Parker Home promotes healthy living at annual Food and Fitness fair

Read about Parker Home’s fourth annual
Fun, Food & Fitness Fair
MyCentralJersey.com
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HIGHLAND PARK —Parker Home’s fourth annual Fun, Food & Fitness Fair was a hit among local adults, age 55 and older, on April13. More than 125 attendees engaged in an afternoon of healthy living at Parker at the Pavilion.
This free event was developed by the Parker Center for Healthy Aging to educate the community on the importance of nutrition and regular exercise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The event was designed to allow for personalized attention and an optimal learning experience for all who participated, according to a news release.
The day began with a nutritious lunch including mango salsa salmon, served with roasted asparagus and wild mushrooms, as well as a spinach strawberry salad. Lunch concluded with a walnut yogurt parfait. Executive Chef Robert Klingebiel then led two cooking demo sessions as he recreated the dishes. Attendees received the recipes of the quick and easy dishes and many said that they were looking forward to making the healthful gourmet meal at home.
 
Fitness classes, including zumba, resistance training and exercise for arthritis, were led by Parker personal trainers and were highly attended.
 
UMDNJ Medical Students presented “How to Speak with Your Physician,” an interactive session in which attendees learned how to advocate for themselves with their doctors. Other lectures included “Living with Arthritis” presented by Peggy Lotkowietz, vice president of the Arthritis Foundation, and “Learning to Exercise Safely” with The Weston Group. Lori Morell, health and wellness coordinator at Parker Home, introduced a promotional series called “The Weight of the Nation,” which will be screened at Parker in the fall.

In addition to the health lectures, exercise classes, cooking demonstrations and free lunch, all attendees received giveaways and were entered into a raffle to win several prizes including a free membership to the Parker Center for Healthy Aging. Tours of Parker at Stonegate Assisted Living and the Parker at River Road Nursing Home were conducted upon request as attendees received a little taste of life at Parker Home.