Friends

26 March 2017

EATING PROPERLY


I am not a saint but I do try to do things right. The subject of meals came up during a phone conversation with my brother-in-law when he revealed that his sister wasn’t eating properly. It was a surprise to me because she always loved her food. Situations change, though, as I found out when Joe died.
When I first became a widow so many things had to be done that I wondered if I would cope with it all and am still hesitant about a lot of stuff. My past helped me through.
I had always been aware of the way to a healthy life and especially the diet. I always made sure Joe had proper meals, sometimes against his better judgement, but I swore I knew best. I’m not the greatest cook in the world but I do know that the right food is important. My theory was that at least one cooked meal a day should be the norm. All other meals could be much lighter but dinner had to be cooked with loving care.
When Joe died one thing I determined to do was carry on with the same routine and have done so. The table gets laid albeit just for one and I have succumbed to watching television shows while I eat. Joe wouldn’t have liked that! However, I think he would approve of my meals. Okay, I don’t cook lunch every day. Some days I indulge in a meal-for-one purchased from the local supermarket. I have a freezer full of those meals because they are tasty and filling and nourishing and the right size for my dwindling appetite. They vary from sausage and mash, liver and bacon, meat dishes with varied green vegetables, casseroles of all kinds, cottage pies, fish pies, roast dinners, even fish and chips. It’s hardly worth cooking but I do, about four times a week, simply to keep my hand in.
Traditions: Every afternoon Joe and I had choc ice. Ice cream wrapped in chocolate was our favourite and we never missed a day. We also had a lot of yoghurt, a yoghurt drink in the morning and thick creamy Greek yoghurt after lunch. I still do, there is no point in neglecting myself because I am on my own, is there? 
Sister-in-law won’t even try a ‘ready-meal’ or yoghurt. Instead she has biscuits or cake or nothing. At first I thought it might be due to her dementia but, apparently, she was leaning towards eating very little when her husband was alive. After hearing about her I am more determined than ever to carry on life with food and laid tables because I feel that normality is the way to go. Attempting anything strange or different could have detrimental effects and if I have to stay on this earth I need to act normally, eat properly, and enjoy what years I have left, in as fit a condition as I can manage.
Valerie

23 comments:

  1. It's a good thing that you can still cook and actually do! You have to watch those ready meals though, some [most] have way too much salt in them. Some of them give me the salt 'shimmy.'

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  2. SLQ. The ones I have were passed by the authorities as being okay but some do contain an excess of salt. Never heard of salt shimmy before.

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  3. It seems whatever is healthy today, experts decide is not good tomorrow. I think whatever make you feel good without puttin on weight is fine. Routine is also good when it vomes to meals.

    I love yogurt, plain and mixed with raisins.

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  4. " don’t cook lunch every day. Some days I indulge in a meal-for-one purchased from the local supermarket. "

    I do those same two things, Valerie! I work, so I very often have to eat lunch out by purchasing a meal-for-one. On my days off however, I most of the time make a salad with soup as to save money. However, sometimes I still do treat myself to an outside lunch.

    Overall, I LOVE to eat. But I change my meals a lot as to get a variety of nutrition. I also allow myself to eat whatever I want, but in moderation.

    "Attempting anything strange or different could have detrimental effects and if I have to stay on this earth I need to act normally, eat properly, and enjoy what years I have left, in as fit a condition as I can manage. Valerie"

    Amen, my friend. And good for you!

    Hope you're enjoying a lovely Sunday!
    X

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  5. Ron. I'm glad you go for variety in food... that is the best way to avoid food boredom. Food can quickly become boring, that's why my friend and I go out for lunch every few weeks. Not only do I enjoy the company, I also enjoy a different choice of food. As for your soup and salad, I remember once on a holiday abroad I was served soup and salad but the soup was COLD. Intentionally cold. It was, however, quite delicious. Perhaps I should think on and do the same here.

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  6. Joeh, you're right. The opinions of so-called specialists do change, and frequently so. I have learned to ignore all of them.

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  7. Eating well and really enjoying food is so important. But I agree, it is easier to get motivated to cook a lot, when not just for ourselves. I lived alone for many years and in spite of being a good cook, I often just "grabbed something" when I was alone. Sounds like you've got some tasty treats ready when you are, that's great.🍝🍕

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  8. Well done for battling against laziness and lethargy, and you are quite right, Valerie, the right diet is important.

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  9. I try try to eat right but I do not do as much of the cooking as I would like. Since my mom has more time and she enjoys cooking I rely more on her preparing things for me. We both eat yogurt and I try to get some different fruits when we go shopping.

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  10. Geraldine, I have noticed how tastes and habits change when one gets older but I intend to carry on as normal for as long as I can.

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  11. Dan, thank goodness for Moms. Fruit is my failing because most do not agree with me, I do eat grapes every day but that's all.

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  12. I home cook dinner at least 5 nights a week. Also make my own Kefir, which is basically like a very thin yogurt which I make fruit smoothies with for breakfast. It's the in-between times I don't do that well :)

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  13. kden, you have someone to cook for.... I wish I had, I would get back to normal cooking then.

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  14. Good for you Valerie! As I get older I realize how important it is to eat the right kinds of foods. I don't always eat a cooked meal every day but make sure whatever it is nutritious and healthy. And then occasionally I might eat something a bit naughty ;) It is always a journey:)

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  15. Denise, I know you eat well, I have the recipes to prove it... smiles. Curious to know what the 'bit naughty' is!!

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  16. Chocolate Valerie, chocolate! But as me dear old mum used to say, a little bit of what you fancy does you good :)

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  17. Good eating habits helps a lot. Since my new caretaking role requires me to do the cooking I got a lot to learn...:)

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  18. Denise, as of yesterday I cut out the chocolate. Thought you should know... grins.

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  19. TB, if you get stuck a lot can be learned from Internet friends.

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  20. Oh Valerie, say it ain't so, lol. But you are a great role model. Applauding here.

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  21. You are a wise and wonderful woman, Val. Keep doing what you are doing because I definitely what you around as long as possible. Take care, my friend.

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  22. Matt, I don't feel very wise but it's kind of you to say so. I hope your eating habits are well taken care of. Have a great weekend.

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  23. Jenny, I don't think I have ever been lazy or lethargic but I sometimes wonder if I do too much. Time will tell.

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