Menu and Mimi

Ok, yes the two (Menu and Mimi) will make sense after you read this. My mother has been with us for about 3 months. She was hospitalized this summer with dehydration which lead to acute renal failure.  Dehydration is especially bad for older adults, taking a toll on the mind as well as the body. At this point mama is still unable to make clear decisions. Simple things like taking meds, remembering who she talked to on the phone earlier and what was said are difficult.

We have eased into a routine though, and adjusted to having mama here at our house.  Ms. Polly comes over a couple of days a week to take mama to lunch, get her hair poofed, and visit mama’s house. Mama talks to my brother on the phone as well as Aunt Pat, Uncle Frankie, and other relatives. Cranky, cranky about talking on the phone though! It has to be just the right time of day AND the right person.  Hmmm, maybe I did get a bit of that gene!

I have organized mama’s meds into zip lock bags according to day, and that seems to keep her on track. Most days she remembers what each of the four pills is for…remember, we are both Master’s prepared nurses. Bad patients. The zippy bags with a sticky note inside with “mimi’s meds, Tuesday”  – one baggie for each day of the week seems to keep us both organized.

Food. The organizing  of food/meals is critical for me to run smoothly. I am fanatical when it comes to my people being fed. Aren’t most mothers that way? Well, good mothers, anyway. Last year I posted a Supper Menu Challenge on my website. I plan our family meals every Sunday, posting the weekday meals forced me to plan the meals, then readers would post thiers, too, giving everyone fresh ideas for upcoming meals.  Last week, I bought a bag of frozen tilapia, a bag of frozen shrimp, and some chicken breasts. I cooked all on Sunday–broiled or on my electric griddle and boxed them into individual servings. I also included snacks like carrots and celery with 2 wedges of Laughing Cow cheese in a snack zippie. Salad makings in a baggie too. This prevents me from mindless snacking.

 

I have found myself in front of our snack drawer in the pantry bringing out handfuls of cheeze its. Those things must have some addictive chemical in them that call my name when I am overwhelmed. I lost 20 pounds about 3 years ago at PHC here in Augusta and I do not want those to return. I feel better when  I have control over what I eat. And if I eat 3 meals and a couple of snacks every day, I am much less likely to open that ridiculous red box full of orange poison!

I did this organized eating while losing that extra weight. My tennis buddies had to get over it when I would woof down my cottage cheese and pineapple snack before a match or the tuna out of a can with a couple of triscuits and celery sticks! It is about doing something good for you. You have to last a long time to get all the things done in this life that God tosses your way. Remember, He does not whisper to some of us, He speaks very loudly.

 

I am happy to help. If posting the food I cooked last week helps you, I will do that for my next post. It did not take long. Good luck and thanks for reading and caring.

See you.

ML