Category: Healthy Eating

Sage Advice®

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09.02.21 | Sage Advice®

6 “superfoods” you can incorporate to boost your health

As we continue to change with age, eating healthy can be a vital step in caring for your future self. Taking inspiration from our 9 Ways of Vibrant Living, which you can read more about here, we compiled a list of our favorite “superfoods” you can easily introduce into your diet. These highly nutritious items can be added to a larger meal or snack to boost your health and help to achieve a balanced diet.

Tea

Not only is tea low in calories, it is also a refreshing alternative to coffee, soda and other beverages. Notably high in antioxidants, tea can be a tool for weight management and has anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic (cancer-suppressing) benefits. One study suggested that the regular consumption of white and green teas resulted in a vast reduction of stress for most participants.

Avocados

Avocados are much more than the brunch staple or spread for toast that they’ve become over the last decade. As a great addition to a salad, guacamole or being eaten simply with a pinch of salt and pepper, avocados provide numerous health benefits. Rich in fiber and and healthy fats, avocados can be a great substitute for eggs, mayonnaise, sour cream and even butter.. 

Mushrooms

Mushrooms have been used in Eastern medicine and culture for millennia. They are known to increase the health of the immune system through their many therapeutic properties. After much scientific research, we are learning more about the dramatic positive effects mushrooms can have on preventing cancer, lowering blood pressure and overall increasing well-being. You can incorporate mushrooms into your diet by cooking them along with other vegetables, adding them to salads and pasta or simply frying them with healthy oil. Some of the most popular mushrooms you should look out for at the farmer’s market or grocery store are Portabella, Shiitake, Buttons, Oyster, Enoki and Lion’s Mane. 

Dark Leafy Greens & Cruciferous Vegetables

There is a wide consensus among nutritionists that vibrant green vegetables and those in the cabbage family offer some of the best nutrients and vitamins. These include arugula, kale, collard greens, kohlrabi, radishes and turnips. Most of these are full of zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin C, fiber, and what seems like a never-ending list of enriching minerals that can reduce the chances of heart disease and diabetes while lowering blood pressure and preventing some cancers. 

Salmon

Salmon is both tasty and full of healthy protein, B vitamins, potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. Because of its abundance of rich nutrients, salmon has more health benefits compared to other animal products and is known to help prevent heart disease and diabetes. One way you can enjoy this hearty fish is by baking it with lemons, herbs and a healthy (oil, avocado or sesame).  

Garlic

Garlic packs a punch in flavor and delivers huge nutritional benefits, too. Each clove of garlic contains magnesium, vitamin C and fiber, which are all essential to a balanced diet. Research indicates its effectiveness to support the immune system while reducing cholesterol and blood pressure. One study even found that garlic provides antibacterial and antiviral characteristics. 

However you incorporate these superfoods into your meal planning and cooking regimen, they offer delicious and easy ways to boost your overall health and well-being.

A dinner plate contains salmon, mushrooms, tomatoes, broccoli, and a mix of other vegetables and sauce.
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Sage Advice®

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08.12.21 | Healthy Eating

Strengthening Communities Through Community Gardens

With summer slowly fading and the harsh months of winter in the distance, the magnetic appeal of growing one’s own vegetables and herbs is more important than ever for many of us. Previously, we’ve talked about the health benefits of gardening and how to raise indoor houseplants, but one hobby we haven’t mentioned is community gardening. 

Community gardens begin as collective spaces managed as a collaborative effort that leverage the expertise, time and energy of fellow gardeners who come together to provide fruits, vegetables and all varieties of fresh produce for anyone in the neighborhood to enjoy. And by their very nature, community gardens also add green space and vibrant beauty to city blocks that may be defined by asphalt and concrete.

With people working closely — literally and figuratively — community gardens improve personal well-being through social connections and have even been found to decrease violence in some neighborhoods. 

Zoe Hansen-DiBello, program manager and visionary at Grow Education, helps promote healthy food access in neighborhoods by implementing community gardens. At TedxNewBedford, Hansen-DiBello explains the all-around engagement and respect that community gardens helped to encourage in a neighborhood close to her. Watch Hansen-DiBello’s talk below. 

Gardens galore in Bronzeville

The popularity of urban farming and the adoption of community gardens can be seen throughout neighborhoods in large cities across the country — including our very own Bronzeville. 

Situated at 4148-4156 S. Calumet Avenue, the Bronzeville Neighborhood Farm connects those living in the neighborhood with the use of green spaces and gardens. Managed by the Bronzeville Alliance and protected by NeighborSpace, the garden is a hub for community members to forge meaningful relationships built on the experience of working together towards a common purpose — tending the gardens and sharing the rich yield of fresh fruits and vegetables with each other and with the community writ large.

The neighborhood is also home to the Bronzeville Community Garden, located at 343 E. 51st Street. Supported by Build Bronzeville, the garden hosts many community events throughout the year including Volunteer Days and Crochet & Conversation meetups. Along with urban farming, the Garden is home to public art projects that enhance the outdoor spaces and provide additional reasons for neighbors to stop.

Starting your own garden

Thinking about starting your own community garden? One of the best places to start, The American Community Gardening Association provides a comprehensive education and resource platform for starting a garden of your own, along with a map of community gardens located across the country. 

A person sits next to a foot stool in a large lot filled with community garden plots. Out of each plot sticks a brightly colored stakes that are numbered. Above the person appears a concrete bridge either for walking or driving.
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Sage Advice®

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06.03.21 | Sage Advice®

Farmers Markets In and Around Bronzeville, Chicago

At Sage Collective, we advocate for a primarily plant-based diet as part of our 9 Ways of Vibrant Living. There’s no better way to shop fresh – and support local – than to become a patron of your nearby farmer’s markets. With our first in-development residences underway on King Drive in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, today, we’re spotlighting farmers markets in and around the area for our future residents and community members to enjoy:

Bronzeville City Market

Bronzeville City Market kicks off the summer season a bit later than its local counterparts. This year, the market runs from July 11th to September 26th, every Sunday from 10 AM to 2 PM, located at South King Drive and East 26th Street (4700 South King Drive to be more specific). In addition to cash and card payments (depending on the vendor), the Bronzeville City Market also accepts Link. 

Vegan Paradise Farmers Market

In contrast, the Vegan Paradise Farmers Market kicks off its season early in the spring. This year, the market runs from April 4th to October 31st, every Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM, located at Plant Chicago (1400 West 46th Street). Vegan Paradise boasts being the only vegan farmers market in Chicago. Hosted by Chicago Vegan Test Kitchen and Bubbly Dynamics, they feature a rotating list of weekly vendors – plus, don’t forget to RSVP and save your spot before you go.

Plant Chicago Farmers Market

While Plant Chicago is the home of the Vegan Paradise Farmers Market, they also host their very own farmers market – Plant Chicago Farmers Market. This year, the market runs from June 5th to October 30th, every Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM. Enjoy being on the grounds of Plant Chicago’s innovative, closed-loop, open-source facility, and choose from their amazing list of vendors. Other benefits of the market include their local food box program, link matching, and online farmer’s market options.

Star Farm/Back of the Yards Farmers Market

Nonprofit urban farm, Star Farm, is the host of the Back of the Yards Farmers Market for their neighborhood. This market runs from June 9th to October 13th, every Wednesday from 3 PM to 7 PM, at 5256 S. Ashland Ave. This market is unlike any other in the city however. Started by Star Farm founder Stephanie Dunn, the market is housed in a brick-and-mortar food co-op renovated by Dunn herself, thanks to a grant from the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund. While the building is still under renovation, the market will be hosted in its side yard for now. As part of the vision to create an oasis in a food desert, Dunn has invited community members to gather at the site, and other South Side farmers to house their offices there, too.

Whether you try one or try them all, these farmers markets are sure to add fresh food to your regular routine – and shopping at them will serve as an occasion to enjoy, too.

A row of fresh greens displayed at an outdoor farmers market
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Sage Advice®

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06.01.21 | Community

Starting an indoor herb garden is easy — here’s how

It’s easiest to eat healthy when you cook delicious, fresh, and flavorful food — and incorporating fresh herbs into your home cooking is a great way to add that extra burst of flavor. Lucky for us, you don’t need an advanced green thumb or even a backyard to grow these fresh, delicious herbs yourself, right from the comfort of your own kitchen – here’s how.

Picking Your Plants

There’s a wide array of herbs that will grow and thrive indoors all year round. These plants include basil, chives, lemon balm, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme. Decide which flavors are your favorite to incorporate in your cooking, and start off with 3-4 different plants. Each plant’s needs will vary slightly, so be sure to plant each herb in its own separate pot so you can adjust your care routine accordingly. 

You’ll often find herb plants, such as basil, available to you in your local grocery store’s produce department. Alternatively, visit your local garden center (Home Depot, Lowes, and Menards are all great resources for this) for a wider array of herb plants to choose from.

The Right Conditions

There are several things that any plant needs to thrive. Before you begin the process of purchasing and planting your fresh herbs, you should determine where in your household the herbs will live. Herbs prefer a lot of sunlight — six hours of full sunlight each day is ideal. Therefore, you should choose the sunniest spot in your home as the location of your herb garden, prioritizing locations that are close to the window, rather than the center of the room. For example: window sills are the perfect spot for an indoor herb garden! Once that’s settled, you can move onto actually planting your herbs.

First you’ll need the right pot. For indoor herbs, be sure to choose a container with ample drainage. You can tell which pots have appropriate drainage by checking for holes in the bottom of the container; these holes will allow water to escape the soil as needed.

Second, it’s important to choose the right soil for your herb. Most herbs do best with a standard indoor potting mix, and will be even happier if that mix is one that advertises good drainage. 

As we mentioned above, be sure to plant all your herbs in separate, individual containers. This ensures that when it comes time to water, you can check the soil of each pot and only water the plants that are in need of added moisture at that time. Because most herbs live in loose, fast-draining soil, you should check your plant’s soil every day (or every other day) to see how much moisture it has retained. Herb plants do best when their soil is slightly moist, but not soggy. Too much watering, and you’ll drown your plant.

When it comes time to harvest and enjoy your fresh herbs, always take in moderation. Regular pruning is good for your plants, but too much at once, and your plant won’t be happy. 

Overall, the more time you spend caring for your herb garden, the better you’ll learn to understand your plants needs. And as you care for your plants, they’ll care for you too, by providing healthy and fresh flavor to all your meals!

A window sill herb garden
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Sage Advice®

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05.27.21 | Community

Four Ways to Help Maintain Healthy Bones

As we age, bone health becomes increasingly important. Older adults often experience bone loss (low bone density that makes the bones weaker), which leads to increased risk of fractures. Luckily, to help combat this risk, there are habits and behaviors you can adopt to help protect your bone health. Here’s four ways for older adults to help maintain healthy bones:

Include physical activity in your daily routine

Those that are physically inactive are at higher risk of osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become weak and brittle) compared to those that are more physically active. To help promote new bone growth and maintain existing bone density, doctors recommend physical activities, such as strength training and weight bearing exercises. For older adults, this translates to incorporating walking (whether leisurely or at a brisk pace) and using light dumbbells if possible.

Eat high-calcium foods throughout the day

Calcium is the main mineral in your bones, and the most important mineral for bone health. A diet low in calcium contributes to diminished bone density, early bone loss and an increased risk of fractures. Therefore, it’s important to eat high-calcium foods throughout the day. For men ages 51-70, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium a day. That recommendation increases to 1,200 mg a day for women age 51 and older and for men age 71 and older.

Maintain a stable, healthy weight

People who are underweight have a higher risk of developing bone disease, while excess body weight places added stress on a person’s bones. Dieting — and regularly gaining or losing weight — also places undue stress on your bone health. Additionally, low body weight is the main contributing factor for reduced bone density and bone loss in postmenopausal women, due to the loss of the bone-protecting effects of estrogen. This is why the best way to maintain healthy bones is to maintain a stable, healthy weight for your body.

Get plenty of Vitamin D and Vitamin K

Vitamin D and Vitamin K are both important when it comes to building strong bones. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, while Vitamin K-2 aids in reducing calcium loss and helping minerals bind to the bone. You can get Vitamin D with plenty of sunlight exposure, as well as through a diet full of oily fish, mushrooms, eggs and fortified foods, such as milk and cereal. You can get Vitamin K-2 from foods such as dairy products (especially hard cheeses), fermented foods such as sauerkraut, natto (a Japanese soybean product), egg yolks, and chicken. You can also consult your doctor about taking vitamin supplements. 

With the right adjustments to your regular routine, you can help maintain healthy bones and enjoy the perks of a healthier fitness and food regimen. 

A dinner plate with salmon and a vibrant assortment of toppings and seasonings
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Sage Advice®

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02.16.21 | Sage Advice®

Your Daily Cup of Coffee: Helping Your Health or Harming?

Coffee is an indelible part of most people’s morning routines. If you don’t feel human before you’ve had your first cup of coffee, you’re not alone. A study conducted by the National Coffee Association found that 64% of Americans drink coffee, and a New England Journal of Medicine article “Coffee, Caffeine and Health” called coffee the most widely consumed psychoactive agent in the world. But is getting your coffee fix helping or harming your health? Let’s take a look.

Helpful Benefits of Coffee

First things first: what is “the right” amount of coffee to consume? Lucky for us die-hard coffee lovers, Harvard Health Publishing describes moderate coffee consumption as three to four cups per day. As is our unofficial motto at Sage Collective, everything is best consumed and enjoyed in moderation. 

Diane Vizthum, M.S., R.D., research nutritionist for Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine also comments: “Caffeine is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about coffee. But coffee also contains antioxidants and other active substances that may reduce internal inflammation and protect against disease.”

In fact, according to Heathline, one cup of coffee includes the following amounts of daily recommended dosages for vitamins: 11% of riboflavin (vitamin B2), 6% of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), 3% of manganese and potassium and 2% of magnesium and niacin (vitamin B3). So if you’re a moderate coffee drinker (3-4) cups, you do the math… it’s like taking gummy vitamin supplements, right?

Coffee is also believed to lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, lower risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, lower risk for certain types of cancer (such as liver and colon), lower risk of stroke, help fight off gallstones and even help you live longer. 

Harmful Health Effects of Coffee

Now here’s where we talk about the other side of moderate consumption: overconsumption of coffee. Whether you exceed your daily limit of 4-5 cups, or whether you’re a novice coffee drinker who hasn’t built up a caffeine tolerance, coffee drinking could produce negative effects.

Negative effects of coffee overconsumption include increased blood pressure, headaches, nervousness, restlessness and anxiety, dizziness, heartburn, muscle tremors, pounding heart, dehydration, frequent trips to the bathroom and insomnia. Noticing a pattern? Most, if not all, of these negative side effects are directly induced by too much caffeine. 

The solution? Trade your next cup of coffee for a glass of water, or try decaf for a while. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: coffee consumption is great, but only in moderation. So drink away, all ye lovers of that good morning cuppa joe, but remember when to stop.

A clear mug of black coffee sits on a plain white surface, with coffee beans scattered around it
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02.11.21 | Sage Advice®

Vibrant Living Breakdown: Moderate Alcohol Intake

Nine ways of vibrant living is Sage Collective’s innovative model championing happier, healthier more engaged lives for older adults. The model incorporates everything from physical and mental health and wellness to engaging in one’s surrounding community. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the sixth component: moderate alcohol intake.

Alcohol is a double-edged sword in our society. It’s the foundation of many social interactions: we meet friends, family and old connections over a drink at the bar, while also using it as a fundamental element of many family and other gatherings. But just as easily, it can also be a source of addiction and harm, thanks to peer pressure and overconsumption. The polar nature of these two realities means many people have a strong reaction to alcohol: they’re either in favor of it or against it. 

At Sage Collective, we will never flatly discourage the use of alcohol in our activities, or in our forthcoming facilities. Our approach to alcohol consumption is this: like all things, it’s okay to partake in moderation. For as many negative impacts as binge drinking may have (including, but not limited to, liver damage, stomach distress and impaired judgment) there are benefits to drinking spirits such as red wine in moderation. 

Because red wine is rich in antioxidants, some healthcare professionals recommend the occasional glass with dinner. One study even demonstrated that forty adults drinking 13.5 mL of red wine daily over a period of two weeks experienced increased antioxidant levels — a result which is linked to decreased risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and even heart disease. Having high levels of antioxidants also assists in reduced risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. 

Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to determine the level of alcohol intake that feels right for them. But a good rule of thumb is always practice moderation, keep your health top of mind and only drink when you want to, not because you feel pressured to.

Red wine is poured from a bottle into a stemmed wine glass
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01.26.21 | Healthy Eating

Vibrant Living Breakdown: Plant-Based Diet

9 Ways of Vibrant Living is Sage Collective’s guidebook to a full, happy and high-quality life. Building off our fourth component, moderate caloric intake, the fifth component of vibrant living is a plant-based diet. Notice we didn’t use the word “vegetarian.” That’s because the key to a plant-based diet is practicing moderation. We’ll discuss more below.

As we discussed in Healthy Eating Tips for Seniors, older adults require fewer calories, but the same, if not more, nutrients to maintain wellbeing. That’s why a nutrient-dense diet is more important than ever for those 55+. Foods like fresh fruit, vegetables and legumes constitute the basis of a healthy diet. 

While meat is a good source of protein, iron and vitamin B12, red meat in particular is often guilty of being high in saturated fat. Consuming saturated fat contributes to higher blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease. Meat products, therefore, are a double-edged sword. Depending on the cut of meat one chooses and the methods of cooking, that daily source of protein has the potential to do more harm than help. 

Meanwhile, plant-based alternatives to meat, such as beans, lentils, nuts, seeds and soy provide fiber and prebiotics (good for gut health) in addition to containing sustainable carbohydrates and healthy fats. The latter helps to balance blood sugars and lower the risk of heart and cardiovascular disease. While the old plant-based classics, such as tofu, tempeh, beans and lentil are all good choices, recent innovations in the plant-based meat industry have introduced options like plant-based burgers that “bleed”. With the right recipes and supplies, plant-based eating can be delicious and nutritious.

At Sage Collective, in addition to our programmatic focus on health and wellness, we aim to develop and curate culinary programs (such as nutrition education, cooking experiences and group dining experiences at our facility) that focus on fresh, healthy, primarily plant-based diets. While meat is welcome to remain a small part of the menu, we seek to prioritize diet, portion control and alternative (and delicious) plant-based options. 

Whether for dinner or in spirit, we invite you to join us on our journey to intentional, plant-based eating. Start small, like with meatless Mondays, and we’ll go from there together.

A bowl of couscous, tomatoes, greens and other delicious veggies sits on a marble background
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01.07.21 | Sage Advice®

Vibrant Living Breakdown: Moderate Caloric Intake

9 Ways of Vibrant Living is Sage Collective’s guidebook to a full, happy and high-quality life. Our fourth component of vibrant living is moderate caloric intake. Healthy eating is an integral part to ensuring both our bodies and minds are at their best. Today, we’re taking a closer look at how to embrace this component in your own life and why it’s so important.

Diet Requirements for Older Adults

According to the Estimated Energy Requirements (EER) from the Institute of Medicine Dietary Reference Intakes macronutrients report, older adults (ages 55+) require less calories than the average adult. For moderately active women 55+, the recommended amount is 1,800 calories daily, while for moderately active men 55+, the recommended amount is 2,200-2,400 calories daily. (For less active individuals, the EER recommends 1,600 calories daily for women and 2,000 calories daily for men). However, requirements can vary with respect to height, weight and other factors. 

Older adults require less calories as they age due to dropping basal metabolic rates and decreasing muscle mass. Though as we discussed before, while older adults require less calories than the average adult, they still require the same (if not more) nutrients. That’s why eating fresh, healthy meals is more important than ever as we age. 

Vibrant Living Through Fresh, Healthy Eating

At Sage Collective, we believe in helping older adults learn how to prepare and eat more fresh, healthy food in order to get ample nutrients and consume less calories. In the vision for our residential campus, we intend to incorporate trained nutritionists and nutrition aids to provide seminars and other educational activities to help our older adult residents establish these healthy eating habits.

Fresh, healthy eating and moderate caloric intake is important for older adults for numerous reasons. Naturally, health is one of them. Eating well provides your body with the necessary energy and nutrients to do its job. It also helps regulate weight and can even aid in the prevention of diseases such as osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Eating well is also great for the mind, leading to a better night’s sleep, the mediation of moods and even the inhibition of pain. Try eating clean for just two weeks and see the impact it has! 

For those looking to practice moderate caloric intake at home, we’ve put together this guide to healthy eating for seniors. Like any goal, change to your diet doesn’t happen overnight, but making small, conscious decisions regarding what you eat daily will build up to have a great impact.

A spread of food demonstrating moderate caloric intake, including rice with tomato, green beans and fish
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11.17.20 | Health & Wellness

Healthy Eating Tips for Seniors

The old saying goes, “you are what you eat.” And it’s true — good dietary choices are the foundation of good health. Making these choices becomes even more important the older you get. Our metabolism slows down with age, meaning that older adults require less calories but the same, if not more, nutrients to maintain our wellbeing. That’s why today, we’re sharing four healthy eating tips for seniors to keep you (and your diet) on the right path.

Prioritize getting your nutrients 

The good news: nutrient-dense foods are often the lowest in calories. Avoid any empty carbs or calories, such as processed foods, and instead prioritize whole foods such as protein, produce and dairy. Pay specific attention to make sure you’re picking foods that are high in fiber and low in sodium and salt, too. 

Eat the rainbow

Because our bodies require a broad spectrum of nutrients, the best way to ensure you’re hitting all the marks is to have your plate look like a rainbow. Bright, colored foods often signify good choices. Lean proteins include meat (or meat alternatives such as tofu and seitan, if you’re interested in pursuing a more plant-based diet) lentils, chickpeas, eggs and beans (these are your red foods). Fresh produce (fruits and vegetables) are the perfect source for your vibrant oranges, purples, reds and greens. Meanwhile, whole grains such as rice and whole wheat pasta are a good way to get brown on the plate. 

Think good fats, not no fats

Fat isn’t a bad word. But bad fats, like saturated and trans fats, should be eliminated from your diet if possible. Try to focus on good fats instead, like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which can help protect your body against disease and improve your mood. This includes avocado, olive oil, nuts and fish and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Drink more water

This is a simple, but important step. Staying properly hydrated can do wonders for your physical and mental health. If possible, avoid any fluids that have sugars or salts added in, and focus instead on just clean, healthy drinking water — tea and coffee are also good choices. Overall, aim to consume at least eight glasses of water a day to stay properly hydrated.

Eating healthy may seem daunting, but at the end of the day, it’s about knowing your body’s needs, and making one informed decision at a time. 

Healthy eating shown through a vibrant plate of good, balanced foods
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