Wishing All My Viewers A Very Merry Christmas 2021

 

Merry Christmas to all my viewers! I don't know how each of you feel about Christmas this year, but I feel like I usually do. Just pleased I have lived through another year. Christmas is the holiday I have a love hate relationship with. Some years I have just been glad to make it through it. Not so much due to my health, but just the season itself. Last year of course, everybody felt that way. This year it is different. We still have some of the same issues but people have become unreasonable and judgmental toward others. Blaming them for things that cannot be controlled no matter what each of us do. Being directed by politicians and the news media to do so. Yet they cannot see past their own fear and mistaken beliefs. 

It reminds me of my late mother-in-law. She would say things against other religions outside of her own. My husband would say that they think the same way about her and her religion. She would end the conversation by saying, "But they are wrong." Talking to a brick wall is not worth the time because nobody will change their minds no matter what is presented. Especially when the news they watch every day tells them exactly what to believe and to say and who to blame it on. So I do not discuss what I think or do in such situations. 

I have been fighting the propaganda train for many years now. No matter what the masses do, I question everything. Then research. Research. Research. And more research. I find my answers and do not believe every study or so called "professional's" opinion. You cannot even believe what is taught in schools or universities. Now I realize you could not believe that years ago either. At that time in my life I did not know that. Always question why, what or who is pushing whatever it is in your own research. Do not take anyone's word for it. Find the answers yourself. Even if you have to go back very far. You will find that many beliefs were pushed on the people in the past and then years later it comes to light that it was all wrong. Or wrongly presented to the public citing studies and scientific facts that were paid for by profits. Not true facts. The public who believes everything the government or other profit backed industries tells them is the ones who are damaged by it.

My Christmas present to you is to start the new year by taking charge of your own health. Research the immune system. Not by using allopathic sources. I have found in recent years that anything using the term "science based" is not a reliable source. At least for me, it is not. Everyone must make their own choices of what they will accept and what they won't. I just know over the years, I have seen what has happened to others and whether it helped them or not. If you do not accept what others want you to accept, then it is best to distance yourself from them. Some people will not do that if a close family member is making you do what they want you to do. No matter how you feel about it! I will write more about taking charge of your own health and life in a future post. 

In the meantime, try to do the following to get a jump on the coming year: 

1. Avoid stress and don't put yourself in stressful situations if you can. 

2. Cut disease causing foods out of your daily diet.

3. Take some time out of each day to mediate or by reading inspirational books or your Bible.

4. Set aside some time in your day to drink a cup of herbal tea and listen to soothing music. Just relax, but do not fall asleep. Let that time become a routine to de-stress your body every day.

5. If possible take a walk outside. Getting outside every day is essential to your immune system. Even if it is not a sunny day. There is something about that fresh air that is good for your soul, as well as your body. Breathe deep. Concentrate on your breathing while outside.   

I wish all my viewers a Merry Christmas and hope it is a good one for you. If you are alone that day, create your own day by preparing a pleasant meal for yourself. Put on some Christmas music or music of your choice. Don't spend your day by thinking of past Christmases if that causes you to be depressed. It is just a day like any other day. Don't let it create a situation for making yourself miserable. Remember Christmas is now a representative of shopping profits for big industries and credit card companies. Not what it meant when getting a couple of presents made by your parents or grandparents under a simply decorated tree was  more than enough. Those were happier days we just didn't realize it at the time. I think it all started with those Christmas season shopping inserts they put in the newspapers around Thanksgiving right up to Christmas day.

  

Copyright © 2021 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2021  Kathleen G. Lupole

One Simple Change Can Change Your Whole Life

Life is strange. One minute you are living your life a certain way, then before you know it everything is different. It has changed for one reason or another. One change can cause the rest of your life to become unsettled. For instance, if you suddenly experience a serious illness, the loss of someone whether by death, divorce or separation or loss of employment, then your life is changed. There are times when you are forced to be the one to make the change. Even if you don't want to or are scared to do so. You just need to take that first step. Stepping out of your comfort zone is never easy.

At my age now, I see many changes over the years that took place in my own life. They were never simple or easy. Many I had no control over. Some changes I made happen myself. Not always because I wanted to, but because I had no choice. It was either live or die. At one time I was married to a bad alcoholic. We could have had a good life but I could not deal with the constant drinking. I am not exaggerating one bit. I barely drank. Well to be honest, I did not drink at all. When I started dating him I tried to. I could not tolerate alcohol for some reason (at the time I did not know I had multiple chemical sensitivity). Leaving him was a no brainer. Had to leave and never regretted it.

As you age though, it doesn't look good on you to be a heavy drinker, cigarette smoker or drug user. It affects your health and also your looks. Maybe others making remarks because you don't do what they do makes you feel like you have to do it even if you don't want to. Don't! Letting others influence you to go against your own beliefs is always wrong. I have never been a follower. Yes, I did things that were "in" at the time or that others did.....but NEVER because of their influence. I did those things of my own free will.

Keto Salad

Maybe friends of mine think because I try to follow the low carb/ketogenic diet that I am being a follower. No, that is not why I follow this particular way of eating. It is because of the way it makes me feel. Every time I eat processed high carb foods or sugar I pay for it with my health. The funny thing is the very people who put down the keto food plan are the people who should be on it themselves. They need to look in the mirror and look at their own health records and count how many pharmaceutical drugs they are on. That is their choice and I don't try to change it.

Changes in your life no matter how small will affect your life on down the road. Looking out for yourself is not selfish. In fact, it is the right thing to do. How can you help your loved ones if you are suffering from addictions? Poor health? Or undesirable domestic situations? You can't. Now look on down the road, 20, 40 or even 50 years into your future. Whatever you do today at a young age will most definitely affect you in the future.  

Now at my age it is too late to worry about what I did or did not do when I was younger. I have to work with where I am at right now. No matter what I will not lose my hope or positive mental attitude. I will always be in control of my life and if something or someone threatens that I will find another way. Patience is key. Time seems to do more than heal all wounds. It helps me get a better perspective on my problem or life. 

Copyright © 2021 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2021  Kathleen G. Lupole

Grocery Shopping In Fall 2021

Good thing I know how to cook!

Groceries have gone up. They keep going up! It is hard to get by these days. There are some ideas I have come up. Living and cooking for one is much easier, I admit that. Very much so. People have told me that the low carb food plan is too expensive. The reality is no, it is not. The reason being that you are not buying all those extras like fruit, grains, high carb vegetables, snacks, processed foods and sweets. With those items removed from your grocery budget, your money spent, as well as time in the grocery store will be much less. I admit not being able to have a garden here for me has been difficult. I have adjusted though and moved on. 

The biggest expense is meat and that is one of the foods that has gone up quite a bit. If you learn to shop wisely and know your stores you can accomplish this easily. Stores are still using sales to lure the shoppers to their store. They know you need to spend your dollars somewhere so they want you in their store. Normally I shop at two stores for a large grocery haul for the month. Aldi's and Walmart. Then if I run out of something, I usually go to Tops because it is close by and I can get there on my mobility chair. Now though the weather is changing and getting wet and colder. So I won't be traveling on Jazzy outside until spring. 

I spent $98.03 at Walmart this past week. Ten items was meat and fish. Nine items were other things but mostly dairy. Cream cheese and cheese. Spring mix (baby lettuces) and bananas for Rabbit. And pecans and smoked paprika. All of it was food. Nothing frozen except for a package of beef liver. Every item is good for more than one meal for me. I normally eat meat and salad for supper. I am also going to use various dehydrated vegetables to cook with the meat. I still have money left in my budget for later in the month.

If you are trying to eat healthier now is the time to get started. One food I never thought I would be able to give up was potatoes. It is something I love. I used to buy one of those really big bags of them and if I ran out of money before the end of the month, I could make a ton of different dishes with them. I still love them but right after I eat them I always feel uncomfortable and sickish. That has made it easier not to eat them. Funny that french fries, frozen or from a restaurant doesn't bother me. Wonder what that means??

Once I eat something that affects me badly in some way, I try to remember that. I have started writing myself notes so I don't forget and buy it. Why eat food that makes you feel bad? Bread is another one that does that and I hadn't eaten any in a long time. A couple of weeks ago I ate some sandwiches with regular cheap white bread. It was not good. Not worth even the low price I paid for it. I ended up throwing it out. Never again. From now on if I buy any bread it will not be the cheap kind but I do not plan on eating it in the future. If I really want a sandwich, like tomato sandwich or grilled cheese I like the low carb tortillas that I get at Adi's. They are really good and it is 4 carbs. 

To keep your grocery list within your budget make a menu even if you do not follow it. I write a list of the foods in the refrigerator on a dry board that is on the outside of the freeze door. That way I always know what foods I have to work with. Always shop with a list and do not stray from it. If you do not follow low carb food plans then include those foods that give you the most for your money. Like the potatoes, rice and pasta. When you use them in a recipe try adding less to make them go farther. It is just much easier not to make huge batches of food when you live alone. Or you can freeze them in individual servings to make them last longer.

My favorite way to cook anymore is to use the Instant Pot. It makes cooking so much easier. I can prepare it hours before I eat and just leave it on the warm function until I want to eat. Sometimes I refrigerate whatever is in the inner pot. Most of the time though, I put it in a covered glass bowl in the refrigerator to store. Just take out a serving to heat up on the stove and put the rest back. My goal is to make enough for at least three meals. You do not have to prepare it the same way you had it the first time. Vary it. 

Follow some YouTube channels for recipes and hints from someone who cooks the way you do. Some of the people I follow do not follow a low carb food plan but I make changes to their recipe so it is low carb. Instant Pot video channels are better than any cookbook you could buy. In fact, I have only four cookbooks on my shelf now. More in my Kindle but rarely use them because it is easier to see it online or YouTube. One of my favorites is Papa G's Low Carb Recipes. He has a way of explaining the recipes that is simple and easy to follow. 

Copyright © 2021 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2021  Kathleen G. Lupole

Organizing My Kitchen Cupboards

This is what my kitchen looked like when I started!

Yesterday, I spent the day organizing my cupboards for the hundredth time since I moved here. Sad to say, but they were a disaster! They aren't as tall as I need, since many of my bottles and jars are taller than store bought product ones. I have such a hard time reaching up into a cupboard due to it hurting my shoulders. Plus I am pretty short. So I usually have to stand on stool. A small one about a foot off the floor with a wide top. I am very careful when on it. The last thing I need is to fall. 

The lazy Susan when I first moved in. 2018

Apartments don't offer the best cupboards, but mine are not too bad. Especially considering I have a large lazy Susan built it under the counter and next to the stove. I use it for spices and seasonings on one side and ziploc bags, foil and parchment paper on the other side.  The bottom shelf on it has large bulk cans of various things I use. It is very handy and I love that thing.

The kitchen in my old house.

After living so long among chaos at my house, when I moved here in 2018, I promised myself that would never happen again. I knew as long as I lived alone it would not happen and would never have happened before. Sometimes things are beyond your control. Now it is not. I loved having a pantry in my house, I just did not like what it looked like. It was the original pantry in the house but it badly needed work. I used it but it was frustrating to say the least. Here I do not have one but I have used some ideas I used in the pantry.

I knew there was a way to organize these cupboards to make best use of the space. I just had to figure it out. Younger people, taller people or people without any disabilities don't understand what I go through trying to get something out of a cupboard. Many times I just give up. Now I think I have it organized in such a way that I can find everything. Probably have to use the stool to get something on the higher shelves but I can usually do that. 

Putting foods in large mouth canning jars is one of those. I had a lot of products that were in bags with zip locks on them. Trouble is those zip locks did not zip tightly. So I have put all those items in the canning jars. It is important to use wide mouth ones so you can get your hand inside to the bottom of the jar. Then label the outside of the jar with a label and use a marker to write what is in it. If I need the directions, the ingredients, recipes or any nutritional information, I cut that off the bag and tape it to the back. 

It took me the whole day to do this job but it had to be done. I know I could have waited and had my aide do it or help me. But I knew in my mind what I wanted to do and didn't want to hurry through it. I took a lot of breaks and sat down and put my feet up a lot. So it took me longer but now it is done the way I wanted it. The next job will be the lazy Susan. 

Copyright © 2021 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2021  Kathleen G. Lupole

Stocking Up and Using Dehydrated Foods

 

One thing I have found as a person cooking for only myself is that I have trouble using up all the fresh produce I buy. I buy it with good intentions but buy too much. The reason I do that is because I might not get to a store soon enough to restock. I can go to the store near me with my mobility chair but sometimes due to the weather I cannot. I am trying to remember when I make out my grocery list not to put too much fresh produce on it. Something happens to me when I am shopping and I buy too much. That is if I buy items that are not on my list. Sticking to the list is the main thing to do.

I really hate any type of waste and especially food waste. I lived too many years not having enough money for groceries to ever want to be like that again. As an ex-homesteader and prepper I know how important it is to have a food supply. That applies to everyone regardless of age, where you live (city or country), rich or poor. Whoever you are your food is a necessity. As is water also. I mentioned before that I can have a freezer here if I wanted one. I don't really have room for one since I do not want to get rid of any other furniture. Only so much room in this small studio apartment.

I used to buy from an emergency preparedness company and one of the things I still have and use is the dehydrated vegetables and fruits. Lately the company I used to buy from is always out of stock. So I looked at Amazon to see what they had. Well, they have a lot of various products. No surprise there! Not all are in the large cans but that is okay with me. I bought some dehydrated bell peppers. Red and green peppers both, which is the kind I like. I also bought dehydrated onions, soup vegetables, celery stalks and strawberries. I will still have to buy some fresh produce for salads or eating fresh. Onions is something I buy a lot of but also end up throwing some out. So I will still buy one or two when I go grocery shopping but for cooking I will be using the dehydrated ones. That also saves me from the work of chopping them for cooking. You just put a handful or two in what you are cooking and it will be good. 

The dehydrated vegetables have a lot of flavor. I remember the green beans and corn tasting like it was freshly picked. The advantage of using dehydrated foods for a person living alone is that the food is so easy to use in whatever you are cooking. Cooking can be a chore when you are having physical disabilities. For me, standing at the sink, counter or stove is difficult. I need to take a break after a few minutes of standing in one spot. The dehydrated vegetables taste good and take up very little space compared to frozen or canned. 

Carrot Dices

I add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the dehydrated vegetable to whatever I am cooking. Depending on how much flavor you want from it. The onions are pretty strong so you should experiment with it adding less when first using it. You can soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes if you would rather put a soft product in. I never do that. They come out great for me since most of the time I use the Instant Pot for cooking. None of the products mentioned here are anything I have an affiliation with. I no longer do that. I buy from Amazon or Walmart online due to the convenience. 

Copyright © 2021 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2021  Kathleen G. Lupole

Is Someone Bullying You, A Senior Citizen?

 

Being on social media you cannot help but see how people cannot get along. No wonder there are always wars going on. Crimes being committed. Electing people who lie and cheat to get into office. Is it really human nature? Even churches fight, gossip about each other and lie. Is nobody to be trusted? Or has it been that way right along? Maybe so. That is why there is so much divorce and families splitting up. Putting yourself out on social media draws you in to which position (whatever topic) you want to embrace. It seems you always must choose sides. Another thing I see, especially on forums, and the well know social media platforms, is that nobody knows how to be tactful. Tact does not exist anymore.

This is not just happening online but in real life too. Neighbors, families, friends, everyone is against each other. If you are not the same as me then you are fair game to be attacked. Ganged up on if they can get other people to join them in their attack. The so called experts tell us socialization is good for you, yet it is so hard. Life is hard enough as it is. Bullying is especially popular. Yet there is a big movement to stop bullying..........but the reality is that bullying is alive and well, right in our own government. People see it happening there and say, "Oh yes, bullying is not right for children but for adults it is the thing to do." And they do. They even encourage it. Reward it.

I am an introvert by nature, but I try to put myself out of my comfort zone to make friends. Pretty soon, I am like the turtle, withdrawing further into my shell. I would rather stay safe and alone than to be part of the group doing the bullying. It has been like that where I live presently. Taking sides against others. Of course, I have resolved to stay far away from this situation and the people instigating it. Nope, not getting involved. Even though I was involved not by choice, but by circumstances. People will fabricate whatever to make others take their sides. For me, knowing the people is all I need. I do not believe things are always as they appear. I have the ability to see below the surface.

You see for me, being alone in my apartment is not a bad situation. I actually prefer being home than going anywhere. I used to enjoy going out to eat but even that is not that enjoyable anymore. Due to dental problems and having to wear a mask I would much rather get take out and bring it home or have it delivered. They say there is a silver cloud for every situation. Maybe mine is that I love my home and living here. I can cook and now I have food. After having many years of trying to stretch food and not having any money for a food budget, my life is a dream come true. 

What makes people start trouble or bully others? I don't know what the psychologists would say to that. My opinion is that it comes from people who are miserable or troubled in some way. I might be the center of their attack, but it is not really about me. I get that. Others will say you should offer them help of some sort or try to be friends with them. Nope. Not me. Not doing that. If I could not do that for my niece when I tried those tactics, I am not ever doing it again for anyone. No matter what. 

How to deal with those individuals when your paths must cross? 

1. Do not argue, cry, raise your voice or lose your temper with the bully.

2. Leave the encounter as quickly as possible but not as if you have given in to the bully.

3. By staying in control you make the bully get madder and look silly to others.

4. Speak if you must say hello, but do not make conversation with the bully. 

5. Do not spend any time worrying or crying about the bully. The bully is not worth it.

For a senior citizen, especially for one who is alone, you are vulnerable to being bullied. If you want to make friends in a community and are new, sometimes you are the one targeted by the bully and their group. Or maybe you are new and you see the situation going on but do not want to be the target. So you become friends with the bully and her group. I can see that. When the situation runs it course though, you may end up isolated from the others who were not a part of the bully's group. Most times bullying is related to narcissism and it is best to remember that when dealing with one.

For me, as an introvert, it doesn't bother me to not interact with the others. I miss my friends but I will survive. Heck, I lived many years without any friends, I can do it again.

Copyright © 2021 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2021  Kathleen G. Lupole

Memories Are An Important Part Of Our Lives

 

As you get older, your memories become pretty important. You remember past relationships and wonder what happened. Or what would have become of it if you had done this or he had done that? Maybe your life would not have turned out the way it did. Though it could have been worst instead of better too. We all make mistakes along the way in this journey of our life. I myself, have made quite a few. Now as I reflect on it, my life and my memories, I think my life has been fairly normal. My memories are good and when I think about them I like to write them down (I have to write everything down). That way I will have them just in case I can't remember them later on. 

Mom at our first house

I was not aware of being any different from others, but I seem to have a much better memory than most people. Someone asked me what was my earliest memory and I didn't even have to think about it. I was still sleeping in a crib! My mother came in to ask me what kind of doll I wanted Santa Claus to bring me. I think it was Christmas Eve and we lived in our second house, which we have always called the red house. I told her a Jeannie doll and must be that was what I got. My crib was upstairs in our house and there was a big blackboard at the top of the stairs that my father took out of the old schoolhouse he bought on the property next door. I didn't remember using that blackboard but it was always in my memories and dreams. Years later, my parents spoke of that particular blackboard and how my father removed it from the schoolhouse for our house. I thought to myself, "Oh yeah, that's the blackboard in my memories."

Me, making memories!

Yet there are times when I meet people that I knew in my past and I don't remember them now. How embarrassing is that! I blame it on my age. In truth, some relationships were more meaningful than others so I think that is why they are still clear in my mind. Often people block a memory because it was a bad one and they just put it out of their mind. I haven't had to do that so much. Most of my memories I can live with just fine. It is just that I have so many. One problem is that I remember things exactly how they happened or when and others don't remember it like I do. I just say what I remember and leave it at that. I know most people have a distorted memory or they change it a bit to make it more interesting or to make their part in it bigger or better.

I worked for a lot years in nursing homes and some of the residents did not know their family members or their names. Yet they could tell you in detail about their early years. A lady I took care of never spoke. She would just nod her head for yes or no. One time her medication got messed up and nobody noticed. I took her in for a shower and sitting in the shower chair she spoke! Then she started talking nonstop. I wanted to ask her everything I wondered about. Of course as soon as her medications were straightened out I never heard her talk again. That was why I liked to play the big band music CDs during their dinner hour. Some residents who never responded to anyone or anything would start tapping or moving their heads to the music.  A few would even singing along. I loved it. Just play Led Zeppelin for me! 

My parents, 1942

My parents had gathered a lot of memories over their sixty years of marriage. My mother would share them with me often. They both had a easy, good nature about them and humor was key to their happiness. My father was always telling a joke and he always had a new one to tell. He took care of my mom when she got sick with Cushing's Syndrome around 1976. I would hear them laughing over something together. Once my mom was crippled from the disease, her memories became even more important to her than ever. She had done a lot of physical things in her life and the memories of them gave her comfort the best they could. Being forced to a life of medications,walkers and beds she found other interests but it was never the same. 

Copyright © 2021 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2021  Kathleen G. Lupole

Applesauce in the Instant Pot is Simple & Easy

Food Boxes

The Office for The Aging recently contacted the manager of the apartment building I live in to offer food boxes for the senior citizens living here. The boxes came yesterday. Two boxes for each apartment. It was a good assortment of healthy food, produce and other items. One of the produce items was a bag of local apples. I knew I wouldn't be able to keep these apples fresh as long as it would take me to eat them all. So I decided to make them into applesauce.

Preparing Apples

I have not made applesauce since I was cooking it all day on a wood stove. I thought it would be a good thing to do here. I researched some recipes and decided on doing it in the Instant Pot. In the end I didn't really follow a recipe. You will find many recipes if you search for "applesauce recipes." Include "no sugar" and/or "unpeeled" if that is how you want to make it. I wanted a simple recipe with no sugar added. Apples don't really need sugar added. 

Two bags of apples

For many people my age, peeling apples can be hard on your hands and fingers. So not peeling them is a big step in making this easier to do. Standing in one place for a long period of time isn't good either. I take breaks. My break is longer than the standing time! lol  This was an easy to do recipe due to much of the prep work being eliminated. I washed the apples and then cut the core out and sliced them into chunks. Leaving the peel on. I put 1 cup of water into the inner pot of the Instant Pot. 

Apples Prepped

When I was slicing them, I put them right into the inner pot, up to the max line. I sprinkled 1 tsp. of cinnamon on the apples and mixed it into the apples. Next I made sure the gasket was on the lid, then fastened the lid on. Turned the knob to sealing (NOT VENTING) and closed the lid. Press the manual button (on my model, your model may be different, manual is the same as high pressure). Set the time for 6 minutes. Now you are done for now. 

Apples are cooked and are soft!

When it is done cooking, wait for the natural release. The apples will be very soft but need to be made into sauce which doesn't take much work. Using an immersion blender I blended it for a few minutes until it was smooth. 

Applesauce is smooth and no sign of the peels!

I finished with two 1 quart canning jars of applesauce. I am storing them in the refrigerator but it can also be canned. Use the search engine for the recipes and I also found it could be canned using the water bath method (for fruit) in the Instant Pot (not using pressure). I might try that sometime in the future. To be honest, as much as I loved canning, at this time in my life, I do not want to do it. I don't need more work. Less work but good food is my new motto! My apartment is small and I really don't have the room needed to store canning jars of food. Not now or ever again. 

Mmmm!

 

Copyright © 2021 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2021  Kathleen G. Lupole