A Season for Sugar

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sweetAnyone who has cared for the elderly knows the challenges inherent in the process. Especially when it comes to meal time. I can remember fighting back the tears when, night after night, I would prepare delicious dinners for my Mom only to have her push the plate aside and retreat to her room and eat her “hidden” Hershey Almond Bars. This went on for months. When she had recovered from her cancer surgery and was well enough to live on her own again, she would eat the occasional meal out but at the end of her life, her diet consisted of coffee, cans of Ensure and her beloved chocolate bars. My Grandmother was bedridden during her last year of cancer and refused most of what we prepared except for rice pudding and chocolate chip cookies. That stubborn German streak came out in full force whenever we tried to make her eat something “good for you.”

Years later, my work in hospice taught me much regarding the eating habits of the aged.  As “care” givers, the last thing we give up is the urge to feed our loved ones. Like that mama bird with a worm for her little ones. We want to nurture. It’s VERY hard to let that instinct go. At the same time, the body of our loved one shuts down to prepare for its transition, it stops wanting food. Sweets are typically the last item on the list. I’ve cleared numerous homes for folks who have lost a loved one and am always amazed at the number of candy wrappers found in the bedroom. The 92-yr old tennis player and mother of four that lives above me is not suffering from any illness but she, too, has started her journey home and only desires ice cream and orange Cuties. My approach to all of this is softer and wiser now. I’ve decided that there is a reason and a season … even for sugar. And as a recent article in The Oregonian reminds us, it’s okay to let Grandma eat custard.  Read the article now.  Are you in the process of relocating an elderly person? Click here to read my special Handle With Care tips.

Click here for more tips and resources on Seniors.

Chandelier Idea is a Clear Winner

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garden lightWow! This has got to be one of my all time favorite decor ideas. Cost efficient, lots of creative possibilities and it combines elements of water, light, earth and air.  Flow with the seasons by changing the spring flowers to fall foliage or winter holly. Use colored water to add a rainbow of light or shades of your current palette. rainbowThe test tube chandelier is made in Poland and was inspired by Madame Curie, the Polish chemist and the first woman awarded the Nobel Prize. Ships anywhere and is available on Etsy. Click here for order information. NOTE: Keep the glass tubes clean and clear. Change the water at least weekly – more frequently if you are using fresh flowers.

Clutterers Support Group

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kitchen 3A reminder from my Resource page: Clutterers Anonymous holds weekly meetings for anyone needing help with clutter or hoarding issues. There are two Portland locations to choose from including Thursday evenings at the beautiful Alano Club in NW PDX. Click here to get details and please pass this on to friends or family members who could use support around stuff issues. Meetings are free and always held in confidence. Often times the emotional issues attached to extreme clutter or hoarding prevent loved ones from asking for help. Having a third party or anonymous support can provide the encouragement needed to get started and stay on track.

Failing the Bar Review

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barI’m conducting a label review of protein bars (I like to keep them on hand for car trips or emergencies) – and it matters to me what’s in them. I picked up a Simple Truth Double Chocolate at Fred Meyer last week. Let me just say, there is nothing honest about Simple Truth. They profess to offer “… a simple, healthy solution to better living featuring natural foods.” They want you to “trust” their label to be the best choice for you and your family in everything from eggs and meat to canned tomatoes. Wow. What a scam. I really detest companies that promote themselves as a healthy source and then slap their label on junk food.  This bar has more creepy stuff in it than a horror show. Over 28 ingredients and the worst offender of all is listed first: soy protein isolate. What I’ve learned about SPI is, it’s a chemically processed by-product that has none of the nutrients of soybeans and is full of pesticides. Combine that with tons of lactose and sugars and you’ve got a recipe for a digestive nightmare. Sure enough – just 20 minutes after my two bite taste test, I felt yucky and bloated. The real truth? This bar is no bargain and it clearly has nothing to do with healthy choices. I’ll pass.

Breasts Deserve a Good Home

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brasIf you are like most women, you don’t give much thought to your bra. You have one maybe two and wear them to a frazzle. Your breasts deserve better treatment. Why would you choose to cover your heart with something frayed? Make a point of treating yourself right and get a new bra this week (under wire free, please). While you are at it, pick up a bra to donate to Free The Girls – a wonderful program (that I just learned about) dedicated to keeping young girls out of prostitution. Why bras? Find out here. Are you a “on second thought” gal with a drawer full of bras you bought and then decided you didn’t really like? Donate those, too. Any gently worn style is welcome. Visit the website to find donation sites near you. If you live in the Vancouver area, Camas Antiques is collecting bras now through April 15th for the CW Soroptimist group who will send the donations to Free The Girls. Note: Thanks to my friend, Karen, for passing this donation opportunity along.

A Clear Reminder for Indoor Air

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O Magazine FebNo surprise here but it bears repeating. From the February issue of O Magazine:  “A 2012 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, which looked at chemicals found in more than 200 common household products ranging from laundry detergent to hand sanitizers, found that air fresheners were among the highest in levels of synthetic fragrances. You’re better off filling your house with natural scents, like real rosemary.”
For my suggestions on natural cleaning products click here and for my tips on using orange essential oil in your home click here. As always, thanks for your efforts in keeping life clear!

A Clear Deal for Skin

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lotionClearly the BEST deal for a body, hands and face lotion on the market! Better Life’s “Work It, Own It” Clary Sage and Citrus Natural Lotion. I am super fussy when it comes to what I apply to our largest organ of the body and this passes with flying colors. The put-it-wherever-you-want-it lotion is pH balanced with no mineral oil, parabens or synthetic anything. Light, pleasing aroma (no artificial stink here) from lemons, oranges, cucumber and a touch of earthy sage. Shea butter adds richness as do the avocado and coconut oils. Best part? You can get it for $4.99 a POUND in the bulk section of Food Front. Bring in a jug or buy a 2 oz travel tube for $1.49 and fill it up for less than 85 cents. Now that’s a clear deal. Click here for ingredients or to order in a 12 oz pump bottle online from iHerb.

The Reality of Hoarding

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kitchen 3You don’t have to watch the reality show to experience the horror of hoarding. It is alive and growing right here in PDX. And cases aren’t limited to low income, uneducated welfare recipients. Most people are shocked to learn that their sweet neighbor, elderly aunt or retired college professor lived in floor to ceiling filth – sad but true. It happens much more than you realize.  I completed a project last month that required two 2.5 ton dumpsters of garbage, eight loads of scrap metal and five trips to the recycle center. This woman had been a scientist, artist and world traveler.  After a fall prompted her move to assisted living, the family called for HELP!

It seems ironic that hoarders are often articulate, well educated people who offer sophisticated reasons for saving and acquiring. Recent studies on the brain activity of hoarders show an inability to deal with focus, attention and decision making. The pattern of behavior generally increases with age. Hoarding is a disorder and it’s important to understand its symptoms and warning signs. There is no medical cure at this time. Originally thought to be treatable with drugs used for OCD, medical science has found patients do not respond to the same therapy and/or medication. This calls for compassion and understanding.

Common symptoms of hoarding:

  • assigning value to worthless items such as: food cartons, scraps of paper, junk mail, soiled clothing

  • rooms filled with clutter, boxes, etc. with only a trail to walk through

  • defensive or “keep out” behavior

  • fearful of anyone touching their things

Dealing with a friend or family member who has a hoarding issue can feel like a frustrating battle. It is. The best thing to do is remember that you cannot reason or argue your case. The person will only become hostile. If possible, get outside help to intervene on your behalf. Someone detached from the emotional setting will be more effective in attending to the safety and health of the individual which should always come first. For more information on hoarding visit the OCD Foundation.

PDX Cafe Delivers Holiday Smiles

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SAMSUNGLooking for a unique caterer for your holiday party? A Clear Place award winner, Happy Sparrow Cafe, is a perfect way to go. Owners, Mary and Danny, make their scrumptious sweet and savory kolaches with local ingredients and lots of love. Delivered fresh from the oven to your venue, these little buns are a hit with everyone. Choose from yummy sweets like Nutella Hazelnut and Strawberry Love or savory favorites like Texas Hot Link (with Tillamook cheese and Zenner sausage) and Garden Vegan. Priced right, supports local business and comes with smiles … now that’s a clear choice! View menu options and place your order.