A publication of Golden Horizons Elder Care Services, Inc.
 | A Message From Our President Break out your pink socks, your pink sweaters, your pink shirts, your pink pins, your pink ribbons! October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and pink is their color. Breast cancer is an aggressive disease that can be devastating. This year and this month, let's be |
more aggressive in our fight to find a cure. This month we are featuring a number of blog posts. Wear your pink in solidarity with those who have survived and for those who fight for life. ~ Lisa Gradzewicz, President
| A Message From Our Vice President I notice the leaves are beginning to change and the warm breeze is turning cool. Fall is here. The beautiful colors remind me of warm spices and hearty soups. This is my favorite time of year. I always find myself feeling very |  |
reflective as the days grow shorter and the trees become bare. I love to look back over my year and see what I've accomplished. I have so much to be thankful for. Take a moment this month to reflect and count your own blessings. ~ Megan Gradzewicz
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Caregiver of the Month
October 2016's Caregiver of the Month is Miriam Q! Miriam joined our team about this time last year. In her time with us, she has proven herself to be a valuable asset to our company, going above and beyond for her clients. She is attentive and compassionate. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication, Miriam. Congratulations!
Recipes of the Month
Autumn is the perfect time for exploring our culinary delights. There is so much we can do with such season favorites as pumpkin, apple and various squash. In tribute to said season, we are including two (that's right, TWO) delectable recipes this month. Enjoy!
Pumpkin Caramel Poke Spice Cake
Ingredients: 1 box spice cake mix, 1 c. canned pumpkin, 1 c. water, 3 eggs, ½ c. veg. oil, ¾ c. caramel ice cream topping, 1 (8 oz.) pkg cream cheese (room temp), 2 tbsp. milk, 1 c. powdered sugar, 2 c. whipped topping
Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly spray a 9x13 pan with baking spray, set aside. With hand or stand mixer, combine cake mix, pumpkin, water, eggs and oil (make sure to scrape the side of bowl). Mix until smooth. Pour batter into prepped pan, and bake at 350 for 30-33 min. (insert toothpick. If it comes
out without crumbs, it’s ready). Take cake out and immediately poke holes into cake with end of a wooden spoon. In microwave safe bowl, heat up ½ cup of the caramel sauce 20-30 sec. (leave the rest to drizzle over cake top later). Pour sauce over top of hot cake, making sure to get most of the sauce into holes in the cake. Let cake cool completely. Frosting: With a hand or stand mixer, cream together the cream cheese, powdered sugar and milk until smooth and creamy. Add whipped topping, fold into cream cheese mixture. Spread frosting over top cake, gently pressing frosting into the holes of the cake. Smooth evenly. Drizzle top of cake with remaining
caramel. Submitted by Caregiver, Mekenzie B.
Butternut Squash Mac 'N Cheese
Ingredients: 1 pound macaroni with lines, salt, 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tbsps butter, 1/2 medium onion, 2 tbsps chopped fresh thyme leaves, 3 tbsps all-purpose flour, 2 cups chicken stock, 1 cup cream/half-n-half, 1 (10 oz) box defr. frozen cooked butter nut squash, 2 c. (8 oz) grated sharp cheddar, 1/4 teaspoon gr. nutmeg, 1/2 c. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (couple handfuls), black pepper
Bring a pot of water to boil. Salt the water then add the pasta. Cook to
al dente (with a bite to it). While pasta cooks, heat medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and butter. When butter
melts into the oil, add the thyme and grate the onion directly into pot with hand-held grater or Microplane. Cook grated onion in butter and oil 1 to 2 minutes, then add flour and cook together 1 to 2 more minutes. Whisk in stock, then combine with butternut squash until warmed through and
smooth. Stir in cream/half-n-half and bring sauce to a bubble. Stir in cheeses in figure 8 motion and season completed sauce with salt, nutmeg
and pepper. Taste to adjust seasonings. Drain cooked pasta well and combine with sauce. Serve alongside chicken sammies and top with thyme leaves picked from remaining sprigs.
Source: Rachel Ray, www.foodnetwork.com
Submitted by Sarah White, Dir. of Client Services
Ingredients: 1 box spice cake mix, 1 c. canned pumpkin, 1 c. water, 3 eggs, ½ c. veg. oil, ¾ c. caramel ice cream topping, 1 (8 oz.) pkg cream cheese (room temp), 2 tbsp. milk, 1 c. powdered sugar, 2 c. whipped topping
Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly spray a 9x13 pan with baking spray, set aside. With hand or stand mixer, combine cake mix, pumpkin, water, eggs and oil (make sure to scrape the side of bowl). Mix until smooth. Pour batter into prepped pan, and bake at 350 for 30-33 min. (insert toothpick. If it comes
out without crumbs, it’s ready). Take cake out and immediately poke holes into cake with end of a wooden spoon. In microwave safe bowl, heat up ½ cup of the caramel sauce 20-30 sec. (leave the rest to drizzle over cake top later). Pour sauce over top of hot cake, making sure to get most of the sauce into holes in the cake. Let cake cool completely. Frosting: With a hand or stand mixer, cream together the cream cheese, powdered sugar and milk until smooth and creamy. Add whipped topping, fold into cream cheese mixture. Spread frosting over top cake, gently pressing frosting into the holes of the cake. Smooth evenly. Drizzle top of cake with remaining
caramel. Submitted by Caregiver, Mekenzie B.
Butternut Squash Mac 'N Cheese
Ingredients: 1 pound macaroni with lines, salt, 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tbsps butter, 1/2 medium onion, 2 tbsps chopped fresh thyme leaves, 3 tbsps all-purpose flour, 2 cups chicken stock, 1 cup cream/half-n-half, 1 (10 oz) box defr. frozen cooked butter nut squash, 2 c. (8 oz) grated sharp cheddar, 1/4 teaspoon gr. nutmeg, 1/2 c. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (couple handfuls), black pepper
Bring a pot of water to boil. Salt the water then add the pasta. Cook to
al dente (with a bite to it). While pasta cooks, heat medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and butter. When butter
melts into the oil, add the thyme and grate the onion directly into pot with hand-held grater or Microplane. Cook grated onion in butter and oil 1 to 2 minutes, then add flour and cook together 1 to 2 more minutes. Whisk in stock, then combine with butternut squash until warmed through and
smooth. Stir in cream/half-n-half and bring sauce to a bubble. Stir in cheeses in figure 8 motion and season completed sauce with salt, nutmeg
and pepper. Taste to adjust seasonings. Drain cooked pasta well and combine with sauce. Serve alongside chicken sammies and top with thyme leaves picked from remaining sprigs.
Source: Rachel Ray, www.foodnetwork.com
Submitted by Sarah White, Dir. of Client Services
 |
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
 Go get your mammogram! | 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime; and, while occurring less frequently, men account for 1% of breast cancer diagnoses. It is an aggressive disease, but it isn't a death sentence. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Let's explore what breast cancer is and preventative steps we can take to ensure our health and that of our loved ones. |
Breast Cancer Facts
- Cancer is a generic term for a group of diseases caused by cells changing and growing out of control, outside their normal function. Most cancers eventually coagulate into a tumor. Breast cancer is the term for this disease
taking place in the cells of the breast tissue.
- Breast cancer symptoms aren’t immediately detectable when a tumor is small. The most likely physical symptom is a small, painless lump. If it progresses, it will get larger, and other signs may include breast enlargement, pain or heaviness, redness of the skin, nipple changes such as
discharge (could be bloody), retraction or erosion.
- 85% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of it.
- 5-10% of breast cancers are linked to gene mutations genetically passed. The most common of these are mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
- The likelihood of developing breast cancer doubles for women who have an immediate family member with it.
- The greatest influences on the possibility of developing breast cancer are gender (women) and getting older.
- While breast cancer in men is rare, incidence rate has increased .8% annually for men since 1975. Risk factors for men include exposure to radiation, family history, testicular disorders, diabetes, obesity, BRCA 1/2 genemutations, Klinefelter syndrome, gynecomastia.
Prevention
- Get screened! Go get that mammogram - an x-ray of the breast allowing doctor’s to see the internal structure. The American Cancer Society recommends women get one annually after age 45.
- Get tested for the BRCA 1 or 2 gene.
- Ask your immediate family about medical history.
- Administer self-breast examinations. Report any changes you notice to your doctor.
- Live a healthy lifestyle - eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, consume alcohol in moderation.
If you, or a loved one, are diagnosed, keep a positive attitude, consult with your doctor for the best course of treatment. There is hope. Live each day to the fullest!
Sources: US Breast Cancer Statistics, www.breastcancer.org
Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2015-2016, www.cancer.org
- Cancer is a generic term for a group of diseases caused by cells changing and growing out of control, outside their normal function. Most cancers eventually coagulate into a tumor. Breast cancer is the term for this disease
taking place in the cells of the breast tissue.
- Breast cancer symptoms aren’t immediately detectable when a tumor is small. The most likely physical symptom is a small, painless lump. If it progresses, it will get larger, and other signs may include breast enlargement, pain or heaviness, redness of the skin, nipple changes such as
discharge (could be bloody), retraction or erosion.
- 85% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of it.
- 5-10% of breast cancers are linked to gene mutations genetically passed. The most common of these are mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
- The likelihood of developing breast cancer doubles for women who have an immediate family member with it.
- The greatest influences on the possibility of developing breast cancer are gender (women) and getting older.
- While breast cancer in men is rare, incidence rate has increased .8% annually for men since 1975. Risk factors for men include exposure to radiation, family history, testicular disorders, diabetes, obesity, BRCA 1/2 genemutations, Klinefelter syndrome, gynecomastia.
Prevention
- Get screened! Go get that mammogram - an x-ray of the breast allowing doctor’s to see the internal structure. The American Cancer Society recommends women get one annually after age 45.
- Get tested for the BRCA 1 or 2 gene.
- Ask your immediate family about medical history.
- Administer self-breast examinations. Report any changes you notice to your doctor.
- Live a healthy lifestyle - eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, consume alcohol in moderation.
If you, or a loved one, are diagnosed, keep a positive attitude, consult with your doctor for the best course of treatment. There is hope. Live each day to the fullest!
Sources: US Breast Cancer Statistics, www.breastcancer.org
Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2015-2016, www.cancer.org
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We Want to Hear From You!
Call 860-388-1788, or email caitlin@goldenhorizonseldercare.com with your feedback.
We Want to Hear From You!
Call 860-388-1788, or email caitlin@goldenhorizonseldercare.com with your feedback.
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