On a hot day, the best way to help keep a house cold is by making a cold salad. Cook batches of these four grains and tuck them into a freezer until they’re needed. Family caregivers will save a lot of time preparing nutritious meals on these hot summer days.
#1 – Barley
One reason barley is so popular is the low glycemic index. It’s a suitable grain for someone with diabetes who needs to stabilize carb loads. Barley is also inexpensive. You can often pick up a pound bag for less than $2 in your grocer’s dried bean section.
Toss grilled chicken, lemon juice, olive oil, roasted vegetables, and fresh parsley together with some cooked barley. That hearty salad is low in fat, high in flavor, and perfect for a hot day.
#3 – Farro
Farro is the grain found in three types of wheat: einkorn, emmer, and spelt. The grains are chewy and have a nutty flavor that makes them perfect for summer salads.
The grain is rich in vitamins A and E. It has iron, fiber, and protein, too. Cook the grains in an unsalted vegetable broth. Add grilled mushrooms, grilled halloumi cheese, roasted red peppers, fresh parsley, and roasted garlic cloves for a tasty Greek-influenced meal.
#4 – Freekeh
Freekeh is harvested durum wheat when that’s still green. The green wheat is dried in the sun, piled, and set on fire to remove the chaff and straw. The remaining grain known as freekeh or farik is then packaged whole or cut up.
A serving is rich in B vitamins, manganese, fiber, and protein. Cook it in advance and store it in the freezer for quick salads. It’s used a lot in Middle Eastern cooking and lends nicely to herbs and spice like cinnamon, cumin, and other curry-related spices.
#5 – Quinoa
Quinoa gained popularity when the gluten-free craze hit. This grain-like seed has no gluten and is very high in protein, fiber, and several antioxidants. One serving has 8 grams of protein.
You can use it as you would rice. Toss it with some fresh herbs, raw vegetables like bell peppers and Vidalia onion, and cooked shrimp. Add an orange vinaigrette to finish the salad with a burst of citrus.
Work with a senior care agency to have a caregiver available to help out with your parent’s meals, personal care, and housekeeping. You may be tempted to be your mom or dad’s only caregiver, but you can’t lose sight of your own needs. Let caregivers help out while you spend time with friends or family. Call a senior care agency to get started.
For more information about hiring Home Care Services in Coronado, CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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