Debbie Seplow, invites you to learn how Home Instead Senior Care Greater Phoenix helps family caregivers cope with elder home care.

Spice up your senior meals! Help for elder home care in Phoenix.

Stop watering down food for seniors,” says Rachael Ray, star of the Food Network®’s “30 Minute Meals” show and author of a series of recipe cookbooks. “There’s no excuse for making food dull, lifeless and boring,” the popular food host advises family caregivers. Ray said that adult children often assume their loved ones need bland food.  “What they really want is good flavor.  Cook to impress, cook to be excited or, at the very least, cook to share,” Ray said.

Here’s how Ray recommends adding flavor to a senior’s diet without compromising good health:

* Add low-sodium, no-salt stock to a sauce to make it taste like it has been simmering all day.  Likewise, cook rice in chicken or vegetable stock rather than water, and replace cream with stock when making mashed potatoes for a flavorful, low-fat alternative.

* Fresh herbs are a no-fat addition, and readily available in grocery stores to brighten the flavor of salads, dressing and sauces.

* Purchase better cuts of meat for better flavor and less fat.  Seniors shouldn’t sacrifice quality, Ray said, even if they’re on a budget. Stock up on fresh meats and vegetables when they’re on sale, then divide and freeze them.

More fun tips and recipes to come in our “cooking for seniors” & home care series this week!