Instructions:

• Step 1: Announce the Healthy Recipe Swap activity to the residents and staff, explaining the concept and encouraging participation. This poster may be distributed/posted throughout the home to help spread the word. 
• Step 2: Distribute recipe collection forms to participants, in paper form 

• Step 3: Provide participants with a simple recipe template that includes sections for:
  • Recipe name
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Optional: A brief story or memory related to the recipe (e.g., “This was my grandmother’s favorite breakfast”).
• Step 4: Collect recipes and determine a place to store the recipes in for the month (e.g., box, book, etc.), ensure residents/staff are familiar with where to drop off their recipes.
• Step 5: Once all recipes have been submitted, compile them into a cohesive document or booklet. You can create a paper recipe book or a digital version, depending on available resources.

Step 7: If possible, consider adding a favorite recipe from the residents/staff into the home’s cycle menu. This could be a fun way to try out a resident’s recipe and celebrate it as part of the communal dining experience.

Step 6: Once the recipe book is compiled, organize a special “Recipe Book Reveal” event. This could be a casual gathering where the staff and residents come together to flip through the new recipe book and talk about their favorite recipes.

Instructions:

• Step 1: Determine the event location (e.g., main dining room, main lobby, or designated floors) and establish a suitable date/time for the event (e.g., in between/after meals or during meals). 
• Step 2: Announce the Taste Test Smoothie Bar activity and the date/time of the event to the residents, explaining the concept and encouraging participation. This poster may be distributed around the home to help encourage participation.  
• Step 3: A variety of smoothie recipes have been provided below, with instructions and required equipment. Select the smoothie recipes you would like to provide to the residents and start ordering/gathering the required ingredients/equipment. To streamline preparation, it is recommended to order ingredients in advance. Estimate the number of participating residents to determine the appropriate quantity of ingredients that need to be ordered. Adjust and scale recipes accordingly to match the number of required servings. To estimate the number of servings needed, consider options such as pre-event sign-ups, resident surveys, and reviewing attendance numbers from past events. 
• Step 4: Smoothies should be prepared in the kitchen with appropriate equipment and then distributed to the chosen location to be handed out. Take necessary precautions during smoothie preparation to prevent cross-contamination of allergens. For example, if residents have a peanut allergy, implement steps to minimize exposure, such as using separate blenders or thoroughly cleaning the blender after using peanut butter.
• Step 5: Set up a designated table or distribution area to display the smoothies, accompanied by recipe cards that highlight ingredients, allergens, etc. Refer to the residents’ diet binders to ensure compliance with dietary requirements while handing out the smoothies.
  • It is up to the Registered Dietitian to decide the compliancy of each smoothie for the different textures/fluid consistencies at the time of serving. Refer to the IDDSI handout to help determine texture compliancy. 
  • **Reminder: When smoothies melt, their texture and consistency may alter. Serve smoothies chilled or add a suitable thickener as needed. Additionally, smoothies containing seeds (e.g., very berry smoothie, strawberry banana smoothie) may not meet certain diet texture requirements (e.g., pureed).
• Step 6: Distribute smoothies in cups as taste testers for the residents to enjoy. After all smoothies have been provided, allow the residents to vote for their favourite!

Recipes: