really old style living?

ChocClare

csarina, thanks for the linky about the fan (better late than never). We haven't lit the stove to give our fan one last go yet, but doubtless we will. It is incredibly foggy here today, so that's usually the first sign of Autumn.

We were without electricity for 3 hours at work today. It was rather nice - no phones ringing off the hook for a start. Didn't get anything done though so will need to catch up tomorrow. Hey ho.

seasalt_2

ThriftyFelicity wrote: »

You can still collect driftwood for making stuff, though...

I have got one or two pieces that I will make into something - probably just mobiles - love the stools above though - I also have an artist friend who makes beautiful poignant/quirky pieces from found objects, not just driftwood, so quite often give bits to her - and DS found me a most stunning silvery piece of tree trunk this summer - would make a good chair back - or might just leave it as is. My woodworking skills are not very great though so not sure about functional pieces - maybe some windsculptures for the garden?

mardatha

I'd like advice on really old style nutrition. The old cookery books always have a whole section of cookery books devoted to "invalid cooking"... reflecting the times before antibiotics and free healthcare.
My (adult) daughter has just been diagnosed with COPD, is very run down, has had a cold which went into a chest infection and so far has lasted 4 weeks, and is a very poor picky eater. (She is very thin). She will go all day without eating, just drinking coffee and smoking & then have an evening meal.. And now that is coming home to roost.
How would our grannies/great grannies have dealt with this ? Can anybdy give me ideas on what small things I can buy her to make her eat, improve appetite, build her up - as well as vitamins, I can do vitamins but need help with food to tempt a picky awkward eater. And no, she isnt 5. She's a lot older. Old enough to know better LOL!

Primrose

Until we experience them, we often don't realise the full implications of having a prolonged power cut. It's often that landline phones don't work if they have digital displays. We keep an old fashioned telephone in a cupboard as an emergency back-up instrument for such situations but it's a nuisance not being able to get on with other chores such as ironing, etc. And even worse, unless you have a battery powered laptop - no computer or internet access - and No Money Saving Forums either:rotfl: If it's daylight one can go outdoors and catch up with some gardening or go for a walk. On one occasion when we had a prolonged daytime powercut, I took myself down to our local library to keep warm and catch up with all the magazines they stock, but evenings can be deadly if there's no light even to read a book. I just retire to bed with my mini Sony Walkman or MP3 player.

D&DD

Mardatha I've always been a 'funny eater' my mum had no end of probs with me when I was younger,I remember being fed spoonfuls of malt,complan,minadex,glucose and other such lovely stuff *vomit smiley* :rotfl:

Even now I'm skinny and eat at weird times and what I fancy rather than 3 square meals a day,I'm also a coffee and fags person :o


I love savoury stuff and love things like crispbreads,ryvitas,those cheesy twist things,and often snack on those.Topped with cheese,philly and pate are my faves,not altogether though

What sort of food does she like??

NualaBuala

Aw Mardatha, that's rotten - hope she'll be ok. As for "old enough to know better" .. am wondering to myself whether that comes from you, RV or both!

I don't know what my granny would have done but when I did Home Ec we had a section on Invalid Cooking full of vile stuff like plain poached fish and other anaemic looking stuff. Well not vile but not appetising. I don't think there was any extra nutrition in it, just that it was easily digested. There were some milk-puddingy things (no jam or anything nice mixed in of course) but I've a feeling dairy is not so good for lung conditions - I think it encourages mucus to form?

I know garlic is meant to have fabulous medicinal properties (and onions, ginger herbs). A lot of people swear by garlicky chicken soup for colds and flu. I have a book called Food Pharmacy with a recipe for it if you'd like it?

As a former fussy eater I'd be inclined to try to tempt her with stuff she likes in small portions - leaves you wanting more rather than overwhelmed by all you've to get through.

BTW I had a lovely curly kale colcannon last night - I can email you some if you like.

Kiwisaver_2

D&DD wrote: »

Mardatha I've always been a 'funny eater' my mum had no end of probs with me when I was younger,I remember being fed spoonfuls of malt,complan,minadex,glucose and other such lovely stuff *vomit smiley* :rotfl:

Even now I'm skinny and eat at weird times and what I fancy rather than 3 square meals a day,I'm also a coffee and fags person :o

I love savoury stuff and love things like crispbreads,ryvitas,those cheesy twist things,and often snack on those.Topped with cheese,philly and pate are my faves,not altogether though

God love you D&DD, I think I just found my sister. :T I think it was made worse by my parents fussing and making huge issues over what and when I ate: shoving Minadex, malt and colourful vitamin bally things into me all because I would far rather eat Cream Crackers and cheese at midnight than be forced to eat Brussell sprouts at 5 o'clock because it was teatime. I have been in rebellion for the last 27 years and eat what I want when I want.

I remember doing 'Invalid' cooking in school too, seem to remember the words bland, bland and bland featured highly, Like Nuala Buala I recall it was all very pale and easily digested: poached fish, mashed potatoes.

If I am unwell I like soup and you can easily disguise a multitude of goodness in there.

mardatha

:eek: Not coming back in here until the nasty lady takes the "K" word away !!!
D3, she is a carnivore. Pure and utter. She likes meat. Steak pies, mince, stew, but there's a limit on how much meat you can eat in a day eh... :rotfl:
If I could smoke fags & drink coffee then maybe I wouldnt be a stone overweight....

mardatha

Ah, maybe invalid cookery was mainly for ulcers then,. and digestion. I probly need to go further back and find out what they fed patients with TB. Butter I think. LOL !

anguk

Sorry to hear about your daughter Mardatha.

I've got my MIL's old "Practical Cookery For All" from the 1950s and there's a section on "Invalid Cooking", it mainly stresses the importance of fresh fruit & vegetables, roughage, protein, fats and fluids. I've just had a quick read through it and it seems mostly just basic common sense, small nutritional meals "little & often", plenty of fluids and making sure there's enough vitamins and minerals.

One bit of advice was to treat the "invalid" like you would treat a small child - small, nutritious appetising meals, encouragement and praise. I think your daughter may not appreciate a "star chart" though.

There's some good advice about diet on the LungUK website:
http://www.lunguk.org/you-and-your-lungs/living-with-a-lung-condition/healthy-eating-and-your-lungs