National Iced Tea Month
Senior Care in Scarsdale NY
The summer is a fantastic time for your aging parent to be on a senior care journey. As the temperatures creep up, however, your loved one will need to take time out of all of their fun hot weather activities to relax, cool off, and rehydrate their body to stay healthy and safe. June is National Iced Tea Month. This is the perfect time for your parent to indulge in this classic summertime beverage, but pouring a cold glass of tea does not have to be the only way for your aging parent and their senior health care services provider to enjoy this sweet, delicious treat.
This recipe is for a unique spin on iced tea that is great for seniors who do not drink tea or who have difficulty with liquids. Some seniors, for example, struggle with swallowing issues that make it too difficult for them to swallow fluids safely. Using this recipe lets them enjoy the flavor of tea in a form that is safer and easier for them to consume. This version utilizes hibiscus tea, which as a floral, naturally sweet flavor, and utilizes maple syrup as a sweetener. This helps to reduce the glycemic index and offers the natural benefits of maple syrup.
What You Will Need
- 3 cups of hibiscus tea
- 3 tablespoons of gelatin
- 1/4 of a cup of organic grade B maple syrup
- 1/4 of a cup of lemon juice
- A teapot
- Water
- A cooking pot
- An immersion blender
- A gelatin mold or pan
What to Do
- Place the tea into a tea bag and put it inside the teapot
- Fill the teapot 3/4 of the way with water
- Place the teapot on high heat
- Brew the tea until it is finished
- Remove the tea bag and discard
- Pour the tea into the cooking pot
- Add the lemon juice to the pot
- Add the maple syrup to the pot
- Place the pot over medium heat
- Heat the cooking pot until warm
- Reduce the heat to low
- Cook for 10 minutes
- Remove from the pot and place in the immersion blender
- Add the gelatin to the immersion blender
- Mix well, until well combined
- Pour the mixture into the gelatin mold or pan
- Allow it to cool at room temperature completely
- Place in the refrigerator
- Allow to cool in the refrigerator for 2 hours
- Remove from the refrigerator and use while still cold
Extra tip: If your aging parent does not like the flavor of hibiscus tea and maple syrup, they can still have this jiggly, easy to eat treat with the more familiar flavors of sweet tea. Simply replace the hibiscus tea with your parent’s favorite flavor of tea and trade out the syrup for sugar or another natural sweetener such as monk fruit juice. For a silly twist that makes this treat perfect for summertime parties or for sharing with children, try making up a recipe of lemon flavored gelatin and serving the two together for an “authentic” sweet tea experience.
If you or an aging loved one are looking for senior care in Scarsdale, NY, call the friendly staff at The Perfect Home Care at (855) 855-5728. Call today!
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