Making Meals More Enjoyable for Your Loved One with Dementia

Image
Mealtime can be a challenging experience for seniors with dementia and their caregivers. As the day progresses and the sun starts to set, older adults with dementia may experience increased confusion, agitation, and anxiety—a phenomenon known as sundowning syndrome. The difficulties that come with sundowning can make it even tougher for both the senior and their caregiver to enjoy meal times together. However, with patience, understanding, and some practical strategies, it’s possible to make meals more enjoyable for everyone involved. Here are some invaluable tips provided by caregivers from our  professional memory care program in Morris County, NJ :  Create a Comfortable Space Just like dressing your best to feel your best, it’s important to set the stage for a pleasant meal in order to actually have a pleasant meal. Create a calm and familiar environment free from distractions. Dim the lights slightly to reduce glare, turn off noisy TVs or music players, and if the weather ...
Read more

How Seniors Can Avoid Heat Exhaustion

Image
  We love the sun, but we hate the heat! Being that it’s summer in NJ, we’ll be sure to see our share of heat waves. Exposure to extreme heat can result in heat-related illnesses, especially for seniors. Their bodies are less able to regulate their temperatures and cool themselves. When our bodies heat rapidly or when we lose fluids due to perspiration or dehydration, common conditions are cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. In some cases, hyperthermia (absorbing more heat than our bodies can handle) is fatal.  Warning signs of heat-related illnesses Heat exhaustion is characterized as dehydration due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. The main symptoms include muscle cramps, headache, dizziness, fatigue and confusion. Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related condition. Heat stroke is dehydration coupled with the body physically overheating and unable to bring down its own temperature. The most obvious sign is a body temperature of 104° or higher. Other sympto...
Read more