Old widower

AZ Jim

AZ Jim

R.I.P. With Us In Spirit Only
Location
SURPRISE, ARIZONA
Since I lost my wife, my diet has changed dramatically. I order my groceries from Safeway and eat from that. I buy lots of frozen burritos, so for lunch I usually have one of those with Picante sauce over it. TV dinners for dinner. I know I'm not eating healthy but it's ok. I have a lady who comes in weekly for laundry, light housekeeping, etc. She keeps offering to cook for me but I decline. I've already outlived my life expectancy so...................Anybody else eat poorly like me?
 

I can relate. After my divorce in 1990 I went through a period where I would get breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the fast food drive thru windows. Couple of sausage biscuits with 2 orders of hash browns and a large coffee from Mickey D's was standard for breakfast. Then for lunch and dinner it was whatever fast food joint had a 2 for 2 dollars special plus a couple of orders of large fries all washed down with a super sized coke.

Then in the evenings while I was watching TV I'd pack a big tall tumbler full of Breyers chocolate chip mint ice cream and pour coke over it and eat it with a spoon.
 
I know people (ladies who know how to cook) that just live on TV dinners and frozen burritos. They are upset by being left alone in their golden years and just don't want to cook for one person. I understand that and if people feel they are close to the end of the line, why not eat in peace. These people especially appreciate it when their kids give them left overs from holiday dinners to take home.

I have a sister in law in her late 70s, I think 78. She likes to watch old TV shows and eat Cup O Soup. Her kids are always hassling her about it. I know she lived a hard life and why not now let her relax in front of the TV and eat her microwaved processed salty soup? I think people should live and let live.

Jim, I think you should let your cleaning lady cook you a big meal once a week and then eat on it for a day or two. You'd probably feel a lot better and so would she. Some people love to cook for others.
 
"Jim, I think you should let your cleaning lady cook you a big meal once a week and then eat on it for a day or two. You'd probably feel a lot better and so would she. Some people love to cook for others."



I may one day Linda but right now it doesn't feel right.
 
AZ Jim said:
Since I lost my wife, my diet has changed dramatically. How do you know?I order my groceries from Safeway and eat from that. I buy lots of frozen burritos, so for lunch I usually have one of those with Picante sauce over it. TV dinners for dinner. I know I'm not eating healthy but it's ok. I have a lady who comes in weekly for laundry, light housekeeping, etc. She keeps offering to cook for me but I decline. I've already outlived my life expectancy so...................Anybody else eat poorly like me?
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Really you have outlived your life expectancy? Cooking, cleaning if you are severely disabled makes sense to shrug those off otherwise why not look at learning and doing as a challenge. This might seem rude but if it were possible for your wife to see how you have given up, how do you think she would feel?
 
Not me. She kept me healthy for fifty odd years and I'm not going to undo all that good work.

I make sure I have a daily dose of greens, limit my pizzas to one a week and fries to once a month.

I buy in frozen main meals from specialist suppliers, I don't have the dexterity to prepare fresh veg any more.
 
My husband and I mostly eat TV dinners or fast food with occasional nice dinners out. We/he rarely cooks. Too much work, too many dishes. My doctor said I will only live till 75. I am 72 now. I'm going to do whatever I want and whatever I can in those three years. However, I never made great meals, lol, mine were barely edible.
 
I am a bit of all the above posts. Most days, just do not want to cook any longer, when I do? I do....otherwise it's something canned / or ordered by phone. I have been divorced for 47 yrs, and my wife rarely cooked anyway...

My mother taught me [to] cook, but for many years when working, I ate out due to time, come home, cook, clean up...and such. Just didn't want to. Then after retiring I actually enjoyed it...for many years , now?...not so much.

Hope I'm keeping it close to the healthy goal?.....but not really sure i care any more.

To me...eat a Burrito & croak sounds better than eat a salad & linger....

And, as been said so many times.....it's all/mostly genetics any way.
 
Aneeda72 said:
My husband and I mostly eat TV dinners or fast food with occasional nice dinners out. We/he rarely cooks. Too much work, too many dishes. My doctor said I will only live till 75. I am 72 now. I'm going to do whatever I want and whatever I can in those three years. However, I never made great meals, lol, mine were barely edible.
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"My doctor said I will only live till 75."

Seriously? why would he/she say that...a profound time?....

Or are you just funnin' with us?
 
"To me...eat a Burrito & croak sounds better than eat a salad & linger...." Hahahahahaha I haven't laughed like this for three months! Thanks for using your sense of humor on this old guy!!
 
Aneeda72 said:
My husband and I mostly eat TV dinners or fast food with occasional nice dinners out. We/he rarely cooks. Too much work, too many dishes. My doctor said I will only live till 75. I am 72 now. I'm going to do whatever I want and whatever I can in those three years. However, I never made great meals, lol, mine were barely edible.
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You'll be around more than that Aneeda. Don't go to crazy thinking you only have those three years. Smile youngster...
 
I have a couple of older neighbors who have also lost their wives. They went through an understandable period of time while the realization of such a major life change sank in....it was not easy. However, both of them have moved on, and found ways to compensate for their loss. Eating healthy is just one of the many adjustments they had to make, but the choice is to move on, or allow yourself to be immersed in grief....in which case, you will probably be rejoined with your wife in the not too distant future. Take each day as it comes, and try to take as good care of yourself as possible....destroying your physical And mental health will make for even more troubles as time passes.
 
I was fostered out to various homes until 18 and in the last one I did all the cooking for the family of four for 4 or 5 years - then as a young adult, I cooked again for a family (my own) that finally reached 6 members. By the time the last child left home, I was just plain burned out on cooking. I still make the pies for Xmas and Thanksgiving and bread (in my machine - love machine made bread). Unfortunately I have become bored with most regular meals - except for sweets, of course. I have a raging "sweet tooth". We don't eat a lot of fast foods or frozen foods and I do make a sincere effort to include a fair amount of salads, fruits and vegetables in my diet.
Most in my family have lived up into their 90's and as long as I can be fairly active and mentally alert, I'm all for duplicating that.
I have been, by the way, divorced for 30+ years
 
CeeCee said:
Well I’m a widow and can cook but I need help in the handyman dept.

Maybe we can trade favors, Jim. :)

Just kidding.....don’t want to be accused of flirting :)
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We are old friends so I know of your great sense of humor. The cooking part sounds good though.... :)
 
AZ Jim said:
My life expectancy (born '36, smoked 40 years) was 71. I am 82.
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Unless you are omnipotent knowing when your dirt nap will happen is one of those mysteries. Meanwhile dwelling on your loss is not good for you. I'm not saying you should forget all the years you enjoyed your wife's companionship, just saying honor her by living the best you can in whatever time you have.
 
My "dwelling" on my loss is your description. I have another for my current situation. I am just an old man who is dueling with the realities of my position. Thanks for your help but until and unless you've been where I am currently I'll continue to do my best to live my way until the Lord calls me.
 
I don't cook much anymore but I try to stay on the healthy side of eating.

I try to have a serving of fruit for every meal, a serving of vegetables and a main course item.

The fruit is usually whatever is on sale in season, a SF snack cup or a scoop of frozen berries.

The vegetable is usually a frozen microwave in the bag or fresh carrot and celery sticks.

The main course can be fish from the deli, Lean Cuisine, frozen chicken tenders, a frozen sandwich, eggs, soup, slice of frozen pizza, etc...

It only takes a few minutes using the microwave or toaster oven to get a semi-healthy meal on the table but it takes time to develop a week's worth of meal choices that appeal to you.

Take a look at your routine and gradually add in a few of the things that you feel are missing in order to make it your version of a healthy diet.

Another option would be checking into meals on wheels. In this area, the cost runs on a sliding scale from $0.00 to $4.00/day which includes one hot and one cold meal. The plan is available for 3 or 5 days per week with an option for frozen weekend meals.

At the age of 82, I would concentrate on eating what makes me happy and then worry about eating foods that keep me healthy. :):playful::eek:nthego:

Good luck!
 

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