By Greg Pascucci
June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, designed to bring attention to the wonderful health benefits of daily produce consumption. And, with Florida’s tropical weather, fruits and vegetables are available practically year-round making it even more convenient to indulge in the freshest produce.
The American Heart Association recommends adults consume eight or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day but a survey revealed this is done by less than half of older adults.
At The Carlisle Naples, a luxury active retirement community, Executive Chef Marlon Perez and his culinary team place tremendous emphasis on residents’ dietary requirements including their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Chef Perez, whose background includes serving as the Banquet Chef at the prestigious Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, works closely with his suppliers to ensure the use of local, seasonal produce and meats whenever possible. In fact, it’s not unusual to hear him on the phone with a vendor asking, “What’s fresh?” before planning the senior living community’s menu.
“We encourage residents to enjoy more fruits and vegetables and our menus reflect a variety of healthy options,” he said. “Whether an organic spinach salad or the community’s signature cornucopia salad which includes mixed greens, avocado, and grilled chicken, there are always heart-healthy options available.”
Chef Perez offers these additional tips:
• Soups offer great way to incorporate vegetables. Almost any vegetable lends itself to use in soup, from creamy squash or tomato bisques to vegetable beef or chicken vegetable soup. Add fresh or frozen vegetables to canned soups to increase the servings of vegetables and add flavor.
• Salads don’t have to be lettuce based. Consider using leafy alternatives such as radicchio, arugula, kale or spinach. Also, kick up greens by adding fresh fruits like pineapple, mangoes, Asian pears, papaya or pomegranates.
• Don’t overlook beans. They count as a vegetable and a protein. They can be added to everything from salads to eggs. While most people are familiar with common legumes such as chick peas and kidney beans, other beans such as navy, soy and garbanzo are just as nutritious.
• Fruits can be incorporated in desserts. From strawberry shortcake to ice cream and pies, there are unlimited options for increasing your fruit intake with desserts.
• Be bold with your palate. It’s not uncommon to grow tired of eating the same vegetables such as broccoli and carrots. Try giving your taste buds a boost this summer with seasonal produce such as okra, eggplant and callaloo (also known as tree spinach).
“Encouraging people to make better food choices starts by making these choices available”, added Chef Perez. “At The Carlisle, residents can savor the flavors of fresh, healthy food choices year-round. Plus, culinary team represents seven different countries. Often, the community’s dining options reflect regional dishes, gourmet fare and specialty fruits and vegetables from other nations. It’s dining that’s not at all what you’d expect to find at a typical retirement community.”
Located at 6945 Carlisle Court in Naples, The Carlisle offers spacious one-and two-bedroom residences, weekly housekeeping and flat linen services, basic cable TV, all utilities except telephone, and a complimentary full breakfast plus choice of lunch or dinner in the community’s gourmet-style restaurant. For more information about the community, please call 239-221-0017 or visit www.TheCarlisleNaples.com.
The Carlisle, a luxury, resort-style senior living community in North Naples, offers both Independent and Assisted Living lifestyles. Available on a monthly fee basis, the ECC-licensed and CARF-accredited community boasts a full range of services and amenities including 12-hour restaurant dining, housekeeping, transportation and activities. Located on Airport-Pulling Road, between Pine Ridge and Immokalee Roads, the award-winning community’s lush tropical environment is highlighted with meandering walking paths around three lakes and tranquility gardens. For more information or to schedule a tour, please call Director of Marketing Greg Pascucci at 239-221-0017.
Luxury Rental Retirement Living
6945 Carlisle Court, Naples, FL 34109
239-221-0017 . www.srgseniorliving.com