Raintree Village Lee's Summit

01/11/2026

The New Year is a perfect opportunity to focus on small, sustainable habits that support long-term health and longevity, and nutrition is a great place to begin.

Start with changes that feel realistic and manageable. Big, drastic overhauls are hard to maintain and often lead to burnout or frustration. Small steps truly add up over time.

● Add more fruits and vegetables. Aim to include 1–2 fruits or vegetables at meals or snacks. This could be a side salad, veggies with dip, fruit added to breakfast, or enjoying fruit as a naturally sweet dessert after dinner.

● Bring in variety. Trying new foods and flavors helps prevent meal burnout. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Something as simple as topping oatmeal with a new nut, seed, or berry can make a difference.

● Move after meals. Gentle movement, like a short walk, helps keep blood flowing and supports digestion. Building this habit can boost energy and leave you feeling better overall.

● Hydrate more often. Many people would benefit from increasing fluid intake. Try swapping sugar-sweetened beverages for water or other hydrating options. If that feels overwhelming, start by cutting out two sugary drinks per week.

● Choose balanced snacks. Pair carbohydrates with protein to support steady blood sugar and longer-lasting fullness. Snacks with only carbs often lead to hunger soon after, while protein helps keep you satisfied.

Small, consistent changes create meaningful results. Focus on progress, not perfection.

01/09/2026

One of the best parts of our community is the incredible talent within it. We’re proud to share this newsletter created by one of our residents—thank you for sharing your talents and helping to build a strong, connected community!☺️❤️

01/06/2026

Do you wanna build a snow man ⛄️

01/05/2026

Small, consistent choices really do make a difference, and one simple way to support your health in 2026 is by using the MyPlate method.

When building your plate, aim to fill half of it with fruits and vegetables. Keep it easy by starting at breakfast! Add berries to yogurt or oatmeal, or grab an apple to enjoy on the side. Make vegetables more appealing by roasting, sautéing, or seasoning them in different ways, and try light, flavorful dressings to elevate salads.

For grains, strive for at least half of your daily choices to come from whole grains like whole-grain bread or pasta, brown rice, and quinoa.

Mix up your protein sources by choosing lean options such as pork tenderloin or loin chops, enjoying fish or seafood twice per week, and incorporating plant-based proteins for an environmentally friendly and budget-conscious option.

When including dairy, choose low-fat or nonfat varieties. Dairy provides essential nutrients that support health at every stage of life.

Start by applying the MyPlate method to just one meal per day, then build from there. Those small daily habits add up and can lead to lasting, lifelong improvements in health!

01/02/2026

12/30/2025

We had the pleasure of welcoming the Tesura Quartet to Raintree Village for a beautiful musical performance. 🎻✨

12/23/2025

🎄✨ Our Resident Christmas Dinner was filled with family, friends, great food, and holiday happiness. Thank you to everyone who helped make the night so special!

12/21/2025

Food has a special way of bringing people together, especially around the holidays when traditions are shared with family and friends. A festive salad makes a great side dish and is an easy way to add extra nutrients to the table.

Give this holiday pomegranate honey mustard salad a try!

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 35 minutes 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀: 8

𝗜𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:
● 1½ cups raw walnuts
● ½ cup shelled pumpkin seeds
● ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
● ¼ tsp chipotle chili powder
● 6 cups mixed greens
● 2 cups frisée
● 1–2 apples or pears, chopped
● 2 avocados, sliced
● 2 cups pomegranate arils
● 1 cup crumbled blue cheese, feta, or goat cheese

𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴:
● ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
● ¼ cup balsamic or apple cider vinegar
● 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
● 2 tablespoons honey
● 1 tablespoon fig preserves
● 2 teaspoons orange zest + 2 tablespoons orange juice
● kosher salt and black pepper

𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Toss walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey/maple, chili powder, and salt. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring once, until toasted; cool and sprinkle with flaky salt.
2. Combine greens, fruit, avocado, pomegranate, cheese, and nuts in a large bowl.
3. Shake dressing ingredients in a jar, drizzle over salad, toss gently, and serve.

Recipe from: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/christmas-salad/

12/20/2025

How often do you reach for dried fruit as a snack? It may not be everyone’s first choice, but it’s a delicious and nutritious option! Fresh fruit is always fantastic, but dried fruit offers a convenient, shelf-stable alternative that still packs plenty of benefits.

When shopping, look for labels that say “unsweetened” or “no sugar added,” which means no extra sugar has been added. You can sprinkle dried fruit on salads or yogurt, or pair it with almonds, cheese, or hard-boiled eggs for a balanced snack.

What’s your favorite dried fruit? There are so many great options to choose from!