Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe

Makes 6 servings, about 1 1/3 cups each ACTIVE TIME: 40 minutes TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

8 ounces whole-wheat egg noodles 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup dry white wine 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3 cups nonfat milk 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 12 ounces canned chunk light tuna (see Tip), drained 1 cup frozen peas, thawed 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided 1/2 cup coarse dry whole-wheat breadcrumbs (see Tip)

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook noodles until just tender, 6 to 8 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and rinse.

2. Position rack in upper third of oven and preheat broiler.

3. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, mushrooms and salt and cook, stirring often, until the onion is softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add wine and cook until evaporated, 4 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables; stir to coat. Add milk and pepper and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Stir in tuna, peas and 1/2 cup Parmesan until evenly incorporated. Then, stir in the noodles (the pan will be very full). Remove from the heat.

4. Sprinkle the casserole with breadcrumbs and the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan. Broil until bubbly and lightly browned on top, 3 to 4 minutes

TIP: Tips: Chunk light tuna, which comes from the smaller skipjack or yellowfin, has less mercury than canned white albacore tuna. FDA/EPA advice recommends no more than 6 ounces of albacore a week; up to 12 ounces canned light is considered safe.

To make fresh breadcrumbs, trim crusts from whole-wheat bread. Tear bread into pieces and process in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. One slice of bread makes about 1/2 cup fresh crumbs. For dry breadcrumbs, spread the fresh crumbs on a baking sheet and bake at 250°F until crispy, about 15 minutes. One slice of fresh bread makes about 1/3 cup dry crumbs. Or use prepared coarse dry breadcrumbs. We like Ian’s brand labeled “Panko breadcrumbs.” Find them in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Prepare through Step 3, spoon into an 8-inch-square glass baking dish, cover with foil and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and cheese (Step 4) and bake, covered, at 350ºF for 50 minutes. Uncover and cook until browned and bubbly, about 15 minutes more.

Nutrition For Seniors

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 406 calories; 8 g fat (3 g sat, 3 g mono); 53 mg cholesterol; 47 g carbohydrate; 32 g protein; 5 g fiber; 684 mg sodium; 593 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Calcium (30% daily value), Potassium (17% dv), Iron, Vitamin A & Vitamin C (15% dv), good source of omega-3s.
3 Carbohydrate Servings
Exchanges: 2 1/2 starch, 1/2 nonfat milk, 3 lean meat

Fluffy French Toast

Makes 2 serving

Assemble this dish ahead, refrigerate, and bake the next morning while the coffee brews. The more texture the bread has, the better the French toast will be. Thick slices of home-made bread, hand-sliced bakery bread, and whole wheat or multi-grain bread are all good choices. Serve with butter, syrup, blueberry sauce, or flavored yogurt to boost the calorie count.

Preparing Fluffy French Toast

In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, milk, sugar, and cinnamon and mix well.

Lightly butter a medium baking dish. Arrange the bread quarters in the dish in single layer, overlapping the edges if necessary. Pour the egg mixture over the bread and press down on the bread with a fork so it is completely submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour overnight.

Preheat the over to 375. Back, uncovered, for 20 minutes, or until the bread has absorbed all the liquid and lightly browned on top and puffy. Serve warm, with syrup, butter, fresh fruit, or flavored yogurt. Cover leftovers and refrigerate up to 2 days.

Nutrition For Seniors

Nutrients per serving: 175 calories, 9 g protein, 7 g fat, 19 g carbohydrate,14 mg iron, 107 RE vitamin A, 1 mg vitamin E, 90 mg calcium.

Choosing A Walking Cane

There is more to choosing a walking cane than you might think and its very important that you choose one that can be adjusted you and it is comfortable to grip.

The top of the cane should line up with your wrist, when your arm is hanging at your side  so that your elbows bends at an angle of about 30 degrees when you grip the cane. Most canes can be adjusted in one-inch increments in order to achieve this. The grip  should feel comfortable in your hands, a rubberized or foam grip is ideal and some are ergonomically molded to fit your palms.

As far as materials and style are concerned a wooden cane will be light weight and durable but unlike aluminum, it may not fold. Graphite and fiberglass canes are particularly strong if you need a higher weight limit (a typical cane can support up to 250 pounds) but they cost more check that the cane you have has a rubber tip at the bottom to prevent slipping.

How To Use A Cane

When you walk with your cane you can hold it in the hand opposite the side that needs support, so that the walking cane and your weaker leg make contact with the ground simultaneously. When climbing stairs, lead with your good leg but when descending them, put your cane on the step first and then step down with your weaker leg.

Credit to, Rosanne M. Leipzig, MD,PHD Geriatric Medicine

Geriatric Care Manager—Helpful Hints For Reducing Stress

Caring for persons with dementia can be a demanding task. It requires time and energy.  Even care sprinkled with lots of love can be extremely wearing and difficult.  It is essential that as a caregiver you take care of yourself.

Recognizing the signs of stress in yourself or someone you care about is the first step in taking action. Finding ways to reduce the stress helps to lessen the long-term emotional and physical toll of care giving. Research has shown that caregivers suffer many health issues when they don’t take care of themselves or allow persons to help them.

There are things you can build into your daily life to help maintain your health and well being.

1. Learn about the disease process and giving care.
2. Be realistic about the disease.
3. Be honest to yourself and what your expectations for your care giving will be.
4. Accept the difficult feelings you may be experiencing.
5. Share your feelings with others and do not feel upset about how you do feel.
6. Look for the good things in your life
7. Remember your preventative wellness routine
8. Look around every corner for humor.
9. Get help, support and practical help.
10. Make plans for the future.

Remember the Geriatric Care Managers can be very helpful.

11.  Be sure to give yourself relief time daily and a day off per week.
12.  Hire help when necessary.

Life Can Be Easier, We Promise

New online Medicare Help for caregivers

Caregivers now have a new resource, the ask Medicare website launched by the centers for Medicare & Medicaid services is designed to provide help with Medicare.

• The site (www.medicare.gov/caregivers) includes information on navigating through Medicare, health care services, link to partner organizations that assist caregivers and personal caregivers’ anecdotes.
• Kerry Weems, CMS acting administrator, says the new site provides valuable one stop resources for caregivers which will help them to better assist Medicare beneficiaries.
• The care that more than 44million Americans provide for  their family members friends or neighbors is valued  at 350 billions annually, according to a recent AARP report. -Rebecca Kern

We know navigating the Medicare System can be challenging for anyone so resources which help with Medicare are extremely useful. “Ask Medicare” provides caregivers with valuable information for Medicare benefits for clients and loved ones.  The site itself is set up in an easy to use fashion with Medicare Basics, Caregiver Support and Care Option sections which are clear and concise.  Ivory House is pleased to share such a wonderful Elder Care resource.

What Causes High Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are a type of fat some come from food and some are made from carbohydrates and other substances. Your body needs some Triglycerides, but high levels can be harmful to your heart.

High levels can be the result of:

• Being overweight
• Not enough exercise
• Drinking alcohol
• Smoking cigarettes
• Certain conditions like diabetes and kidney disease

Triglycerides are measured with a blood test:

• Normal: lower than 150 mg/dl
• Borderline-high: 150-to 199 mg/dl
• High: 200-to 499 mg/dl
• Very high: 500 mg/dl or higher

11 measures for older adults to lower heart risk

1. Daily aspirin (81 mg one baby aspirin) for women over 65 or men of any age.
2. Lower LDL to less than 160 mg/dl in low-risk individuals.
3. Lower LDL to less than 130 mg/dl in high risk individuals.
4. Lower LDL to less than 100 mg/dl in patients with coronary artery disease.
5. Lower LDL to less than 100 mg/dl in diabetic patients.
6. Lower blood pressure to below 140/90 mmhg in non diabetic individuals.
7. Lower blood pressure to 130/ 90 mmhg in diabetic patients.
8. Lower hemoglobin A1C to less than seven percent in diabetic patients.
9. Reduce fasting plasma glucose to less than 110 mg/dl in all older adults.
10. Quit smoking.
11. Reduce weight to a body mass index of less than 30. (Calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared and multiplying the result by 703. A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight, a BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese.

Signs & symptoms of heart failure:

By themselves, according to the American heart association, the signs of heart failure may not be cause for alarm. But if you have more than one of these symptoms, report them to a healthcare professional and ask for an evaluation of your heart:

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent coughing or wheezing
• Buildup of excess fluid in the body tissues (edema)
• Tiredness, fatigue
• Lack of appetite, nausea
• Confusion, impaired thinking
• increased heart rate

The information in this article is not intended to be substitute for medical care or advice provided by a doctor. Always consult your physician for appropriate examinations treatment and care recommendation .if you have any questions about this information you should call your physician. Specific treatments and therapies may not be covered by your health plan. For questions about your benefits, please consult your health plan. Any references in this material to other  organizations or companies including their internet sites, is not an endorsement or warranty of the services, information or products provided by those organizations or companies  All models are used for illustrative purposes only.