Bargains! My Favorite Thing to Find

I went to CVS to have my prescriptions filled yesterday. I chose CVS this time because I had two gift cards that I had received for free for filling previous prescriptions there months ago. While waiting for my prescriptions to be filled I browsed the store. I found a bunch of storage containers at DEEPLY reduced prices. I had been needing some so this was a great find. When I went to check out with my prescriptions the cost was completely covered with my free gift cards and the receipt included a $5 off coupon on any purchase in the store of $15 dollars or more for the next three days.

I went and loaded my cart with thirteen storage containers in a variety of sizes. The CVS shopping carts are very small and I was making a huge purchase so it was very awkward and quite a balancing act getting my purchase to the register. Most of the containers were valued at more that seven dollars each and I didn't pay more than a $1.50 each. On top of that, my total was just over the $15 dollar mark before tax so, I used the $5 off coupon I had just received. My total cost was just over $13 for 13 storage containers. A savings of $60.88!

If mood and happiness boost the immune system as research says then I received a much needed shot to my immune system with this find!

Loving from a Distance

So close, but so far away. That is how I have been feeling for the last ten days or so. I have been sick with bronchial problems and just today diagnosed with acute bronchitis . Not wanting to pass my germs on to others I have tried to stay a healthy distance away from others. There have been a few special family occasions within the last ten days that I did not want not miss. I allowed myself to attend taking extra care to not pass my germs along to others. This meant no close contact with my grandchildren. I don't even know how to describe what that has felt like but I will try.

I think I have realized the deep connection between the feelings of love and affection for my grandchildren and the use of physical touch of hugs and kisses to help express those feelings. While I have been sick, seeing my grandchildren and feeling the deep emotions of love and affection for them......and not be able to express it through touch. It somehow made my love for them even greater. There they were, so close, but so far away.

I know that once I am feeling better I will have a better appreciation for my health. I will also have a much better appreciation for the closeness I am able to enjoy with my nine grandchildren. I look forward to the unlimited supply of healthy hugs and squeezes that we all have in store for one another.

Blueberries "A New Favorite Thing"

A few months ago I added blueberries to my diet. I eat at least one half cup a day. I love them on a bowl of cold whole grain cereal or mixed into a bowl of hot whole grain cereal. Both ways are absolutely delicious and I know I am doing something really good for my body and brain! 

I decided to add them to my diet after my mother was diagnosed with dementia. In my reading on dementia I learned that they are a super food for the brain and that they have even been shown to repair brain damage. So, I added them to my diet as a preventive measure since the threat of dementia is now in my genes. Who knew I would fall in love with them!

I buy them frozen from Costco. They are a great deal compared to fresh in my local grocery stores (5 pound bag for just over $10). On my cold cereal I pour them on frozen. They thaw quickly and they make the milk very cold and oh so yummy. When I add them to my hot cereal I warm them up first in the microwave so that my cereal stays nice and hot. 

Do you have any other healthy ways to add blueberries to your diet?

Blueberries are in fact "a new favorite thing!"

Boost Immune System and Go!

My daughter's family has been sick for a week. High fevers, vomiting, sore throats, body aches, severe coughing, and sleepless nights. She had managed to stay well to take care of her husband and four children until it caught her too. Things quickly turn from bad to worse when the mom gets sick too. Reinforcement was needed! 

They didn't want to ask for help because they knew it was highly contagious. Despite the risk, they needed outside help badly. I gladly offered my help and they accepted.  I have always been very lucky in that I can take care of sick people and not catch it. (I just knocked on wood, just in case my luck in running out.)

In preparation for my day of active duty in the trenches of coughs, runny noses, fevers, body aches, sore throats, and vomiting I did all I could do to boost my immune system before going. I had  a tall glass of orange juice with a high protein breakfast. I boosted my immune system with a multi-vitamin, Vitamin C, Zinc, and a heavy dose of Echinacea before leaving home. When  I got home for the day I added a "nap" ...  for an added boost to my immune system of course!

Although everyone was sick, it was nice to see my daughter able to rest and to take care of herself. The kids were very sweet. They were good at taking turns with "grandma" as I honored their requests to rub their feet, tickle their backs, fill their sippy cups,  and to adjust their blankets and pillows.

I'm going to go visit my vitamin cabinet again before bedtime and wash them all down with another tall glass of OJ!  I'll keep you posted on my how my string of luck is going.

Surprising Question at the Vet

I thought I would pass along a bit of information I learned yesterday afternoon. Our 4 month old Tabby Bengal mix kitten Izzy became very ill yesterday. He was running a fever, very limp, not eating, meowing like "I don't feel good". His condition got so bad that we thought we better take him to the vet.

When taking your kids to the doctor one of the first questions to mom is always "Has anyone else in the family been sick?" I was surprised to hear the same question at the vet. Sure enough, my teenage daughter had been very sick with a sore throat, high fever, aches, and pains this week. The vet felt there was a good chance that the cat caught her illness.

My understanding per the vet is that cat's can't catch viruses from people but they can catch bacterial illnesses. Our kitten was given a shot for his fever and antibiotics to cover any bacterial illness he may have. I am happy to report that Izzy has shown some improvement today.

Moral to the tale: If you have sick kids or parents be careful with hand washing and not sharing your food or drink with your pets. Also, don't let the animal share a bed with anyone who is sick. This was an $84.00 lesson for me yesterday!