Village at Sherman Oaks Residents Reap Health Benefits of Community Homegrown Herbs Garden

Sherman Oaks, CA, April 18, 2009 --(PR.com)-- When Stan Rice volunteered to manage The Village at Sherman Oaks greenhouse he was simply sharing his love for gardening. His efforts however yielded a bounty of herbs that in addition to being tasty seasonings have also been found by researchers to have numerous physical and emotional healing benefits to seniors.

Stan has managed The Village at Sherman Oaks greenhouse for four years; this year he was inspired to grow herbs for the community’s restaurant including parsley, sage and rosemary. With the fresh herbs the community’s Chef Serrato has created several healthy dishes including: sage chicken, roasted lamb chops garnished with parsley, rice pilaf, linguine and scallops and crab cakes.

“Imagine cooking a meal that can improve your memory or enjoying a hobby to prevent disease,” said Assaad Zeid, executive director of The Village at Sherman Oaks. “Recent research has shown that herbs, like sage, can improve memory which could have significant implications for treatments of Alzheimer's disease.

“Plus, spending time in the garden provides physical exercise that has been known to help prevent heart disease, adult-onset diabetes, high blood pressure and even osteoporosis,” said Zeid.

Wellness is a way of life at The Village at Sherman Oaks. Providing wholesome dining options and creating a healthy environment is just one of the ways the community demonstrates their commitment to that lifestyle. According to Mr. Rice, who has been a resident at The Village at Sherman Oaks for more than five years, it was an important standard he was looking for in a retirement community.

“The Village at Sherman Oaks is very healthy,” said Rice. “In fact, when we were touring retirement communities to move to, it was better than all other retirement communities we saw.”

The Village at Sherman Oaks includes 239 luxury independent and assisted living residences as well as a wealth of services and amenities. In addition to well-appointed residences, The Village at Sherman Oaks residents enjoy numerous resort-style features including: The Village Restaurant, open 12 hours daily, a fully equipped fitness center, The Albers Theater, Internet lounge, bank, market, mailroom, arts and crafts room, library, club lounge, bistro bar, swimming pool and spa, a full-service beauty salon, and secure underground parking.

The Village at Sherman Oaks’ licensed assisted living component offers a comprehensive menu of care services that includes: 24-hour staffing, basic assistance with all Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s), medication assistance and counseling, emergency response system, scheduled transportation and more.

Residents of The Village at Sherman Oaks pay a nominal one-time community service fee and an on-going monthly fee that includes a complimentary full breakfast plus choice of lunch or dinner daily; weekly housekeeping and flat linen laundry service; all utilities (except phone) including basic cable TV, heating, air conditioning, water, sewer, and trash removal; 24-hour emergency response system; and scheduled transportation. A full calendar of social, cultural, educational, and recreational activities and programs are also available to residents.

The Village at Sherman Oaks is close to many popular destinations and activity centers in the greater Sherman Oaks and Van Nuys areas. From shopping to golf to numerous fine dining venues and cultural opportunities, The Village at Sherman Oaks’ residents find it all just minutes from their front door. The community is conveniently located within a few miles from the Sherman Oaks Fashion Square, the Sepulveda Dam Recreation area and the Encino, Balboa, and Woodley golf courses, as well as the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park and the Senior Citizens Center.

For more information or to schedule a personal appointment, call The Village at Sherman Oaks at (818) 994-7900 or visit the community website at www.srgseniorliving.com.

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