Oldways Preservation Trust

Thanksgiving is a magical holiday: from precious time with family to the delicious sit-down feast. But for a day dedicated to all of the best things in life, it’s far too fleeting. That’s where a new kind of gastronomic magic comes in: leftovers. In heritage diets around the world, our ancestors were experts at reinventing odds and ends left over from meals and harvests into delicious culinary creations. Today, leftovers are the perfect excuse for experimentation in the kitchen, breathing new life into turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and the scraps of ingredients left behind in the cooking process. Read the blog post: https://bit.ly/3B0FjiX

As one of the biggest food celebrations in the US, it’s a perfect time to feature whole grains. Old favorites like mashed potatoes and stuffing can be given new spins with delicious whole grain swaps, or you can get adventurous and bring a new whole grain dish to the table! Read more: https://bit.ly/3uo3mor

I’ve been planning culinary journeys for more than 30 years, looking for experiences that tell the story of a place or a way of eating. Because Oldways believes that food is the greatest gift of heritage, we take great pride in inspiring people to embrace the healthy, sustainable joys of the “old ways” of eating and preparing food through Culinarias, our website, recipes, resources and programs. To help Culinaria attendees bring a piece of the “old ways” back home, one of our goals recently has been to plan at least one “pinch-me” moment during each week-long Oldways Culinaria — a “pinch-me” moment being one in which you can’t believe you’re lucky enough to be in a particular spot at a particular time. In Croatia last month, this goal was more than met. Under sparkling blue skies, we found Croatia to be the land of “Pinch-Me” Moments: https://bit.ly/3CFmjal

We are going to Turkey AGAIN in 2025 -- from Sept. 10-17 -- with Chef Ana Sortun of Oleana and Sofra in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Don’t pass up the opportunity to explore, eat, and learn in this incredible country. A cuisine influenced by thousands of years of history. Ancient ruins. Vibrant taverns, coffeehouses, and restaurants that bring a rich and diverse cuisine to life. Or, as the Rough Guide characterizes Turkey, "a mesmerizing mix of the exotic and the familiar." Turkey is a spectacular destination to visit, but it's even more special if you love food and the stories behind it. Experience the Black Sea Region and Istanbul, Turkey from Sept. 10-17, 2025 alongside Chef Ana Sortun, Turkish food expert Banu Özden, and cultural tour guide Oguz Goncu. This trip sells quickly, so reserve your spot now: https://bit.ly/3ZhLfNM

The holiday season is just around the corner! We have put together a list of gifts for the food enthusiasts in your life. Explore the list below to find presents that your friends and family will adore. Whether you’re searching for stocking stuffers for your foodie pals or planning an unforgettable culinary getaway to France or Spain for a loved one, you’ll find essential gifts for every type of food lover right here: https://bit.ly/4eBR3GA

Despite spanning regions all over the world, heritage diets are more alike than they are different. Although you can absolutely choose to strictly adhere to a Mediterranean, African, Latin American or Asian heritage-based way of eating, there is enough overlap that you can also experiment day-to-day! Not only are heritage diets healthy and delicious, but they’re also incredibly accessible. You don’t need to get fancy or expensive ingredients to dive in. In fact, there are plenty of pantry staples you can stock up on to ensure you can try any heritage diet, any time: https://bit.ly/4esvmZf

The African Heritage Diet is based on the healthy culinary traditions of the African Diaspora: Africa, the Caribbean, parts of South America, and the American South. Unifying characteristics include lots of vegetables (especially leafy greens), fresh fruits, roots and tubers, nuts and peanuts, beans, and staple whole grain foods. Learn more about the African Heritage Diet here: https://bit.ly/3YzTk02

One thing we have in common with these ancient civilizations is: whole grains are an important foundation of our diet. As early as 11,000 BCE, humans began farming—and quickly learned what nutritional and societal powerhouses grains can be. Read the blog: https://bit.ly/3UJyDwa

Last week, we held our annual Brain Healthy Chef Cook-off at U.S. Foods, and it was one of our most exciting competitions yet! We started the day with a presentation from our partners at Oldways Preservation Trust on the Science Behind the Mediterranean Diet. In the afternoon, each chef represented a different country from the upcoming "2025 Grab Your Passport!" destinations and created a unique dish inspired by that region. We’re thrilled to announce our Top Chef Cook-off winners: Adherence to Brain Healthy Cooking Program - Emerson DaCosta from Concord Park Senior Living Authenticity to Assigned Country - James Pijewski from Nashoba Park Assisted Living Appeal / Taste - Lee Colon from Methuen Village Assisted Living & Compass Memory Support Presentation - Jean Foster-Spillane from Cornerstone at Hampton Best Dessert - Harrison Starkweather from Standish Village Assisted Living & Compass Memory Support Fan Favorite - Patrick Kennedy from Cape Cod Senior Residences Our judges combined all of this criteria in determining who to award the title of SLR's Top Chef. We are excited to announce the recipient for SLR's Top Chef 2024 is Chris Marsh from Armbrook Village Senior Living! We would like to thank our 2024 judges Barry Joyner, Sous Chef from Harvard Business School, Sara Baer-Sinnott from Oldways Preservation Trust, Chris Karski from Yankee Alliance, and Gabe Giunta and Katie Pikus from US Foods Seabrook. Our chefs are the heart of our award-winning Brain Healthy Cooking program. Guests at the event were amazed by the delicious flavors, thoughtful presentation, and depth of research each chef put into their creations. Congratulations to all the talented chefs who competed—you continue to inspire us with your dedication and skill! Our residents are lucky to have each of you. Want to learn more about our Brain Healthy Cooking program? Visit https://lnkd.in/enyJ2gYm

Vitamin B12 is one of the greatest nutritional concerns for vegetarians and vegans, because vitamin B12 is generally found only in animal foods. If you're concerned that you may not be getting enough B12, look for some of these foods: https://bit.ly/40ePCKq