Believe in Yourself: April Events

April, the month where we play innocent pranks on April Fool’s Day; celebrate Springtime and Easter with egg hunts, brunches, and church; pay homage to mother earth on Earth Day; and welcome the return of America’s favorite pastime – Baseball. This month we embark on a new quarter in our Alive in All Seasons calendar where we celebrate Healthy Aging and will “Let Wellbeing Thrive”. Throughout April our focus is on the brain and honoring the theme “Believe in Yourself”. Did you know that activities that are good for your heart are also good for your brain? The American Heart Association tells us that protecting memory and brain health is a matter of keeping your heart and blood vessels healthy. Regular cardio exercise and a healthy diet not only keep your heart happy, but your brain too.

This month’s offerings include activities and events that will keep our bodies and brains healthy and renew our faith in ourselves. Educational opportunities will cover brain health topics such as brain booster activities and ways to keep fit. We will rejoice in our individuality and celebrate ourselves through life affirming reminiscent and creative activities while reminding each other to “Believe in Yourself”.

Please join us here at Juniper Village at Naples for our Meet and Greet Mix and Mingle on April 7^th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm (RSVP to 239-598-1368); our Easter Egg Hunt on April 12^th from 10:00 am to noon (RSVP to 239-598-1368); our Fishy Friday Family Luncheon on April 18^th from noon to 1:00 pm (RSVP to 239-598-1368); our Astronomy Lecture with Brown University’s Steve Valdespino on April 25^th at 2:30 pm. See our newsletter calendar for a complete listing of events and come visit us during any that suit your fancy!

H'Art and Soul of Dining - New Menus with Delicious Recipes!

We are proud to announce that on April 5th our revitalized spring/summer menus will begin for our H’Art and Soul of Dining Signature Program at all of our communities.  This new signature program will help us improve quality of life and whole person wellness for the individuals that call Juniper Village home.  We are very excited this season since the offerings will feature a delicious 5-week entrée select option featuring fabulous new choices using some of the fresh products available through our food vendors. Also, on our updated menus, we have added many lighter alternatives as well as recipes specific to each community that take into account special diets, regional tastes, food committee requests and our resident’s special needs and personal requests.  These changes to our meal plans significantly increase the variety of selections provided for our residents while focusing upon scratch made offerings and heart-healthy meals.  Furthermore, in celebration of our AIAS spring quarter “Healthy Aging,” our Grill Menus will be re-vamped to highlight healthier offerings throughout the season. In addition we will be implementing an innovative hydration assurance program served from our “Oasis Carts,” featuring a variety of flavored waters using citrus or mint or cucumbers, fresh brewed iced tea, lemonade, punch, smoothies and juices as well as nutritious snacks.

Below are some of the recipes featured on our new menu:

Carrot-Currant Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour (to measure, spoon into a cup and level)
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup carrot juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup shredded carrots

1/2 cup dried currants
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners. In a large bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl whisk together butter, egg, milk, carrot juice and vanilla. Pour the egg mixture over the dry ingredients and gently fold just until moistened. Fold carrots and dried currants into the mix. Scoop batter into the muffin pan and bake until golden brown and firm to the touch, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from pan (cool on a wire rack if you have one).

Yellow Squash Soup

Cooking Spray

1/2 cup diced yellow onion

1 cup diced zucchini

1 cup diced yellow squash

3 cups low-sodium vegetable stock

1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasonings

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 (15 ounce) can Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15 ounce) can diced no-salt-added tomatoes

Coat a large saucepan with cooking spray. Heat over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 3 minutes. Add zucchini and yellow squash; sauté 3 minutes. Add all other ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.

Divas Through the Decades

Juniper Village at Naples' residents enjoyed a live concert of incredible talent. This dynamic trio showcases influential female vocalists in American pop music from the 40's through today. Hits from Patsy Cline , Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Tina Turner and The Supremes are some of the "Divas" that were showcased.

Luck of the Irish

St. Paddy's day was celebrated in traditional style at Juniper Village at Naples. Celtic music entertained residents and families during a feast of Irish delicacies. These monthly family luncheons planned by the Connections Department are a popular event. Join us in the next couple months as we celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day.

Your Treasure is Within: March Events

Our Alive in All Seasons program is alive and well at Juniper Village. This quarter’s seasonal theme is on Creative Expression: “Explore Your Creativity” and serves to promote our philosophy of encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit. For March, we will turn our focus to Performance: “Your Treasure is Within”.

This month on March 2, 2014 we look forward to the 86^th celebration of the Academy Awards. As we watch popular comedian and talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres host the festivities while the beautiful stars dressed in their finery walk the red carpet we can’t help to stop, to pause and reminisce of all of the great performances of past years. Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Marlon Brando, Robert DeNiro, Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, Vivien Leigh, Meryl Streep, Peter Ustinov and Dustin Hoffman; the list goes on! In addition to guessing who might win the Oscars for 2014, this month we will be learning about and experiencing all different types of great performance art, enjoying cultural events and trying our hand at acting in drama club.

It’s going to be a theatrical month at Juniper Village at Naples filled with creativity, great experiences and memorable performances! You are cordially invited to attend a Singing and Guitar strolling performance by Bob Shea on March 1^st at 2:00 pm, our Celtic Fling Family Luncheon with performance by Trinity on March 12^th at noon (RSVP by March 4^th), our Create: Flower Garden Scenes activity on March 30^th at 1:30 pm, or any of our other activities (see our Newsletter for a complete listing).

So come in, and join in on the act to find that “Your Treasure is Within”.

Clowning Around at Juniper

Juniper Village at Naples was surprised with a lively bunch of volunteers. This spirited group of clowns from Bonita Springs has one goal in mind...make them laugh! Residents delighted at the skits, magic and music provided by these colorful entertainers. Several residents even got in the act. February we explore creative expression through performance. Our Connections Department is dedicated to making this experience as eclectic as possible.

Lisa Maxwell, R.N. Joins Juniper Village at Naples Leadership Team

Juniper Village at Naples is proud to welcome Lisa Maxwell, R.N. to the role of Director of Wellness. Maxwell, a high honors graduate of Broward College, comes to the position with diverse experience including acute and hospice care. Her nursing career came after working years in the fitness and rehabilitation industry. Maxwell worked with many residents at Juniper through her hospice tenure and is excited to dedicate her skills here full time. "I am excited to use my hands on approach to work with all the residents and such an energetic team. In my experience I find touching is very therapeutic." states Maxwell.