July 2020: Fire Crackers

So, I’m not sure where the sourdough movement stands these days. Stores seem to be doing well at restocking the shelves and yeast is perhaps no longer in limited supply. But for the few holdout still nursing a starter, I thought I’d share this cracker recipe which unlike my attempts at making sourdough breads, has been a predictably simple process. This recipe is a riff off King Arthur’s recipe. They coached me through the first several batches but now I’m off and running. The house favorite seems to be these “fire” crackers, made with crushed red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, and a little coarse salt. They are pretty easy to make and just the thing to scoop up all those 4th of July dips.

Sourdough discard crackers with coarse salt, crushed red pepper and Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup starter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 tbsp butter , softened
• 1/4 tsp table salt
• 1 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp grated Parmesan cheese
• oil for brushing the tops
• Coarse salt for sprinking on tops

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients except the oil and coarse salt.
2. Mix throughly so the dough forms and knead it slightly until all the ingredients are well combined.
3. Seperate into two piece, flatten them into patties, and then wrap in plastic and place in the fridge for 30 minutes or over night to stiffen up.
4. After the dough has chilled, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
5. Remove the dough from plastic and place between two layers of parchment paper.
6. Roll the dough out between the paper to about 1/16 inch thick.
7. Transfer the rolled slab onto a baking sheet and brush with oil.
8. Sprinkle the coarse salt on top and lightly pat the granuals into the dough using the spare paper.
9. Using a knife or pizza cutter slice the dough into 1 1/4 inch squares.
10. Then place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
11. Taste test the crackers in the middle of the pan to ensure they are crisp. If not continue baking for a few minutes till you achive your desired crunch.
12. You can remove the crisped ones to a rack to cool while the other continue baking if worried about them becoming over done.

Stay safe everyone!

June 2020: A Baking Eclipse

In support of the Black Lives Matter movement and honoring the loss of Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot by police in her home in Louisville, KY on March 13th, there will not be a full moon recipe posted this month. The full moon fell on what would have been Brianna’s 27th birthday. She was an essential worker, providing health care services during the pandemic, and was one of many victims that have passed away at the hands of police brutality.

I encourage everyone that has been a fan of this page and looks forward to the monthly baking challenge to take this time to learn about Breonna’s story and the many like her’s that entrench our nation in civil unrest. As a privileged white women, I can not speak to the challenges and pain, people of color have experienced for generations. I can however speak out on their behalf and offer space for their voices to be heard. Here is a list of resources for ways to take action. It’s important to show up, speak out, and do it now! Instead of a recipe challenge this month I challenge us to stand up to injustice and get involved. Be safe, be smart, and be kind.

Rest in power Breonna. We’re holding heart!

Employment Rights for Mesothelioma Caregivers

Caregivers, listen up! Today I am sharing a post written by Devin Golden written late last year over on the Mesothelioma Guide and although it’s catering to a specific demographic, you should read it anyway, especially if you anticipate complications related to family health concerns. What is interesting about this post is that it was written back in December 2019 just prior to the sweeping burden of the Coronavirus. Illnesses of all kinds unfortunately force families into making uncomfortable decisions and as a caregiver, or someone anticipating the decline of a loved one, it’s good to know your employment rights when assessing a strategy for care. Read below and do so wearing your “caregiver” cap. Don’t get caught up thinking too specifically about mesothelioma or you’ll miss the point. The most important take away here is that you might have employee rights in the event caregiving responsibilities demand your attention. The solution is far from perfect but this is a good starting point for full time employees fearful they’ll lose their jobs if they get called away. Read Devin’s post below for the details:

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Choosing to be a caregiver is a selfless and giving act. 

Since mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, caregivers are essential for patients with all stages of this disease. A common question for us at Mesothelioma Guide is, “Who can be a mesothelioma caregiver?” The American Cancer Society defines a caregiver as anyone not paid to provide care to a person. Whether a spouse, child, parent, sibling or close friend, mesothelioma caregivers sacrifice much of their lives to help someone in need.

Another common question is, “Can mesothelioma caregivers continue working?” They often sacrifice their professional goals and time to care for the patient. These unselfish acts should not be penalized, and caregivers should know their employment rights.

We at Mesothelioma Guide list and explain three regulations that protect employment aspirations and situations for mesothelioma caregivers. If you’re a mesothelioma caregiver, or a patient researching for their caregiver, read these laws and then contact us with further questions. Our patient advocate, Jenna Campagna, is available via email at jenna@mesotheliomaguide.com and can further assist you with caregiver-related information.

Anti-Discrimination Law

The Americans With Disabilities Act is a federal law protecting caregivers from workplace discrimination. The rule applies to companies that have at least 15 employees. The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) explained how the act helps people with caregiving responsibilities. “Persons discriminated against because they have a known association or relationship with a disabled individual also are protected,” the EEOC website states, continuing that the government’s definition of “disabled individual” includes cancer patients. Caregivers, therefore, should not be terminated from employment or denied employment if they can manage the job’s requirements. However, mesothelioma caregivers aren’t entitled to special treatment, such as extra time off or modifications to the workplace.

Unpaid Family Leave

Mesothelioma caregiving can be the equivalent of a full-time job. When the cancer progresses to its later stages, or when the patient undergoes invasive treatment such as surgery, more attention is required of the caregiver. Therefore, they may need to take time away from their regular routine, including their full-time employment.

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 allows caregivers to take off work without losing their employment. The law provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off and covers a range of caregiving responsibilities:

• Traveling for medical appointments

• Post-surgery care

• Staying at home when the disease reaches its later stages and the patient cannot be left alone

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the law applies to company with at least 50 employees living within a 75-mile radius of the worksite; and caregivers who have worked for their employer for at least 12 months and at least 1,250 hours during the past 12 months.

Paid Family Leave

Not every mesothelioma caregiver can afford to take off weeks or months without any income. For that reason, some states have enacted paid family leave laws. According to Conquer Magazine, five states (California, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Washington) provide this service to caregivers. The National Conference of State Legislatures states that Washington D.C. also has a paid family leave law. As recently as 2017, only three states provided this assistance to mesothelioma caregivers. More states could enact similar measurements, so you should contact Mesothelioma Guide to learn if your state applies.

About the Writer, Devin Golden

Devin Golden is the content writer for Mesothelioma Guide. He produces mesothelioma-related content on various mediums, including the Mesothelioma Guide website and social media channels. Devin's objective is to translate complex information regarding mesothelioma into informative, easily absorbable content to help patients and their loved ones.

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My caregiver journey came about due to Alzheimer’s and Dementia which are quite different from mesothelioma however their diagnoses impact loved ones in much the same way regardless of illness. The emotional, physical and financial responsibilities can greatly impact both patients and families so do your homework. Make sure you know your rights and be prepared to self-advocate. Stay healthy friends! We live in a dangerous and unpredictable healthcare world.

(Un)Masking America

The shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for American healthcare workers and now, the population at large, is a concern. In fact, the irony of it makes me want to gag on a selfie stick. How does a society, obsessed with face filters for one, not have the necessary masks for healthcare providers and two, make it about politics. Between the virus and our obsession with self-righteousness, now feels like a really good time to start covering our mouths. And since masks have turned mainstream thanks to the CDC’s recommendations this maker’s gonna make! I’m slow at sewing so production will be gradual but the exciting part is that 10% of every sale of masks, spoons, or anything else sold from the How To Feed A Senior shop page will be donated to Direct Relief. Direct Relief is supplying healthcare workers with emergency supplies of PPE during the Coronavirus Outbreak and I can’t think of anything more important than taking care of the caregivers!

So, keep an eye out for masks here if you’re on the hunt. I’ll let you know when I restock. In the mean time just remember that there is no emergency in a pandemic. Without healthcare providers we are without health so take care of each other! It might take more than a village this time…

“Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community. ”

— Anthony J. D'Angelo

Mother’s Day Without Your Mom

I’ve been without my mom for several years now and each Mother’s Day offers a fresh glimpse to my relationship with grief. My mother passed in the month of July so I had almost of a full year to emotionally prepare for the day in which we honor the women that give us life. In so many ways, that Mother’s Day passed relatively normally. I had found my own therapy by way of collecting flowers and was well on my way to acceptance. I would wonder the yard inspired by sticks and petals, picking them up as I paced. It was much like a moving mantra. Just something mindless and comforting but not really sure why… Eventually, I found my mother. Dead for less than year at that point yet proving to me she was very much alive. She was in the dried petals falling from her favorite orchids outside, and salvaging those bits of nature, even thought they were withered, helped me feel connected to her. She had been a florist, one of the best in Broward, and with every leaf and petal I’d find hidden in the grass, I started to understand her appreciation for flora. The colors and textures were mesmerizing. Each uniquely beautiful and thriving in the face of my grief…

If you spend enough time in nature you’ll notice that time doesn’t necessarily heal. Storms blow through and take out trees and gardens with with little regard to how you might treasure them. Nature is the sound reminder that some wounds never heal. Trauma can extend beyond repair and it’s unfortunate that we comfort ourselves with antidotes rather than concur that death is fundamental. And just as we celebrate the joy of new life, we should also hold space for the delicacy of what’s been lost. There is more to grief than a funeral. For many of us, a funeral is just the beginning of an intimate relationship with the deceased. Perhaps this all sounds a bit too morbid but finding the beauty in what remains of the dead flowers in our yard has been my antidote for life after death. She’s still here…

She’s still here, she’s still here, she’s still here! But she’s not… And fast forward a few years and the longing for a hug from my mom, the person to tell me everything will be ok, even as the world falls apart, amounts to a painfully silent echo “you must be your own guide”.

We make jokes about “adulting” but the truth is you remain a child so long as a parent can provide you council. That voice of reason, even when irrational, telling you not to travel to X location because it’s “not safe”, or cautioning you about a bad bank loan or a relationship, or the pragmatic suggestion you become a lawyer rather than a musician… That voice, with all its irritations and one sided perspectives is still a voice that’s looking out for your best interest. That parental concern is in YOUR best interest, regardless of whether the advice is what you want to hear. But at some point, that voice is gone and you realize that every relationship you have, not matter how genuine, will never carry the concerns that one’s parent held for it’s child. Even with the best of intentions, it’s still not the same, and nestled within those moments is when grief pays a visit. A reminder that each step forward is solitary and each decision is merely a guess, and the best you can hope for is that you are doing things right.

This year feels especially tough to not have a mom (and made crueler without a dad). The world feel dangerous with uncertainty and I can’t help but wonder if I’m making smart decisions. Am I doing this right? Am I being responsible? Should I sell the house? Is it safe to go back to work? Is it safe to go back out to sea? Am I OK? Should I be afraid?

The truth is, I am afraid. The world has turn wild and unpredictable and going it alone feels scary. “You must be your own guide… be your own guide…be your own guide…” The echo remains. The only comfort I find is accepting that my own life is ephemeral. I look to nature and all her beautiful dead flowers and remind myself that “we too, shall pass”…

This year I only made one Mother’s Day Box of Mother Earth. I carved a coffee scoop from salvaged wood and I nestled it into a dried sugar pumpkin that I preserved and then painted the inside. I then packed the pumpkin with dried flowers that I curated with care; a gift I know my own mother would treasure.

I’m thinking of all of you with mom’s that have left us too soon. Below is a little reminder of where they are now. Take love!

May 2020: Simple Sourdough Recipe

This is a shout-out to all the new bakers that have embarked on the sourdough journey but feel defeated in effort. Hey there…I hear you. It’s a lot of flour feeding and discarding and questioning if the hobby is worth it or wasteful… Well, buck-up friend! If there’s one thing I can tell you about bread baking, it’s that the recipes themselves matter less than your relationship to the dough. Over time, you come to learn that a good bread is something you feel. You can tell long before it’s baked if it’s going to perform well and my advice to you is, just stay with it. Practice, make a mess, and enjoy the process regardless of result because you will get better with time. Breads take time… I’ve been baking for a while now and it’s the relationship I have created with time that makes bread such great company. And now, as we all sit idle in our quarantined quarters, where time escapes us and loneliness set in, it’s nice to have a friend, especially a nourishing one that provides a taste of companionship.

As for sourdough specifically, my fandom was born thanks to the pandemic and the sudden hunt for yeast. Albeit my yeast supply remains plentiful, I’m here for the herd. The thought of would-be-bakers being left behind due to yeast shortages was enough for me to join the sourdough bandwagon. I don’t care if it’s trendy because of the pandemic. The truth is, anything that enables you to provide for yourself reduces dependency at large. The fact that you can make your own bread means you don’t have to buy it from the grocery store, reducing demand on the supply chain which reduces the demand on factory workers which right now, are at the very heart of the virus outbreak. So, trendy or not, if you’re better able to shelter in place thanks to what might be a new hobby, by all means, go for it! Reducing your demand for market needs is one step closer to sustainability. Even thought it’s a small step, it’s still a step, and in times of crisis, little things matter.

So, don’t be discouraged by your bread flop, or shamed into thinking your’re just following a fad. Who cares? It’s fun. It’s therapeutic. And when you get the hang of it, it taste good! It’s a win for you, front-line workers, and the environment. Gawd… Just writing that feels like a sales pitch but honestly, this is not a hard sell. If bread baking is a coping mechanism for dark times then consider me an apocal-optimist cause I think its awesome!

As the sourdough starter ages, the holes get better and better!

Before I get into the recipe, I have to say one thing. Screw recipes! It’s so easy to get bogged down in how-to’s that quickly turn to overwhelm. That is how I have felt about all the sourdough recipes I’ve found so I’m giving up and going with what I know and chalking the failures up to learning along the way. I’m not getting into levain, or biga, or poolish and all the fancy names that boiled down, amount to “sponge” in my book. The semantics in bread making can leave a new baker confused, so let’s ignore that for now We’re keeping things simple. Ready?

Simple Sourdough Recipe

Step 1: Create the “sponge”

• 1/4 cup starter
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 cup flour

1. Mix sponge ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Cover and let rest for 4 to 6 hours or when a small amout can float when placed in a bowl of water. This is known as a float test.

Step 2: Create the dough

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 1/2 tsp salt

1. Add the dough ingredients into the sponge bowl and combine.
2. Mix until a shaggy dough forms and all ingredients are incorporated.
3. Cover and let rest 6-8 hours or overnight.

Step 3: Knead the dough

1. With a wet hand, reach along the inside edge of the bowl, lifting the dough up, so you can fold it onto itself.
2. Do this this three or four times and then cover and let the dough rest in the bowl for 30ish minutes.
3. Repeat Step 3, three more times.

Step 4: Shape the dough

1. On a lightly floured surface, dump out your dough and gently shape into a round form being mindful of the gas bubbles.(You want to keep those intact as much as possible. That's what helps give the crumb those big sourdough holes.)
2. Once it's shaped, place on a piece of parchment paper and place it in a clean bowl.
3. Cover and let rise in the fridge overnight.

Step 5: Bake

1. Remove bowl from fridge and let come to room temperature.
2. Preheat a dutch oven in your oven to 500 degrees F.
3. When the oven reaches tempurature, score the top of your bread dough with a few slits and carefuly place the dough with the parchment into the dutch oven.
4. Cover it with the lid and place it back into the oven. Lower the tempurature to 450 degrees F and bake for 30 minutes.
5. After 30 minutes, remove the lid, lower the tempurature to 400 degrees F and continue baking for 15 more minutes.
6. Remove and let cool on a wire rack.

Hot damn! This is me trying to simplify things but my head is already hurting so not sure it worked.. Good luck and remember that the Sourdough Support Group is here for you! I’m posting my updates over on Instagram so if you want some behind the scenes shots check the sourdough stories. Don’t hesitate to message me with your successes, failure, questions or requests. I’m just as bored as you are so lets get gaming and have some fun. You have one month to complete this recipe mission. The next full moon is June 5, 2020 so you got four weeks to give this a shot. Good luck. You got this!

Piece out!

An Earth Day Miracle

In honor of Earth Day I thought I would share a quick story about my current love child… The Batten Spoon.

I found this piece of wood in a scrap pile aboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans. It’s a piece of teak but more importantly, it’s a piece of rat board. For those of you that aren’t sailors, a rat board is a piece of wood attached to a matrix of rope that allows you to climb aloft on rigged vessels. Thanks to some routine maintenance in Auckland, NZ I managed to reclaimed this scrap!

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Batten Spoon

$97.00

Hand carved, wooden tea spoon, crafted from reclaimed Teak wood and turned into functional kitchen art.

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The real story though is how this piece of wood has traveled all around the world, enduring weather to its breaking point, got discarded, and still survived. It’s kind-of a miracle. But really it’s just recycling. Happy Earth Day!

A Playlist For Grief

Music for a mood…

“Each person’s grief is as unique as their fingerprint. But what everyone has in common is that no matter how they grieve, they share a need for their grief to be witnessed. That doesn’t mean needing someone to try to lessen it or reframe it for them. The need is for someone to be fully present to the magnitude of their loss without trying to point out the silver lining.”

— David Kessler, Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief

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Age Is Just a Number: Mesothelioma Surgery for Elderly Patients

Hey Folks!

It’s not all about Coronavirus. In the wake of all thing pandemic, we must remember there are other serious health conditions with patients needing support. Today I have Devin Golden, a writer for Mesothelioma Guide. He produces mesothelioma-related content on various mediums, including the Mesothelioma Guide website and social media channels. Devin's objective is to translate complex information regarding mesothelioma into informative, easily absorbable content to help patients and their loved ones. Below, he has some insight as to why everyone with Mesothelioma should explore their options. There’s more to a treatment plan than just age. Read his findings below:

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In almost any explanation of mesothelioma treatment options, there is a clause. 

The routes available for treatment depends on numerous factors, one of which is age. This clause — that age, among other factors, could limit treatment — is usually specific to just one option: surgery. A study published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology suggests that age might be the most often-used factor when determining if a patient is eligible for mesothelioma surgery. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer for which there are already limited treatments. Removing the most effective one just because of a person’s age? We at Mesothelioma Guide hope surgeons and doctors consider far more than just that number.

In Review: Mesothelioma Treatment for Elderly Patients

The study involved examining the National Cancer Database for all patients at least 80 years old with recently diagnosed nonmetastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma. In other words, the patients’ disease is in its early stages and hasn’t spread to vital organs — but it could, and likely will, if untreated. The researchers found 4,526 patients who met the criteria and looked into the treatment approach used for each. According to the study’s results, which was published on the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Just 2% of the patients had surgery (likely pleurectomy with decortication) plus chemotherapy

• Around 13% had just surgery

• 22% had only chemotherapy

• 63% were “observed,” meaning they didn’t receive any curative treatment

The average age of pleural mesothelioma patients is 72 — the disease is more likely to impact the elderly than many other forms of cancer — and restricting these patients to chemotherapy or nothing is usually an early death sentence. The median survival times were:

• 4.1 months for those observed

• 9.5 months for those receiving just chemotherapy

• 12.2 months for those undergoing surgery and chemotherapy

By comparison, the figures for pleural mesothelioma patients under 80 years old were:

• 17% only underwent surgery or had surgery and chemotherapy (median survival of 17.7 months)

• 47% had just chemotherapy (median survival of 12.2 months)

• 36% were just observed (median survival of 6.6 months)

More to the Story for Mesothelioma Treatment

The argument against elderly patients having surgery, or even chemotherapy , is that their bodies may not be strong enough. Other complications may arise due to surgery. However, not every 81- or 82-year-old patient has the same health. One may have poor nutrition or other health concerns. Another could be a former marathon runner who eats healthy and exercises regularly. While the study says the 90-day mortality rate for those having mesothelioma surgery was 28.5%, this figure does not consider the quality of patient selection. As author Justin Karush says on the Society of Surgical Oncology website, “When selecting patients with mesothelioma for surgery, it is paramount to consider the ability to offer adjuvant treatment.” Additionally, a survival time enhanced by 200% — the difference, according to the study, between no curative treatment and surgery plus chemotherapy — could be enough reward to take the risk.

Quality of Life Due to Surgery

For people with peritoneal mesothelioma, the benefits of surgery are just as great — if not greater. A study published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology reviewed the quality of life in 46 patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The median survival of these patients was 3.4 years, and 36.5% lived for at least five years. By comparison, only 18% of peritoneal patients in general live for at least five years, and the life expectancy of elderly patients with this disease is at most two years. While there are similar risks associated with elderly patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC, the increased survival time is relevant. So is the increased quality of life. The study suggests that patients who underwent surgery experienced improved emotional well-being and social functioning, fewer emotional issues and less pain. The study concluded, “(Quality of life) returned to baseline or improved from baseline between three months and one year following surgery. Despite the risks associated with this operation, patients may tolerate HIPEC well and have good overall (quality of life) postoperatively.” Unfortunately, many elderly mesothelioma patients will never get the chance to enjoy that improved quality of life since the general assumption is they should stay away from the operating room. That’s a discouraging one in the medical industry, and one we at Mesothelioma Guide hope changes going forward.

Note to Mesothelioma Patients and Their Loved Ones

If you’re a newly diagnosed mesothelioma patient, we are on your side and will do anything possible to help you through this difficult time. Most importantly, we can help you find the best treatment available. Our patient advocate and registered nurse, Jenna Campagna, is the No. 1 resource for learning more about mesothelioma. She also can refer you to a mesothelioma specialist with a track record of success in helping patients live long past the average prognosis. Email her jenna@mesotheliomaguide.com to begin your path to recovery.

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Have you experienced limited treatment options due to age? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Sourdough Starter Support Group

It’s been incredible watching the internet boom with bread baking. The dough life is everywhere and the breads are looking amazing! I’ve been on the bread train for a while now, so when this new wave of bakers emerged, I was caught somewhat off guard. Dare I say, “jealous” you’ve been baking without me? Luckily, FOMO is a pre-coronavirus complex since we’re all stuck at home these days. But dang! You guys with your bread flex right now brings me so much joy. I’ve been seeing so many sourdough starters in my Facebook feed that I figured we needed a support group for all the questions. Seriously though, you guys are champions! I’m loving all the close-ups of fermentation bubbles, and those sexy hooch lines. It’s like the baker’s version of the first day of school and your starter’s already on the honor roll!

I know some of you created a starter because you were running low on yeast. Smart move! Others, feel left behind cause they are completely without. Fortunately, you’re not out of the bread game just yet. You can easily collect wild yeast to make a sourdough starter. Once your starter is active you’re good to go. When it comes to working it into recipes, I typically use about a 1/4 cup per loaf. There’s a ton of information out there about how and when to feed your starter, weighing the flour, blah, blah blah… Personally, I can’t be bothered with the details and save that for the professionals like Sarah Owens and Tara Jensen. They are the darlings of sourdough in my book, so if you wanna dive deep, check them out. Otherwise, if you see a hooch layer forming, it’s time for another feeding.

As for getting back into baking with the Full Moon Baking Club I figure now is as good as any for a reboot! Rather than post a recipe this month, I figured we should just get our starters up to snuff so in a month we can get our bake on. If you have yeast, you can explore the recipes on the Full Moon Baking Club page, or if your starter is ready, you can get experimental and try out the Fermented Loaf recipe.

On a personal note, I’ll tell you my starter you see above is a newbie. It’s less than two weeks old and although I see signs of activation, it’s really all about feeding it at this point. I’ve been doing this twice a day now after five days of catching yeast using the wild method above. It only occurred to me to start a new one after soaking my flour mix to make this molasses loaf.

Starter or not, keep baking! I’ve found that making something with your own two hands, is rewarding. Even in failure, the reward is there. Right now it might be the antidote for boredom but as someone that has baked for years for both friends, family, and full crews at sea, warm treats from the oven always delight! I used to joke that I’ve never met a problem that a fresh cookie couldn’t solve and I would say the same goes for a hot loaf of bread! So bake and have fun! If the lockdown life leads to an economic depression, at least you’ll know how to use the flour rations. Ha!

Actually, that’s terrifying Don’t think about that.. Just go pour off the hooch and feed your new pet. We have some baking to do! And as you begin your journey into sourdough, know that you’re are backed by the ultimate bread nerd. Submit your questions in the comments so I can geek out on this one. I’ll do my best to coach you through any problem. Good luck and I look forward to baking with you next month!

A Guide For Life During Lockdown

What-up folks!

Isolation issues got you down? If the stay-at-home orders, quarantines, and and all things social distancing have created a blur of your life, fear not! I have cracked the code on tracking time and have some suggestions for how you can stay organized while staying at home. During my five years of housebound caregiving, I learned a bit about defining structure when time seems irrelevant. The Wednesdayness of days becomes a struggle when there’s no real beginning or end and that’s what this post will address. The structure below helped me conceptualize each week with an element of flow and thereby removing that sense of stagnation and monotony. It’s not rocket science but it still took me about two and a half years to find a formula that worked. What I realized was every day observed through the eye of time was inconsequential. What made a difference was having a rhythm to each week and applying that rhythm cyclically in the face of time. This is what restored my sense of purpose over the long term. I’m sure most of you don’t want to wait two plus years to figure-out a personal strategy so I’m gonna share my tips below so you can immediately attempt to protect your sanity. I’ve provided sections for how I like to think about both life and fitness within the days of the week, and then I cycle through the themes week after week. And please don’t mistake this as some productivity challenge or something. It’s not a tool meant to achieve everything on your list. It’s just a different perspective for organizing the day to day which for me, was the thing that kept my mental health intact for years when I couldn’t leave the house.

The Big Picture

Before we jump into the meat of this post, let’s get clear on one thing real quick. We all need to calm the F down. To think anyone can simply make a sweeping adjustment of lifestyle on a dime is absurd. We aren’t even a month into this Coronalife train wreck and I can sense the communal freak-out of everyone scrambling to keep life somewhat “normal”. Stop doing that! Just S T O P. Nothing about this is normal and you are wasting time living in denial. Although this might seem like a slow moving car crash as we watch it unfold day by day, in truth it’s a sudden and dramatic change that deserves a significant pause to check for life-altering wounds. Anyone that’s experienced whiplash knows, a pain in the neck can be a significant blow, even when the neck’s not broken. So, rather than dive into online work meetings and the home-schooling curriculum, take a good hard look at your situation and determine the safety and security of your family unit. Create a budget and assess your resources. And resources are not exclusively financial. Does someone in your household cook? Food security is important right now as we all try and limit our trips outside the home. Who’s the tech guru? Is there someone in the house that easily understands computers? (Might be your kid.) How about cleaning, or home repair, or just best at not touching their face? When you really start assessing your situation, different strengths and weakness will emerge that will help guide your momentum forward but it’s important to take in the big picture. You need that macro perspective of your new normal before thinking about thriving in it. Quarantine and social distancing measure might very well be here for months, if not longer, so I encourage you all to take the necessary time to asses your situation so you can, with a rational mind, make smart decisions.

The Day To Day

And now for your sanity…

I know many of you are falling victim to the nothingness of life in isolation and this was a huge problem for me until I figured out a schedule that helped me manage the time. I’m now acutely aware of how external accountability was the force behind everything I did prior to becoming a caregiver. We hold ourselves to deadlines, social norms, and even hygiene imposed by our relationships to others. But stripped of that external influence, it’s quickly apparent that we often take those things for granted as well as having little regard for personal standards. And now, even our self-discipline is being publicly questioned as phone surveillance highlights our (in)ability to follow social-distancing guidelines. Perhaps this is just proof that we are our own worst company… Escaping the house might be the craving for fresh air, or essential needs, or perhaps it’s the very real threat of abuse, in which case, you need to stop reading my suggestions and click here. But, another significant itch to break free from lockdown, is to relieve the frustrations around the nothingness. Seeking external stimulation is a way to stave off boredom because life has become either dissatisfying or uninteresting. But good news! Boredom is mental. With a little bit of structure and personal accountability you can beat the boredom and escape the nothingness! Seriously, addressing your mental health right now is the key to not only survive this pandemic but potentially thrive within the circumstances. You need to adapt and you need to do it quickly because we are all counting on you. The whole world is literally counting on YOU to uphold social order by social distancing and it’s time for us all to get our heads on straight and do our part.

Below are my suggestions for how to go about making your day to day more manageable. It’s one thing to say we “should” all become full-time homebodies but seeing as this is new for most folks it’s difficult without some sort of how-to outline So, here’s an outline. I can’t stress it enough when I say the structure needs to work for you so adapt it as necessary. It’s also worth noting that I prefer this structure, because it’s dynamic and changes every day unlike many of the suggested schedules I have seen floating around online. The feeling of flowing or having a rhythm to the week is important in regards to time and a schedule that offers the same structure repeatedly is going to lead right back to boredom. This structure is cyclical with its themes so it does repeat, however it requires unique brain work each day thereby supporting your mental health with a dose of self-care. You Ready?

Mondays-

Life: Business/ Administrative Tasks

Fitness: Cardio

Life:

This is the mail, the bills, paperwork, phone calls, etc... All the stuff that's keeping the household afloat. It's all the stuff of modern nightmares that feels overwhelming while it sits on a desk or counter-top somewhere keeping the clutter alive. I find dealing with this administrative type stuff frustrating and equally time consuming but it's important. It’s the last thing I typically choose to work on which is why I put it right up front, so I can get it out of the way and put the dread behind me for the rest of the week. Nonetheless, tackling this stuff is the flashlight for darkness. When you move through these tasks, you get a good picture of your state of affairs, allowing you to consciously move forward from there. And it really doesn’t matter right now if you are working from home or a stay-at-home mom. We are all stay-at-home people right now, trying our best to keep some level of normalcy. Attending to the tedious stuff and staying organized will help keep your situation healthy. Take the time to open and sort the mail. Take the time to create the zoom account, do your taxes, or download that delivery app. Make the day your personal administrative day and use it to manage the household as a business. There are a lot of moving parts right now but the most important thing you can do is get a grip with your housebound life. As the week unfolds and administrative affairs start to pile back up, make a note to address those things next Monday. Avoid the trap of dealing with this stuff throughout the week because it will consume you, you’ll get bored and then you’ll start ignoring it. That’s when things fall through the cracks. Just stay the course and I promise you that week over week, you’ll regain a sense of control and feel better about sheltering in place.

Fitness:

When it comes to physical health I like to make Mondays my cardio day. Why? Because similarly to turning on the light, cardio is the equivalents of turning on the engine. It’s the beginning of the week and I like the idea of firing-up the “machine”. Think of your body as your work computer. You start it up on Monday and typically leave it on till Friday. That initial surge of power is what boots your computer and I found it helpful to think of the body in the same way. If I can get the blood pumping early in the week, it sets me up for success. I call that a win! And when you “win” Monday you pretty much win the week. And I know how everyone hates Monday but as the days pass, and you find yourself living in the perpetual Wednesday, Mondays will start to taste a little bit sweet just knowing that they mark the definitive start to the next cycle. Oh, and speaking of machines… don’t forget to start your car!

Tuesdays-

Life: Research/ Learning Tasks

Fitness: Upper Body

Life:

I designate Tuesdays for research type stuff. By this I mean I take the time to “figure-out” the things. This might look like conducting an inventory, or Youtubing how to fix the dryer, scouring Pinterest for a new recipe, or ugh…researching unemployment benefits?! The investigative process also eats a way at our time and often keeps us from improving our lives in some way because we don’t prioritize the chance to learn. Researching things takes time and is an essential component in educating ourselves. If you want to learn the thing, you have to study the thing or at least give it some amount of research to develop comfortability.

So… Tuesday! If you had a successful Monday then you likely embraced some new information. For example, just because you downloaded the Robinhood app to start day trading or joined the Postmate Fleet to offer local deliveries doesn’t always mean your comfortable using them. So why not take the day to schedule in some learning. Or why not take the day to figure out how you are going to respond to all those emails? Or pay those bills? Unless you’re a healthcare worker or city manager of some kind, you can afford to slow down. Panicking won’t get you very far. It might even get you hurt so just slow down, take a deep breath and explore your options when it comes to doing X, Y, and Z.

Fitness:

Why should you do upper body on Tuesdays? Because it’s still early in the week. Obligations remain heavy at this time, meaning, you still have a lot to do before you get to the weekend. For me that feels like “weight” on my shoulders so I just go with it. Tuesdays in my mind are still an uphill battle and I just put that concept to work physically with attention to my upper body on that day. It might sound strange but this logic works for me. For the first time ever I felt a sense of… alignment? It sounds crazy but something about matching my body-work to the cultural work flow really meshed. And the best part is eliminating the “what am I gonna do today” headache. Previously, I would spend mental energy developing my “workout strategy”, somehow trying to devise my exercise plan, only to feel exhausted by what I was going to do, rather than the exercises themselves. This concept removed the issue of what. If its Tuesday, then I know I’m doing arms. I can drop and do some push-ups, or squeeze in some dips, and then move on to other things more deserving of my mental space.

Wednesday-

Life:Core Activities

Fitness: Abs & Back

Life:

Wednesday Shemednsday…

It feels like everyday is a Wednesday right now. But, this is why I think Wednesday deserves a little love. It’s the center of the week so why not make it the center of your life? Hear me out…

If Wednesday is the center, then it also implies balance and with so much talk of work/life balance, even before the Rona, why not let Wednesday become that day for things you love? For me this consists of spoon carving, bread making, pressing flowers, and other crafty endeavors that reflect my passions. They are only hobbies but with the consistent nurturing of them, they have grown into much more. Spoon carving has since grown into a small business and bread baking helped me connect with new friends through the Full Moon Baking Club. Neither of these things saved anyone’s life but my own, and I mean that in the sense that they gave me a creative outlet in which to enjoy the monotony of time stuck at home. I no longer make excuses for why I haven’t gotten to the fun projects on my back burner. I just do them on Wednesdays, intentionally allowing them a spot on my calendar, smack dab in the middle of everything, right where they belong.

The emptiness of this time will consume you without a plan that considers activities you find fulfilling. (Hashtag retirement?) It’s important that you hang-on to the things you love or else you could lose yourself to the tedium of routine. This entire schedule attempts to eliminate much of that dreariness but it also offers a chance for you to dive deeper into those forgotten favorites, and reshape priorities that better align with your personal values. That’s something worth exploring and you should take advantage of it while the time is available.

Fitness:

I’m guessing you know where this is headed. Core work! Yep. If you’re in the middle of the week, work the middle of yourself, and that can include the abs and back exercises of your choice. Personally, I don’t think it matters much which specific exercises you do so long as you do them. Again, for me the hard part was determining what to work-out and with that out of the way, I am free to just do the sets that pop into mind. It’s also fairly easy to recall the previous weeks exercises since I only do them one day a week and therefore switch it up a bit to keep things interesting. But this is not rocket science. This is literally as dumbed down as it gets because the whole point is not to over think it. It’s not that hard to come-up with a couple core exercises you can do at home. You got this.

Thursday-

Life: Community Outreach

Fitness: Lower Body

Life:

Community Outreach seems a bit weird in the age of social distancing but you’d be surprised how much of it remains. Remember all those emails you opened on Monday? Well, today’s your day to respond if you haven’t all ready. Give yourself this time to connect with the necessary people in your world. This is you being proactive. Send out the memo, schedule the appointment, make the phone call, do the launch… This is all stuff you are pushing out and into the world to give it shape on your own terms. If Mondays are the defensive days where you respond to what been coming “in”, then Thursdays are for playing offense and the ball’s in your court. Take your shot. Push your energy out. Exercise your own leadership by making things happen, especially on Thursdays!

Fitness:

At this point we are over the hump. If you can imagine the work week as this mountain and Wednesday was the peak, Thursday has us coming down the other side. And although the stress of that uphill battle is behind you, you still need to make it down the mountain without collapsing. For me, that means leg day! Squats, lunges, what have you. It’s a good day for leg work because again, the alignment is there to flow with the rhythm of the week, allowing for some relative ease in the process. Why swim upstream when you can float down it? It’s just easier. And I don’t know about you guys but I’m not in the mood for more challenges at the moment. Life is hard enough and I’m just trying to keep all the components intact. Go with the flow…

Friday-

Life: Clean-out/ Organize/Downsize

Fitness: Stretch

Life:

You are so close to the weekend at this point that chances are slim you have the mental capacity to deal with anything that feels “work” related. So why not just accept that? Even if you’ve managed to keep your job, working from home has caused everything to slow down. I don’t see the harm in accepting life for how it is. So rather than pretend you’re going to actually do work on this day, I would encourage you to switch gears and focus on making your house feel homey. If your gonna be stuck mostly inside, you might as well make the space comfortable. Spend some time organizing or tiding up. This doesn’t mean going on an epic purge, all Marie Kondo style. That actually sounds like a lot of f’ing work. Instead, take the day to focus on the weekend. Get your place ready for some downtime. I know many of you utilize the weekends for chores and such but that actually destroys the integrity of the weekend. And we’ll get to more on that in a minute but for now, allow yourself the virtue of easing into the next phase of your week which ideally is slower, less productive, and a well deserved break, in order to recover and start again. That being said, I find you must take initiative to protect those days or it doesn’t happen and the best way I’ve found to do that, is by being proactive before it arrives. Anticipate the weekend! Make it something to look forward to regardless of not being able to go anywhere.

Fitness:

Oh snap! It’s the home stretch so obviously, stretching is on the menu. Easing into the weekend with power lifting or some intense cardio just doesn’t do it for me. I’m more inclined to run to happy hour than run for health and that’s just how it it is. Can’t say that I’m proud of that but I’m also over pretending I’m anyone different than who I am. I’m not someone that’s in love with working out. It’s more like maintenance. It’s just something I have to do like vacuuming or paying bills and this strategy not only makes the whole idea of “fitness” more tolerable for me, it has also enabled me to stick with a “program” that works. I hate to even call it a “program” because I just made it up out of the desperate need to find a routine that both worked at home and my 10,000 excuses. And, if you are anything like me, you might have similar tendencies and to that I say, grab the wine and get on your mat! Take a sip, lay down and then roll around loosening all the tight spots. This doesn’t have to be a full blown yoga routine. It’s just a little somethin somethin to close-out the week with a small nod to health before the weekend debauchery!

Saturday-

Life: No Rules

Fitness: No Rules

Debauchery say wha?! Yeah. Pretty much…

Life:

Ok, here’s the thing about Saturdays. Remember above, where I said tasks and chores were ruining the integrity of the weekend? Well here’s why… When you neglect to protect a place for rest in your schedule then you always live from the place of “catch-up”. Meaning, if you always have something scheduled then you leave yourself no room to go back. You’re on a constant cycle of churn and burn and either exhaustion or boredom will squash even the best intentions. However, if you have a day that serves as a “free space”, that gives you an entire day to catch-up on anything you missed during the week. There is a difference between scheduling tasks that should get done, verse choosing tasks because you have the time. Although they may look similar in action, the difference is in the feeling when pursuing activities as a choice. The freedom of being able to say yes or no is the privileged you have over protecting your mental health. You can’t do all the things, all the time. To ignore your own desires, is you giving away your power to influence your environment. I’m not saying to ignore pressing needs cause again, you have the freedom to address them if you choose. I’m just suggesting you make room to explore your energetic slack. It’s not only ok to give yourself a break, it’s important to acknowledge the monotony of life right now has its own grind and can wear you down.

Fitness:

Dude. It’s no rule. If I were you, I’d up the ante on indulgence! Make cinnamon rolls and drink a beer, all while binging on Netflix in pajamas. Let go of regimen, just for the day, and relish in the chance to explore what you fancy. Take the day off so you can get back to the workweek recovered and with the strength for self-discipline. That discipline part is an increasingly important component in adapting to our new normal, so use this day as a life exhale. If you missed some exercises from earlier in the week then go for it, if you’re game. But if not, then don’t do it, and don’t feel guilty. The best part of this style of “cyclical” training is that you can theoretically skip an entire week of exercise but convince yourself you really only skipped a day. How ya like that logic? It’s good right?! ;)

Sunday-

Life: Prep Day

Fitness: Head Space

Life:

This is for whatever needs to happen to prepare for the coming week. For me this includes things like laundry, groceries, cleaning any common areas that got destroyed in my Saturday bender… I also tend to bake a bread, or make a big meal that will provide for a few days of leftovers. Most this stuff you could defined as chores but they’re the kind of things that prepare you for a strong start, rolling into the next cycle. A little prep on Sundays can go a long way to starting the week out on the right foot.

It’s depressing to think we lost our sense of purpose just because we’ve lost our jobs. That’s really just a misunderstanding. By redefining your schedule to reflect your needs, absent of the clock is a step towards reconnecting with your values. Jobs are not an indication of self worth. That’s just the mind f*ck and the confusion, depressions and paralysis you’re feeling in the shake-up is just the bangover between now and what’s next. The best thing we can do during the interim, is prepare ourselves for hard times but it’s hard to prepare anything without a plan. So take the time… Take the day to think about what you’re going to tackle tomorrow so when you get-up in the morning you have the beginnings of an action plan.

Fitness:

Meditate!

Yeah… I don’t do it either but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea. However, if that’s not your thing there are lots of other ways to use your brain. My go-to is books. I like reading and typically do so at night before bed which means I usually fall asleep on the same paragraph every night. I really only get ahead by taking some time on Sundays to read on the couch. Twenty minutes turns into two hours and next thing you know, I’m so sucked into the story, that I’m staying up all night just to finish. I’ve also gotten back into journaling. I’ve gone through phases where I’d keep a journal, mostly while traveling, or going through a break-up or some situation that I need help processing. Journaling helps me get the drama out so I could move on with whatever. And ya know what? This appears to be one of those times. I don’t know about you all but my mind has been racing with thoughts for weeks now and it’s nice to have a place to park them other than Facebook or Instagram. My point is it’s helpful to have a constructive distraction. Be it a puzzle, a book, or even a bath; engage in something that offers a mental escape.

Alright, I know this is beyond long and I’m trying to wrap this up while the pandemic is still relevant. But before I leave you to digest my mental vomit, I want to stress the importance of ADAPTABILITY during this time. We are not in a healthcare crisis or an economic crisis or whatever type of institutional crisis they are gonna throw at us. We are in a national state of emergency which means chaos is on all fronts. If you go to sleep now it’s going to be hard to catch-up so I urge you all to stay aware of the pace of change even if you don’t feel it directly. The lag in our cultural mentality is at threat with our cultural conscience. The fact that the virus is rolling out in waves means some parts of the country won’t understand the severity of the crisis until well after some states have peaked. The peak is not the end. Every state will have to come down the other side and just as we’ve seen some states lag in response, we’ll likely also experience fledgling anticipation to get back to life before it’s safe. The point of this post is to provide you with some tools for how to be ok with being home for potentially a very long time. It’s one thing for officials to tell us that staying home is in our best interest but without tools and coping mechanisms, I fear we’re set-up for failure. I am not an expert on surviving a pandemic but I have a lot of experience to adapting to sudden and isolating change so, these are my tips. I hope they are helpful and I hope some of you have tips of your own that you’d be willing to share. People are going to struggle with this and their success directly influences our ability to move beyond this virus. Share your thoughts! Share your feelings. This is a time to share and connect and guide each other with compassion. Comparisons don’t matter. Race, gender, class… none of that matters. This is a human experience; one with the largest unifying opportunity we might ever experience in our lifetime. It will include anger and grief, and perhaps most importantly vulnerability. How we treat each other during this time will shape our culture for years to come. I’m begging you to act with your heart.

Take love you good people!

3 Reasons You Need Pineapples In The Age Of This Coronavirus

As we find ourselves in midst of the Coronavirus we should turn to pineapple for a helping hand. I know, I know… Ya all probably think this is trash talk but hear me out. I have three specific reasons why pineapple should be the fruit mascot for all things Covid-19. You ready?

1. Respiratory Health

Pineapple is rich in Bromelian which is an enzyme with a positive record for treating upper respiratory track infections. Several studies including “The Use of Bromelain in Pneumological Therapy” published in 1978, as well as the 1967 publication of “A Double-Blind Clinical Evaluation of Bromelains in the Treatment of Acute Sinusitis” both reported effective results in treating respiratory illnesses. For those suffering from pneumonia and bronchitis, bromelain can apparently help suppress coughs and reduce sputum which is the mucus-y stuff coughed up from the respiratory track. Bromelain is reported to decrease such secretions, helping to increase the capacity and function of the lungs! Holla! Additionally, pineapple is loaded in vitamin C and manganese which are essential for antioxidant defense. In short, that means immunity boosting nutrients, and with Coronavirus cases continuing to rise, this is the time to feed your body with nourishment that might literally help you or a loved one fight for their life.

Granted, pineapple is no substitute for medical intervention but right now we are in a time of uncertainty and medicines with a cure are still being researched. If there is one take away we can all observe right now, it’s that those with compromised immune systems and underlying health condition are facing greater risks against this virus. We don’t have all the answers as to how we as a people get sick, but we do have a lot of them. Heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure are illnesses threaten by the Covid-19 and all of which correlate back to diet. Now has never been a better time to take a good hard look at what we are eating and take a proactive step toward improving our health. I know this virus has us feeling as though life is out of control but this is something you can do. You can make pineapple part of your diet. It's quite possible this fruit can help and if nothing else, we can at least trust that it won’t hurt.

2. Pineapple Propagation

That’s right folks! Growing food should at least be in the back of everyone’s mind. I don’t want to be an alarmist but when you hear stories about global border closures, record plunges of the stock market, collapsing healthcare systems, and a growing viral pandemic, it’s a bit naive to assume all will turn-out rosy. Shit is going down right now and our leadership is floundering. And this is not a political statement. This is just glaringly obvious by every single Facebook or Instagram post highlighting the states of panic, depression, concern and ambivalence rampant among us. People don’t know what to do and what’s worse is management of every kind seems just as clueless.

But folks, I have some news for you. If you find yourself waiting to be lead forward by anyone in a “crisis”, the joke’s on you. There is no white knight. No hero is at the helm standing watch, waiting for the right moment to lift you from the storm. YOU are the only one that can do that, and the sooner you come to terms with this sad misfortune the better off you’ll be. Let that sink in for a bit. There is a good change you won’t get it right now but I promise you that at some point it will click and rather than some enlightened awakening, you might experience something more akin to a great thaw. It wasn’t enlightening to learning that I was single-handedly patching cracks in our system so my family,( myself included) could remain afloat. The legal system demanded my parents receive care (Read About page) which personally hamstrung me to the broken healthcare system. Naturally that then tethered me to the financial system. And then that system fettered me to the welfare system. And then that system, to the food system.. You see where I’m going with this? You might remember my old posts about needing new glasses, getting by on $50 a week (for me and my dad), or just wanting a hair cut… It was an extremely rough time made rougher by isolation. But guess what? No hero in sight except, m y s e l f…

{Insert the epic “thaw” here. }

For the first time in probably two or three years I saw the true reality of the situation. It was my shit sandwich and I had to swallow it. We all know that expression “to eat shit” but until the load is on your plate, the magnitude of the task ahead is peripheral. Well, that shit was not peripheral. That shit, was a diarrhea of a shit and it was front and center. It was the cold, and cruel reality of a dangerous uncertainty and no sooner did I choke it down, did the ice begin to melt. First, my eyes cleared and I started taking in the big picture. Then the rage formed, just as I started to shake my shoulders lose. By the time I could free my elbows, I was ready to throw punches. But the punches never came. Turns out hands are harbingers for solutions and as soon as mine were loose they were called to action. I started cranking out spoons to help supply us with more income. And I started reading the Wall Street Journal to better understand the f’ing stock market. Financial security was food security and I realized the risk of having only one pillar in play. You follow me?

The whole point of this rant is to shake you out of your ice. Do not allow yourself to become frozen in place, paralyzed by the news and your new found circumstance. Think forward. Think ahead and prepare now. Start a garden if you can. We’ve just entered Spring and the ground is ripe for new seeds. No room for a garden? Try a container version instead, or just a single plant. We literally Do. Not. Know. What. Is. Going. To. Happen! So, let’s be a little proactive. At best, growing some of our own food makes us individually more sustainable. At worst we have a sad little plant that produced nothing but root rot. Either way it’s win-win. This provides you something purposeful to do with your new home-bound life as well as a new found respect for the hard working farmers that keeps us fed!

As for the pineapple, it’s just easy to propagate. You can just get one at the store (assuming they remain available) , cut the top off, and plop it right into the soil and it will grow. It does take a while but it’s seriously easy. Mine grew (I have two) and I was far less methodical with my attempt than the link above. They also work in pots and if it doesn’t fruit, it still looks good. This might be your first step in having a Victory Garden. Why not get a jump?

3. Pineapple Recipes

This segment should be obvious. Not only are pineapples good for respiratory health and easy to grow, but you can also cook with them. Duh… You get the most nutritional density by just eating the fruit unaltered but don’t let that stop you from incorporating it however you can. You might only be able to find pineapple frozen or in a can and I realize that might influence how you choose to consume it but either way, go for it! One of my favorite ways of consumption for small children, elderly, or anyone feeling sick is via a smoothie or glass of pineapple juice. I don’t think you need a recipe to do this. As long as you have the basic ingredients to build a smoothie just go for it. My only suggestion is to think about the color wheel when mixing ingredients. It’s kinda like grade schools when you were mixing paints for art class… If you mix red fruit with leafy greens, you’ll likely get a brown smoothie. Gross! However, if you mix red fruit with yellow fruit you’ll get orange. Or yellow fruit and leafy greens will create a lighter green smoothie. The saying goes, and I believe this, “you eat with your eyes”. I don’t know about you, but the only brown smoothie I’m into is chocolate or coffee something. Stop making gross looking smoothies! Jamba Juice doesn’t do and neither should you. In addition to drinks, pineapple has a place in both sweet and savory recipes. Along with the typical pineapple upside-down cake it goes well with chicken and pork or mixed in with some rice and beans. Really, just take yourself to Pinterest if you need inspiration. This is not rocket science.

Alright, and on that note, I gotta, GOTTA, GOTTA finish this up. When I said I was going to dive into more posts about isolation I didn’t think pineapple was going to be the first rabbit hole I’d send you down. And if you are still here, I’m impressed! And please comment and let me know how you feel cause if you want me to talk some real talk about isolation, then here’s a dose… How about the fact that I posted this blog for years, A L O N E, during the hardest time in my life and rarely a peep did anyone make here to encourage me on. That’s not a guilt trip. It’s just a fact. And worth thinking a bit on what it means to “show-up” for someone when you physically can’t be near them. I can tell you from experience that it’s gonna take more than a Facebook like. Likes don’t save lives. Nor will they save the livelihoods of the millions of people that will be effected. So buckle folks. This ride has only just started.

Also, pineapple for the win! Just sayin’…;)

What To Expect From Social Distancing

Day 11 in isolation:

Let me tell you folks, as someone that spent relatively five years in isolation, You. Can. Do. This!

Most of you that follow me here already know the story. My parents got sick and I had to abruptly leave my job, my apartment ,my partner, my new car, my everything, to care for not one but two parents with ALZ and dementia. Blah, blah, blah... It was the f’ing worst! It was my whole world and it crashed around me in an instant. Oh, and spoiler alert, everyone died. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do and in the wake of this crisis, you need to know you can do this, and it’s gonna f’ing SUCK!

I’m thinking about reviving this site to share more about the isolation experience as I see so many suffering with the dynamics of all this change. And I wish I could say being away from all your friends and family will be easy, but I can’t. It’s not. It’s the worst f’ing thing I’ve ever experienced and I did it for five F’ING years!!!!

But! And there is a really big BUT here... Isolation teaches you things about yourself that the world itself cannot and I encourage everyone to just take a deep breath and think about your fear. Is it loss of income? Is it loneliness? Is it the loss of your stability or worse… death?

Tell me what it is and maybe I can share what I gained when I faced those things alone. Maybe it will help calm you if you’re feeling scared. I was scared for a good long while and I still am... but perhaps not to the same degree. I’m not the same person I was when this journey first started. The years changed me but I’m better for it and I’m happy to share more of that experience if you think it might be helpful.

Tip #1: Get a hobby!
Stay healthy and stay home! Love to you all!

{Originally posted on Instagram on March 23, 2020.}

Senior Playlist For Coronavirus Comfort

Dear caregivers and friends,

As we are all experiencing these uncertain times I can’t help thinking about our most vulnerable population. My heart breaks at the suffering of both seniors and caregivers as you navigate the challenging recommendation of social distancing. The picture of loved ones being visited through windows; nursing homes and assisted living centers under a mandatory void of visitors… The isolation sounds awful. The alarm should have sounded for the elderly long before the threat of Covid-19 but here we are and the bell is ringing. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to help in this crisis. What can I do to help this community? I regret to say I cannot make respirators however I have made an age appropriate playlist for seniors and hopefully it can offer a slight sigh of relief.

As many of you know, my dad, Robert Look (aka #koolbob) suffered from dementia where daily he struggled with confusion facing the world around him. The only thing that soothed his soul was the sound of music and it is my hope that this collection of his favorites might also help to sooth yours or your loved ones. He passed in December of 2018 when he was 86 and that detail is relevant only for you to grasp his age. He was from a different generation. He was part of the “Silent Generation”, born between the two World Wars and part of a generation that we might lose rather quickly if we don’t slow the pace of this virus. I can only imagine how terrified they must feel as we practice this new concept of social distancing. So, if you are a caregiver for the elderly or manage a nursing home or assisted living center and finding yourself at a loss as to how to bring comfort to the seniors in your care, pause for a moment, press play, and turn the music up for our parents and grandparents whom we want to hung but can’t.

My dad in his prime.

I know caregiving is frequently a thankless job but I want to assure you that we are all beyond thankful for your service! You are the true heroes of this crisis and as the weight of the world feels entirely on your shoulders please know that we are standing behind you, ready to help.

Holding you in heart,

Ashley.

4 Reasons You Should Consider Using Affordable Tech to Manage Diabetes Symptoms

Hey Folks!

I know it’s been all but forever since the last time you’ve seen a post here but that’s a tale for another time. Today I’m fortunate to have Justin Bennett from healthyfit.info, your one-stop shop for the best exercise routines, motivational tidbits, and more from across the world wide web. He’s got some tips on using tech to help manage diabetes. Read below for his suggestions then head over to his web page to get fitness news you can use.

Here’s Justin:

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With insulin and prescription prices on the rise, many diabetics may be looking for more affordable solutions to manage their symptoms. Although tech may not be high on that list, adding health and fitness gadgets to your daily routine can actually make controlling your diabetes and improving your well-being so much easier. Wondering how tech can help those with diabetes and how tech can fit into your budget? Then these tips may be of interest to you.

1. With Dicks Coupons, Tech Can Be Low Cost

If your fears about cost are keeping you from investing in tech that can make managing your diabetes easier, you should know that some of the most helpful tech can also be some of the most affordable for your budget. When you shop for health and fitness gear at stores like Dicks Sporting Goods, not only can you take advantage of in-store discounts that can save you money, but you can also use online coupons that can save you even more. Some of these promotions offer cashback bonuses on your purchases, so you can invest in even more tech for your health and wellness. Fitness trackers can come in handy for monitoring stats, like your heart rate and daily steps, so you can better manage diabetes symptoms.

2. Tech Could Potentially Save a Life

Basic fitness trackers from are great gadgets for monitoring basic vitals, and can provide the motivation diabetics need to stay active. If you want even more for your money, though, you should consider investing in a smartwatch that has additional safety features. For instance, Apple’s latest smartwatches, like the Series 4, come loaded with features like a heart rate monitor, electrocardiogram and fall detection features that can be especially useful for older adults with diabetes. SOS and Medical ID can also be helpful for diabetics, and could even save your life in the event that you are unable to dial 911 during a medical emergency. Many Garmin smartwatches also have similar health and safety features, like an emergency contact list and an incident detection setting, if you are not an Apple fan.

3. Tech Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

There are definitely gadgets on the market that have been created with diabetics in mind. Things like glucose tablet holders and glucose monitors can be easy to use and effective for helping those with diabetes manage their condition. Really, though, the most powerful way that tech can help you manage your diabetes is by encouraging healthier lifestyle choices. For example, if you are affected by Type 2 diabetes, maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your need for insulin, and the latest weight loss apps can make attaining your diet and fitness goals so much easier. Best of all these apps are simple to use and allow you to track things like food choices and activity levels, plus most of them offer low-cost or free memberships.

4. Tech May Be Covered By Medicare or Insurance

 If you’re still anxious about fitting health and fitness gadgets into your budget, know that there may be one more option for getting those devices paid for without impacting your personal finances. Under many Medicare and insurance plans, certain fitness trackers may be provided at no additional charge to those covered. These basic fitness trackers are only available to employees or seniors who are included in these select insurance plans, but there may be additional options to help pay for smartwatches as well. Aetna is now offering free Apple watches to customers, so long as those folks commit to specific health and wellness goals. So if you are covered by these plans, you could score free tech to manage your diabetes.

We already use technology to make so many other areas of life more convenient. So why not find ways to use tech that makes managing your diabetes less stressful? Investing in health and fitness tech can be fairly affordable, when you use the tips above. Plus, you may even be able to reduce your need for costly medications, which can improve your budget and your overall quality of life.

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Since I’m always one to add my own two cents, I thought I would share my recent experience managing diabetes. My partner’s father has struggled with the condition for years. We spent the holidays navigating everything from appointments with a dietitian for nutrition education, podiatrist appointments for treatments for his diabetic neuropathy, to struggles sourcing his Freestyle Libre, the blood glucose monitor that eliminates the use of fingersticks. On top of everything else, he’s also visually impaired due to the disease which increases complications of all kinds. Long story short, diabetes can control just about every aspect of your life. Without early intervention the condition can escalate, compounding one’s physical health and increase demand on caregiver support.

As many of you know, I was a long time caregiver to both my parents so I can’t help but advocate for the health and well-being of caregivers. However, as the demands of the “industry” increase, the most prudent way to support that demographic is by prioritizing your own personal health and remain vigilant in managing your own self-care. Outsourcing your health to others and assuming that third party is going to “fix” you is a medical misunderstanding. You have to be your own advocate. It’s up to YOU to do the work. Time and time again, I have seen the healthcare system crumble around the needs of those in desperate situations. The heartache of disappointment is almost as painful as illness itself. If there is anything I have learned from years of caregiving, it’s that the support we seek when illness befalls us, might not be there.

I hate to sound so grim but I’ve seen the shortcomings of the healthcare system up close. Even with great insurance there is risk in assuming you’ll receive “great” care. My advice to you is to hope for the best. Truly hope for the best and take advantage of what healthcare really provides. Take advantage tech and gadgets that can help put you in control. But also prepare for the worst. Do that by being proactive with your own health and being realistic about they type of care you can expect to have. Not only will this potentially alter your personal health for the better, but it might even help elevate the growing caregiving crisis we are experiencing as a nation.

Health Tips for Seniors: How to Live a Longer, Better Life

The fountain of youth is perhaps less of a magical well restoring juvenescence but instead, a repository that’s deep in knowledge. Understanding our needs throughout aging and accessibility to benefits and services can help us navigate some age related challenges that can improve upon quality of life. Fortunately, Harry Cline, creator of NewCaregiver.org and author of the upcoming book, The A-Z Home Care Handbook: Health Management How-Tos for Senior Caregivers is here with some tips for seniors on how to live a longer, better life! You can read his suggestions below.

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Whole body self-care is important at every stage of life. For seniors, as new healthcare challenges arise, healthy living is critical not only for preventive care but also to actively combat ailments and be proactive in keeping your mind and body sharp. Developing healthy living habits not only helps you live a longer life, but it also improves your daily quality of life.

 Health Insurance

 It’s imperative to understand what is and is not provided under your insurance so that you can maximize the benefits, get the most out of preventative care, and plan ahead for the uncovered costs. At 65, you become eligible for Medicare, which means you are faced with options. When you apply for Medicare, you’re automatically enrolled in Part A, which covers stays at the hospital, some instances of skilled nursing, and hospice. Most people don’t have to pay for Part A, but there’s a deductible that you’ll need to familiarize yourself with each year.

 Part B covers your normal visits to the doctor’s office, lab tests, medical equipment, ambulance, and other outpatient care. Annually, the government sets the monthly premium and deductible for Part B care. Part D covers prescription drugs. If you can afford the extra premiums, Medigap coverage, which is extra health coverage beyond your normal plan, can help you cover some expenses. You will want to keep up with yearly updates to these plans.

 Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage plans, are in lieu of Parts A, B, and D. Some of these plans provide added coverage for dental, vision, and access to fitness facilities across the nation.

 Self-Evaluation

 As we age, our capabilities change. We will become more knowledgeable and skilled, but we may also lose some physical and mental capabilities. Frequently, you should evaluate where you are in your life. For instance, if your knees are not what they once were, pushing yourself in running or aerobics will only hurt you. Try the alternative like water aerobics or yoga.

 Driving keeps adults mobile and independent, but as reflexes slow down and vision deteriorates, driving can become dangerous. Fortunately, if you must stop driving, there are alternatives such as public transportation, taxis, and ride-sharing options. More than ever before, you have more options to get around that don’t have to involve driving. You will still experience a high quality of life, even if you have to change how you go about it. You will, however, need to budget for this, because most public ride services aren’t free.

 Self-Care

 As life gets in the way, it’s easy to let things fall by the wayside. When people run out of time, money, or energy, one of the first things to go is self-care. To maintain as much independence as possible and live your best life, you must make your health and well-being a top priority. Even if you spent your whole life eating poorly, it’s not too late to turn things around. Pick up healthy cooking as a hobby, try fun recipes and experiment with new flavors.

 Other self-care acts to incorporate into your life include:

•  Exercising regularly, focusing on balance and strength

• Getting outdoors to experience fresh air and soak up natural vitamin D

• Seeking help from a physical therapist to assist with posture

• Joining a book club, chess club, or walking group to stay social and connected

• Playing games and puzzles to keep your brain sharp

• Taking time to relax

• Taking time to travel

 Unfortunately, even with a top-notch diet, you run a risk of not getting enough nutrients out of it. 40 percent or more of adults in the US don’t, but you can make up the difference with a high-quality multivitamin.

 A healthier lifestyle can lead to a longer life, fewer years of illness, more independence, and happier days. It’s never too late to start living better. Start by being proactive with your healthcare, schedule regular wellness check-ups, and educate yourself on your health insurance. Also, regularly check in with yourself and your loved ones to assess your well-being and changes you can make to ensure your safety. Above all, prioritize your self-care to ensure your physical and emotional well-being is taken care of.

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This is far from and exhaustive list of suggestions for living a better life and we would love to hear yours in the comments. We know that health is not a one-size-fits-all and you never know what suggestion might encourages one to take actions. Share your tips! We want to hear them.

October 2019: 1 Bowl Banana-Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

These banana-chocolate chip mini muffins are a game changer for senior eating! Mini anything is always enticing but these muffins are made in a single bowl making caregiver clean-up a breeze. They are sure to win over everyone thanks to chocolate chips. Kids too! And with some sneaky ingredients for extra nutrition, what’s not to love? They are mini but mighty, which seems like an important details when it comes to muffins.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas mashed
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• zest on 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl mix the mashed bananas, egg, yogurt sugar and oil.
3. Throw in the flours and baking powder and mix until it's well combined.
4. Fold in the chocolate chips (I used mini chips however regular size will work just fine).
5. Scoop batter into well greased muffin tins.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15ish minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from a center muffin. (If using tradional sized muffin tins they will likely take longer to cook. Just keep a watchful eye while baking.)

A mini but mighty muffin recipe with banana and chocolate chips.

Make and bake! And then tell me what you think, especially how many is too many, cause, ugh… I’m asking for a friend? Hehehehe…

Two Recipes For Better Sandwiches

Back to school means back to lunch but your sandwiches don’t have to be boring. Prep these two recipes and store them in the fridge for a quick fix on snoozy sandwich days. Below is a recipe for some quick pickled onions when you need a tasty crunch. The other is a turmeric-tahini dressing for days when your sandwich needs a little slather of extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 thinly sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. salt

Directions

1. Mix the vinegar, sugar, and salt in a bowl then toss in the onions and give them a stir.
2. That's it. Yep. You're done.
3. You can transfer them into a jar or storage container for safe keeping. They should last a good long week in your fridge soaking away in their pickling liquid.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup tahini
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. honey or maple syrup
• 2-3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 3 Tbsp. water
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric
• pinch of cayenne
• ground pepper to taste

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Thin with more water if necessary
3. Transfer to a storage container and keep in your fridge.
4. Use as neccessary to doctor up boring sandwiches!

Both of these recipes will help you beat the lunch room blues. Don’t delay! Get these in your fridge ASAP!

September 2019: Basic Baguette Bread Recipe

Baguettes can be tricky but I’m here to tell you to forget goals of perfection and just get on with yo’ baking selves. There is no reason to let authenticity keep you from making things. I believe it’s far better to fumble through something with decent success than to avoid it all together and be dependent. Perfection often stands in the way of progress. Just try and and you’ll find yourself well on the way to becoming a more competent human. Yes, still far from perfect but more capable and self-reliant which seems like a good first step toward reducing your personal footprint and living a more sustainable lifestyle.

You’re shocked right? Who knew you could get so eco-friendly from baking baguette? Hey, you gotta start somewhere. And if you’re not convinced on the lifestyle, maybe you’ll be inspired by convenience. The great things about have baguettes in your life (besides crostinis) is the easy in feeding a crowd. I got two words for you: Sub and Sandwiches…

This baguette recipe was perfect for shaping long, beautiful loaves.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour (extra for dusting your surface and as necessary)
• 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 cups warm water

Directions:

Phase 1

1. In a large bowl mix the flour, salt, and yeast together.
2. Add the warm water and mix to form a shaggy dough ball.
3. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest 8 to 12 hours or overnight in a cool environment like a basement. (You can place it in your fridge, but remove it and let it come to room temperature for a few hours before starting the next phase.)

Phase 2

1. Remove the plastic wrap and carefully dump the dough out onto a floured surface.
2. Divide the dough in half and gently work one piece at a time into a long 16 inch length baguette loaf. (For shaping tips click here.
3. Place on an oiled baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap and let rise for about 30 minutes.
4. Repeat the process with the second piece of dough.

Phase 3

1. Place a small bread pan with an inch of water in the oven and preheat it to 450 degrees F. (The pan of water will help create a crispy crust that you want for the exterior of your baguettes. You can read about creating crispy crusts at home by clicking here.)
2. When the oven is ready, remove the plastic wrap, score the tops of your baguettes and place the baking sheet with the loaves in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
3. After 15 minutes, carefully remove the pan of water from the oven and continue baking for another 10 to 15 more minutes until the crust is a golden brown.
4. Carefully remove the baguettes from the baking sheet and let them cool on a wire rack before cutting into them.

And now that you have your baguettes you can make epic sub sandwiches! Perhaps it was grow-up experiencing Subway’s party sub at childhood birthday parties but I’ve forever thought the execution wicked long sandwiches was brilliant for crowd feeding. Just cut it lengthwise and top it with the goody of your choice and then slice and serve to the masses. It’s seriously easy. I made this falafel version for a group of 25 starving sailors the other day and rejoiced in the easy labor of it all. Would I make 25 individual sandwiches for them? Heck no! Ain’t nobody got time for that! Work smarter not harder folks… You need this recipe in your back pocket.

Enjoy the full moon! Its the weekend. Go bake!

Turmeric & Ginger Squash Soup Recipe

There is just something about the combination of both turmeric and ginger that brings the cozy and what better cozy is there than a soup? That’s right folks. It’s soup season. I might be a bit early on this one but when you are a girl from South Florida hangin’ in Maine, the cold comes early. ‘Tis time…

And if you’re looking to boost your immune system as we head into some cooler weather, well grab a bowl cause this soup is basically a nutrition bomb. It’s rich in antioxidants like carotenoids and curcumin helping to reduce inflammation and keep you feeling good. Did I mention the lemon juice and pomegranate drizzle? Yeah… you’re just gonna have to take my word for it. You need this soup in your life!

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp. turmeric
• 1 tsp. curry powder
• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
• 3 cups squash ( I roasted a Jarradale Squash whole and scooped out 3 cups.)
• 3 to 4 cups of broth or enough for desired consistancy.
• 1 lemon
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 tbsp pomegranate reduction

Directions

1. In a large pot, dry toast the powdered spices till slightly fragrant.
2. Add the butter and oil and mix with the spices.
3. Then add the chopped onion, garlic and fresh ginger and saute in the spices for a few minutes.
4. Next, add a small amount of broth to deglaze the botton of the pot, then add the squash.
5. Add more broth to cover the squash and let simmer till thouroughly cooked.
6. Carefully use an immersion blender and puree soup addind more broth if necessary.
7. Squeeze the lemon into the soup and stir. (I used a whole lemon.)
8. Serve into bowls and add 1/8 cup of coconut milk to each bowl.
9. Drizzle the pomagranate sauce if using and add salt and pepper to taste.