Making meals for your family and elderly loved ones, or clients in your care can be a challenging task, especially when considering dietary requirements, cleanliness and safety. Here are some information and tips to help you keep a clean and healthy kitchen! Food-Borne Illness The kitchen can serve up more than just delicious meals; it can also serve as an area for germs and bacteria, causing food-borne illnesses. There are three main types of foodborne illness from bacterial

Looking for a hearty, healthy dish this winter? Try this delicious Chicken Chili recipe. It's not only full of heart-healthy ingredients, but it's also full of flavour! Chicken Chili Makes 6 servings Ingredients 2 tsp vegetable oil 1-1/2 cups white onion, diced 2 cups mushrooms, chopped 1 cup sweet green pepper, diced 1 cup carrots, chopped 2 tsp minced garlic 12oz or 3 chicken breasts, boneless skinless, cut into 1" cubes 1/4 cup cornstarch 2 cups tomato sauce 1 cup canned

One of the best ways to spend the Thanksgiving holiday is with food! Along with the traditional turkey or ham and mashed potatoes, this delicious side dish is sure to please! Now, you might think that Brussel sprouts are an acquired taste for many people, however, combining it with sweet maple syrup and bacon?! I mean, c'mon, who doesn't love bacon!? (of course, for my vegetarian and vegan friends, this recipe is still delicious without!) Roasted Brussel Sprouts Serves 4 -

Nothing says Autumn like a warm bowl of hearty chili! Made with extra-lean ground beef, tomato sauce, a few veggies, and spices, this dish will warm your heart, body and soul! Chili con Carne Makes 4 - 6 servings Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 1 lb extra lean ground beef (optional for vegetarian option) 1 can (16oz) tomato sauce 1/2 - 3/4 can (8-10oz) diced tomato 1 can (16oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1-2 sweet green pepper, diced 1/2 yellow onion, diced 2 medium-sized

Cooler days don't always call for heavy meals. Try this delicious, light, and nutritious salmon dish any day of the year! Salmon with Quinoa Dish Ingredients 1/2 cup dry quinoa 6-8 fresh cherry tomatoes 2 tsp olive oil 1 green onion stalk, chopped fine 2 salmon fillets 1/2 cup diced cremini mushrooms Juice from half a lemon For marinade 1 tbsp maple syrup 1/4 cup soy sauce 1 tsp vegetable oil Salt and pepper to taste 1 tbsp chopped, fresh parsley 1/4 tsp dried thyme Directio

Combining savoury and sweet, this warm dish is sure to please in the upcoming cool Autumn weather. High in fibre and protein, this recipe, from Allrecipes, works well as a side dish to baked chicken or on its own as a meal! Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash Yields 6 servings Ingredients 3 medium (blank)s acorn squash, halved and seeded 2 tablespoons stick margarine 1 cup chopped onions 3 cups peeled, seeded, and chopped Granny Smith apples ½ cup golden raisins 2 tablespoons light b

This irresistible Middle Eastern egg dish is a great way to introduce a melody of subtle spices and added protein to any time of day! Shakshuka Serves: 2 Ingredients 2 tsp (10 mL) extra virgin olive oil 1 cup (250 mL) chopped onion 1 red bell pepper, diced 2 cups (500 mL) diced plum tomatoes ¼ tsp (1 mL) ground cumin Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 4 eggs Method Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat; add onion and sauté for 5 minutes or until soft. Add red pep

This nutritious, protein-packed, and delicious meal can be served for any meal of the day! Pair it with a poached egg at breakfast or a zesty spinach salad for lunch or dinner! Any way you choose, this vegetarian meal from Skinnytaste is a hit! Spinach Quinoa Patties Serves: 7 Ingredients 1 cup uncooked quinoa 2 cups water 4 eggs, whisked 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese 3 large scallions, sliced thin 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup steamed spinach, chopped (frozen i

The freshness of summer is found in this delicious and nutritious salad - with fresh herbs, tuna, olives, and a light dressing, this salad is easy to make and great to enjoy on a hot summer day. Using cold, leftover rice, you can start enjoying it for lunch or dinner today! Mediterranean Rice Salad with Tuna Ingredients Serves 2 1.5 cup cooked basmati rice, cold 1 tomato, diced 1 cucumber, peeled and diced 1 green onion, chopped (or swap with diced red onion) 1/4 cup kalamat

Nothing beats the sweet taste of fresh, in-season fruits combined with a touch of honey and fresh mint! Try this delicious recipe, perfect for yourself or your elderly loved one, from the Martha Stewart kitchen. It's so nutritious, tastes great, and easy to make, that you'll be going for seconds! Ingredients: 2 plums – pitted and sliced 2 nectarines – pitted and sliced 2 peaches – pitted and sliced 2 to 3 apricots – pitted and sliced 1 cup blueberries 1 cup blackberries 2 t

An excellent source of Vitamin C, strawberries are a rich source of antioxidants and fibre, benefiting heart health, increasing good cholesterol, and helping to control blood sugar and reduce blood pressure. It's no wonder that Americans eat 3.5 lbs of strawberries each year! #strawberries #strawberry #yummy #food #dessert #fruit #delicious #fruits #desserts #nutrition #healthyfood #seniorcare #healthy #ottawa #homecare #dementiacare #alzheimers #mealassistance #funfacts #fr

Many seniors have difficulty getting the proper hydration they require each day. Some may opt for juices, coffee and sugary drinks, but water is a key ingredient to proper health and digestion, but many older adults find it lacking flavour and lose interest in drinking it. This is where fruit flavoured ice cubes come in handy! Not only are they easy to make and pretty to look at, but also provide the much needed flavour boost to any glass of water! Have the fruits whole or

Cinco de Mayo may have been yesterday, but this delicious Mexican dish can be enjoyed any time of year! Chicken Quesadillas Serves 2 (*you can easily increase the recipe to serve more) Ingredients 2 Flour or Corn Tortillas 2 Chicken breast, diced Grated cheese of your preference (i.e. cheddar, queso, Monterey jack, etc) 1 Tbsp oil + 1/2 tsp (oil or butter) Seasoning of your choice - we used Jerk seasoning, chili pepper, salt, black pepper, and paprika Filler Options You may s

One of the best things about Springtime is that with a slight chill in the air, we can still enjoy some hearty delicious soups! One of our favorites, that's great for people of all ages, is lentil soup! This delicious heart warming soup is also nutritious and easy to make! Packed with protein and veggies, this vegan/vegetarian option is sure to please! Lentil Soup Ingredients · 2 cups red lentils · 1/4 cup white rice · 1 small onion, diced · 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced

We've always heard about the health benefits of fruits and vegetables, but what fruit sets itself apart from the rest? Blueberries! Blueberries are known to have the highest level of antioxidants amoung all popular fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants in blueberries seem to benefit your brain by aiding brain function and delaying cognitive decline. As we age, our bodies tend to lose many of the vitamins and minerals needed to sustain a healthy, active lifestyle. Blueber

Today marks the Christian celebration of Good Friday, as part of the Easter holiday. Easter is rooted in the Christian faith as the most important story in the life of Jesus, as it marks his death and resurrection. However, many of us know Easter also as a time for family gatherings around the dinner table, chocolate bunnies, and colourful eggs, so we have put together some fun facts about Easter traditions! Happy Easter everyone! #easter #easterbunny #spring #handmade #east

Growing up in a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern family, food is life! Our greatest meals brought together family, friends and even strangers! Family-style meals, as they are often referred to, are often at the center of our culture. Gathering others around the table, to laugh and talk with one another, is what life was all about. So in keeping with the heart of family, here are some shareable, family friendly, and delicious dips brought to you by my mom, Margaret and inspir

One of the best ways to enjoy the winter months is by making delicious soups and stews! They not only keep you warm and taste great, but they are also easy to make and nutritious! They are filled with energy boosting vegetables, simple stocks, proteins, and herbs/spices for great flavour! One soup in particular that adds unique flavours and tastes, (and tastes great!) is Wonton Soup! A wonton is a type of Chinese dumpling commonly found across regional styles of Chinese cui

Many of us struggle to find simple and delicious ways to introduce more protein or vegetables into our busy day, or in providing nutritious and easy meal ideas for our loved ones, until now. Egg Cups, or Egg Muffins as they are sometimes called, are a great way to ensure a balanced diet. They provide a healthy portion of proteins, vegetables, and fats and can be eaten as a meal for breakfast or lunch or even as a delicious, quick snack! There are a wide variety of ingredient