Arts and Crafts at Two Palms in Pasadena

For an exciting treat, a few of our A-1 Home Care/ A-1 Domestic Professional Services family got to go visit the seniors at Two Palms Nursing Center for a rare day of fun and games. We came with the intent of hosting a holiday themed arts and crafts workshop for the elderly, but left with stories, and new friends on our minds.

We started with a short Christmas video, then got to work making glittery Christmas ornaments. Lot of people got really into it:

This is Jackie demonstrating the finer points of using glitter glue to adorn frosted glass:

We made tons of new friends. To our surprise, there were lots of people who spoke another language, or were originally from other countries. When we asked about their countries of origin, we heard: Cuba, Russia, China, Mexico, and Great Britain among them!

We had a blast hanging out and chattering with the residents at Two Palms Nursing Home. We hope you have a lovely holiday season, and wish we will see you again!

Folk remedies for cold and flu season/ 24 Hour Care in Arcadia

Americans love it, takeout is mostly comprised of it, but who knew that asian food is such a 

powerful cold buster? Asian foods have anti-inflammatory capacities, and include ingredients that can help elders reduce congention, stir appetite, and improve health after a cold. A-1 Home Care investigates:

Spicy foods may help reduce congestion associated with the common cold or influenza. If you have an appetite for them once cold or flu symptoms have set in, incorporate spicy foods such as hot peppers, hot mustard, miso, horse radish and Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese or Mexican dishes into your diet. Indian food also contains curcumin, a natural herb that, like ginger, has anti-inflammatory properties. 

Curcumin is found in mustard, and ginger is a popular ingredient in Asian cooking. If your appetite is dampened by cold or flu, eat smaller, simple meals or snacks that are spicy. Try miso soup or toast topped with spicy mustard as a means of relieving congestion.

A-1 Home Care provides services in  Arcadia, San Marino, San Gabriel,Monrovia, Duarte, El Monte, Monterey Park, Alhambra, Pasadena, and others in Los Angeles County.

Check out our new Facebook for weekly updates!

To hire a compassionate Caregiver today, CALL us at 626-287-0250 for a FREE in-home assessment

Medeterranean for Brain Health/ Arcadia Caregivers for Alzheimer

Did you know that eating Mediterranean food has powerful benefits against Alzheimer and dementia? It's unclear why following a Mediterranean diet may protect brain function. Researchers speculate that making healthy food choices may improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels and overall blood vessel health, all factors that may reduce the risk of MCI or Alzheimer's disease.

We suggest that you try this recipe for a change.  A-1 Home Care can arrange for Alzheimer Caregivers to provide fun and exciting Greek or Spanish meals that fit the bill:

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic, about 3 cloves
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, orange juice, or dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or sherry vinegar
• a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, or 1 teaspoon or more chopped fresh herbs such as rosemary, dill, parsley, thyme, cilantro, basil, or mint, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano, crumbled
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 pounds fish steaks
• lemon wedges for garnish

Preparation

Combine all the ingredients except fish and lemon wedges and mix well. Using a pastry brush, paint the fish steaks liberally on both sides and set them aside, lightly covered with a piece of aluminum foil, to marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Build up a fire, using good hardwoods if you're cooking in a fireplace or the best hardwood charcoal (not fake-wood briquettes) if you're using a grill. Let the fire burn brightly and die down until you have a nice bed of hot coals or embers. Large pieces of fish can be set directly on the grill, but to prevent smaller ones from falling through and burning up, you may want to use a special grid made for fish.

When you're ready to cook, brush a little plain olive oil on the cooking surface and set it 4 to 6 inches from the source of heat.Arrange the fish steaks so that they have equal access to the heat source. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, turning once. Test for doneness—fish should be opaque all the way through—by inserting the tip of a sharp knife near the bone or in the center of a boneless piece of fish. Remove immediately to a hot platter.

The remaining marinade should be heated just to the boiling point and either poured over the cooked fish or passed at the table along with lemon wedges.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Grilled-Fish-51159800#ixzz2lKgoC6Qg

Happy Thanksgiving

Tradition is safe and comfy, but excitement is build on the art of surprise. You may not think that Thanksgiving is necessarily adventurous, but with the help of professional and innovative chefs, any occasion can become a culinary treat. We encourage you to look over this New York Times collection of spice infused, fusion, and unexpected holiday recipes, and maybe try something new. Who knows? You may discover a future wintertime favorite.  

Spicy Red Cranberry Relish 

Time

30 minutes

Yield

About 2 cups

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large jalapeños, preferably red, seeded and finely diced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 12 ounces cranberries

Preparation

1. Put sugar, jalapeños, lemon juice, salt and cayenne in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir with a wooden spoon to dissolve sugar, and simmer 2 minutes.
2. Add ginger and cranberries, stir to coat and bring to a brisk simmer. Reduce heat to medium and let mixture cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have softened and no liquid remains in pan, about 15 minutes.
3. Let cool and taste. Add more cayenne or jalapeños if desired. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Hospice Care in Arcadia

Arcadia is a wonderful city. We are nearby world class sights, botanical gardens and racing grounds. It's a clean, quiet place to live, raise a family and grow old. Seniors who have the option to live at home while recieving end of life care should consider A-1 Home Care. we have competent Arcadia In Home Hospice Caregivers who provide end of life care for your most cherished loved one.

The process of dying is different for everyone. If your elderly spouse or parent is experiencing end stage cancer, diabetes or alzheimer, we have skilled caregivers who can help.

A-1 Home Care provides services in  Arcadia, San Marino, San Gabriel, Monrovia, Duarte, El Monte, Monterey Park, Alhambra, Pasadena, and others in Los Angeles County.

Check out our new Facebook for weekly updates!

To hire a compassionate Caregiver today, CALL us at 626-287-0250 for a FREE in-home assessment

Senior Care for Respite in Arcadia

Millions of Adults and Seniors in the US are disabled, handicapped or suffer a chronic illness that requires near constant care. Some are fortunate and have family caregivers within driving distance. However, even the most connected elder has family or personal caregivers who could benefit from time off. Enter A-1 Home Care and our Arcadia Senior Caregivers for Respite. We offer experienced care services for seniors who have trouble completing day to day tasks. Our services can include housekeeping, dish washing, laundry, bathing and more.

A-1 Home Care arranges Senior Caregivers in   Arcadia, San Marino, San Gabriel, Monrovia, Duarte, El Monte, Monterey Park, Alhambra, Pasadena, and others in Los Angeles County.

Call 626-287-0250 today to arrange in home care for someone you love! 

24 Hour In Home Cancer Care in Arcadia

Cancer can rightfully be called an epidemic, affecting a majority of families in the USA. But with the emergence of cancer as a widespread phenomenon has arrived new and compelling approaches to cancer treatment. Caught early, cancer is no longer the death sentence that it once was. The New York Times has highlighted this sentiment with their photo essay titled, "Picture Your Life After Cancer". This collage of user submitted images contains bright and healthy shots of men, women and children who have beaten cancer and gone on with their lives. Take a look and submit an image of your own!

A-1 Home Care provides experienced Cancer Caregiving in Arcadia and surrounding cities. We provide in home care and moral support for patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapies. Call us today to arrange care!

Call 626-287-0250 today to arrange in home care for someone you love in  Arcadia, San Marino, San Gabriel, Monrovia, Duarte, El Monte, Monterey Park, Alhambra, Pasadena, and others in Los Angeles County.