Apologies for the triplet posts yesterday. I was trying to file the two Amazon posts under Amazon Links and not “publish” them. As you probably noticed, the first, real post already had the Amazon information. I try not to make a big deal out of being an Amazon Affiliate, then this! Oh well.
Onward to today:
As I have proudly proclaimed, I turned sixty this summer. Part of me felt scared to death, but the other part looked forward to some of the senior perks–in particular, having noon dinner at the senior center. I know many of the people in our small town who eat there. The cooks prepare the food according to strict guidelines and the meals provide great nutrition. The cost is only 3.50, and it is the main meal of the day. Here is the menu for Wednesday:
- Mandarin Chicken
- Asian Vegetables
- Company Potatoes
- Tossed Salad
- Ginger Pears
- For drinks: milk, water, coffee
I will pass on the company potatoes, which seem out of sorts with the Asian menu.
Tuesday I will check it out and see if I like the food (or which menus I like the best, since some repeat every month). I love to cook, but as a single senior, why bother? I eat simple meals.
Anyway, I bring all this up because I had to fill out paperwork and a questionnaire to receive services at the Senior Center. One section — the Nutritional Risk Assessment, lets you know if you are an at-risk senior. If you scored 0-2 points you are low risk, 3-5 points a moderate risk, and 6 or more points a high risk. I scored a 6!!! The question that put me over the top was Do you eat alone most of the time (heck yes, all the time, unless you consider Tango begging for my food)?
Imagine my surprise. Ms.organic gardener, healthy food ambassador is a Nutritionally High-Risk Senior. Apparently factors other than availability of healthy food makes one a high risk. I discovered that seniors who live alone cook less (true of me) and sometimes don’t eat a real meal because who wants to eat alone (true). They tend to consume the same staples for long periods (true) and their refrigerators are often empty (true).
For example, I took off for the yard sales this morning, and even though I was hungry, I skipped breakfast. At the Farmer’s Market I bought fresh-baked yeast rolls and ate three in the van while hitting yard sales. I skipped my morning meds, deciding to take them at lunch.
Another example: since returning home from my sabbatical, I have existed on whole wheat pancakes with walnuts, cheese, oatmeal, V-8 juice, and egg substitute with some diced veggies. Add in coffee, an occasional burger, Subway egg white sandwich, a box of Junior Mints when I gas up the van, and a few Sugar-free Red Bulls. I can bring home my weekly groceries and Tango’s food in two bags.
At first glance, this seems reasonably healthy but my carbs are too high and I don’t get enough calcium or fiber. And, many of those foods are high sodium. Furthermore, I don’t consume enough healthy fats. My treats are too sugary (Junior Mints) or simply disgusting (Red Bull). Add this to the fact that I eat alone and take daily meds, and I am at risk for nutritional deficiencies.
Sooooo interesting. I am grateful to discover these things. This morning at the Farmer’s Market I loaded up on leafy green veggies, tomatoes, green beans, winter squash, and more. Next week I will start having noon dinner with a glass of milk at the Senior Center, with other people. Next spring I will plant another healthy garden. Always, I will be more vigilant. 
Next milestone: at age sixty-two I am eligible to buy a National Parks Senior Pass. Woo hooooo. That means free admission to National Parks and 50% off all camping fees in all National Forest Service campgrounds. Perhaps their questionnaire will show that I am at high-risk for camping too much and that the national budget is in peril because of my reduced camping fees.
Regardless, I am already planning another camping trip through western National Parks, in 2016, with my Senior Parks Pass in hand. Better buckle down and eat better so I stay strong enough to woman-handle that camper.
