Choosing nutritious foods and getting enough physical activity can make a significant difference in a person’s health, especially for older adults. In March, for National Nutrition Month®, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages people to make informed food choices and develop sound eating and physical activity habits, a philosophy we embrace at CiminoCare.
The theme this year, Eat Right, Bite by Bite, promotes eating a variety of nutritious foods every day as well as planning and creating healthful meals each week. We agree, nutrition is a key ingredient to the health and wellness programs in our communities. The dining room, menus, and meals are part of the touchstones for building up a community. We are not a restaurant. We are a community that represents home. At Portola Gardens, the lead cook feels like her traditions of cooking for family and friends fits perfectly with our culture of caring and community. She understands how food is nourishing and healing to the body, and how food brings people together, nourishing the soul! She does this by cooking residents’ favorite meals, introducing residents to her favorite meals, taught by her mother, and overall understanding the importance between food and relationships.
Marie Arbios, who works for CiminoCare, makes it a habit each morning to pour coffee during breakfast and greet each resident. It is the first thing she does every morning. Starting the day with a good cup of coffee, a healthy breakfast, a smile, and an exchange signaling that a new day has arrived, we are here together to make it the best it can be. We know there is something that connects people over sharing a cup of coffee or tea; it’s familial, and it starts the day off right.
Each of our communities manages and executes meal planning, preparation, and dining time with residents’ favorite foods and nutrition in mind. The twist is that we believe eating a meal together embodies a sense of home. Joy comes from sharing a good meal around the table with family and friends. It is part of the CiminoCare philosophy. At CiminoCare, a large part of eating well is the experience of eating together as a community of family and friends. Enjoying the company of others around the table is good for the soul and helps encourage friendship and goodwill.
Bon Appetit!
