We are challenged in this time to take care of ourselves and our families as we “shelter in place.” We’re spending more time at home and trying to manage our grocery shopping on fewer trips. Truth is, being of a certain age and having a partner with complex health issues, we are not going to the grocery store ourselves.

Our family is taking care of that and they also limit their trips. My last trip to the grocery store was in early March and so I’ve been able to avoid the “toilet paper hoarders.”

cloth masks

One way to take care of yourself is by the food you eat. Some folks are on special diets that are gluten-free, others are mindful of sugar for a variety of reasons. Still others choose not to eat meat. Whatever the challenge — food sensitivities or personal and health needs — people are taking care of themselves in the best way they can.

In the past two months I’ve been even more aware of how the food I eat impacts my overall health. Cutting out certain foods and introducing others has led me to try new recipes lower in sugar,  dairy-free, and gluten-free. It’s a huge learning curve that requires careful shopping, label reading, and mindful eating.

On this journey, I’ve been trying new recipes, both for main course and dessert, and I’ve been experimenting with gluten-free recipes. Yesterday I made cashew cookies, a week before Gluten Free Double Chocolate cookies. Both used coconut sugar that is lower in the glycemic score.

A body craves a little sweetness now and then — at least mine does — and these filled the spot, and both were yummy. (See blog link below for one of the cashew cookie recipe) And the bonus is that my husband enjoys them too.

cashew cookies

Having a daughter in the natural health field and working in a store that sells organic food and supplements is a help, because I can go to her for answers to many of the questions I have. And I’ve been trying recipes on her blog.

As the weather gets warmer, I’m getting the itch to garden again. I’ve made an order for garden supplies that we’ll pick up curbside very soon. My two older grandchildren and I discussed what we’d grow this year. While they may not  be able to help plant this year, for isolation purposes, they can have input into what I put in the garden because once the restrictions are lifted some, they can come and help me water the plants and later enjoy the fruits of the garden.

Garden beds soon ready for planting

Another part of taking care of ourselves is exercise. I’m grateful that I can get out for fresh air and exercise, that we are allowed to go walking, while keeping responsible distance from others. People in our neighbourhood are getting very good at it.

While I’ve addressed physical needs of our bodies and taking care of those, there’s more. Our spiritual and emotional needs are important too, but that’s another post.

Until the next time, take care of yourself and stay safe and healthy.

Hats off to those of our front-line care and essential service workers. We help them when we take care of ourselves and mind the guidelines set in place for us.