Baked Potato Bar
Submitted by Maya Noel of ARC, Gabriel House

Size of Group: Any

Equipment/Supplies Needed: medium sized Idaho potatoes washed well I purchased one bag and served 10, butter, sour cream, bacon (turkey, pork or both), corn, broccoli, carrots, mushroom, scallions, and any other topping you can think of. I purchased everything listed by the pound from a neighborhood lunch buffet for only $4.00;except the scallions and potatoes which were prom the produce stand next door. All of the vegetables I chose were sauteed but you can choose them however you please.

Activity/Treatment Objective or Expected Outcome: socialization with neighbors and trying something new.

Description of the Activity: Cook your potatoes by either baking them till done or microwaving potatoes wrapped in wet paper towel or in a bowl with 1" of water inside for 5 minutes or till soft.

Place each topping into a small dish or bowl with its own spoon don't forget the salt and pepper on the side.

Set all of your toppings side by side and your potatoes on a tray. You can even make small signs for each topping. Have someone place toppings on the potato the guest chooses and have someone else mix and mash it together. or let everyone help themselves.

Enjoy!

Herbal Vinegar
submitted by Tammy Koert of Above and Beyond on August 30, 2001

Size: any number

Equipment:
wine bottles with corks
vinegar (lots)
any herbs, lemon peels, orange peels, berries,
funnels
ribbon

Objective: To provide social interactions and some physical activity (cutting pieces). Clients will also have something to keep (if allowed) or give to friends and family as gifts.

Description: If possible get participants to cut herbs, orange peels, lemon peels, garlic into small pieces. Should put about 5-7 pieces of each, but let them choice what they want in it.Put all the pieces into the bottle and use the funnel to pour vinegar into wine bottle. With some participants you may need to pre-pour the amount of vinegar into a measuring cup to prevent spills. cork the wine bottle and tie a little tag on the bottle that says Herbal Vinegar, Place in sunlight for 6 weeks and add one tablespoon of vegetable oil and one tablespoon of Herbal Vinegar to make salad dressing. Add ribbon for look

Cracker Art
by Dianne Jessen of Beverly Healthcare on Monday, January 27, 2003

Size: 6 to 20

Equipment: Wet wipes (or wet cloths)for cleaning hands. Small disposable plates, napkins, plastic knives (or cheese spreaders for safety), boxes of assorted shape crackers (I found one with butterfly shapes that many wanted to decorate), assorted soft cheeses for spreading, colorful vegetables or fruits cut, sliced or broken apart (black olive slices, carrot strips, raisins, apple slices, cherry slices, pieces of broccoli, etc.)

Objective: Creativity, hand-eye coordination, fun, healthy snack, self-esteem for using own imagination. Residents not only enjoy seeing one another's creations, they also get to enjoy eating their own special art work.

Description: Set out a plate, spreader and assorted shape crackers for each participant. Have small bowls of assorted cheeses and vegetable pieces within reach of each group of 2 or 3 people. Have a few examples of decorated crackers available to get everyone's imagination started, or demonstrate with your own creativity on a few crackers. Explain that their creations will be judged for their originality, but when all are finished, announce that everyone did such a great job that they are all winners and now can enjoy eating their own prizes!