Chef’s picks to ring in the New Year

​As the weather cools down and senior living residents are staying inside more, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through indoor activities and nutrition become increasingly important.
 
At Melody Living in Lake in the Hills we take great pride in ensuring that our assisted living and memory care residents are always living a life in harmony with the Eight Dimensions of Wellness at the forefront of everything we do.
 
One of our favorite ways to ensure wellness for residents in our McHenry County retirement community is through food glorious food! Having a healthy diet is important at all ages, however, as we age, we may find ourselves less likely to get all the vital nutrition we need to continue to thrive. Whether that’s because our appetite changes or due to medical reasons, it’s critical that seniors are getting well-balanced and nutrient-rich meals daily.
 
Not only is this important for organ function, but it also is important for mental health. A balanced diet rich in nutrition helps ease the winter blues by nourishing the body and mind with healthy vitamins and minerals. Chef Ryan Burchall shared his favorite winter recipes and tips for ringing in 2022 that you can try on-site in our dining room, our grab ‘n go bistro, or from the comfort of your own home.
 

​Use nutrient-rich ingredients
There are countless delicious and colorful foods available in the winter months that are a great source of vitamins. For winter or seasonal foods that are high in vitamins, Chef Burchall recommends making acorn squash wedges, maple and bacon-glazed brussels sprouts, roasted butternut squash soup, and fennel orange salad. Drooling yet?
 
These all can be customized based on dietary needs and are great foundational ingredients to use in your winter recipes. In fact, acorn squash wedges go well with any holiday entrée that is being served as well as maple and bacon-glazed brussels sprouts. He adds that you simply can’t go wrong with roasted butternut squash soup for a tasty starter! If you’re looking for recipes, he suggests a quick online search for these key ingredients to find a recipe that suits your taste. Of course, if you’re a Melody Living resident or family member, popping by our restaurant to see what Chef has cooked up on the menu is a great way to experience his top picks.
 
Dementia and food
Are there foods that are good for loved ones living with dementia? The answer is yes! As he does with our senior living community’s daily menu, Chef recommends incorporating foods that are high in vitamins into your loved one’s daily diet. Again, these include green vegetables, nuts (if they can tolerate them), and all varieties of berries. Make sure that depending on your loved one’s dietary needs, whatever you’re making is served to accommodate them. Smoothies with a straw can be a great way to get in some of the less preferred foods like kale, spinach and avocado when paired with sweet berries, honey and yogurt.
 
Oh, kale yeah
Need a quick meal for on-the-go? Chef Burchall suggests trying a delicious kale smoothie mixed with fresh fruits to add some natural sweetness. Kale is the best source of vitamin C out there. It contains four times the amount of vitamin C that spinach contains! He highlights that just one cup of kale has more vitamin C than an entire orange.
 
Chef’s dinner pick
In addition to incorporating nutrient-rich ingredients in various side dishes, Chef’s favorite winter recipe is a Mississippi pot roast dinner with truffle leek mashed potatoes and green peas. Residents can look forward to savory creations like this all winter long. When asked why it was Chef’s pick, Chef Burchall simply stated, “It warms you up on a cold night and it’s delicious!” You really can have healthy and delicious in the same dish at Melody Living Lake in the Hills’ senior living community.

​Toast 2022 like a billionaire
Hands down, Chef’s favorite drink recipe to celebrate 2022 is a cocktail called, The Billionaire. Rich in flavor and fun, he’s even shared the recipe with us so you can try it at home! 

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Baker's 107-proof bourbon
• 1 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2-oz grenadine
• 1/2-oz simple syrup
• 1/4-oz absinthe bitters
• Garnish with a lemon wheel

Steps

1. Shake all ingredients in a shaker with ice until chilled.
2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with a lemon wheel and enjoy!

​To learn more about our commitment to our residents through the passion of food, check out our dining page or feel free to schedule your own private tour, where you can visit our restaurant for yourself! To schedule your tour, visit our contact page and send us a message or feel free to give us a call at 847.957.7070. We’d love for you to sit at our table!