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

What can a Senior Advisor do for you?

By Donna Nichols • July 17, 2025
A senior advisor is a personal guide or advocate for older adults and their families. Here’s what they can do for you: Help Navigate Options They can explain the differences between independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing homes, and in-home care, and recommend the best option for a person's health, lifestyle, and budget. Find the Right Community or Services They often have knowledge of (and connections with) local senior living communities or services. They’ll: Match your needs to suitable options Setting up tours Even help ask the right questions Assist with Financial Planning Some advisors can help figure out how to pay for care: Understanding long-term care insurance Veterans’ benefits Medicaid/Medicare guidance Budget planning Guide Legal and Paperwork Stuff They can refer you to elder law attorneys, help with advance directives, or even help you understand contracts from senior living facilities. Support for Families They can act as a neutral third party when families struggle with decisions, easing tension and helping everyone feel informed and involved. Assist with Movers and Downsizers Some advisors have connections with movers, downsizers, and other people who can make your transition smooth.  If you believe a senior advisor can assist you, please call us today to schedule your complimentary consultation at 386-847-2322 . Our services are 100% FREE to you! What have you got to lose?

Beating the Florida Summer Heat

By Donna Nichols • July 7, 2025
Florida summers come in three flavors: hot, hotter, and what fresh hell is this? Whether you're a lifelong local or newly initiated into the Sunshine Sweat Fest, you know it’s more survival sport than season. So, how do we stay cool without losing our cool? Here’s your sun-savvy guide to getting through it. Make hydration a hobby Not just water, electrolytes are your best friends when you're sweaty. Coconut water, cucumber-mint spritzers, watermelon slices. If your drink doesn’t sparkle, chill, or drip condensation like a rom-com montage, it’s not summer-ready. Dress for success and summertime Loose, light, breathable fabrics. Cotton, linen, or the holy grail: moisture-wicking. Bonus points for sun hats and SPF clothing that make you look like a beach detective on vacation. Fans ARE your best friends Table fans, ceiling fans, handheld fans—the whole rotation. Keep them oscillating like your thoughts during a political debate. And if you’ve got a cooling towel? You’re royalty. Avoid the “Roasting Hours” From 11 AM to 4 PM, Florida turns into a convection oven. Errands, walks, and yard work? Schedule them early or late. Unless you’re trying to get baked like a Publix cookie—then by all means. Sunscreen is a lifestyle Apply, reapply, then pretend  you're an influencer and do it again. Because nothing says “I’m melting” like a shoulder burn shaped like your purse strap. Eat lightly Cold meals can be your best friend—salads, chilled pasta, and fruit-forward lunches are all options. Bonus points if you serve them on plates fresh from the fridge like the true champion you are. Rest, reset, repeat If the heat’s making you crankier than a mosquito at a citronella convention, take breaks: shade, air conditioning, quiet corners. Recharge without guilt—you’re surviving a sauna with its own zip code. Florida heat might be relentless, but so are we. With humor, hydration, and a healthy dose of stubborn grace, we ride the wave and keep the ice cubes coming. Stay cool out there, friends. You’ve got this.

Honoring Independence Day with Grace

By Donna Nichols • July 2, 2025
Not every 4th of July needs to burst with fireworks. For many older adults, especially those with tender hearing, health challenges, or a fondness for quieter joys, Independence Day can be just as meaningful in a slower rhythm. It’s the scent of something delicious simmering nearby, the comfort of a cool seat and a cherished show, and the simple dignity of being remembered; of having made it this far, with stories to tell and wisdom that still glows brighter than any sparkler. Caregiver Tips for a Thoughtful 4th: Keep things soft and soothing. Loud sounds can be jarring for seniors with sensory sensitivities, dementia, or PTSD. Choose instrumental patriotic music or old-time radio shows that bring joy without overwhelming them. Build a gentle plate. Soft, easy-to-eat favorites like tender pulled chicken, mashed potatoes, or a festive red, white, and blue parfait (layered Greek yogurt, mashed berries, and crushed graham crackers) keep things celebratory without strain. Spark memories, not stress. Bring out family photo albums, classic Americana films, or even music from their youth. Columbo, The Andy Griffith Show, or golden-age musicals can be a comforting trip down memory lane. Create rest-friendly spaces. A cozy chair near the window, a shaded seat outside, or even a reclined viewing spot for a live TV broadcast of fireworks can help them feel included without fatigue. Let them lead the conversation. Ask about what Independence Day meant to them growing up. You might discover tales of ration books, war bonds, or dancing at VFW halls. These stories are treasures wrapped in the quiet of the day.  In the end, Independence Day is about honoring resilience—the kind that’s quieter, often overlooked, but profoundly enduring. Whether you’re caring for someone, being cared for, or simply holding space for reflection, there’s beauty in choosing peace over spectacle. This Fourth of July, let’s celebrate not just the freedom of a nation but also the freedom to adapt, to rest, and to cherish those we love in the way that suits them best.