A Recipe For Life

Good health and nutrition gets trickier as people age. Throw in a measure of Alzheimer’s disease and you may have a larger challenge to face.

The recipes in this section, A Recipe for Life, are designed to nourish both those living with Alzheimer’s disease as well as their caregivers.  As food prices continue to rise on a weekly, if not daily, basis and as the need for more care demands more of your available time; my goal today, is to provide you with recipes that are healthy, quick and inexpensive.

Today’s Recipe for Life

Spinach, Basil and Tomato Pasta–Why it’s good for you

This simple, delicious and inexpensive meal is very nutritious.   The whole grain pasta has almost double the fiber and protein and nearly triple the folate of its white counterpart.  According to American Family Physician, “Garlic has long been used medicinally, most recently for its cardiovascular, anti-neoplastic, and antimicrobial properties.” Tomatoes are known be high in antioxidants and vitamins C and A.  Just ask Popeye about Spinach, it has lots of iron, folate and antioxidants. Olive Oil may well be the “miracle food” of this list.   Long touted for its nutritional properties, it’s a monounsaturated fat (good fat), its great for the heart and the colon.

Spinach, Basil and Tomato Pasta Recipe

Ingredients:

1 pound whole wheat pasta (fettuccini, linguini and penne work nicely) 

2-3 cloves garlic (chopped fine)

1 medium red onion, cut in half and sliced

1 large fresh tomato, sliced

2 pounds fresh spinach, washed and roughly chapped

4-5 sprigs fresh basil, washed and roughly chopped

1-2 sprigs fresh basil, washed and finely chopped

Approx. 3-4 Tbs. Extra virgin olive oil

Sea Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to directions on package.
2. Lightly sauté garlic and onion in olive oil about 3-5 minutes, add spinach and 4-5 roughly chopped basil sprigs, till just warmed and wilted, toss in cooked pasta. 
3. Serve topped with tomato slices and 1-2 sprigs fresh chopped basil

Now, here’s a Recipe for the rest of your life

A Recipe for Life

Start with a life

One that has a hungry heart

Add some hope

It’s a great place to start

Stir in faith

As tiny as a mustard seed

All you must do now, is just believe.

Stir in some love

It flavors all you do

A little patience

Is a good thing to add too 

But back to love

It makes the world go ‘round

Add a hearty appetite

And now you’ve found….

A Recipe for Life!