Meals on Wheels Gazette
April 2017
April is National Volunteer Month
April is National Volunteer Month. We like to take this time to thank our volunteers who give so much of
themselves to our community. Our Meals on Wheels participants may be most familiar with the volunteers who
deliver meals to them every day. Besides Meals on Wheels, Office for Aging is proud to be able to utilize
volunteers throughout our different programs. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and bring to the
Office for Aging a wide array of skills, knowledge, and experiences. Giving their time, energy, and talents, our
volunteers are critical to the provision of services to older adults throughout the community. Last year
volunteers contributed 59,989 hours of service to the Office for Aging and the people they serve. If you or
anyone you know is interested in volunteering, please call the Office for Aging at 778-2411.
Did you Know?
Meals on Wheels accepts SNAP/EBT (food stamps) for contributions for meals.
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. An individual in this
program will receive an electronic benefit card that has a monthly allowance to
purchase food. Meals on Wheels participants receive a suggested contribution
statement each month for meals ordered during the previous month. If you have
difficulty making contributions for your Meals on Wheels, you may be eligible for
SNAP benefits. A household of one senior/disabled person must have a monthly
gross income of $1,980 or less. A household of two seniors/disabled people must
have a monthly gross income of $2,670 or less. If you wish to contribute with SNAP
benefits/food stamps, call your Meals on Wheels office for more information.
Some historians believe that April Fools’ customs began in France, although no one knows for sure. It may
stem from a calendar change in 16th century France-the moving of New Years’ Day from April 1st to
January 1st when the Gregorian calendar was adopted. People who continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on
April 1st were referred to as “April Fools” and others played tricks on them.
www.cnn.com
The Meals on Wheels Gazette is a monthly publication of the Broome County Office for Aging. If you have any questions,
please call 607-778-6205. The nutrition program is sponsored by the U.S Administration on Aging, New York State Office
for Aging, and Broome County Office for Aging.
Flexibility Exercise - Shoulder Stretch
1. Stand back against a wall, feet shoulder-width apart and arms at shoulder height.
2. Bend your elbows so your fingertips point toward the ceiling and touch the wall behind you. Stop when
you feel a stretch or slight discomfort, and stop immediately if you feel sharp pain.
3. Hold position for 10 to 30 seconds.
4. Let your arms slowly roll forward, remaining bent at the elbows, to point toward the floor and touch the
wall again, if possible. Stop when you feel a stretch or slight
discomfort.
5. Hold position for 10 to 30 seconds.
6. Alternate pointing above head, then toward hips.
7. Repeat at least 3 to 5 times.
NIH Senior Health
What’s for Breakfast?
Rich in antioxidants and packed with soluble fiber and healthy carbohydrates, oatmeal has a number of key
health benefits. Consuming soluble fiber-rich foods like oatmeal can be an effective way to reduce elevated
cholesterol levels. Soluble fiber forms a sticky gel in your digestive tract that grabs and clears cholesterol
from your body. Oatmeal can also reduce appetite by increasing the hunger-fighting hormone
cholecystokinin. A bowl of oatmeal does not have to be boring either, try some of these ideas for dressing
up your bowl of oatmeal:
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Oatmeal with Blueberries, Sunflower Seeds, & Agave.
Oatmeal with Mango, Cashews, & Coconut. Prepare oatmeal, stir in brown sugar, & top with
mango, cashews, and toasted coconut.
Oatmeal with Cheddar & Scallion. Give oatmeal a savory twist. Prepare oatmeal, stir in ¼ cup
shredded cheese, ¼ tsp. paprika, season with salt & pepper, and top with 1 chopped scallion.
Oatmeal with Yogurt & Marmalade. Add creaminess & fruity flavor by topping your oatmeal with
2 Tbsp. low-fat Greek yogurt & 2 Tbsp. orange marmalade or another type of jam.
Oatmeal with Dried Fruit & Pistachios. Dried fruit & nuts are typical oatmeal garnishes; mix things
up with a variety of fruit and an unexpected nut. Try stirring in a pinch of nutmeg, 1 Tbsp. honey,
& top with 1 Tbsp. each of dried cherries, cranberries, and pistachios.
Oatmeal with Peanut Butter & Grapes. For a different take on PB&J, stir in peanut butter and top
with fresh grapes.
Oatmeal with Pineapple & Mint. Unexpected partners for oatmeal, the acidic pineapple and
refreshing mint leaves will wake you up in the morning. Try stirring in chopped pineapple, 1 Tbsp.
of fresh mint leaves, 1tsp. of cinnamon sugar, and 2 Tbsp. milk.
www.livestrong.com & www.realsimple.com