There are so many individuals to whom I owe a debt of gratitude because of their sacrifice and hard work during the COVID-19 pandemic. I could go on and on thanking essential workers including healthcare workers, truck drivers, first responders, farmers, sanitation workers, and public health professionals, but today I am going to focus on … [Read more...] about An Open Thank-You Letter to Grocery Store Employees
health and safety
9 Safe Ways to Celebrate Christmas During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is casting a somber shadow over Christmas celebrations this year. Our excitement and enthusiasm during “the most wonderful time of the year” are tempered by unease. Though we are experiencing so-called pandemic fatigue (we’re tired of wearing masks, social distancing, cleaning high-touch surfaces, being unable to travel, … [Read more...] about 9 Safe Ways to Celebrate Christmas During the COVID-19 Pandemic
9 Simple Strategies for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
In recent weeks I’ve heard numerous friends and family members comment that they just want to be able to sleep again. For the most part, these loved ones aren’t suffering from medical conditions that prevent them from sleeping; they’re simply overwhelmed by all that is going on around them (COVID-19, natural disasters, financial struggles, … [Read more...] about 9 Simple Strategies for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
Dare to Prepare: How to Store Refrigerated Medications During a Disaster
The events of this year have highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness. We’re in the middle of a global pandemic, wildfires have been burning in the West, the Gulf Coast has been hit by hurricanes and tropical storms, etc. I make the effort each September, which is National Preparedness Month, to take a straightforward look at … [Read more...] about Dare to Prepare: How to Store Refrigerated Medications During a Disaster
How to Have a Positive Mindset About Aging
Earlier this year, as thousands of older nursing home residents were dying of COVID-19, I wrote a post about how Americans view older adults. One of the things I noted is that Americans generally have a negative view of aging and the aged. We view aging as being synonymous with decline and apply a number of negative stereotypes to older … [Read more...] about How to Have a Positive Mindset About Aging
Nutrition Facts for My Most Popular Recipes
I frequently receive comments on my recipe posts asking if I have calculated the nutrition facts for my recipes. I’m not in the habit of calculating these for recipes I use for my own family, so I haven’t taken the time to do that here. Additionally, my readers sometimes ask if I have the recipes in a format that can be easily printed. There … [Read more...] about Nutrition Facts for My Most Popular Recipes
7 Tips for Getting Kids to Wear Face Masks
If you would have told me last year that in one year I would be writing a post about getting kids to wear face coverings in order to limit the spread of a novel coronavirus, I would not have believed you. However, here we are, facing a pandemic that none of us were expecting. Many of us live in states and/or cities where mandatory mask … [Read more...] about 7 Tips for Getting Kids to Wear Face Masks
Christmas in July: Christmas Planning During the COVID-19 Pandemic
I’ve written one or two Christmas in July posts each year since I began blogging. For the most part, these posts address how to plan for Christmas early so the Christmas season isn’t busy and chaotic (see all of the posts here). This year we’re in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic. Though we don’t know for certain what things will look like … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: Christmas Planning During the COVID-19 Pandemic
