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National Hot Tea Month: why do we like tea so much?

January is National Hot Tea Month, and there is nothing better than a good cup of tea. It’s one of life’s small pleasures, and it’s a daily routine for many, including for us at Birchwood House!

Tea is also rooted in long-standing tradition and cultural significance. Legend says that tea was discovered by Emperor Shen Nung all the way back in 2732 BC, when leaves from a wild tree accidentally blew into his pot of boiling water. Tea came to Europe in the early 1600s, and we’ve been drinking it ever since.

To celebrate National Hot Tea Month, here are some of our favourite reasons why we drink it!

Vegetarian Suet Roulade

New year, new recipes! This month, Chef John aced his homemade vegetarian suet roulade. This is the perfect hearty winter meal, with roasted veg packed with soft suet pastry. We’ve paired this with mash, braised cabbage and vegetarian gravy, but it also goes great with a cheese sauce.

Christmas crafts

Merry Christmas!

This month is filled with festive fun for our residents, which means all sorts of Christmas crafts to get involved with. And these activities are suitable for anyone; crafting is a great way to boost mood, stimulate our brains, and make memories with those around us.

We’re sharing a run-down of how we’ve been making the most of this holiday season – use it as inspiration and show us anything you make!

Clementine Panna Cotta

Clementine Panna Cotta This dessert has been going down a treat with our residents! Inspired by taste buds, this clementine panna cotta is accompanied with an almond & fennel biscotti, packed with flavour. Keeping things festive, we topped our panna cotta with reindeers, but you can create any shape you like! Ingredients (panna cotta) IngredientsContinue reading “Clementine Panna Cotta”

Gentle exercises for older adults

When we get older, finding ways to move our body can get harder. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible! Using low-impact, gentle exercise is a great way to stay active without putting too much strain on ourselves.

Regular movement is important for a number of reasons, not to mention the physical and mental health benefits. A recent report by Care England even showed that regular physical activity is improving the health, confidence, and wellbeing of residents in care homes, and could even deliver savings of up to £96 million to the NHS.

Mediterranean Roasted Chicken Breasts

This is a dish packed with flavour and spice. The chicken is filled with amino acids to support muscle growth and brain function, whilst the vegetables are rich in fibre and antioxidants. Both warming and filling, we’ve taken inspiration from The Cafe Sucre Farine to make this healthy, easy dinner.

How did our residents celebrate National Baking Week?

Happy National Baking Week! From Monday (October 13th) to Sunday (October 19th), we’re celebrating the joy and benefits of baking.

Because, as you may have already seen on our Facebook, baking is a firm favourite at Birchwood House. Whether it’s sweet treats or savoury goods, we make sure baking is a regular activity. There are always recipes to try, techniques to learn, and opportunities to discover something new.

Baked Salmon and Creamy Chive Sauce

This baked salmon is perfect for our residents, filled with omega-3 fatty acids that support heart health and brain function. We were inspired by HelloFresh to pair it with a creamy chive sauce, which went down a treat!

How we use colour in a care home

Colour in a care home affects residents more than we think. It has a direct impact on how we view our environment, which then influences our emotions and wellbeing. And this is especially true for older adults, as colour can help our residents better move around the home, and better distinguish the objects around them.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Pineapple upside down cake has been around since the 1920s, and its tangy flavour has been raved about for over 100 years! It’s a firm favourite at Birchwood House, both for its taste and for the nostalgia it brings to our residents. And when you look at how simple it isContinue reading “Pineapple Upside Down Cake”