Switch up your stuffing! Try this delicious recipe for a flavourful stuffing that is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving meal, courtesy of our Executive Chef Liana Robberecht.

Ingredients

• 4 cups cubed bread (1-inch pieces)
• 4 diced celery stalks (1¾ cups)
• 1 cup diced apples, cored
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup diced white onion
• 2 tbsp roasted garlic purée
• ¾ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup chopped fresh sage
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 pinch dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1½ to 2 cups chicken stock
• 10 pieces of bacon, diced
• 2 whole eggs, beaten
• 1 egg yolk

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8×11-inch or 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cut bread into 1-inch pieces and place in a very large bowl. Set aside.
3. In a heated sauté pan, add olive oil and bacon, and cook until golden (approximately 5-7 minutes). Add chopped onions and cook for another 2-3 minutes, then add roasted garlic, celery, apples, rosemary, and thyme.  Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
4. Add one cup of chicken stock evenly over the mixture and toss to coat. Add the eggs and toss again. The mixture should be wet. Add in sage, chopped parsley, and maple syrup. If the mixture is still a bit dry, add in the remaining ½ cup of broth (the amount you use will depend on how dense and dry your bread is). Set aside.
5. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish.
6. Bake for 30 minutes. If the stuffing is still wet, uncover the dish and bake for 5-10 more minutes to crisp the top.
7. Enjoy!

Making the move to an older adult community is a big decision, and it can be challenging to find the right community for you. You may be wondering where to go, or what the difference is between Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. The following article will help you determine which residence is right for you.

Independent Living

While your independence is prioritized throughout all of Trico LivingWell, our 55+ senior apartments function just like a regular apartment in the middle of a great community. At Trico LivingWell, you will enjoy your own independent lifestyle, participating in activities when and if you’d like to, and following your own schedule. You may continue with certain household tasks on your own, such as cooking, cleaning, or laundry – or you may decide to have those tasks taken care of for you. Regardless of your ability, the choice is up to you.

Assisted Living

Assisted Living refers to the additional assistance you might want to help you continue to live your life your way, as independently as possible. At Trico LivingWell, we are here to assist with cooking, cleaning, laundry, medication administration, bathing, and more. Plus, you can enjoy scheduled activities catered to your interests and abilities. Whatever you’d like support with, we are here to help.

Memory Care

Memory Care refers to around the clock care for older adults experiencing memory loss and diseases such as Alzheimer’s. We recognize that each person’s journey is unique, which is why our care philosophy is rooted in personalized care. Each member of our staff has undergone simulated dementia training in order to better understand the experiences of those affected by cognitive impairment.

Our Memory Care Households are safe living areas fully equipped to ensure the highest quality of care is delivered, a calm and regulated environment is maintained, and engaging activities are scheduled to help residents interact and socialize.

Trico LivingWell is a safe community built to enhance the lives of older adults with elevated standards of cleanliness, security, design, clinical expertise, and culinary craftsmanship. Our goal is to help you make the best decision for you, so that you can Love Your Days! If you would like to tour our residences, or if you would like to speak with a member of our team, click here.

“You grow through what you go through.”

A plant growing from the concrete.

Have you ever come across this remarkable example of nature showing resilience? How powerful is it to see just how badly that plant wanted to grow?

Think back to a time in your life when you experienced uncertainty. Think of what you did to overcome that situation. In that moment, you demonstrated resilience. The reality is, we cannot control everything that happens to us in this life, but we can control how we respond.

What Is Resilience?

Resilience is:

• A mindset. When you reframe a situation by changing how you look at it, you are creating a resilient mindset that is stronger than it was before and can therefore handle future uncertainties better. To create a resilient mindset, monitor your self-talk. Your thoughts, actions, and behaviours build resilience through difficult times.
• Being creative. Find new strategies to combat uncertainties and grief when the old tactics can’t be used or aren’t helping you anymore.

Resilience is about finding ways to continue your life journey despite the challenges you face. Resilience is not about minimizing the severity of a situation, nor is it about being excessively (or unrealistically) optimistic. It’s about our inner strength and ability to handle stress – and to walk away from it with a clearer, stronger mind.

Why Resilience Matters

Research has shown that being resilient helps you recover from illness faster, live longer, improve at daily activities, and foster happier relationships. Remember that you were not born with resilience – it’s something you worked hard for, and likely are still developing.

How You Can Foster Resilience

• Have compassion and kindness for yourself, rather than judging yourself
• Remember that resilience helps you thrive and reach your full potential, even when times are tough
• Keep in mind that resilience doesn’t come from having a perfect life, and it won’t mean that you are happy all the time. It is okay to live with imperfections in your life.
• Accept that it is normal to feel angry or upset when you face challenges
• Consider that resilience is about moving forward despite challenges, and comes from dealing with issues successfully
• Find meaning in your life through faith or spirituality, hobbies, volunteering, nature, or spending time with friends and family
• Know your strengths and foster them
• Take care of yourself – your nutrition, exercise and sleep
• Find whatever it is that brings you joy, comfort or gratitude
• Reach out to people you trust – talk to them
• Separate the things you do have control over from the things you don’t

You might not be the same person after overcoming a challenge – but you’ll have grown into a stronger person having faced it.

“Life’s beauty is inseparable from its fragility. Discomfort is the price of admission to a meaningful life.” (Susan David, 2017)