looking after aging parents -Alzheimer and dementia

I know this is my "low carb" blog.
BUT
We, my husband and I, took on looking after my parents a year after 
we got married, back in 1995.
My Dad (born in 1910) had Alzheimer disease.
My Mom (born in 1918) just could not look after him in Florida, by herself.
He passed away 2 1/2 years after they came to live with us.
But Daddy's story is different than Mom's.
I'll write more about him later.....

She, my mom, is 95 years old now,
and has been healthy all her long life, till now.
Her body is still healthy, but her mind is going fast.
She can't remember how to do tasks that she's done for years now.
Like fixing her cereal in the morning.
Brushing her teeth (yes she still has her own teeth).
They are so worn out now, but still serve the purpose.
I have to tell her how and when to do everything.
She's like having a 3 year old all over again.

I think she has dementia.
She sees her doctor every 6 months and is healthy.
 OMG, this has been so hard on me and Rick.
Everyday seems worse than the day before.
Rick and I both have health issues.
My mom, Rosamond, may outlive us both.
I'm just venting here today.
Thanks for listening, if anyone's out there.....
Just PRAY....

Grilled Pork Chops, and Shopping Cheap

Good morning to my low carbing friends. Spring is here finally!
We grill outside almost every day in good weather.
Today it's center cut boneless pork chops.
No , I'm not extravagant at all buying this cut of meat.

We buy the pork loins when they are on sale, 
have them cut and freeze them in freezer bags.
We usually buy 3 or 4 whole loins at about $14.00 a piece.
Rick was in the grocery business for many years
 and has taught me how to shop cheap.
When items are on sale, stock up on them!

We have a freezer full of meats. 
We are very careful about how we freeze it.
I use the vacuum sealer bags when I have them,
 some times I run out and just use the freezer zip locks, 
but be sure you get as much air out as you can and seal really well.
We buy steaks, ground chuck, chicken breast , whole chickens, sea food
usually around 1/2 price or better.
You name it, we have it frozen.

 Back to the chops, I usually marinate them in Dales marinate or,
 some Italian salad dressing,
then get the grill hot and cook on both sides about 5 minutes each.
Hugs to all.  

Wish I had read my own blog! SICK MIND of MINE....

Not Diebetic any more (almost) happy dancing now!!

I sure wish I had read and reread this blog from October 2011, but no..

 I went off this way of eating and went my own sick path for a year. 

Gained 14 pounds back, A1C is out of control. 

But I'm back now, for a month, really sticking with it.

It's NOT worth it, to go astray, not worth it at all!!

 

October 2011:
I just came home from my doctor's appointment, every 3 months,
check up for pain management (spinal stenosis) and diabetes check.
My doctor was amazed!!
No more pain meds prescribed,
cutting one of my diabetic pills in half for 1 week
then stopping it altogether (glucotrol).
She said it causes weight gain, OMG!
Cutting my insulin way way down.
Will go off the metformin in a month or 2. (it's the one that causes awful diarrhea)
She said I will definitely NOT be diabetic much longer, if I kept this up.
She even said that she was going to have to "re-think" her own diet, as a vegetarian.
My A1C was 5.5. she almost fainted..this time last year, it was 8.6.
4.5 to 5 is normal and not diabetic!!!!!
also I had lost 15 pounds since my last visit.
I'm so happy!!! and getting healthier every day,
Thanks to Dr. Atkins and all my low carb friends!
Blood pressure normal also....
love you all,
joan

Lasagna, zucchini, no noodles, low carb

Ingredients:

2  zucchini, sliced 1/4 inch thick 

 1 lb lean ground beef 

 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  2 small tomatoes, cut up
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  2 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 egg
3/4 cup low fat cottage cheese (or low fat or fat free ricotta)
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (I use 8 oz. divided)  

 

Directions:
  Cook zucchini until tender, drain and set aside. Fry meat and onions until meat is brown and onions are tender; drain fat. Add next 8 ingredients and bring to a boil.
  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered 10 minutes or until reduced to 2 cups.
  In small bowl slightly beat egg.
  Add cottage cheese, half of shredded cheese  

 In (1 1/2-qt.) baking-roasting pan arrange half of the meat mixture.

 Top with half of the zucchini 

and all the cottage cheese mixture.

 Top with remaining meat and zucchini.
  Bake uncovered at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes.
  Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 10 minutes longer.
  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.