Credits to: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University

Dot’s Thot: Eating is fundamental to health and seniors need to pay special attention. Caregivers and loved ones need to learn to serve their needs in a most thoughtful way. Here are some suggestions we can all use.

Overcoming Barriers to Eating For Seniors
By Lu Young

As we age, many factors interfere with proper nutrition.

- Can’t chew.
- Upset stomach
- Can’t shop.
- Can’t cook.
- No appetite.
- Short on money.

Eating well is important. You can overcome these barriers.

Problem – Can’t Chew

Trouble with chewing is a common problem of many seniors. Meats may feel tough and difficult to get down.

Solution

Try fruit or vegetable juices, Canned fruits that are soft (peaches, pears, or applesauce), Mashed vegetables (potatoes or carrots are good examples), Creamed vegetables in soups (potato soup, cream of broccoli soup), Ground meats (gravy makes these go down easier), Alternate proteins (eggs, bean soup, milk, cheese), and Creamed fruits (mix softer fruits with yogurt or cottage cheese).

Problem – Upset stomach

Excess gas and a sensitive stomach may keep you away from some foods you identify as problems (and these are often your favorites).

Solution

Try other foods like milk or creamed soups. Also you might wish to try foods that you have never tried before. Be sure to include adequate protein. This is often lacking in people with stomach upset. See your health care provider if your problem continues.

Problem – Can’t Shop

You may be less mobile than you used to be. Perhaps you don’t drive any longer. You may be unable to stand or walk around much.

Solution

Some grocery stores deliver. Call around. Some may do it for free. Ask members of your church to help. Some are just waiting for the opportunity to be helpful and do your grocery shopping for you. Ask your minister or pastor. Sometimes they will know of volunteer groups that may do your shopping. Ask your family or neighbors. Ask your health care provider. You may be eligible for home health services. Many of them can do your shopping.

Problem – Can’t cook

You may have trouble standing at the stove or holding the utensils. Cooking may seem like too much trouble.

Solution

Try using a microwave oven. You can now cook TV dinners, pizza, vegetables and a large variety of foods there. Check the yellow pages for meals on wheels or delivery through a senior center. Ask family members or friends to help you.

Problem – No appetite

Sometimes cooking for one person just makes you lose your appetite. You may feel lonely. Some medicines may make food tasty funny or strange.

Solution

Go to the local senior center to eat. Check with your health care provider. Ask about your medications and food flavor. Spice it up a bit. Add additional spices. Try new spices. Visit friends and family for meals. Shared meals offer companionship and allow you to share gossip as well as food.

Problem – Just Don’t Have The Money

Solution

Look in the ads for foods on sale. Buy staples such as dried beans, rice, and pasta. Use coupons. Or join a coupon exchange to find coupons on foods that you normally eat. Try generic or store brand foods. Eat at the local senior center. See if you are eligible for food stamps.

Eating well at any age is important to your overall health. Try these solutions to correct your problems.

Thank you for reading my article.

Can you please help me? I have written over 50 articles for various online publications. Can you help me make money with this talent?

I have a website – http://www.bostonterrierville.com or you can email me at LuYoungRN@yahoo.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lu_Young
http://EzineArticles.com/?Overcoming-Barriers-to-Eating-For-Seniors&id=2798909

Hope this Article helps some of you out there.  Aloha, Dot

P.S.  I am thinking of writing up some recipes for seniors who still enjoy eating, but may want something softer to chew.

Related Articles and References:

• Modified MyPyramid for Older Adults (Tufts University)
• Here is one of the softest greens for chewing:  Cooking in Hawaii:  Manoa Lettuce, My Favorite Salad Greens
• Fish is another soft option:  Cooking in Hawaii:  Ahi Sashimi with Shiso, Chili Pepper, and Shoyu

ActiveForever.com- For Medical Devices! Free Shipping on Orders over $500. Click here!

Women's Clearance Sale - up to 70% off at The Walking Company

Ski with your Ninentdo Mii on We Ski!

Looking to get more use out of your Wii Balance Board?  My whole family likes Wii Fit (although it called me fat) and we wanted to find more games that use the balance board.

I searched around on BudWiiBalance.com and found some great screenshots and info on We Ski, which will be our next purchase for family game night.  We Ski allows you to use the balance board to fly down mountains as your own Nintendo Mii or custom We Ski Character.

Here’s Some Info from the Store:

Buy new: $13.95
Buy used: $11.48
Avg.Rating:

Brand: Namco
Manufacturer: Namco
Publisher: Namco
Studio: Namco

Features:
- Intuitive controls – Fly down the slopes with your friends and family – Hit the slopes with up to 4 players to race, slice through slaloms, and traverse moguls as you head to the lodge for some hot chocolate!
- As big as a real mountain – We Ski features 14 exhilarating courses, including runs for beginner and intermediate skiers, and black diamonds for the advanced skiers!
- Race down the slopes and more! – In addition to races, freestyle, moguls, and slaloms, enjoy over a dozen other activities including Ski School, Centipede Races, Search and Rescue, and shoot photos to share with your friends on WiiConnect24!
- Ski the mountain at night – Enjoy the kaleidoscope of colorful fireworks in the night sky as you perform night specific activities on all 14 courses!
- Ski with your Mii or a customized character – Use your own Mii, or customize your characters with almost limitless combinations of hair style, body type, and more! And earn points to buy new skis, gloves, outfits, and more!

Restless Nights

Here’s a nifty book for all of us with sleep apnea or snoring problems.  I found this over on NoSnoreNorApnea.com which has a ton of sleep aid products and books and dvds about sleep disorders and treatment options.  I’ve always read that if you want the best advice you should talk to your doctor, and I agree.  But if you’re interested, theres lots of material out there to read and watch.

From NoSnoreNorApnea.com:

Author: Prof. Peretz Lavie
List Price: $30.00
You save: USD 19.07 (63%)
Buy new: $10.93
Buy used: $0.96
Avg.Rating:
(8 reviews)
Sales rank: 740241

Editorial Reviews:

This title is useful for people who snore. People with severe sleep apnea may struggle for breath all through the night, not breathing for as long as 90 seconds at a time during their sleep. This syndrome, which affects at least four percent of men and two percent of women, can cause daytime fatigue, traffic and work accidents, deteriorating cognitive abilities, and cardiovascular problems. In this book Peretz Lavie, an expert in sleep research, provides an accessible discussion of the history, physiology, and risk factors of sleep apnea.

One High and One Low Review:

An outstanding book! Jun 01, 2004Restless Nights is a wonderful book. It takes a serious medical subject, sleep apnea, and explains it in a way that is both intriguing and fascinating. The book is a comprehensive yet readable explanation of this potentially serious medical problem, as well as its many serious health and quality-of-life consequences.
Like his earlier book, The Enchanted World of Sleep, (which I found also a captivating read), Restless Nights explains the science of the syndrome, the most current research, implications for public health (such as its impact on transportation safety, work and general quality of life), and proposals for reform of treatment approaches. Most importantly, Lavie discusses the syndrome in the larger context of its impact on general health, particularly cardiovascular disease.
The layperson will find this book readable and engrossing-Lavie’s style interweaves scientific information with practical examples, including his historical and literary survey of sleep apnea. Remember Joe from Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers?
The medical professional will also find this book must reading. Recent research-some of it performed and published by Lavie and his Technion colleagues-is beginning to shed light on the connections between sleep apnea and general health.
Lavie is particularly well-qualified to write this book. According to the book, he has helped establish and administer sleep research and treatment centers on several continents, including a group of clinics at major hospitals affiliated with Harvard. He is the past Dean of the Medical Faculty of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. I also know from my past reading that Lavie has also been among the pioneers and leading researchers in sleep medicine for the past quarter century.
I recommend this book highly.

sleep apnea Sep 24, 2007I have been diagnosed with apnea and use a CPAP. I bought four books to gain a deeper insight into my condition. While informative this book does not cover the subject nearly as well as Sleep Apnea – Phantom of the Night. I would not recommend purchase of this book. In fact this was the least helpful.

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Fundamental Yoga Equipment:  a Good, Thick Yoga Mat
The most fundamental item needed in the practice of yoga is a good, thick yoga mat to make it easier to hold restorative poses. A good mat will cushion your body as you stretch and exercise, as well as help you to avoid slipping as you learn.

Here is an extra thick yoga mat that has been reviewed many times. This mat is 6 feet long by 2 feet wide.Many people give a very positive yoga mat review to this product (140 reviews averaging 4 stars) and it is a top seller.  The extra comfort is a big positive, especially as we age.

It is a durable mat — as a  true quarter inch thick yoga mat,  it is longer lasting than other standard foam mats. The non-slip characteristic makes this a sticky yoga mat, a term you will sometimes hear regarding mats that help you keep your poses better. All in all, here is a great find and an excellent value.

Editorial Review (more detail):

At 6.2mm, the YogaAccessories Extra Thick Deluxe Yoga Mat is a full 1/4” thick, and is one of the thickest mats on the market. The mats come in a variety of colors that are strong and vivacious, but not overpowering in their brightness. This well-made exercise mat will add comfort to your yoga workouts. And because of its high quality, this mat will last longer than most standard foam mats. When shopping around for a yoga mat, note that what many other companies call a 1/4” mat is actually 4.5 – 5.2 mm in thickness — considerably thinner than this mat. A thicker non-slip mat is good for all types of yoga, especially for restorative poses. Reward yourself and your body with a YogaAccessories Extra Thick Deluxe Yoga Mat, and see why this is the most popular sticky mat found in yoga studios, schools, fitness clubs, and at home!

Looking for a unique yoga mat? YogaAccessories Extra Thick Deluxe Yoga Mats are also available in the Chakra Series or custom printed with your own logo or design — in the same vibrant colors that make our yoga mats so appealing.

List Price: $29.99
Avg.Rating:
(140 reviews)
Sales rank: 24

Features:
- Extra thick (6.2 mm, which is 1/4”)
- Textured, non-slip surface
- Extremely durable
- Completely latex free
- 72” x 24” x 1/4”

Similar Items

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- SPRI ES501R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Red, Medium)
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Customer Reviews:

Just what I was looking for Jul 04, 2009

The mat is extra long and thick. I works great for exercising and yoga. There was a little mix up with my order but the company took care of it immediately with no hassle and I am very pleased.
Good Mat Choice Jun 27, 2009

Very comfortable mat with enough padding to keep you comfortable when lying down or doing other poses on the ground, and not too much so you feel you feet are sinking of getting stick.

Able to move freely but not slip and it cleans up well.

Good buy.
Nice mat Jun 27, 2009

Nice thick mat. I had to put it in the basement for a few days to air out as the smell was quite strong. After a few days it was fine.

More Reviews >>>

Related Posts:

• The Different Types of Yoga Mats
• Yoga Pants – A Practical Guide
• ToeSox Yoga Toe Socks!

Related Articles or References

• Yoga Organizations – All Things Spiritual Directory
• How to Make a Yoga Mat Sticky
  

Yard Butler Garden Terra Weeder #TT-1W

I have cheaper, bulkier versions of this, and the neat shape, heft, and versatility makes this tool one to consider for the gardener who still does mechanical weeding (I do, because I am loathe to poison anything). and because it allows you to get down to the nitty gritty.

There is a senior with arthritis who reviewed this item as too heavy, and I can understand that well.  However, for those of us still able to lift and grip, this is the kind of useful garden tool we might want in our hand tool arsenal.  Anyhow, take a look — I think it is great.

Aloha, DoT

List Price: $14.99
Buy new: $12.06
Avg.Rating:
(9 reviews)

Brand: Yard Butler
Manufacturer: Yard Butler
Publisher: Yard Butler
Studio: Yard Butler
MPN: TT1W
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Features:
- Comfortable cushion grip
- Extra durable, all steel construction
- Professional Grade

Similar Items

- Yard Butler Garden Terra Tiller #TT-4T
- Radius Garden Natural Radius Grip Weeder #102
- Keep It Simple With Katie Brown Cast Aluminum Garden Precision Weeder
- Step2 5A0000 Garden Hopper Mobile Garden Stool and Storage
- Fiskars 7079 Big Grip Garden Knife
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- Fiskars 9424 Garden Bucket Caddy
- Fiskars Power-Lever Bypass Pruner #9634
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- Groom Mate Platinum XL Nose & Ear Hair Trimmer

Editorial Reviews:

Remove every nuisance weed from all types of surfaces. Tapered tines work like a claw hammer. Beveled straight edge can be used for cutting roots, pointing stakes, or cleaning brick. Steel head. Length: 14″.

Customer Reviews:

So sorry Jul 15, 2009To heavy. Handle is a pipe. I bought this and the tiller. Well made it is however you would have to be in great shape to really work with it. Older people like to garden to. This is not for arthritics, give us a break.

Most basic and versatile garden tool. Jun 30, 2009Useful, simple tool. The hefty weight and long handle gives it power. Dig holes, and scrape shallow weeds with blade edge. Dig, till and weed with tong side of tool. Sometimes tongs clog up, but that is unavoidable. I have many garden tools, but always use this one. (or the other similar terra mattock.)

a great weeder May 19, 2009I just received the yard butler weeder in the mail and ran outside to try it on some weeds in my garden. Well, I was very impressed. I noticed right away that it was a good size weight and the handle grip was excellent and did not slip out of my hand. With very little effort the weeds just popped out. This is a well made garden tool and I would definitely recommend this weeder.

Good all-purpose hack-and-chop tool Jul 31, 2008Well made tool, similar to those in Home Depot and Lowe’s. It works really well now that I’ve put a sharp edge on the flat side with my bench grinder. We live in Texas, and we have several raised-bed gardens. The bermuda grass loves to run under the landscape timbers and into the rich, organically improved soil that’s inside those timbers. The “teeth edge” of this tool is good for “grabbing” the runners and pulling them out; bermuda is tougher than wire once its roots get connected with the soil. It’s a good tool and I would recommend it to anyone considering buying a macro-level tool for working in gardens and flower beds.

Excellent tool for soils May 24, 2008In California, we use this tool in preparing and examining the walls of trenches excavated across earthquake faults. Our goal is to assess the potential for ground surface rupture due to fault movement. I facetiously call it a “pedological deobfuscator” and even wrote a small paper on its use [Borchardt, Glenn. "The Pedological Deobfuscator." Soil Survey Horizons 37, no. 2 (1996): 47-48]. In the scientific study of soils (also known as “pedology”) for age dating we need to see soil structure, which may contain little cubes or columns that form as soils become older. When the trench is first excavated, the walls generally are smooth and encrusted with soil from other parts of the trench. This material needs to be removed for us to see the actual soil structure. This tool is ideal for doing that.

HP Mini 1000 Series Netbook

After months of review-reading and “online research” I finally settled on getting myself a netbook…also I had a nize big tax-return to blow.

I ended up choosing an HP Mini 1030NR because it fit my budget (about 400) and looked cool (all black with some diddly white bubble things) and ran Windows XP (Sure, I’d love to have a super tiny mac, but the iphone’s just a little out of my budget reach).   Also, it DIDN’T run Vista which was a HUGE plus.

Setup and Use:

I tried to stay as free and open source as I could – using OpenOffice instead of MS Office.  Also grabbed some open source audio and video software for random on-the-go edits (which contrary to popuplar belief and expectation is not horrendously slow).  I was even able to do a batch of short audio clip edits on a plane with this….needless to say, this was FAR more than I ever expected to be able to accomplish with any netbook.

I also dropped a little cash on the computer for a 16gig sd card and usb-bluetooth adapter (together about $30).  That effectly allowed me to double the hard drive space (still all Solid State Memory) and add the ability to send files to my netbook via bluetooth from my main Apple computer.

My Verdict:

This little netbook is not fast.

But it is awesome.

I think the key to buying/using/loving a netbook is all about expectations and needs.  Netbooks, and I mean just about any netbook, can’t handle a ton of processing, and won’t do everything you want it to do quickly.  I was able to find ways to get almost everything I do on a full-sized desktop done, but it was sometimes slower or a bit inconvenient.

That being said, everything I expected the netbook to do well – be stable, stream netflix, do basic document and audio editing on the fly – ran like a dream.  So I’d suggest carefully considering before dropping money on something like the HP Mini 1000 Series.  If you have realistic expectation and another computer that handles your “hard” work, then you’ll be pleased at how this complements your setup.

If you’re in the market for an HP mini or other netbook, I’d suggest checking out YourNetbookFinder.com for lots of models, accessories, reviews, videos, etc, etc, etc.  Being a smart deal hunter is all about research!

“For thousands of years, humans paid little attention to measuring or quantifying economic activity. Business was viewed in terms of serving customer needs by employing human talents…

But, increasingly after World War II.. business-people came to discuss their organizations in terms of abstract quantities, not concrete human affairs. They spoke, for example, of providing for customer needs in terms of “revenue” and employing human talents in terms of “cost.”

Profit, the quantitative difference between revenue and cost, was increasingly viewed as the primary goal of business, especially as more widespread share ownership separated the ownership of business from the activities of running business operations. By the 1970s, maximization of shareholder wealth became widely accepted as the one and only goal of business.”

ref.  Johnson, H. Thomas. 2004. Confronting the Tyranny of Management by Numbers. Reflections: The SoL Journal 5 (4): 1-17.

This is a good reminder as we work in real estate investments.  A decent profit earned by delivering value and fixing problems on distressed properties can help in a positive way to work the readjustments in real property, clean up neglected houses, give others an opportunity to buy a decent and clean home that they otherwise might not, increase the quality of neighborhoods and get us back to creating real value, one small business at a time.  It is not just the large companies that make our economy tick.  If you find the right people to work with (and we are networked with people with real integrity) and keep your sense of values, satisfaction for many and community good can be part of the profit of real estate investments — and no matter what the gurus on TV say, it takes good, hard, honest labor and intellect to do this right.

Work diligently long enough in any endeavor, and you will find those honest and hard-working people you can enjoy knowing and collaborate with them.

We and our partner are currently excited about putting a rehabilitated property in Riverside, CA back on the market for a small family — the seller was tired and not up to fixing things and wanted to move away to be closer to his children.  The fixes are nearly done and the house will now fit better into a neighborhood of working families.  As part of the transaction, we allowed the seller to leave everything behind that he did not want and it seems to have been a relief to him to not have to sort through decades of stored items.  For the team, it was just part of the service and process of real estate investment.  We were glad to provide the peace of mind.

Aloha, DoT

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Cultivator Tool and Loop Hoe Combo.

Looking for a great gift for your gardening-mom?  I’ve found that a high quality tool with that can save her a little bit of time and strain (especially on her back and knees) really makes my mom happy.  This Cultivator Tool with built-in Loop Hoe fits the bill– I think it’ll make a great birthday gift.

I’m going to quote form the review I read:

The cultivator and loop hoe combination is a real back saver, the long handle and angle of the two options make it very easy to use.
The appearance of the product it looks to me that it will last for years.
I highly recommend this product if you have any type of gardening.

A tool that’s easy to use, long lasting, and makes gardening easier is the perfect addition to any gardening-momma’s tool shed.

Regatta Ginger Drink

Happy Saturday Everyone! I thought I’d share my latest Taste Adventure – The Regatta Ginger Beer.  It is one crazy ginger drink that’ll give you that “sinus-clearing” ginger taste.

I’m partial to gin and tonics so I tried adding a bit of this to tall fizzy glass and it really gives you a tasty bang for your buck.

If you’re the adventurous type who likes using ginger in lots of recipes, then you’ve got to try this out in your drink mixes.

Next on my list is Ginger Beer Lemonade – with some fizzy club soda.

Here’s some Linkies:

Regatta Ginger Beer

Ginger Store (BuyGingerNow.com)

Ginger-Related Videos