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As we wrap up National Nutrition Month, this year’s theme— “Discover the Power of Nutrition”—reminds us that healthy habits go beyond what’s on our plate. The choices we make each day can help us feel our best, reduce stress, and support long‑term wellbeing. This week, we’re focusing on simple routines that make everyday living healthier and more enjoyable.

Feel Good With Healthy Habits

• • Practice safe food handling at home
    Good nutrition starts with food safety. Washing hands and surfaces, cooking foods to the proper temperature, keeping raw and cooked foods separate, and storing leftovers safely all help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
  • Plan ahead to ease mealtime stress
    A little preparation—such as planning meals for the week, prepping ingredients, or keeping a few go‑to staples on hand—can make mealtime smoother and more enjoyable. Small steps can save time and help prevent last‑minute food decisions that feel overwhelming.
  • Move your body in ways that work for you
    Physical activity doesn’t have to be intense or complicated. Enjoy a walk, try gentle stretching, dance to your favorite music, or choose activities that fit your abilities and bring you joy. Every bit of movement adds up to better physical and emotional health.

✨ Team Member Spotlight: Cassandra Pedersen
Cassandra Pedersen is our dedicated Registered Dietitian at Ecumen St. Benedict’s in St. Cloud, and we are so grateful to have her as part of our Ecumen team. She has been with Ecumen for a little over two years now, but her connection to St. Benedict’s goes back much further. When St. Benedict’s joined the Ecumen family, we were incredibly fortunate to welcome Cassandra and the deep expertise she brings. 

Cassandra has spent most of her career working with older adults and brings a thoughtful, resident centered approach to everything she does. She has seen a great deal of change at her site over the years and always meets it with grace. Cassandra is continually looking for opportunities to improve current practices, making them more efficient, effective, and supportive of resident wellbeing.

This week, she is sharing energy ball recipes. She says that she loves having these on-hand for when she is running short on time and needs a quick balanced snack. Feel free to customize them any way to meet your current goals or flavor profile—ENJOY!

12 Energy Ball Recipes (Healthy Snack Recipes) – The Real Food Dietitians.

We’re continuing to celebrate National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme—“Discover the Power of Nutrition”—reminds us that healthy eating is possible for everyone, regardless of budget or resources. This week’s focus is all about practical, affordable ways to stay nourished and support your wellbeing.

Stay Nourished on Any Budget

• • Build cooking and meal prep skills that fit your resources
    Simple techniques like batch cooking, using pantry staples, and making the most of seasonal or on sale ingredients can stretch your budget while still supporting balanced, flavorful meals.
  • Explore community resources
    Programs such as SNAP, WIC, farmers market incentives, and local food banks can help families access nutritious foods. These services exist to support individuals and communities—and they make a meaningful difference.
  • Support nutrition efforts in your community
    Staying informed about local programs, speaking up for access to nutritious foods, and sharing available resources with friends and neighbors all help strengthen community health. Small actions can create big ripple effects.

✨ Team Member Spotlight: Rita Janda
Rita Janda is our outstanding Dining Specialist at Ecumen Pathstone in Mankato, and we are honored to feature her for Week 3. She holds her Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) credential and expertly manages all of the clinical nutrition work for both the SNF and TCU. Rita has been part of the Ecumen family for over 40 years, and during that time she has held nearly every role within the culinary department—making her one of the most well rounded and knowledgeable team members we have. 

Rita is an extraordinary leader whose experience, dedication, and deep understanding of Ecumen truly shine through in everything she does. With her extensive background, she navigates the ups and downs of daily operations with ease and grace. She is also a dear friend to many, offering support, perspective, and a wealth of history that only someone with her breadth of experience can share.

We are grateful for the wisdom, stability, and heart she brings to Pathstone and to our broader Ecumen team. This week she is sharing her garlic herb shrimp recipe with us!

We’re continuing our month‑long celebration of National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme—“Discover the Power of Nutrition”—reminds us that good health begins with reliable, science‑backed information. With so much nutrition noise online, it can be hard to know what (or who) to trust. That’s why Week 2 is all about finding guidance rooted in evidence—not trends.

Find Advice Backed by Science

• • Seek accurate, credible nutrition sources
    Stick to information from organizations grounded in research, such as registered dietitians, national health agencies, academic institutions, and peer reviewed publications.
  • Meet with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) who understands your needs
    RDNs are trained to translate the science into practical recommendations—and to tailor it specifically to your age, health conditions, cultural/personal preferences, and lifestyle. They are also great at holding accountability and keeping you on track to meet your goals.
  • Watch for nutrition “red flags”
    Be cautious of advice that sounds too good to be true—like quick fixes, extreme restrictions, miracle “detoxes,” or anything that eliminates entire food groups without medical need. Claims that rely on testimonials instead of science, use fear based messaging, or promote purchasing the company’s products as the solution are also signs to proceed with caution.

✨ Team Member Spotlight: Sue North
Susan North is our amazing Dietitian at Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth, and she has been a huge asset to our team for a little over four years. She will be retiring this spring, and while we will miss her greatly, we are incredibly excited for her as she enters this next chapter. Sue is our go to expert in diabetes education and brings a depth of experience and wisdom that strengthens our entire team. She has a truly special way of connecting with residents—advocating for their needs, taking time to listen, and ensuring they feel supported. Sue is also always looking for ways to improve processes and enhance the quality of care across her community. 

This week, she’s highlighting a favorite recipe: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili from the American Heart Association—a delicious, heart healthy dish we hope you’ll enjoy trying at home!

SHOREVIEW, MN (March 10, 2026) — Ecumen, a nonprofit provider of living spaces and services for older adults, today announced that its Board of Trustees has unanimously selected Dr. Cyrus Batheja, EdD, MBA, RN, FAAN, as the organization’s next president and chief executive officer.

A registered nurse and nationally recognized health care leader, Batheja brings more than two decades of experience advancing care models that integrate health care, housing and community services for vulnerable populations.

“Cyrus brings to Ecumen deep experience in health care, which first began at the bedside in senior living,” said Marcia Kull, chair of Ecumen’s Board of Trustees. “He is an entrepreneurial leader with a commitment to creating dignified living spaces and care with a focus on the people we serve and those who care for them. His experience, strategic vision and deep commitment to Ecumen’s mission-driven work are perfectly suited to guide us in this rapidly changing health care landscape.”

“The future of care must integrate innovative housing, person-centered care, and community-based support,” Batheja said. “Ecumen and our nearly 3,000 team members are uniquely positioned to create homes we would be proud to live in and provide care we would be grateful to receive.”

Prior to joining Ecumen, Batheja held senior leadership roles at UnitedHealthcare and Optum, including Chief Growth Officer of the MyConnections business, where he led large‑scale national initiatives addressing social drivers of health and improving outcomes for complex patient populations. As National Vice President of Nursing at OptumRx, he led a team of over 1,500 nurses delivering critical therapies across the country. He is also the co‑founder of Batheja Supportive Living Services.

“Ecumen has a remarkable legacy of serving older adults with dignity and compassion,” Batheja said. “I am honored to join this organization and work alongside the dedicated team members who bring that mission to life every day.”

He began his health care career after earning an Associate of Science degree from Normandale Community College. He later earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and MBA from Augsburg University and his Doctorate from the University of St. Thomas.

Batheja will officially start on March 23, 2026, and succeeds outgoing president & CEO, Shelley Kendrick, who joined Ecumen in 2012 and assumed the CEO role in 2019 after serving as Ecumen’s chief operating officer. In September 2025, she announced her retirement from Ecumen.

March is National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme—“Discover the Power of Nutrition”—is all about simple, everyday choices that help us feel our best. This month we’ll be sharing weekly highlights featuring practical nutrition tips and spotlighting on one of our amazing Ecumen dietitians—plus their favorite healthy recipe! Are you ready to Discover the Power of Nutrition with us? 🌿🥗💪

Power Your Day
Fueling your body well starts with simple, doable choices. When we build small habits into our day, they add up to powerful benefits over time. Here are three things you can do to start powering your day right:

• • Choose foods from all food groups
    Balanced meals that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein foods, and dairy help support steady energy and overall wellbeing.
  • Mix it up & taste the rainbow
    Eating a variety of foods and a variety of colors provides different vitamins, minerals, and nutrients—keeping meals interesting and helping your body get what it needs.
  • Skip the fad diets
    Trendy diets often leave out important nutrients or create strict rules that aren’t sustainable. A balanced, flexible eating pattern is far more effective (and enjoyable!) in the long run.

✨ Team Member Spotlight: Emily Diekmann
Emily is our incredible Dietitian at Ecumen Detroit Lakes, and we’re so grateful to have had her on our team for a little over two years. In her role, she seamlessly leads the clinical nutrition work and supports the culinary team, and she even helps cover our Ecumen North Branch community remotely. Emily is our go‑to expert for tube feeding questions and someone we can always count on when new projects come up. 

If you’ve ever had the chance to meet Emily, you know she brings a calm, friendly, and reassuring presence—something our residents truly appreciate. She was excited to share a favorite recipe that’s a staple in her home—Crunchy Cashew Thai-Inspired Quinoa Salad. Make sure to check it out and let us know if you give it a try!

With constant nutrition headlines and changing food trends, it can be difficult to know which guidance to follow. Reviewing the primary resources that shape federal nutrition recommendations can help provide clarity. Two key resources are The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and The Scientific Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC). One provides the scientific groundwork, and the other becomes the final guidance that the public sees–both aim to support healthier eating patterns across the population. 

Understanding where these guidelines align and differ helps translate national recommendations into practical, everyday nutrition decisions.

SHARED FOCUS AREAS 

Prioritizing Whole, Nutrient-Dense Foods 

Both the DGA and DGAC emphasize choosing foods that provide strong nutritional value. These include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats. Both resources recommend limiting highly processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and foods high in added sugars to support overall diet quality.

Improving Diet Quality to Support Long-Term Health  

Both documents highlight the role of balanced, nutrient-rich dietary patterns in supporting overall health and reducing the risk of nutrition-related chronic conditions. The focus remains on consistent eating patterns rather than individual nutrients. 

KEY DIFFERENCES IN GUIDANCE 

Protein  

• DGAC: Recommends consuming a variety of protein sources without setting elevated intake targets.
• DGA: Encourages higher overall protein intake and highlights both animal-based and plant-based protein options. 

Saturated Fat  

• DGAC: Recommends limiting saturated fat intake to less than 10 percent of total daily calories and encourages low-fat dairy products and lean meats.
• DGA: Maintains the same recommended limit while allowing greater flexibility in foods that naturally contain saturated fat, including dairy and meats.

WHAT THIS MEANS AT ECUMEN 

At Ecumen, our nutrition approach is rooted in evidence-based practice, resident choice, and balance. At this time, no major menu changes are being made, as current menus already align with established nutrition guidelines and support health, enjoyment, and individual preferences. 

Ecumen communities will continue to offer daily specials, snacks between meals, and an Always Available menu to provide flexibility and choice. Menus include a variety of appropriately portioned protein options, with protein-rich snacks available outside of meals. 

Resident feedback remains central to the menu planning process through monthly food committees, tasting tables, and ongoing consideration of cultural traditions and personal favorites. 

A BALANCED APPROACH TO NUTRITION 

Nutrition is not one-size-fits-all. Ecumen remains committed to supporting health, dignity, choice, and enjoyment at every meal, while continuing to align with evidence-based nutrition guidance and the evolving needs of the residents we serve.

If you visit Ecumen Detroit Lakes, you may come across a group of women who look particularly fabulous. They’re not dressed up for a special occasion. This is how they approach every day, spreading beauty and joy to the community.

“It makes us feel good. It makes others feel better about themselves,” said Constance, one of the ambassadors for this initiative. “I just love it when people start feeling more optimistic about their days, looking forward to things instead of having a bad day or a ‘nothing’ day.”

Constance and her best friend, Kathy, are two residents at Ecumen Detroit Lakes who make a concerted effort to bring glamor to the halls of the community. They dress up each day, putting on earrings, jewelry, and perhaps some makeup. Most importantly, they bring positivity to each other and to others around the building.

“We make a point of complimenting other people, saying something nice to let them know we appreciate them,” said Kathy. “It’s a small thing but it can be important.”

“When you give someone a compliment,” added Constance, “even if they don’t feel well that day, maybe you can help them a little, to feel good about themselves and to maybe want to get out and mingle with others.”

Ecumen team members say this is the kind of activity that happens when residents feel empowered to contribute to the community in their own unique ways. In this case, the passion of a small group of women sparked interest from others. It has become so popular, they had to find a bigger lunch table to gather for their meals.

Constance credits Kathy with helping her embrace this approach to life.

“I had, I’m guessing, two years of just kind of fiddling around and looking frumpy,” she said. “I didn’t get my hair brushed up or I didn’t wear makeup or earrings. Life wasn’t nearly as exciting and colorful and creative as it is now, but Kathy helped me change my way of thinking to look forward to each day.”

Now the women say they feel good about encouraging others to let their own beauty shine.

“It’s just fun to try to make everybody feel good and it makes me feel good about myself,” said Kathy. “It gives me something to look forward to every day.”

“We reach out to new residents to let them know we want them to feel welcome and we like to see them,” said Constance. “Whether they wear lipstick or not, we want them to share their inner beauty and be comfortable showing who they are.”

Ecumen team members say the positivity of the group lifts the spirits of residents, visitors, and anyone lucky enough to interact with these amazing women.

Ecumen is helping older adults pursue their passions and use their skills. As part of a new initiative, Ecumen North Branch, Ecumen Pathstone, and Ecumen Detroit Lakes are implementing an innovative program based on the “Montessori method,” emphasizing residents’ interests and abilities rather than their limitations. This new initiative builds on Ecumen’s award-winning Awakenings care-giving model, which focuses on individual needs to support the highest quality of life. Adding a Montessori framework to this model is giving Ecumen team members new tools and resources to help residents find meaning and purpose in their everyday lives.

SHOREVIEW, MN (July 22, 2024) — Ecumen is excited to announce that Ecumen Home Care Pathstone has been voted 2nd “Best In-Home Healthcare” in Mankato, according to The Mankato Free Press “Best Of” reader poll. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the home care team.

Ecumen Home Care Pathstone, located at 718 Mound Avenue, offers a comprehensive range of home care services. From non-medical support like housekeeping and personal hygiene to medical services such as medication management and home health assistance, the home care team is dedicated to delivering personalized care tailored to each individual’s needs.

For more information about our services or to discuss how we can assist you or your loved ones, please call us at 877-311-4997 or visit our Ecumen Home Care page.

SHOREVIEW, MN (July 22, 2024) — Ecumen is proud to announce the promotion of Tami Haley to Chief Nursing Officer. Tami’s exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to quality have been instrumental in the organization’s successful surveys, numerous quality awards, and, most importantly, the positive feedback from its residents, clients, and patients.

Shoreview, Minn. (July 15, 2024) — During a time of life when many people fear having independence taken away, Ecumen is helping older adults pursue their passions and use their skills. As part of a new initiative, Ecumen North Branch, Ecumen Pathstone, and Ecumen Detroit Lakes are implementing an innovative program based on the “Montessori method,” emphasizing residents’ interests and abilities rather than their limitations.

Developed by an Italian doctor in 1907, the Montessori method has been used around the world to create student-led learning environments that give children the freedom to choose activities that fuel their curiosity and passions. In recent years, the Montessori method has shown promise in helping older individuals develop similar ownership and joy in the activities they pursue.

This new initiative builds on Ecumen’s award-winning Awakenings care-giving model, which focuses on individual needs to support the highest quality of life. Adding a Montessori framework to this model is giving Ecumen team members new tools and resources to help residents find meaning and purpose in their everyday lives.

Ecumen is receiving support for this effort through a Performance-Based Initiative Program (PIPP) grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). As part of this grant, Ecumen will measure the impact of this approach on residents and their families, as well as on team member satisfaction, with the hope of transforming dementia care across the country.

COVID contributed to more idle time among those living with dementia, fewer opportunities to engage in meaningful activities, and confusion due to safety protocols such as masking. That led to functional and mobility dependence for some. Adding the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle (MIL) approach to Ecumen’s Awakenings is aimed at reversing this trend and improving the lives of residents.

Montessori techniques emphasize collaboration, shifting the focus from, “How do we need to care for this person?” to “How can we help them have a meaningful, purposeful day?” Whether it’s tapping into a passion for art or cooking, or allowing people to take on tasks that help others, this philosophy is guided by the residents and what is meaningful to them.

The certification of these programs to implement an MIL approach to care includes an innovative collaboration with the Center for Applied Research in Dementia (CARD), Accelerated Care Plus (ACP), and local non-profit COMPAS Arts.

Just months into the grant-funded program, residents are already experiencing improved quality of life. They are spending more time outdoors and interacting with others as Awakenings is fostering new and innovative paths for engagement. Gardening clubs, movie nights, and community service projects are just some of the resident-driven activities that are providing a renewed sense of ownership and purpose. The initiative is also improving engagement and job satisfaction for Ecumen team members, giving them the tools to deliver the best possible care.

In the coming months, Ecumen will share some of the stories of residents who are benefiting from Awakenings with this new approach. We will also highlight some of the caregivers who are leading this change, helping residents pursue their interests. The experiences and results of this effort will be compiled as part of a report to measure the impact of the Montessori approach and to hopefully serve as a guide for other dementia care providers.