Terrific Food Containers

Since my father requires pureed food - I use the gadget mentioned in yesterday's post - I can reduce the amount of work and time dealing with food processing by making several servings of whatever I'm pureeing. Ideally, I try to make enough ahead that I can throw them in the freezer for future.

When freezing food for one person, you really have to do it in single servings. Otherwise, you'll end up wasting extra food.

I found the BEST food containers for single servings:


Rubbermaid Take-alongs. These are the only single-serving food containers I know of that have screw-on lids. The screw-on feature is what makes them so terrific.

You won't end up with freezer burn, they don't spill, and most important, they're easy for older folks to open. Have you ever tried to pry open those tight - fitting storage containers? Even for someone with full abilities, it's a nightmare (especially when the contents come flying out whe the lid decides to let loose!).

Another great feature is that the outside of the container (the bowl part) is textured with ribs rather than smooth and slippery. These don't appear to have been made for people with limited hand ability, but they are a godsend for those who have problems.

I love these because my father can help himself to whatever/whenever in the fridge. I keep available foods for him there, and the backups stored in the freezer where he never goes.

I have no monetary gain whatsoever in the products I promote. Just spreading the word to make life a little easier for those of you who are caregivers. I provide a link to Amazon just because everything I mention is available there.

Don't Be Afraid To Shop In Baby Products

The more our aging parents, well age, the more their needs can become similar to those of babies. Unlike baby products that can be found just about everywhere, there is a definite lack of readily-available products to fill the needs of the the aging portion of society.

 Consider browsing the baby market for help.


When I learned that my father's dysphasia (the inability to swallow) required him to have all his foods pureed, I started looking in the usual places for a food processor. If you've bought one recently, you'll know how pricey they are.


I found this little gem of a food processor. It's made for babies, but it works for adults, too! It's portable (although you need to plug it in), easily cleaned, and has two speeds. I can't say enough about it.



Made by Kid Co - they also have a manual version that I'd like to try. Comes with a freezer tray for small portions of food, although I've never used that.

Because it needs to be plugged in, whenever we hit the road, I puree all the food my father will need and store it in plastic containers.

One tip: scrape the pureed food out of the container with a plastic or silicone utensil. A metal spoon will scratch it. Also, for most foods, you will need to add a little water before pureeing for good results.

The Zen of Time Management

I had a big idea. I planned the rest of my life. Even started a new job in my industry of choice (more on that in a future post). My future - when my son has left home, and my father has moved on to eternal life with God. When I will be free of obligations and able to work a full-time job.

I forgot one fact. That I don't like working in office environments. That I am happiest alone and in solitude, answering only to my own goals and purposes.

It all came back to me the past several months. Oh, yeah...now I remember.

What my mind forgot, my body remembered. I had mentioned in a previous post a Buddhist friend advising me on pain. Even though I haven't seen her in a while, her words of two years ago came back to be yesterday: Ask the pain what it is trying to tell you.

Over the past week, I have had a recurrence of sciatica. Just mentioning the ailment makes me feel like a midday Lawrence Welk commercial. (If you don't know who that is, don't worry about it; you're either too young or have forgotten). Sciatica is extremely painful, by the way. It lasts weeks. 

Because I am dense at times, my body is knocking LOUDLY on my brain's door. WE ARE NOT HAPPY!

What's wrong? I humbly ask.

You forgot your passions is the answer I get.

I explain to myself  (myself - are you kidding me?) that I need to plan my future, to make it secure. Hey, I got a job in the industry and everything!

We weren't made for this.

I know in the deepest depth of my soul that is true. I have spent the past several months making a writing apartment in our attic. It is the most joyful job I have done in ages. I have a sense of thank you from the wiser portion of myself.

There are times - too many - when I go off-track with my Big Ideas. To my credit, I do pray about these life changers. I asked for confirmation. I even got it.

My next question was to God: so why did you give me that job if it's off my path?

The answer: so you will stop flip-flopping like a trout in a bucket and look in the bloomin' mirror and see the truth.

I think I heard Him mumble something like, "you moron," but it was said with the greatest of love...

My reaction to all of this? I am committed to writing 8 hours a week. Therefore, joyfully, peacefully, "dancingly" - - -

I'm baaaack!