Quickie Update

Just the quickest update today. I spent Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and part of Sunday with my dad. One of my sisters is on a family vacation and my other sister and I had to cover her days with our dad this past week. I am always trying to come up with things to tempt him as far as meals go. He has such a light appetite and is overwhelmed when given a big plate of food. He doesn't care for a lot of carbs and prefers his food to be pretty simple. I can't tell you how often I serve him something and he says "I just can't eat all of this".

This past weekend I kind of gave up. I decided not to fuss at all, but just to serve the simplest plain, cold food. The photo above was our lunch on Saturday. We had raw carrots, radishes, organic cherry tomatoes, cut-up fresh pineapple, and half a sliced peach. And for dessert, we split a peanut butter cookie.

After our cookie discussion last week, I was reminded of how much I loved peanut butter cookies and how I never get one anymore.

We both loved this lunch, which was pretty perfect.  The peach was kind of mushy, but everything else was great. Why is it so hard to get a good peach?

And I have to say, the pineapple was amazing, but for me, that peanut butter cookie really hit the spot. And Dad ate everything on his plate!

Oh,  and I reminded him of Grandma Tillie, and he remembered her vividly. I mentioned her gentleman friend "Mac" and said that no one ever made his relationship to her clear to me. All he said was, "Oh, no, they wouldn't have". And that was the end of that discussion, except for him saying "Goodness, I had forgotten about him. Haven't thought of him in years". Right, like about 70? They say you aren't really dead until the last person who remembers you is gone.

Comments

[sue s]

Well, at least your dad is willing to eat "healthy" food, and you can both enjoy a good cookie too!

[Robby H.]

I cook a lot for older folks and as their appetite diminishes, I find they love a plate with small sample-ish portions of several things. It's hard to get variety if you're not eating much. Looks like you found a great solution with taking advantage of all the fresh produce.

Also, I think peaches are very water sensitive and if they get far too much or too little at certain times it seems to impact them more than many other fruits and veggies. Maybe because they're soft fleshed?

[Betty]

That is my kind of cooking but if someone else cooks, I can eat most anything. I wondered about peaches too. I’ve heard California peaches are the best, but others say Alberta, or Georgia, or Colorado. I buy two at a time and haven’t had any really good this year.

[Cheree Hull]

I agree on the peaches! We have a tree but late freezes the last 2 years have left us wanting--I order a box of CO peaches (they come close to homegrown ones at least) when that happens.

[Jan]

That healthy cold plate was a smart idea not only because of your dad's small appetite, but also for such hot weather. We haven't bought any peaches yet although the ones we get are from Colorado & are usually just right. 🍑 Have a good week!

[Mary Kastner]

It looks good to me. Maybe this is the answer to getting him eating? Little bites - not so overwhelming?
HAve a great week!
Mary

[Ina]

excellent idea on the meal. maybe gazpacho soup? I would add a slice of sourdough bread. Whole Foods has excellent fresh bread. I love sourdough. we buy a loaf every week. ;p

Too bad your dad didn't share any memories of Grandma Tillie and her 'friend' Mac......

stay safe and try to stay cool.

[Donna]

South Carolina peaches are the best when in season. The season is a long one, from July through all of August and a bit of Sept.

[Cristina Perez]

Laughing at that last line!!! Funny.