Hints and Tips

RE: S pecial Preparation

meadmilier — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 15:57:32 GMT

RE: S pecial Preparation

maltesebaby — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 13:53:22 GMT

http://www.ebinfo.homestead.com/recipesdrinks.html

This website has Ensure recipes AND pureed food recipes for you

RE: S pecial Preparation

maltesebaby — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 13:28:58 GMT

When I was in the hospital (back in 2001), I got really bad sores in my mouth from one of my medicines. I couldn't stand to have solid foods in my mouth.

When I got home, my sister fed me Ensure or Slim Fast. Either one has good nutrition. You might also try Carnation Instant Breakfast. She also fed me Jello, but she mashed it up so it wasn't so wiggly (I had to be spoon fed for a while). I liked mashed potatoes and gravy, too. Most of the time, I just wasn't too interested in food, so the Ensure and Slim-fast was good since it's drinkable.

Do you have a blender? If so, you can liquefy just about any food.
You'll need to add some liquid to whatever you put in the blender, if it doesn't already have liquid.
For instance---
Chicken: add chicken broth
Beef: add beef broth

Be careful with putting hot foods and liquids in the blender. Hold the lid on tight as hot foods tend to fly out when you turn the blender on.

Do you, or can you get Meals On Wheels? That helped me a lot when I was finally able to feed myself (but still not able to cook). I don't know if they have pureed foods, but it's something you may want to have later on.

Do you have a neighbor-lady who can help you? Please, please remember that people truly love to be helpful, and don't be afraid to ask. She may be able to get you acquainted with some things in the kitchen, or help you cook meals, or both.

If you make foods ahead, don't keep anything that has been in the fridge more than three days, as a rule.
If you cook ahead, best to freeze extras.

Let us know if you need anything else. I'm going to add more in another post.
Stephanie

RE: S pecial Preparation

Treble_Clef — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 02:03:18 GMT

I have more for adding Ensure to food recipes. If you'd like some of those recipes, email me, and I'll send you those as well. hosea26 at yahoo dot com

RE: S pecial Preparation

Treble_Clef — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 02:01:47 GMT

Summer Melon Soup

Ingredients (2 1-cup servings)

1½ cups cantaloupe
1 8-fluid-ounce can chilled Vanilla Ensure®*
1 tablespoon sugar**
½ teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon orange peel

**May substitute 1 to 2 packets artificial sweetener, if desired

Directions

In a blender, combine cantaloupe, Ensure®, sugar, vanilla, and orange peel.

Blend until smooth.

Pour into bowls and serve.

*This recipe can be prepared with Ensure®; Ensure Plus®; Ensure® High Protein; Ensure® Fiber With FOS; Ensure® Light; Ensure® High Calcium. Nutrition information will vary with product used.

RE: S pecial Preparation

Treble_Clef — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 02:01:26 GMT

Creamy Harvest Soup

Ingredients (4 1-cup servings)

1 tablespoon margarine or butter
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup chopped celery
2 teaspoons chicken-flavored bouillon granules
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 8-fluid-ounce cans Vanilla Ensure®*
1 10-ounce package frozen winter squash, thawed

Directions

In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt margarine. Add onion, celery, bouillon, ginger, and pepper. Sauté until onion and celery are tender.

Pour mixture into blender. Add Ensure and squash; blend until smooth.

Return soup to saucepan. Heat to serving temperature. DO NOT BOIL.

Garnish as desired and serve immediately.

*This recipe can be prepared with Ensure®; Ensure Plus®; Ensure® High Protein; Ensure® Fiber With FOS; Ensure® Light; Ensure® High Calcium. Nutrition information will vary with product used.

Curried Squash Soup

Ingredients (4 1-cup servings)

1½ teaspoons margarine
1 medium onion, chopped
½ cup chopped celery
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
½ teaspoon curry powder
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 12-ounce package frozen winter squash, cooked
2 8-fluid-ounce cans Ensure®*

Directions

Melt margarine in a medium saucepan. Add onion, celery, bouillon, curry powder, and black pepper. Sauté until onion is tender, but not brown.

Combine onion mixture and all remaining ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Heat to serving temperature. DO NOT BOIL.

*This recipe can be prepared with Ensure®; Ensure Plus®; Ensure® High Protein; Ensure® Fiber With FOS; Ensure® Light; Ensure® High Calcium. Nutrition information will vary with product used.

RE: S pecial Preparation

Treble_Clef — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 01:59:57 GMT

Thai Iced Coffee

Ingredients (4 12 ounce servings)

¾ cup ground coffee
2-2/3 cup water
Ice cubes
Cardamom
Sugar to taste
½ cup Vanilla Ensure
1 teaspoon almond flavoring

Using amounts specified, brew coffee in a drip-style coffee maker or percolator.

Fill four 10 to 12 ounce beverage glasses to the rim with ice cubes; then fill two thirds full with coffee.

Into each glass, stir about 2 tablespoons Vanilla Ensure; add a dash of ground cardamom and sweeten to taste with sugar.

To achieve a layered effect, hold a spoon on top of the coffee and pour the cream slowly into the spoon so that the cream floats on top of the glass over the coffee.

Bean & Bacon Soup

Ingredients (2 10-ounce servings)

1 10¾-ounce can condensed bean with bacon soup, undiluted
1 8-fluid-ounce can Vanilla Ensure®*
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon paprika

Directions

Combine soup, Ensure®, Worcestershire sauce and paprika in a small pan.

Heat to serving temperature. DO NOT BOIL.

*This recipe can be prepared with Ensure®; Ensure Plus®; Ensure® High Protein; Ensure® Fiber With FOS; Ensure® Light; Ensure® High Calcium. Nutrition information will vary with product used.

RE: S pecial Preparation

Treble_Clef — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 01:59:21 GMT

Piña Colada

Ingredients (1 14-fluid-ounce serving)

1 8-fluid-ounce can chilled Vanilla Ensure®*
½ cup crushed pineapple canned in light syrup, drained
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon coconut flavoring
5 ice cubes

Directions

In a blender, combine all ingredients.

Blend until smooth.

Pour into a 16-ounce glass and serve.
*This recipe can be prepared with Ensure®; Ensure Plus®; Ensure® High Protein; Ensure® Fiber With FOS; Ensure® Light; Ensure® High Calcium. Nutrition information will vary with product used.

Thai Iced Tea

These are two recipes that call for evaporated milk; I’m
thinking that with only ¼ cup per glass, the Ensure ought
to work.

Ingredients (4 12 ounce servings)

8 Chinese-style red or black tea bags
4 cups boiling water
Ground cinnamon
½ cup Vanilla Ensure
Sugar to taste

Place tea in a teapot; pour water over tea.

Let steep for 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.

Fill four 10 to 12 ounce beverage glasses to the rim with ice cubes; then fill two thirds full with tea.

Into each glass, stir about 2 tablespoons of Vanilla Ensure;
add a dash of ground cinnamon and sweeten to taste with sugar.

RE: S pecial Preparation

Treble_Clef — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 01:58:29 GMT

Nutty Butter

Ingredients (1 8-fluid-ounce serving)

1 8-fluid-ounce can chilled Vanilla Ensure®*
1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter

Directions

In a blender, combine Ensure® and peanut butter.

Blend until smooth.

Pour into a glass and serve.

*This recipe can be prepared with Ensure®; Ensure Plus®; Ensure® High Protein; Ensure® Fiber With FOS; Ensure® Light; Ensure® High Calcium; Pediasure®; Pediasure® with Fiber. Nutrition information will vary with product used.

Orange Julius

A recipe I think might work with Ensure.

1 cup Vanilla Ensure
½ cup sugar
1 ½ cup orange juice
1 cup cold water
1 cup finely chopped ice

Add all these ingredients in a 48oz blender; adjust quantities
for individual taste. Blend on Highest Speed for around 5 to
10 seconds and pour.

To achieve a closer taste to the real thing use Carbonated Water but regular tap water will due.

You can also substitute Strawberries or pineapple for the Orange Juice or mix flavors.

RE: S pecial Preparation

Treble_Clef — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 01:57:51 GMT

Hot Chocolate

Ingredients (1 8-fluid-ounce serving)

1 8-fluid ounce can Chocolate Ensure®*

Directions

Heat Ensure in saucepan or microwave. DO NOT BOIL.

Serve immediately.

*This recipe can be prepared with Ensure®; Ensure Plus®; Ensure® High Protein; Ensure® Fiber With FOS; Ensure® Light; Ensure® High Calcium. Nutrition information will vary with product used.

Malted Milk Ball

Ingredients (1 8-fluid ounce serving)

1 8-fluid-ounce can chilled Chocolate or Vanilla Ensure®*
4 teaspoons malted milk powder

Directions

Combine ingredients in blender.

Blend until smooth.

Pour into a glass and serve.

*This recipe can be prepared with Ensure®; Ensure Plus®; Ensure® High Protein; Ensure® Fiber With FOS; Ensure® Light; Ensure® High Calcium; Pediasure®; Pediasure® with Fiber. Nutrition information will vary with product used.

RE: S pecial Preparation

Treble_Clef — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 01:57:19 GMT

Blackberry Slush

Ingredients (2 ¾-cup servings)

1 8-fluid-ounce can chilled Vanilla Ensure®*
1 cup frozen whole blackberries, unsweetened
1 tablespoon sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

Whip all ingredients in blender until thick.

Serve immediately or freeze for 10 to 15 minutes.

*This recipe can be prepared with Ensure®; Ensure Plus®; Ensure® High Protein; Ensure® Fiber With FOS; Ensure® Light; Ensure® High Calcium. Nutrition information will vary with product used.

Cocoa Diablo

Ingredients (1 8-fluid-ounce serving)

1 8-fluid-ounce can Chocolate Ensure®
1 tablespoon decaffeinated coffee crystals
1 tablespoon sugar
¼ teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

Combine ingredients in a small pan or microwave safe cup.

Heat on stove or in microwave to serving temperature. DO NOT BOIL.

Stir well before serving.

*This recipe can be prepared with Ensure®; Ensure Plus®; Ensure® High Protein; Ensure® Fiber With FOS; Ensure® Light; Ensure® High Calcium. Nutrition information will vary with product used.

RE: S pecial Preparation

Treble_Clef — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 01:56:43 GMT

I have quite a few recipes using Ensure, if that would help. Along the idea of Sue's comments.

Banana Blusher

Ingredients (1 12-fluid-ounce serving)

1 8-fluid-ounce can Vanilla Ensure®*
1 small (4-inch) ripe banana
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

In a blender, combine all ingredients.

Blend until smooth.

Pour into a tall glass and serve.

*This recipe can be prepared with Ensure®; Ensure Plus®; Ensure® High Protein; Ensure® Fiber With FOS; Ensure® Light; Ensure® High Calcium. Nutrition information will vary with product used.

Berry Smoothie

Ingredients (2 1-cup servings)

1 8-fluid-ounce can Vanilla Ensure®*
8 ounces mixed berry lowfat yogurt

Directions

In a blender, combine Ensure® and yogurt.

Blend until smooth.

Serve chilled.

*This recipe can be prepared with Ensure®; Ensure Plus®; Ensure® High Protein; Ensure® Fiber With FOS; Ensure® Light; Ensure® High Calcium. Nutrition information will vary with product used.

RE: S pecial Preparation

Treble_Clef — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 01:53:06 GMT

Awesome help Sue!

RE: S pecial Preparation

soupersue — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 00:26:19 GMT

I hope you speak directly to the dieticians..I'm sure they mis- understood you because most are very helpful and will personalize a diet based on the patients needs..if your wife needs help with thicker foods there are many ways to prepare it plus there is an item called "thicket" which helps people with swallowing problems.. a speech therapist can also help w/ swallowing problems, your doctor can refer one and if she qualifies a speech therapist can even visit your wife @ home.
I have some tips for people who have been ill...(they can only be used if there are no restrictions in calories)they are targeted at those who are unable to eat enough or have become debilitated ...
1. buy some dry powdered milk..you can add this dry to other foods to increase calories and protein without disturbing the taste.for example if you make chicken soup add a tsp or 2 of the dry milk powder to enhance it. Add to mashed potatoes, soft foods,as you make baked goods, or anything w/ sauce, pudding or ice cream, milk shakes, even purchased drinks like ensure, just stir in the dry milk powder...remember the goal is to increase the calories and protein.
2.baby food meat- like turkey or chicken...not much fun to eat directly but again you can hide it in other foods... if you have chicken soup add an extra jar of babyfood chicken (to add calories & protein)to enhance it, I had one patients wife actually add it to a muffin recipe to sneak in that protein!
3. remember frequent small meals are easier to take than 3 large meals.
4.be aware of the setting where they eat... sight, sound & smell matter. set a nice place setting if possible , remove any " disturbing" items like commodes or be aware of foods w/ strong smells.
5. Many people become dehydrateed when they are ill..it's hard to drink much when you don't feel well..keep favorite beverages nearby and have then take a frequent small sips...it's hard to drink much at one time but a little evry ten minutes or so will add up.
Good Luck with your caregiving!

RE: S pecial Preparation

csharris_LA — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 00:18:25 GMT

Many of these soups could be put in a blender when done I am sure, like the one with the sausage in it and processed until smooth and thickened. Hope these might be something you are looking for, please let us know what types of ingredients you are using. Connie