Old Style Ways and Poor Health part 2.

MingVase

No,  she'll sit beside you but move if you get too close. I dont use the heat and massage no.

prepareathome

Big hugs Ming - usually that is me, reading all threads on this board but even if I do reply in my head, it never makes it further.

Polly, I remember the tricks and tips I think it would be a great idea to revive them as it hard whether you are newly or long term chronically ill and need to do things differently yet finances or wanting to live a more eco/frugal/older style way of life make you feel you never can as you do need to buy thing others would make for example yet if we cannot do somethings, we can manage others that help us and fits in with how we would like to live.  Sometimes there are really easy ways to do this which we might never think of yet someone else has been doing for years.  

That was my only time seeing Clannad, we have never managed to see them before.  They were wonderful and DP, who goes to a concert, on his own usually as our tastes are mostly different but we both love them (and Riverdance), always if he can goes to stage door in hopes of an autograph and chatting to members.  So, he dragged me around stage door and we were lucky the male members all came out - one to smoke and others to chat and there was only us and being older they actually did chat to us, we got photos with them and they signed our tickets - so made it a memorable night, more so of course when lockdown hit a few days later.  We did not attempt this for Riverdance as they are here for a few nights but if it had been last night he would have tried to see if he could get near stage door and get autographs - a teenager in a pensioner's body.  Hugs x

mothernerd

I'm also in the midst of catching up with appointments. Last Monday I had an appointment with the doctor and he did my flu jab at the same time. Mum saw the Practice Nurse for her flu jab and then toddled off for her blood tests. The receptionist gave me urine test paperwork for mum so organised mum into that on Friday morning. On Wednesday mum has her Covid booster (can book mine now - they didn't have appointment slots up on the system when I phoned about mum's. on Friday I went for my blood tests (and took mum's urine sample to the drop off box) in the morning and mammograph in the afternoon.

I had planned to go straight to the little infirmary cafe for 2 of their excellent bacon barms (fasting from the night before so first food in 13 hours) and relished every mouthful. Caught the little bus into town and did a few errands 9posting off overseas cards, bought my puzzle book, returned 7 library books and picked 3 more, paid money into the bank, bought sandwiches and big pop from little Arseda). Thankfully they had a broken trolley which I used shamelessly for support and then to walk 3 bus stops (the bus to Wigan is now very high frequency so 2 bus stops have been dedicated to that one service and all the other buses redistributed.

Weather wasn't great (dodged most of the showers) and I was really tired by then so returned to the infirmary (warm and dry and, comfy chairs, excellent - and free -toilets). I had food, drinks and books to read and sat in a quiet corner for over an hour before beginning the long trek all the way round the carpark to the mobile breast screening unit. caught thee bus straight back and walked like a zombie back to mum's.

This week I've had an assessment interview for CBT. Likely to go on the Wellbeing course I did in 2018 but it's now done by video link (so need to ask DS3 and Beloved for a tutorial). It's also an alternative version for people with long-term conditions (think there were one or two on the previous course, one very vocal lady). I will still have the option of one to one counselling after the course, as I did before. I manage my MH very well most of the time but it's important to recognise when you need outside help. My crisis point is way beyond the common definition (doctor said I was doing excellently considering all the things I'm dealing with). 

Tomorrow I have a repeat diabetic review with the practice nurse. I think I have lost a little weight and hoping my blood tests were okay. Friday will be more tidying (it is making a difference, though it took a long while before it looked any better at all). Think I am going to book a 'holiday'. only an overnight stay in December. Newcastle on the Saturday, On to the hotel at 7pm and then Sunday at the Christmas fair at Beamish (not been but wanted to for a long while). Not intending to tear around (lots of sitting on benches) or socialise in the bar, just want peace and quiet and a bit of being looked after. Mum will have her Saturday visitor for several hours and there's an 'Afternoon Tea' at church which someone else has offered to go to with her and she will get to chatter with all her old friends. Was tempted by the 4 days at the base of Snowden but my course will have started by then. 

I also think bringing the old tips forward is a good idea. If my current state is going to be my new normal I need all the tips, hints and cheats I can find to do the basics with the minimum of effort and spend as much time as possible having fun.  

prepareathome

Just thought I would check my water usage again as not done so for a few years - we are not on a meter and I try to remember to check every so often to see if we should move to one but once I filled in all the info they asked for and actually giving higher usage to cover  for dishwasher as odd day it does go on twice if I have had a busy day in kitchen, amount of baths, using hose, running washing machine ( do every so often have to put it on every day or even more etc I was advised that II would pay nearly £300 more if I moved to a water meter.  So, for me the frugalist option is to stay as I am money wise.  I might seem as if I am excessive but we are on a very low rateable value even though now these houses are going for massive amounts compared to the what seems like a ridiculously cheap amount we paid for it back in 1993, same for council tax we are Band A yet houses that go for less than what the resale value of our house is now are in Band D.  

In case anyone thinks I don't care about my water usage I assure you we are very careful but with my health problems no way can wash by hand for anything more than a cloth or cup.  Both washing machine and dishwasher are only ever run full on Eco mainly but at times I have to do hot washes in washing machine.  I can fully shower in 2 mins although on bad days it will take me 4 - I have timers by shower and sink (that one is from when kids were home and were forever leaving tap running as they brushed their teeth).  Does take me longer when I have to wash my hair but that is just once week, unless going somewhere special.   I also have a bath at times, love my baths but restrict them so as not to waste water, until I really, really long for one so can be months between them.  When I can, I will water garden with watering can but sadly have to do this less and less so have to use hose (when water restrictions are in place, I have exception from water company to use it after proving my need).  

Most who follow this thread will understand my relying on my appliances but oh had so many eco warriors over the years telling me how I live an extravagant lifestyle.  I used to always wash everything by hand and only bought my first washing machine in mid 1990s as just could no longer use hands to wash and dishwasher was a second hand one, I got at same time and it lasted until 2 years ago when we got a new one as parts were no longer available to repair it.  I actually enjoyed washing even sheets by hand, for me it was satisfying and then running them through the mangle, then hanging them out but never a fan of ironing them or anything if I can get away without doing so.  When we moved to this house had to buy a tumble drier as it's so small no room to hang sheets and towels and at first always a tad damp but had all the work done slowly over the years to remedy that.  I did invest in an electric maiden from Lakeland a few years ago but mainly for times tumble dryer is broken as still no space really for it. 

 Sadly, having chronic health problems means adapting the lifestyle you would like to the one you can have.  So, you can still live Old Style and frugally but not in the same way as households where everyone is healthy.   You might have to spend more in one area but then can cut back in others to offset and still keep budget, and utilities usage down. 

MingVase

Favourite easy almost-no-cook meals for when you're feeling like a dying slug? Suggestions please!

MrsCD

Cous cous and baked beans?
Fried eggs and oven chips?
Fish finger sandwiches?
Tinned soup?
It's a bit late for my brain to work any harder!

Shropshirelass

Pobs? (Bread and mi!k)

mothernerd

Tinned rice pudding and tinned fruit. Wraps - I cheated and bought sandwich fillings (throat was sore and swallowing difficult) spread them thinly on wraps and added loads of veg (egg mayonnaise and watercress was divine). Added advantage - can be assembled on a plate on my lap. Yoghurts and ice cream are good for sore throats as well. Things spread on crackers, cheese with pickled onions (I drink the pickle vinegar when my throat is sore and it can help if my stomach is out of balance). Toast. Could you fancy farley's rusks.

pollyanna_26

MingVase said:

Favourite easy almost-no-cook meals for when you're feeling like a dying slug? Suggestions please!

Not really a meal but filling. Proper porridge which is what I've had this morning. Made the OS way but with you and the RVs health conditions you may have to skip the gold top milk- I only use that on porridge normally it would feature golden syrup but neither Coop or Marks had any. It's a throw back to childhood.

Top of the milk and syrup on Sunday mornings.

As born and bred Scots I expect you take yours the traditional way.

For today I'd say a couple of poached eggs on toast if the fibro fog isn't present.

If you've any instant mash and cheese you could do a quick cheesy mash under the grill. Sliced tomatoes around the edge are good and they aren't Green. Best instant mash in my opinoin is Mr Mash.

Pasta and sauce is good . I usually use the Seeds of Change Fusilli and the Tomato and Basil or Mixed Veg sauce. We aren't fond of foreign cheeses so I usuallt finely grate white Cheshire or Lancashire instead. Mixed together pasta and sauce are fine for a few days in the fridge.

Same with Gary Rhodes Soup and other thing easy and quick to reheat.

One tip I mentioned in Part One was using a slotted spoon next to the pan of pasta to remove the pasta far safer than trying to drain a heavy pan over the sink . I learned that the hard way  before reaching the sink.

Dodgy jionts , muscles and concentration are a recipe for disaster.

My lowest point would be sliced bananas and warm  or chilled tinned custard , somewhat lower tinned rice pudding cold. Remove label for recycling . I use the electric can opener - one of the things that make life so much easier- to remove the lid. It's a last resort so often I eat it out of the tin cold and feel quit shocked I have. Tin washed label and tin in recycling and wash the oh so useful Cappuccino spoon that reaches to the bottom of cans they I guard with my life.

The better way is what I've done since the 70s. I hesitate to type Big Chest Freezer but they have been in my life since then. I do enjoy cooking so when possible will cook soups , casseroles , fish cakes and all sorts in bulk. freeze homegrown veg and herbs and a back up of frozen veg, butter ,cheese etc.

Recently things have been busy so the trek to the garage hasn't been appealing in cold wet weather.

I do keep some Marks ready meals in the fridge and freezer so there's always something handy and some sponge upddings and custard.

Give yourself time to rest if poss Mar. I know you're fond of lamb so when you're feeling not so bad maybe consider making a lamb casserole . Do you approve of Parsley? I know you don't like celery.

Some parsley dumplings make a proper meal of a casserole and you could have leftovers for fridge , freezer or both.

pollyx

ETA Remove pasta not water. Water is left to cool!

prepareathome

As I usually cannot peel and chop vegetables often, I have in freezer either my own home-grown ones (not up to growing any this year) and bags of stew packs/casserole packs - different companies call them different names. When do grow my own I usually find a day when up to peeling, chopping them to freeze, if not then passed on to family to use. 

 So, we tend to eat a lot of stew type meals - well couple of times a week. I will throw the pack of veggies in slow cooker, straight from freezer plus either still frozen diced lamb (rarely beef) or if I have remembered defrosted chicken thighs and then add different herbs /seasonings every time, also add lentils, barley etc - different one or more each time also, so no two meals ever taste the same.  Usually mix Bisto gravy powder in the water I add and leave to cook and hot filling meal without much work.  Sometimes will do veg stew adding more veg and no meat.   Oh, also I keep plenty of tinned potatoes in - Sainsburys do a big can that costs depending on time of year from 30p - 50p.  So will add one or two tins in, depending how much veg/pulses I have already added.  Will use the water from the potatoes to the bisto powder. 

I make soups in slow cooker - used with pulses and veg, not that different from the stews just more fluid and different seasonings.

I vary how chunky meals are as well so as to make them different - some stews I mash and others I don't.  Soup is blitzed with hand blender while in slow cooker. 

We keep tins in of varied things as DH is not a cook so if I have a really bad day and cannot even do basics then he will make himself something from tins or rarely a ready meal bought or I have made, out of freezer and I will have a can of soup or a sandwich if up to eating or swallow. 

These are the basics for my easy meals which seem to be appearing more and more often, although last night managed to make roast lamb with mash (made from the canned potatoes) and Ratatouille (this was out of a can).