Fall Harvesting
Harvesting vegetables and putting them up for the winter is an old tradition. It was the life blood for families during the winter until the supermarket became popular in the late 1970’s. Many people today continue to “put up” vegetables to save money and to gain the benefits of fresh vegetables. Here are a few ideas that will work well to stimulate reminiscing and be a purposeful activity.
Shucking Corn:
Have the residents shuck corn cobs. Once the corn is shucked, cook the corn in water until the water boils and let it simmer for about five minutes. Have each resident butter a piece of bread, then they can use the bread to butter the corn by sliding the buttered side of the bread along the corn. Be prepared to cut the corn off the cob if someone is having difficulty due to dentures.
Breaking Beans:
Bring in a bushel of beans to be snapped. Place the beans on the table and have residents sit around the table and snap the beans. Once the beans are snapped, they can be cooked with some bacon for about an hour. This is a great activity to do in the morning. The beans can be cooking around lunch time. The smell of the beans and bacon cooking will have everyone ready to eat by the time lunch arrives.
Pickling:
Cucumbers can be pickled using safe cold brine. Have a group of residents chop the cucumbers into the desired size. Then have the group measure out the following ingredients:
Two cups vinegar One cup water
One half cup sugar One cup salt
Three tablespoons dill
Mix all ingredients together, and then add cucumber pieces (three cups). Place cucumber and pickling ingredients in a bowl with a tight fitting lid. Let sit for three-five days. Then enjoy!
While the residents are participating in these cooking groups ask questions to get everyone talking about past cooking experiences.
“Did you grow a garden in the summer?”
“What kind of vegetables did you grow?”
“How did you put the vegetables up for the winter?”
“Did you sell your vegetables at the farmer’s market?”
“Did you ever have a glass jar bust while you were canning?”
“Did you make homemade jams or jellies?”
Trivia:
A pickle crunch should be heard from 10 paces away.
26 billion pickles are packed each year in the U.S.
Half of all cucumbers are made into pickles each year.
The average ear of corn has 800 kernels, arranged in 16 rows.
There is one piece of silk for each kernel.
A bushel of corn contains about 27,000 kernels.
For more information contact 317-218-5111 or www.behomelivelife.com
Tags: activity ideas, Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's Education, caregiver stress, cognition, cooking ideas in nursing homes, educated caregivers, Grandpa with Alzheimer's, improving memory