Quick and Easy Spring Recipes

Donna Nichols • April 25, 2023
A bowl of salad with tomatoes , cucumbers , chickpeas and onions on a blue and white towel.

If you’re anything like me, you don’t like a heavy meal at dinner time in the warmer weather. I can’t eat lettuce, kale, or spinach, but love salads. So, here’s my twist on a light, easy and quick salad that is delicious.


½ pound grape tomatoes sliced in half

½ sliced onion

¼ pound grapes sliced in half

Feta cheese (or any cheese you prefer)

Chickpeas (for protein)

Raspberry vinaigrette dressing


This is so light and refreshing and you can make it ahead and refrigerate it without the dressing so it’s nice and chilled prior to eating.


Of course, if you can eat lettuce, kale, or spinach, you can put it on top of that, or if you prefer more protein, you can add grilled chicken to it. There are so many variants to this recipe so feel free to add whatever you like to make it unique to your taste.


Salmon is one of the best fish for you to eat and I found this delicious, quick recipe at Taste of Home for you to try (and if you have any leftovers, you can bring them to me)!


Garlic Lime Salmon


Ingredients


¼ cup canola oil

½ medium onion, finely chopped

½ teaspoon grated lime zest

1 tablespoons lime juice

½  garlic clove, minced.

1 salmon filet (about 1-1/2 pound)


Directions


  1. Preheat broiler. In a small bowl, mix the first 5 ingredients. Place salmon fillet on a broiler pan, skin side down. Broil 4-6 in. from heat until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork, 15-20 minutes. Brush frequently with onion mixture during the last 5 minutes of cooking.


Super easy, right? And doesn’t it sound so delicious? YUMMY!!!


Like chicken? Here’s a simple recipe I found at All Recipes, once again, if you make it and have leftovers, well, you know what to do.


Easy Apricot Chicken


Ingredients


3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cup apricot preserves

1 cup Catalina salad dressing

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 ounces fried onion soup mix


Directions


  1. Cut chicken breasts in half or into serving-sized portions.
  2. In a medium sized bowl, combine apricot preserves, Catalina dressing, onion soup mix, and Dijon mustard. Mix well.
  3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place chicken in a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Pour apricot mixture evenly over chicken and bake 40 – 45 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.


Have a slow cooker? Do all as above, but:


Slow cooker instructions:


  1. Place chicken in slow cooker. Pour apricot mixture over chicken and cook on high for 2 – 3 hours or on low heat for 4 – 6 hours. Serve as whole pieces or shredded.


Doesn’t that sound delicious with a side of rice? YUMMY again!!!


You don’t have to cook all day to have a healthy, quick, and nutritious meal. It doesn’t have to break the bank either! Eating healthier and smarter is better for your overall physical and mental health! The sooner you start the better! Let’s start together today!



A plate of food with a fork and limes on it

The Heart of Guidance: The Role of a Senior Advisor in Elder Care

By Donna Nichols • September 5, 2025
In a world that often moves too fast, senior advisors offer something rare and essential: time, understanding, and a steady hand. Unlike their counterparts in the business world, senior advisors in elder care aren’t focused on profit margins—they’re focused on people. Who They Are Senior advisors in this space are often seasoned professionals, caregivers, or community advocates who help older adults and their families navigate complex decisions. They may work in senior living communities, nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, or independently. What They Do • Guide families through transitions: Whether it's choosing assisted living or downsizing a home, senior advisors help make sense of it all. • Advocate for dignity and autonomy: They ensure that older adults’ voices are heard and respected in every decision. • Connect to resources: From transportation and wellness programs to Alzheimer’s and grief support, they know where to turn. • Offer emotional support: Sometimes, the most valuable thing they offer is a listening ear and a calming presence. Why It Matters A senior advisor isn’t just a resource—they’re a lifeline. They help families breathe easier, empower older adults to make informed choices, and bring compassion into moments that can feel overwhelming. If you’re reading this and thinking, “That sounds like me,” you’re not alone. Many of us play this role informally, answering questions, calming nerves, and connecting dots. Whether you’re a professional advisor or a trusted neighbor, your presence makes a difference.  If you or someone you love is facing a big decision and could use a calm, caring guide—we’re here. No pressure, no jargon, just real people ready to help. Call us today on 386-847-2322 to start the conversation. Sometimes, the first step is simply knowing you’re not alone.

Grandparents Day: A Celebration of Heart, Humor & Heritage

By Donna Nichols • September 4, 2025
September brings a quiet kind of magic—the golden light, the hint of fall in the air, and a moment to honor the everyday heroes who’ve shaped our lives with love, laughter, and legendary stories: our grandparents. Whether you’re a grandparent yourself, a grateful grandchild, or someone who’s been “adopted” by a wise elder in your life, Grandparents Day is a chance to pause and celebrate the beautiful bridge between generations. What Makes Grandparents So Grand? • They’re walking history books—with tales of jukeboxes, moon landings, and the original recipe for Sunday gravy. • They’re master cheerleaders, showing up with hugs, cookies, and the kind of encouragement that sticks for life. • They’re wisdom whisperers, offering advice that somehow makes more sense with each passing year. And let’s be honest: they also have the uncanny ability to make you feel like the most important person in the room. A Legacy of Love Grandparents teach us that love doesn’t have to be loud to be lasting. It’s in the quiet gestures: the handwritten birthday card, the saved newspaper clipping, the way they remember your favorite snack or ask about that thing you mentioned weeks ago. They remind us that resilience is built over time—through hard work, humor, and a whole lot of heart. Their stories carry lessons we didn’t know we needed until we suddenly find ourselves living them. And for those who’ve lost a grandparent, this day can be bittersweet. But it’s also a chance to honor their memory—by sharing their stories, cooking their favorite dish, or simply whispering a thank-you into the September breeze. Celebrate with Us: A Little Fun for the Big Day This Grandparents Day, we invite you to: • Share a memory: What’s one moment with a grandparent that still makes you smile? • Send a shoutout: Post a photo or quote from your favorite grandparent on social media and tag us.

Honoring Our Elders: National Senior Citizens Day

By Donna Nichols • August 14, 2025
On August 21, we pause to celebrate the heartbeat of our communities—our senior citizens. This day isn’t just about marking a date on the calendar. It’s about recognizing the wisdom, resilience, and warmth that older adults bring to every conversation, every gathering, and every generation. Wisdom That Lights the Way From stories of first jobs and family traditions to lessons learned through love and loss, seniors carry a lifetime of insight. Their experiences are more than memories—they’re guideposts for those still finding their way. Today, we honor those stories and the voices behind them. Connection That Matters Whether it’s a neighborly wave, a shared recipe, or a quiet moment on the porch, seniors remind us that connection doesn’t need fanfare—it just needs heart. National Senior Citizens Day is a chance to say, “We see you. We value you. We’re better because of you.” Ways to Celebrate Host a storytelling circle or memory-sharing event Share a favorite photo and the story behind it Create a “Senior Spotlight” wall with quotes and wisdom Invite younger generations to learn a skill from a senior (gardening, baking, crafting) Spend time—listen, laugh, and learn A Day of Gratitude Let’s make August 21 a day of genuine appreciation. Whether you’re a senior yourself or someone lucky enough to know and love one, take a moment to reflect on the richness they bring to our lives. Their legacy is living, breathing, and beautifully unfolding every day.  This is a day to be celebrated every day! Senior citizens bring so much fulfillment to our lives, and we need to embrace the moments we spend with them, for they are precious.