Happy New Year 2014!!!!

Wishing you all a happy, peaceful, healthy and prosperous New Year!!!!

Original Image: Satit Sirhin/freedigitalphotos.net

Merry Christmas

Wishing you and yours a very merry and peaceful Christmas!

No Rest for the Weary but Looking on the Bright Side

Well my fun and games just keeps going on and on. Since my husband passed away I have managed to get on social assistance but they are only going to let me have it for three months. I am also starting a job soon that's commission based and I may have to sell my home soon because social assistance can't cover my expenses. Sometimes it feels that there's no rest for the weary.

I'm not sure how I'm going to be doing all of this but I have to remind myself to look on the bright side of things. At least I have found myself a job, moving is a great way to declutter and, if I have to sell, at least I'll have some available cash.

I mention looking on the bright side because there have been studies that imply that people who are optimistic live longer, less likely to have negative health effects, are more successful and are happier in their lives. I don't know about you but I want to live like that. Now, I'm not saying to be unrealistic (I'm not expecting to win the lottery tonight, but that would be nice.) It's just that there is good in any situation even if you can't see it right at the moment. As Lao Tzu said :

 “Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream. Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success. Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success. Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream.”

Optimism also seems to be a recurring idea in the thoughts of great men (and women) such as Anne Frank, Winston Churchill, Gandhi,  Nelson Mandela, Hellen Keller, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein  and many more. So follow their example and as Monty Python said in The Life of Brian "Always look on the bright side of life".

After the Caregiving is Over (It Ain't Over Yet)

Since my husband passed away, I've been going through some trials and tribulations. I've been having to look for work and in this economy this is really tough. Finding work in my field is tricky enough as is. I've also been having fun with the bank, worried about losing my home, having appliances break down around me, working as executrix for the husband  and trying to get onto welfare so I can survive until I get that elusive job.(This is why I've not been posting). Of course there is more going on but I'm doing all of this while I am still grieving. I will admit that I am starting to feel a bit better. Finally, I am able to keep a thought in my head longer that 5 minutes (not that I was any better before but it feels like it). My home is still a disaster area but now I have an idea of what a pile of papers has and what in it.

I just want to give you some of my opinions, in no particular order, as to how to help yourself after your loved one passes away (hopefully not for a long time).

1. If needed, you can always ask your pharmacy and your cable/phone/cell/satellite provider for copies of your past bills etc. on paper by snail mail. It may cost you some money on your next bill but then you have them, usually in order, and everything. Also always good for tax season.
2. Always ask for an expert opinion on anything you think is valuable. Also ask for more than one opinion. Shop around. The first price you're given may not be the best price you'd get. For example, I have an Inuit sculpture that weighs about 40 lb that my husband won as the first Canadian to win in the British TV game show Mastermind. I went to an auction house and they informed me that it could reach $700 CA at auction.(This is my first price) Now I'm not gonna sell, but just that one price tells me what it could be worth. If I ever decide to sell, I'm going to try to find a dealer who knows what it is truly worth and give me a decent price (I'm not going to sell).
3. Take time for your self. In my opinion this is the most important one. You have been caregiving for a while and after the caregiving is over you have to figure out who you are! You have been wrapped up in medications, nursing, etc., etc., etc..I talked to a lady who was the receptionist at my local welfare office and even one year later after her husband's death (which was sudden) she still has problems with "widow's brain"! You have been taking care of others and you're gonna feel lost (I know). Take the time you need, get help you need, be as tough as you are and pamper yourself! (a friend is taking me to the movies....I haven't been to the movies for almost 18 years!) Enjoy yourself and possibly find a group that understands and goes for coffee or whatever ( I'll admit that I haven't gone yet)  but an excellent site is meetup.com they have all sorts of meetings all around the world.
4. Help is out there. Whether it be family, friends, an accountant, lawyer, minister, chat group, website, family doctor or psychiatrist there is always someone to help. 
5. Try not to use alcohol too much. This may sound like a no-brainer but sometimes it feels good to get drunk after a death (I'm of Irish descent and like a good wake and also for me it's too easy). The problem is not so much that you are drinking, it's how it affects what and how you are doing. If you're drinking and can't get up in the morning, take a look at yourself and ask yourself why you drank that much the night before...I'd bet it's about the pain in your heart and that you wanted to forget and sleep because otherwise you couldn't.(been there, done that, doesn't work).
6. Ask, ask, ask. This is my second most important point.(mind you, it could be the most important also see number one) If you never ask you never know. Today I've been worried about my mortgage and condo fees. I called my mortgage broker and talked to the condo office and they were very accommodating. Once I get the money to pay them I have to let them know but, if I had not, then I could have been facing lot of trouble and extra fees of up to $300 CA. The trick is if you know a bill/automatic withdrawal/prepaid is coming up, give them a call and at least 1 business week beforehand (5 days, no weekends) to help you.

Hoped this helped,

Jerith

Never too Old to be Cool

Image Via Pinterest

A newish website for Canadian caregivers

I was reading the Toronto Star the other day and they had an article for caregivers. The one thing I noticed was that someone beat me to being an acknowledged source for caregivers. I'm not bitter, rather I'm glad that someone helped get this knowledge out there and that they were lucky enough to have resources that I don't. Anyway, the site is called Canada Cares. They have a toll-free number so you can get information from practical nurses as well as web tools to help you find the resources that you need. One thing that I wish is that this was in existence when I was a caregiver for my husband.  I hope that this website will help you in your caregiving journey.

Daylight Saving Time Reminder 2013

I know I'm early with this but this Sunday November 3 at 2 am  is the beginning of daylight savings time. So remember to Fall Back one hour. Also check your smoke detector batteries particularly before the Christmas season, we don't want any tree fires to hurt anyone.

Happy Halloween!

Quick Tip - Lamp Timers

If you or your loved one likes to read in bed before sleeping, get yourself a timer for the lamp nearest to them (or you) and set it to go off one hour after you want the sleep time to be. Also, have the timer be a minimum of 6 hours before you have to wake (more is way better). 

Image from Google Search Images

The advantage I've found with this is that, if you fall asleep before your light goes off, you are still getting the benefits of a darkened room (proven to improve mood, stress levels and fairly recently to help prevent Alzheimer's and behavioural problems in children) because your light isn't on all night and as an added benefit you also you don't waste electricity. 

Other advantages are that these timers usually have a "turn on" time and when they do you can also set it for the time you want to get up. I found that if I set mine for about one a.m. and 7 a.m. I could still do my studying, watch TV, have a bit of down time and generally read a bit in bed before I had to start again (I try to get to bed between 11 p.m. and midnight). 

One strange thing I found is that now that I personally use a lamp timer, I sleep better and I also have such a regular sleep pattern that I usually wake before my alarm clock, which can sometimes suck especially on weekends.

By the way these timers are sometimes sold on sale during holiday time for things like Christmas/Hanukkah lights and also plant lights for things like African violets. They are usually available in your local hardware store year round.

Quick Tip

Sore Muscles? Don't have Tiger Balm? Use Vick's Vapor Rub... Eucalyptus and Menthol ( mint) are both great for sore muscles. ( It's even on the label)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Image from Pinterest

And a Happy Columbus Day to our American cousins!

Article Recommendation

The article is for anyone, but if you are a cancer survivor and live in the Calgary area it may really interest you.

The article is from the CBC Calgary site regarding how light therapy may energize cancer survivors and also about looking for cancer survivors who may be interested in participating in the study at the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services. Check out the link above.

Quick Tip

I don't know about you, but there are times (way, way too many) where I wake up in the morning and feel as if I have an hangover when I haven't even been drinking. You probably know what I mean, the headache, blurred vision, fatigue, groggy, fuzzy tongue and sometimes nausea. Well I decided to try and figure out why this kept happening to me. What I discovered was that I was probably waking up dehydrated! 

So this is my quick tip: The very first thing upon waking up, without even getting out of bed or very soon thereafter, have a glass or bottle of water. For an added benefit, add some lemon to the water. The lemon will help kickstart your digestion and apparently has an alkalizing effect on the body's Ph balance. Lemon also makes the water taste better. Because you are drinking water the very first thing in the morning, you are also rehydrating yourself before you have your morning caffeine jolt (caffeine is a diuretic) and you are also filling your stomach with something so you'll be less likely to eat too much for breakfast!

I've been doing this for about a week now (though I don't use the lemon myself) and I've found that I wake up faster (it used to take me over an hour feel like I was awake) and those hangover-like symptoms went away really quickly.

A Fall Recipe

This is my father's recipe that got me to eat spaghetti squash as a kid and now it is one of my comfort foods. I'll say this about it...it is not low fat, low sodium or gluten free but I'm sure that it can be adapted. It is basically a stuffed squash recipe and it's the flavours that are more important rather than the ingredients. I'm going to give you the original recipe and let you figure out the variants. This recipe feeds four people easily.

Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

1 Medium-large Spaghetti Squash about 3 pounds
1 Box Stuffing mix
1 Package Breakfast Sausage (it has to be breakfast sausage)

Preheat oven to 350 F
Cut squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds.
Make Stuffing mix according to directions on the box.
Place squash halves into a baking dish (about 1"x9"x13") and add about 1 cup of water to the dish.
Put roughly equal amounts of stuffing into both halves of the squash into the hollow left from the seeds.
Cover each squash with roughly half of the sausage.
Once it is altogether, place the dish into the oven and bake until the squash is soft, about 1 hour. If the squash is not soft after 1 hour, take some tinfoil and place over the top of the sausages and continue to cook in the oven until the squash is easily pierced by a fork, usually this takes 15 to 30 minutes. (it's all about the squash). Add a bit of water into the baking dish if necessary.
Once the squash is easily pierced by a fork the meal is ready.
Cut the Squash into quarters and serve.

Enjoy!

Why I Like Yoga

When I was studying Holistic Health at College, I HAD  to do a practicum at a place that was willing to let us practice what we had learned. The place I chose to volunteer at was a local yoga studio as I knew that this would  be a place that I may be able to work at in the future.One of the advantages of volunteering at this yoga studio was that I could take free yoga classes.I should let you know that this was hot yoga and I have a heart condition where heat and I don't really mix.

Any way, I started practicing hot yoga and I noticed that I felt better and was more able to care for the DH. My back pain was better, as were my mood and energy. I enjoyed the community and that the community allowed you to be separate because each yoga practice is individual. One of the things that I also liked was that the classes were geared to everyone. It didn't matter that you were a novice or if you had been practicing yoga for X number of years.( I had last done yoga I was 9 and the started it again when I was hitting middle age)

There have been many studies on yoga and heart health, mental health, balance and mood.

I'll say this, since my DH passed away, I want to get back into my yoga practice, and I wish I had the energy. I'd recommend yoga to anyone who is caring for another and, if possible, have your loved one come with you.

Personal Thoughts on Grieving

When my husband was a young man he went to England as a tourist to the church where the Pilgrim Fathers and/or Sir Francis Bacon left to explore the New World and colonize North America (at least I think they were the same church in Plymouth ???). Anyway, one of these groups of people held a church service and the verses that were used were Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 "For every thing has a season" and my DH (being the nerd that he was) went up into the pulpit and started reading from the Bible out loud.
As he was reading, other people began to wander in and sit down. DH realized that these other tourists thought that he may be the Reverend and so, after finishing reading the verses, he began an impromptu sermon. He never remembered exactly what he spoke about (the fright of having to say something or running for it) but he told me about standing at the church doors , shaking hands with people as they left and (being an honest Canadian,) having people leave money in the Poor Box. ( I read these verses of Ecclesiastes for DH's funeral as they were his fave.)

Now I can hear you asking what does this have to do with grieving? Well, this is my version of Ecclesiastes of the grieving. (I have The Byrds singing Pete Seeger's "Turn, Turn, Turn" in my head as I write) I'll admit that my list is not very poetic or in any order but it's how I feel.


Grieving is a very personal experience. For some, it may take some time and for others it may hit in the beginning like a tonne of bricks. 

Grieving is always a tonne of bricks.

There will be times that you cry for no reason or you thought you saw your loved one walking down the street. 

You will feel like crap and times you feel good.

There will be times when you want to cook and time when take-out is easy.

Times when you want to clean and times when you say "screw it all".

A Lot of times you want to say "screw it all".

Sometimes you want your friends around and others you don't.

You want to hide from the World but you can't.

You hate to hear "well, it will take time".

Sometimes you'll want to talk and other times not. 

Times you'll yell at the World and other times it tells you to be silent.

Sometimes you can't reach anyone.

Didn't you love me or I love you enough?

Feeling like shopping or shopping too much.

Wanting to drink or drinking too much.

Not knowing how to feel and confused about how you feel.

Forgetting things when you really can't.

Wanting to get stuff out of the house and wanting to hold on to it.

Hating a favorite movie/song and wanting to watch/hear it again.

Hating feeling confused.

And waiting for things to get back to normal.

An Important Question to My Readers

With the death of my husband, I know that I've not been blogging recently but that doesn't mean that I've not been thinking about what I want to write about. I'd like this site to be somewhere that people can come, share and feel free to talk to either each other or have a place to ask questions and have others share their experiences with being a caregiver from an holistic perspective.

So here is my question: would you like to see a chat room or have a forum available on my blog?

If you want both, that would be fine by me but, you must know, that this will take me awhile to figure out to how to implement either one. Personally, I think that a chat room is the first place to start that way we be able to begin to support each other in a meaningful way from the very beginning. I have been reading the news about chat rooms set up by different Associations, Cancer and Alzheimer's, about the benefits of using chat rooms for caregivers who are dealing with those specific diseases. I must let you know that any chat room or forum that I set up will be of the FREE kind and therefore very limited. The best place I've found (so far) for a free chat room will only allow 10 people be there at a time. I do know that I've not set up my site to do a quiz but please go to the full article and let me know by sending me a comment and putting in the beginning which  form of communication with each other you'ld like and why.

Jerith

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Original Image: http://glamourization.biz/beautiful-words/

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Original Image: http://exhaleonlylove.tumblr.com

With Great Sadness

Hi all,
I've not been posting for a while because my husband was in palliative care and passed away on June 10th. I'm planning on keeping up with my blog but it will be awhile before I post frequently. Thank You  for your understanding and I'll be posting as soon as I can.

Jerith

Humour

Wait for it....

Source: thepoke.co.uk via Carina on Pinterest

Top 10 Things NOT to Say to Someone with a Chronic Illness

Original Text: HopeKeepers
Original Image Courtesy of: Stewart Miles/freedigitalphotos.net

Why I've Removed a (Seemingly) Popular Post

I've removed the post about The Top 10 Things NOT to Say to Someone with a Chronic Illness. The reason is that somehow I'm getting page views from sex sites and other dubious sites. I'll be reposting it with my own images and with the original wording (and credits). I apologize if  your comments got deleted but I don't want anything to do with these creepy sites.

About Blogging

I started blogging for a couple of reasons: 1) to share my experiences, research and knowledge to help other caregivers, 2) to show that alternative/complementary therapies are useful adjuncts to treatments for various diseases and that they improve the quality of life for both the caregiver and the one receiving care and 3) as a journal for myself because journaling in itself is therapeutic for any caregiver (scientifically proven).

I am by no means a blogging expert, I'm still doing this by-guess-and-by-golly.  I did research, by reading reviews, viewing  different platforms, different blogs and website builders, and chose those that were free, easiest to use (WYSIWYG), had the nicest templates and were compatible for mobile users. I also chose my blogging platform because it was compatible with my website (http://starfireholisticheal.wix.com/html_home) and word processor (OpenOffice).

I have no clue on how to program and any programming that I remember is stuff I learned in grade 10 (a million years ago) and that was BASIC (LOL). I will admit that I have been thinking of learning  HTML or JAVA but that is only so I can customize my blog and website the way I want on my own but it's not that important to me - that's what designers are for and when I can afford it or trade for their services I will. The only time I use the HTML editor is when I want to embed something in my blog and then it's just cut-and-paste. The only other reason I want to learn programming is to figure out how to block redirects from other websites that I have no affiliation or interest in because they are just plain annoying (and possibly carry viruses) and I believe that they skew the results of the true interest in my blog.

Blogging in itself has been a learning experience for me as I learn how to use Blogger more efficiently, trying to figure out what to write about (there's just soooo much!), and in trying to get my thoughts, research, blog and self organized. I should probably sit down and write a business plan for my blog so that I have a clear idea on what the bloody-hell I'm doing and where I want my blog to go. 

As a journal, I will admit that my blog is a little lacking. Mind you, I've never been much of a journaler either, not since my journal was stolen from me by bullies in the schoolyard as a kid and I also tend to forget to keep it up. I'm also trying to balance what I want to say with some privacy - I don't want to embarrass anyone and I don't believe anyone would care to see lists of what I didn't manage to get done today. I'm also avoiding writing about some personally painful subjects at the moment, they are still a little raw and I'm not wanting to cry into my keyboard when I write about them. However, some more personal stories will be forthcoming as soon as I get my thoughts and words into some sense of order. (My thought processes are a little odd, I tend to jump from one idea to another and not in a nice, neat, linear way.) Writing tends to be linear and this can be tricky for me.

Some last thoughts about blogging. Apparently you can keep your blog private so that only you can read it. I chose to share mine with the hopes that it would help other caregivers, especially those of us in Canada, particularly Ontario, as there doesn't seem to be much like what I'm doing here. Keeping your blog private or sharing it is up to you but writing one can be therapeutic - journaling can help clarify your thoughts and feelings, reduce stress, help with communication with others, aid in problem solving, help you know yourself better, and improve immune function. (I'll be writing more about the benefits of journaling at another time). Apparently, you get the benefits of journaling if you do it daily, which is why I try to post everyday but how often you write will be up to you and how much time you have.

How you arrange your blog is, again, up to you. You can have different pages for various subjects or just keep it simple. I tend to be a tweaker, so my blog is evolving over time and, right now, I have no idea where it's going but I know I'll be changing it soon so that  it's easier to navigate and have important resources and articles easier to find. 

And finally, try not to run afoul of copyright infringements, plagiarism, and other bad manners - it's a sure way to get to get in trouble with the law and no one wants that. If you are going to use something from elsewhere on the internet, make sure that you give credit where credit is due. Keeping your blog original is the easiest and safest way to keep everyone happy and edit, edit, edit.

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Image courtesy of: Rob Wiltshire/freedigitalphotos.net

Long Weekend

Image courtesy of: pakorn/freedigitalphotos.net

Medify: A Cool Website for Research

As caregivers, researching about our loved ones conditions can be time consuming and confusing and I'm all for trying to make life simpler. 

I was thinking about writing about the benefits of aromatherapy and dementia when I discovered the website Medify. Medify basically looks at millions of research articles and arranges them in an easy to understand overview that can help you to put it to work. As they say:

"Our goal is simple: to help you and your family more easily navigate, stay current, and manage the often complex process of finding answers, while empowering you to get help from those you trust most."

 As I just discovered the website, I'm still learning about it but so far it's easy to use and you don't have to join to do the research. Joining the site ( for free) will allow you to save your research and create a private online support community that you can invite friends to, share your links, updates and other info and request help from others in your community. I also like the fact that that the information is "100% vetted by medical researchers" and that they comply with the HONcode  standard for trustworthy health information.

The site is in Beta so some diseases are harder to find and there are some errors in their terms (I looked at a study for spina bifida on speech training with computers and the acronym in the study was LSD (letter-sound) but Medify had it under LSD as in the drug) but there is still information there on related conditions that can be a good starting place for further research.

All in all this is a good site and I'd recommend it for those who are new to research as a starting point.

Mediterranean Diet Infographic

The Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan infographic

An Unusual Salad Recipe

This is a quick and easy salad that I created with stuff I had on hand. I was wanting to make a pear and blue cheese salad but didn't have all of the ingredients. I've made it for my mom and husband who don't like pears and they liked it (although it wouldn't be their first choice.) This is a good side salad with chicken or pork and is good for picnics and potlucks. 

I will let you know that all amounts are approximate as I usually eyeball and taste to get it right. 

Pear and Tomato Salad

1-2 Anjou or other firm pears (You can use Asian pears but not Bartlett's)
2-3 Tomatoes
1 Small Red Onion
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) or other mild tasting vinegar such as rice vinegar
1-2 Cloves finely chopped garlic
1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
Pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon ground Black Pepper 
1/4 Cup Crumbled Feta Cheese

In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix olive oil, ACV, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper to make a simple vinaigrette dressing. Let sit to allow flavours to develop.

Chop pears, onions and tomatoes into a rough dice and place into a bowl. The proportions of the onions, tomatoes and pears should be roughly equal but I usually use a little less pear because of the hubby.

Crumble feta and vinaigrette over top and mix gently. 

Serve chilled.

Options: Replace pear with watermelon. Can be garnished with walnuts for crunch.

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Source: shinystarrlight.tumblr.com via Jerith on Pinterest

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Source: repinly.com via Jerith on Pinterest

10 Things I Hate to Hear as a Caregiver

I know I've done it, I've said these things to other caregivers. I even say these things to myself sometimes. These are 10 things I hate to hear as a caregiver:

10. "I don't know how you do it." (Neither do I)
9. "Why don't you get out more?" (Because I can't)
8. "Take care of yourself." (Duh)
7. "I know how you feel." (Realy? You must be that empath from Star Trek)
6. "You have nothing to feel guilty about." ( I have my own reasons)
5. "Why aren't you working?" (See number 4)
4. "Why are you so tired?" (Because I'm chief cook and bottle washer as well as nurse and   doctor and....)
3. "There's nothing that wrong with them." (Just because they look well doesn't mean they don't need care)
2. "I know someone with.....and they died." (Ugh.)
1. "You're an angel to care for them." (No I'm not. I'm doing it because I love them.)

What's the thing you most hate to hear as a caregiver?

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's and those caring for Mom! Have a wonderful and amazing day!

Source: sawdustcityllc.com via Jerith on Pinterest

In the Bedroom (Not What You Think)

I was looking around on Pinterest today when I came upon this blog on Basic Bedside Care. It's a great starting point for anyone who is caring for someone who is bedridden - I just want to add a few more pointers.

1) Most medical devices can be rented. This includes things like adjustable beds, commodes, walkers, hoyer lifts, lifting recliners and air mattresses to prevent pressure sores. Renting is a great alternative if you are only going to be needing the device for a short period such as just getting out of hospital after a brief stay from a fall.

2) Have a comfortable chair in the room with arms and a good backrest. This is for guests, you and your loved one for when they feel able to sit up.

3) Find that old TV dinner table. They are useful for keeping supplies handy, for eating meals at that chair you have, playing games, and as a place for those get well cards and flowers. 

4) Some supplies you might not think of to have in the bedroom:  baby wipes- great for quick washes of face and hands as well as bottoms, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes for commode seats, paper towel for spills, box of tissue, examination gloves, disposable masks for those guests who insist on coming over with a cold, a couple of bath towels for moving your loved one, under knees, backs and positioning to prevent pressure sores, and a plastic mug with a handle for water- it's lighter and won't break if it drops.

5) Keep the bedroom beautiful. This keeps it feeling like a home and more comfortable.

6) Talk to your health care workers about the positioning of medical devices such as commodes - where you'd like it and where it needs to be can be two different things.

7) A night light- This makes it easier to check on your loved one without having to turn on a light and disturbing their sleep also they can see where they are and where things are, like the commode or their water, thereby reducing the chance of falls and spills. 

8) A bed tray for eating and other activities like reading. They can be simple or as fancy as one that can hold a laptop or book while you are lying on your back.

Quick Tip

Image from: apartmenttherapy.com

This tip is useful for anyone. Put a power bar inside the bedside table drawer for your electronics. Great for charging  ebook readers, phones or games for your loved one who is in bed. Much easier to reach and the wires are not going to fall on the floor. Just make sure there's enough slack in the plug for the power bar so the drawer can open easily. Also, stick the bar to the bottom of the drawer with either double sided tape or velcro so it doesn't try to escape out the back of the drawer.

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Source: theloveyourselfchallenge.tumblr.com via Meg on Pinterest

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Source: shareasimage.com via Misty on Pinterest

Humor

Source: slowrobot.com via Brittiany on Pinterest

Humor

You just have to read the reviews for the recipe on how to make ice cubes- they are just hysterical !  http://www.food.com/recipe/ice-cubes-420398

Courtesy of: twobee/freedigitalphotos.net

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Source: Uploaded by user via Jerith on Pinterest

Some of My Story

"Me Selfum Soflig Reckin" (Old English) Which means " I am going to tell the story of myself"....

Once Upon a Time...

I grew up with a mom with Crohn's Disease and a father with Bipolar Disorder, and I learned that I had a learning disability. This did not make life easy but I KNEW that we loved each other.

At the time, the psychologists thought my mom was nuts and probably me. They didn't believe that this highly intelligent man, that could work for a major electronic company could be different in two places. One was at work, where he was head of a department, and another at home where he hid in his electronics.

My father also had a wonderful bass-baritone voice that I'll remember singing to me since I was a baby. Mom couldn't carry a tune. But for whatever reason I could sing.

One day, when I was a youngling, I challenged my father to sing in the Kiwanis Festival. I placed third in my category and my father placed first... both with a score of 75%. Problem was, I had more people in my category, he only had two. Dad still thought that he was better than me. But this is not all of the problem....

Mom, bless her soul, underwent many a surgery for her guts. She had actually lost about 3 feet of her intestine because of the Crohn's and her uterus because of ....I have no idea....I just remember her being unable to make the bed because of blood loss when I was about 14. But anyway, we survived these things and then dad decided he'd not listen to the doctor.

One day I talked to mom around father's day., and she tells me that dad had to go to hospital because he had a heart attack and needed quintuple bypass surgery. I chose not to go because I have a superstition that if I visit anyone in hospital they would die. I did talk to dad while he was there after his surgery  but I was afraid so never visited. At this time my grandmother was also ill in hospital with colon cancer. No need for me to freak out.

Everything worked out OK and no one dies (this time)

Not much later my father meets the hubby but he doesn't know it yet.

One thing you have to know about the hubby is that he has Spina Bifida and could walk at the time.

Dad had joined a community theatre and the hubby was a member.

Hubby and I met in an amature production of The Sound of Music. Dad played a nazi colonel (ugg) . I was a nun. The hubby played Max Detweiler. What had happened was that dad thought that the hubby would fit into my grandfather's tux as a costume. It didn't happen at the time but the hubby noticed ME. Grandpa's tux didn't fit.

Ever since, we've been together. There's more to this story, but I'll tell it next time.

Humour

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Humor

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Responding to Your Comments

Hi All,
I'm still learning how to respond to your posts so if you get one, yet it doesn't show up on my blog, it's my fault. One day I'll be perfect (and, probably, dead, LOL) so have no fears.
Have a wonderful, relaxing Sunday!

Quick Tip

Courtesy of James Barker/freedigitalphotos.net

Buying frozen, fully-cooked, peeled shrimp may cost a little more, but they are quick and easy to use in salads and other recipes when you are just too tired to take the time to peel and cook them. Their only disadvantages are that they tend to be higher in salt, reheating them can make them tough and you can't marinate them for too long.

Proportions on My Plate

I just watched the documentary  "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" about this Australian gentleman named Joe Cross who decided to go on a 2 month juice fast. His goal was to get himself off his medications, particularly prednisone for chronic urticaria, and get himself healthier. 

What he was saying about his lifestyle choices kinda struck a note with me. Even though I'm an holistic practitioner, there are times when my diet is just awful - too many refined foods, meats and just plain junk (I do like my pizzas and take-out chinese food) . Even I tend to lean towards the typical western diet with its emphasis on meat and potatoes over veggies.

So today I've decided that the husband and I are going to be eating more of a Mediterranean/Vegetarian diet (even though he doesn't know it yet) with it's emphasis on fruits, veggies, legumes, lean proteins such as fish and nuts.(I can just hear the husband going "ugg, rabbit food").  Now I'm not going to be doing a juice fast (mostly because I don't have a juicer) but what the movie was saying about the proportions that the Western diet has in regards to a typical plate being 1/2 protein, 1/4 refined carbohydrate and 1/4 of over cooked vegetable just reminded me that this is what I've been doing for the last couple of months. 

One of the first steps I'm going to be doing is changing the proportions on my plate with 1/2 being raw or lightly cooked vegetables/fruit, 1/4 complex carbohydrate and 1/4 protein. This is going to be a fairly simple change and I'm hoping that it's going to help with my energy and skin problems. I also know that this is going to take longer than doing a juice fast but every little bit helps. Now I'm off to look through my cookbooks and get my shopping list together.

A Microwave Popcorn Recipe

Being movie fans, my hubby and I go through a lot of popcorn. I've been through Jiffy Pop, Orville Redenbacher's regular and microwave and a lot of others. Today I did an experiment with regular popcorn...I put a 1/4 cup of  regular popcorn into a brown paper bag and placed it in the microwave for 3 minutes. It came out perfect. No oil and just as good according to the husband. I personally think the trick is to make sure that the paper bag is large enough for the popcorn to expand. Enjoy.

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Finding My Happiness in the Little Things

Well, I've been having a crazy week (and not just from caregiving) which is why I've not posted in awhile. So far I've cleaned the bathroom literally from top to bottom (and discovered that I may have to gut it to fix some problems I thought were minor), flipped my mattress (no more back ache for now), talked to the husband's specialist and adjusted his meds (actually a two week process), and have been helping a friend who is a hoarder clear out a storage space on a deadline.

Some of the highlights of this crazy week that have made me happy have been discovering a recipe for slow cooker roast chicken that's just amazing (I'll be doing it again with a few more tweaks), finding out that the reason the hubby was feeling so crappy was because he was dehydrated (thus the adjustment in his meds) and him getting his appetite back,  finding low sodium tortillas, and watching my and my husband's favorite movie (The Princess Bride). 

I'd guess you could say that although it's been crazy around here (and will be for the next week or so), it's been the little things that have been helping me keep from feeling overwhelmed all the time and that in keeping them in mind I see that what I'm doing is worthwhile. I realize that my little things are not for everyone (who'd have thought that finding low sodium tortillas would make me happy?) but it's in finally fully realizing that they exist in my day-to-day life that's been the eye opener. I've heard all the cliches before about "looking on the bright side", "it's the small things that matter" and "every cloud has a silver lining" but it was in finding them that had always been the problem for me. Now that I've figured out what some of my small things are I'm going to keep looking for them in my life and try to keep my perspective that my small things matter. 


As one of my small things was the recipe for slow cooker roast chicken that I served with a salad, I figured that I'd share it and perhaps it will become one of yours. 

My Recipe for Slow Cooker "Roast" Chicken

1 Tbsp Club House NSA Steak Spice

1 Tbsp Mrs Dash Garlic and Herb blend

1/8 tsp S&B Nanami Togarashi (assorted chili pepper) {optional}

1 Medium Onion 

1 Small Whole Chicken (about 2-3 lb.)

Take the first three ingredients and mix in a small bowl. Set aside.

Slice the onion into half moon shapes and place into the bottom of the slow cooker.

Rinse the chicken inside and out and pat dry. Rub the spice mix inside and out of the chicken and place in the slow cooker on top of the onions. Cover and cook on Low for about 7 hours.

Makes about 4 servings.

Notes: Be careful in taking the chicken out of the slow cooker as it will be falling off the bones.  

Don't worry about not adding any liquid as this will make it's own juices.

I have a four quart slow cooker and my chicken fit the slow cooker perfectly so I'm not sure how this will work with the same size chicken in a larger cooker.

I found that the skin didn't get that crisp but it wasn't bad (ie. soggy) and also that there was a fair bit of juice in the bottom of the cooker after the chicken was done. I didn't use the juice that night but I'd bet that it would make a great gravy. 

With the leftovers I've made quesadillas (with the low sodium tortillas) and chicken salad sandwiches. Today I'll be making chicken soup with what's left and the juices.  

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Quick Tip

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If you are anything like me you have a to do list about a mile long. To keep from freaking out, try to keep today's to do list down to about 5 things. By keeping today's list small, it is easier to do and you know that you are accomplishing something rather than feeling overwhelmed.

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Meditation

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Are Family Caregivers Invisible? Caregivers and the Workforce

Sorry about this being a link-to-a-link but Are Family Caregivers Invisible?  is a great article link on being a caregiver in the workforce. 

Having been a caregiver to three people at one time at the same time, I had to choose to be an unpaid, unsupported caregiver instead of working (Just in remembering that time I feel like crying). I have even left many a job over time because of those duties, the stress making me ill and lack of understanding from my employers. Now, in trying to get back into the workforce again, I'm worried that no one will hire me because of my caregiving duties for my husband and my friend and my employment history. 

I'm a firm believer that corporate culture and the government needs to change to make it easier to be a caregiver particularly if you are precariously employed by not having enough hours to qualify for EI benefits, having contract work, self-employed , or are unemployed or on welfare/disability.

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Rosemary, That's for Remembrance

As famously quoted from Shakespeare's play Hamlet "There's Rosemary, That's for Remembrance; Pray you Love, Remember", Rosemary has been around since ancient times and long known for it's properties of improving memory and stimulation of the nervous system. Now science is beginning to prove that rosemary essential oil may improve the ability to remember things that will happen in the future as well as long term memory.

On April 9th at the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society in Harrogate,  the findings of a small study, by Dr. Mark Moss and Jemma McCready, were presented on how the aroma of rosemary essential oil may improve prospective memory in healthy adults.

Basically, the scientists were looking to see if blood levels of a compound in rosemary (1,8 cineol, also known as eucalyptol) were related to performance levels and changes of mood after exposure from a diffuser and how this affected the ability to remember to do certain tasks at a certain time in the future (prospective memory).

Photo courtesy of markuso/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Candle Diffuser

What the results of the experiment revealed was that those in the study who had been exposed to the diffused rosemary essential oil  did better on the tests to remember to do certain tasks at a particular time during the experiment and that the higher levels of 1,8 cineol in their blood suggested that this difference was pharmacological.

Now this is all fine and dandy, but what does it mean to you?

Using an aromatherapy diffuser, whether electric, candle or a diffuser ring on a light bulb, it allows the therapeutic benefits of the essential oil to enter the body via the nose and lungs just as in an aromatherapy shower. The advantage of using a diffuser is that you are not just scenting the air, you are getting the therapeutic benefits of your essential oils. By choosing essential oils that are high in 1,8 cineol to use in a diffuser such as eucalyptus, rosemary, or marjoram, you can possibly enhance your memory and recall.

How to Use a Diffuser

If you have an electric diffuser, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

For a candle diffuser: place some water in the top, but not to the rim as you need room for the essential oils. Add 5-8 drops of your essential oil(s) to the water and place lit tea candle underneath. Keep an eye on the water level as the candle causes the water to evaporate - you don't want it to run dry because burnt essential oils smell awful.

For a diffuser ring: place 5-8 drops of essential oil on the ring and place on (or over) a regular light bulb that's turned on - the heat from the bulb will cause the essential oils to diffuse into the air. (This type of diffuser is handy for the office)

Other forms of diffusers include wall plug in types like the Glade ones but using a pad, car diffusers (some just like the Febreze vent clips and those you plug into a car lighter socket), pocket diffusers that look like the Vick's inhaler tubes and Berger Lamps.


Rosemary aroma may help you remember to do things : http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-rosemary-aroma.html

Can You Help Me With.....?

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I'm still new to blogging but I was wondering what would you like me to write more about? I do have to let you know that I'm a slow writer and I do research my topics (except when I write about me) even though I don't always give my references (I can, though, if you want). I just want to make this blog a place where you can get great information that helps you in your role as a caregiver and for taking care of yourself from an holistic perspective. Please don't be wary of asking about anything, if I don't know, I'll find it out (I actually like doing research) and I'll try to make it the most accurate, evidence based and up to date that I can find. Just post what you would like me to write about in the comments and hopefully soon you'll see a post about your topic.

Blessed Be.