Comedy Bits. Raised Like This!

 This is just a quick post about a video I saw. It's a funny bit by one of my favorite comedians. And it is funny, but it's also true - at least for me. I was raised in a home like this:

We had to use all those words in place of less polite ones. One time, one of my brothers learned how painful it could be to fall on that bike bar. My dad asked if he was okay, you know, didn't hurt his "perky". 

If you passed gas, you either had either "pooted" or "lost your manners". Lost your manners could also mean you were misbehaving, as in, "Have you lost your manners?" Going to the bathroom you either went Number One or Number Two or "made water" or "poo'ed", or - and this is the most hilarious - did a "hard job" but it was pronounced "hod" job. And that was the remedy for almost everything. Feeling grumpy, didn't sleep well, couldn't concentrate? Maybe you need to do a "hod job".

I just had to share these little tidbits of my young life. I just love Mike Goodwin because I sure can relate to his comedy.

If you really want a giggle, check out his "What you not gon do" jokes.  I put those in the sidebar.

Peace

--Free

Finally Learned to Cook...

 ... At an age when my metabolism has taken a nap!

I was thinking of my mother today when I turned out the perfect skillet of cornbread. I've made cornbread maybe 10 times in my life, but only a few times has it come out so wonderfully. You know cornbread is good when you can just eat it solo right out of the skillet.

Mama (and my sister) could make cornbread like this without even thinking about it. Of course, they both swore that they made their best cornbread when it was meant to go into the holiday dressing. I didn't even learn to cook decently until I was close to being 50. That's coming from someone in a family where even the fellows all can cook.

The first time I made something really good was done on a whim. I wanted some pinto beans, and my sister wasn't feeling up to cooking. My oldest brother happened to be visiting at the time. When my sister came down and tasted the beans, she did a doubletake. She gave my brother a spoonful to taste. He looked at her, then they both looked at me. I was sure they were going to drag me for messing up a pound of pinto beans.

Nope. The first thing one of them asked was where I learned to make the beans so well. You know I was glowing with joy. I told them I'd read the instructions on the bag. And that was the day they both learned that there are instructions on the bag.

For a long time after that, I cooked a lot of beans - pinto beans, mostly, but I also learned to make decent navy beans. The thing is, any kind of bean or stew-like dish in our family goes with cornbread. If you don't have cornbread to go with the beans, we all become Smokey from "Friday".

I slowly learned to cook some of the things that had been staples in our home. I learned to fix what we think of as Mama's Texas Bean Stew (pinto beans, ground beef, and a host of seasonings and secret ingredients); I can do baked chicken pretty well, and I do all the fish, pork, and veggie-based recipes. I learned fast how to make hot water cornbread, too.  But the cast iron skillet cornbread was my stumbling block.

Cornbread isn't hard to make, but it can be tricky to make it perfectly. "Perfect" means like my mama. It means a tender center with a crispy crust and a buttery, melt in your mouth crumb. Very, very tricky.

Even now that I know the hacks for Mama's cornbread, I don't always get it right. Any little variation in the alignment of the stars can ruin it! 

I long ago posted the quick recipe on the sidebar and added to the Sidebar Recipes page:

I did not share my hacks though. Until now. Ready?

• Always get your lightly oiled cast iron skillet sizzling hot before pouring the batter. I heat the skillet at 450F (not 400 as in my recipe above) & test the sizzle with a drop of water. (Turn the oven down to 400F for baking.)
• Always let the batter rest. A couple of hours at minimum but overnight in the fridge is best. 
• Always add the baking powder last. Even if you rest the batter overnight, don't add this ingredient until just before you are going to pour the batter.
• If you forget & add the baking powder beforehand, that's not a disaster, but... it's just better not to.
• Let the rested batter come to room temp (about 65-70F) before adding the baking powder. Gently fold it in and don't overmix the batter.
• Before pouring the batter, add a little more oil.
• When the batter is poured, add some small and random pats of butter around the top of it.

Like I said, there will be times when your bread is better than it is at other times. I have never learned the trick to getting it just right every time...

If you luck out, you will get what I do on the best of days:

As I told my family, I wouldn't have been such a skinny minnie when I was younger if I'd known how to cook!

Peace

--Free

Exercise for Seniors

First, let me just say that this is the first time I have referred to myself as a "senior". In my head, I'm still trying to grasp being an adult of any kind! But, yep, I am now 60+ (plus 4 years, to be real). Anyway...

Just a couple of years ago, I was walking outside a lot more. These days, either the sun is hotter or I'm just more sensitive to it. I can really only handle walking very early or very late in the day and, even then, the summer humidity is brutal. Of course, I have the underbed treadmill that I was gifted, and I do use that a couple of times a week, but it feels very passive in some way and not as strenuous as an outside stroll. Still, I need more exercise that is geared towards building and keeping strength. I have started doing a couple of things that make me feel so much better.

Isometrics

Isometrics exercise is something I find doable. I've been doing them a few times a day for the past few weeks (I have more energy now that I can eat better). Here are some benefits:

• Low impact
• Low or no cost
• Can do them almost anywhere
• Can target certain areas of the body

The low impact part is what got me first. I hate putting my body in any kind of pain in an effort to be healthy. I will leave that to the young 'uns. The low-cost part is what made me really happy. I don't want to invest in a lot of stuff that will just add clutter to my life.

What got me started in the first place was when I ran across a video on isometrics. However, the workout was geared towards younger and more athletic people. Thankfully, when I looked around, I found a lot of articles like this one. I just started out doing the exercises shown. 

It's been about 3 weeks now and I have invested in a set of resistance bands (one band was free thanks to a local senior program). And that is it for cost. 

Because of my age and the health issues that run in my family, I am also concentrating a lot of boosting my blood circulation.  I never thought much about my circulation until a neighbor mentioned that she was having problems and has to wear these special socks. She is about 25 years older than me and when she joked for me to "get ahead of the game", I listened. Also, I have been working on improving my balance and gait, both of which are sometimes off because of a neurological issue.

Boosting Circulation

There are a lot of really simple and zero-cost exercises that help boost circulation in the legs. This video goes through just a few. There are a lot of other videos and articles with more ideas.

Since there are times when I am forced to be off my feet because of temporary illness and balance issues, I have started doing a lot of what I call foot and leg movement exercises. There are leg raises, ankle pumps, and toe circles.  I can do those while sitting or lying down. 

There are also ways to just boost your daily movement quota. If standing at the sink, you can walk in place or lift up on your toes and back down (as if wearing heels). This is a good time to do some of those circulation exercises.

The main thing is to just move. That doesn't mean you have to be constantly walking or running or doing anything out of your comfort (or safety) zone. Just moving at all is better than being still. As part of this new exercise kick in my life, I try not to sit for longer than half an hour without standing and moving around for a few minutes. That sounds easy, but I didn't realize how passive my life has gotten. 

Move, move, move

I am always talking about how fit so many of my older neighbors are. What they seem to have in common is that they are always moving around. Most don't use smart phones or computers, and I guess they don't watch much television. I see ladies who are close to 90 still walking a few blocks over to the store or walking down the street to the church. By the way, this is an old article, but still inspiring.

(Speaking of my neighbors, one lady who passed away last year (at 92!) walked up and down one of the hallways each afternoon to get her exercise. This is after she'd had to start using one of those rolling walkers and didn't like to go outside with it. Before then, she would take a trek outside and around the building in the warm months and, in the snowy months, she would stroll around the community room, doing 3 or 4 circuits. Absolutely amazing. Up until her last year, she was doing her own laundry and coming down most days to work on jigsaw puzzles or have coffee with her friends. Her health only went downhill after she slipped and fell in her apartment. Knowing her, she was probably doing chores. The lesson I take from this is to just not stop moving.)

No matter how much you hate to exercise, here are some more ways I found to keep moving as much as possible:

• If you are on the computer a lot, find a way to stand for much of the time. You might have to put the computer on a higher table or desk or counter. I have a stand for mine that raises and lowers. Sometimes I will set it on my dresser and stand while typing. At the very least, set a timer for taking a "stand up break" just to get off your behind for a few minutes.
• While doing dishes, keep using your feet to lift and raise yourself, or just move from side to side in a little step-dance move.
• If sitting while chatting or watching TV, raise and lower your legs. Do some of the heel and ankle pumps. Clench and relax your calf or thigh muscles. With your arms up and to the side, do arm circles. This is another good time to use resistance bands to do some arm stretches.
• If you have trouble walking outside, try walking up and down the halls of your home or building. If a 90-something year old can do this with her walker, there is no excuse for the rest of us.

The older I get the more I appreciate living and I don't want to lose that appreciation. I'm going to keep moving as long as I can before I am forced to be still. 

So many of us talk about living a long life. I'm not afraid of death but, if God grants me more years, I want to be healthy enough to enjoy them.

No matter what you decide to do for your health and well-being, keep safety in mind. Talk with your doctors about what is best for you. Use your common sense. I'm not a professional (as if you didn't know); I'm just sharing my positive experiences.

Peace

--Free

P.S.:

I did buy one thing during Prime Day this year. I got one of those vibration plates after reading about the benefits. I was able to do a 0% payment plan with my Prime card, but had the plan of returning the machine if it didn't live up to the hype, I will do a post soon on the pros, cons, and supposed benefits along with my observations.

Clothes Shopping In-Store Was... Weird

 Is it just me, or have a lot of us gotten spoiled in our shopping habits by online access? I can't be the only one. Can I?

This year for my birthday, I decided to focus on 2 things: my health and my wardrobe. I set aside my monetary birthday gifts for clothes, and I bought myself some resistance bands for exercise and am buying another health-related item when Prime Day hits. 

Anyway, about the clothes shopping...  Instead of heading to Amazon.com or Walmart.com, I went to Old Navy.com and found a nice blouse and a couple of pairs of jeans. There was a bit of a sale (I think there is always a bit of a sale at O.N.) and I decided to get dark blue jeans instead of more of the black jeans I have. I have about 5 pairs of black jeans because I have been self-conscious about my weight. Now that I am losing weight (thanks to my dentist), I decided to go blue with the jeans. 

I chose "boyfriend jeans" without knowing anything about that style because they looked really cute on the model. I got them in my usual size and... Is it vain of me to say how thrilled I was that the jeans were absolutely huge on me? They were sagging like crazy when I tried them on. I will temper that by saying that I think "boyfriend" jeans are meant to be worn loose and kind of slouchy. I'm not a fan of "slouchy", and I wasn't crazy about the rolled cuff. Even if I were still a size 4, 6, 8, or 12, those jeans would not be flattering on me. I'm not sure how the model wore them so well...

Since the jeans were too big (I love saying that), I decided to return them in-store. It's been a minute since I've shopped the store and wanted to get an idea of how O.N. sizes run. Sure enough, from looking at several pairs in various styles, either those pants run large or else I've lost more weight than I thought. (The waist is looser on my regular sized jeans and I'm not struggling at all to get into the next size down. Again, I really like being able to say that just a little over a month of having my teeth.)

My SIL was with me and agreed that O.N. sizes did runs slightly large. We looked around for about fifteen minutes before I was sick of trying to shop in-store. It just felt very inconvenient and irritating. For one thing, for every style of jeans I liked, we had to sort through jumbles of sizes. Everything was neatly folded, but nothing was sorted by size. Finally, I just got a refund, and we left. It is just too hot and humid to be sorting through denim. 

By the way, what is up with stores not running the air a bit cooler on sweltering days? I can remember surviving Arizona summers by strolling through stores and malls. 

Apparently, Old Navy didn't get the memo

I wonder if stores here realize they might get more business if they made the atmosphere more comfortable. Another thing the SIL and I noticed is that both Old Navy and Staples (I had to do an Amazon return there) were not only stingy with the AC but seem to lack staffing. Those poor employees at Staples must hate Amazon returns. If they had turned up the AC, I might have strolled around and bought some notebooks or something.

So, again, is it just me? Have I gotten spoiled to shopping from the keyboard the way remote workers have gotten spoiled to being productive in their PJs?

Anyway, I am back home and have had a nice cool shower - for the second time today. I'm pretty sure if I go out anymore today while the sun is up, I will need a third shower. Arizonans like to say, "But it's a dry heat." Where I live, we say, "It's not the heat, it's the humidity."... By the way, I even cut my hair. It was just too much to care for in this summer weather.

Now I can go find some jeans. I guess I'm just not used to being out in the hot and understaffed stores anymore. When I go online, all the stores let me go right to the size and color and style I want. I don't have to refold stuff (or feel like a jerk for not doing so), and I don't have to wonder why they mixed put the stonewashed denims in with the dark blues I want... It's just not as tedious. 

Peace

--Free

I wrote this the day after my birthday, then immediately got a nasty cold. Just remembered that I wanted to post this, so...

Yoni Oil - Multi-Use & Muli-Amazing

(This post was sitting forgotten in my Drafts folder because I thought I'd published it a couple of months back! Better late and all that...)

Yoni???

This post was going to be "just for the ladies" until I realized that Yoni Oil is so multi-use. Also, I almost passed on trying this oil when I learned where the word "Yoni" comes from:

"'Yoni' is a word derived through Hinduism for vulva and vagina, and sellers make a variety of claims for their own blends of oils – some claim that it will promote 'freshness', others that it will moisturize and some say using this oil can support vaginal health."

The whole Hinduism thing threw me because I try to never knowingly dabble with other religions. Then thinking about the "claims", they sounded a bit, eh - the way things like colloidal silver sounds to me. Just not my thing. However, after reading some reviews, I decided that the product itself wasn't of another religion, just the name. Also, the stuff was dirt cheap the first time I bought it. It's still affordable, even more so because I now have a subscription.

Ingredients & Info.

The set of 3 that I got came scented as Strawberry, Pineapple, and Mango. 

At first, scent was of no importance to my single-gal life - when you think of where this oil is mainly meant to be applied. But, when I read the ingredients, I noticed that each bottle had some differences. See the instructions here for all the scents, with ingredients for the Mango version:

I will talk about some of those ingredients in a bit. The Strawberry has some interesting ingredients:

(Mugwort can be used to relieve itch and bacterial issues. Angelica for moisturizing, regenerative, and skin health. Sea buckthorn for moisture and post-menopausal, um, "vaginal atrophy" - yikes!)

When I got to the Pineapple list, I had to do cover some ingredients that were also in the Mango oil: 

Y'all know I've used a lot of EOs for my skin and hair but... 😕. In case you need help, as I certainly did, here are links to zedoary and Cnidium monnieri. I had to ask even more about the Hong Mei EO and saw in some links that it is also called red mandarin.

Hong Mei Ren (红美人) and Red Beauty are the same mandarin orange variety. They are known for their sweetness, thin skin, and juicy flesh. Hong Mei Ren is a premium Japanese mandarin orange that is also cultivated in Ningbo, China according to Skc Fruits. It's often referred to as "Red Beauty" or "Mandarin Jelly".  (see this source for more info)

Yoni vs feminine sprays/wipes

At first, I was just applying the oil to my undies and panty liners. It was some kind of awesome. I found it to be much nicer than the sprays and wipes I've used. I was never happy with the sprays just because I was breathing in particles every time I used them. The wipes were okay, but they created so much waste. 

The Yoni oil has a pleasant scent but doesn't just cover up odor, it eliminates them. I noticed that there was no noticeable odor in my undies or around my vaginal area when using the oil. And, if you are past a certain age or have experienced pregnancy and/or menopause, you understand how mysterious the female body is! There are so many hormonal and other changes that happen, it can be wild...

Uncomfortable dryness is something else the oil combats - and without messiness. Vaginal dryness is not a problem just for those with a sex life. It can be very unpleasant all around.

(By the way, I did once try another feminine product at the suggestion of a friend: vaginal suppositories. They were made for dryness, odor, and Ph balance. Maybe, but talk about messy. Ugh! I threw those out after one try, and they weren't that cheap.)

The Yoni oil actually works better than everything else I've tried. I love the fact that it takes just a couple of drops of oil to be rid of the various 'issues'.

Other uses

After I'd been using the oil for around a month or so, I accidentally discovered another use. My underarms were really dry after using a new deodorant. I think it was whatever gave the product its "shower fresh" scent. Whatever the reason, I found myself with itchy underarms one day. I took a shower to get rid of the product and applied some lotion. Later that evening, the itching was back. It's as if the deodorant had dried the crap out of my skin. My Yoni oil was on the bathroom counter, so I rubbed a little into my pits and the relief was almost immediate. And the thing about Yoni oil is, it's not heavily oily like some of my other skin oils so it doesn't stain my clothing.

The next morning, I applied more Yoni to my pits while I looked for a replacement deodorant.  I continued using the oil for the two days it took for the deodorant (a non-allergenic cream this time) to arrive. During that entire time, I had no need for deodorant. So, it seems that during the dry fall and winter seasons, I can use Yoni to control pit odor. Of course, living where I do, the summer humidity is crazy, so I still need a good antiperspirant. 

Pretty soon, I was using a little Yoni oil under my boobs (ladies get what I mean) and even dabbing some on my feet every day. A couple of times, I have, in a pinch, used the oil on my scalp. I have tested it on my neck and face. It does no harm, but I already have face creams and oils that work better for that.

Guys, you listening?

Like I said at the start, I originally meant this to be a ladies-only post. Once I realized the various uses for Yoni oil, I had to open things up for guys. I am sure that a lot of them can use some dryness relief in the groin or underarm area at times. Or maybe the oil would be good for foot odor? All I'm saying is that this oil is too good to be restricted to just ladies.

A caution

Because there are so many versions and varieties of Yoni oil, I can only talk about the one that I used. Once I learned that there was even such a thing, I started seeing all kinds of Yoni oils. I've seen them listed on almost every retailer website, "healing" sites, and on Etsy. I've seen those made using primarily rose or some other type of oil.

This goes for any product you hear about, but if you do decide to look into using Yoni oil, be careful of allergic reactions and other problems. Can you imagine something "breaking out" in that precious area??? 

Finally

I've been using the oil for about 5 months now. I am happy with the results. Right now, I have it at a very affordable price with a subscription, but I will continue to shop around for better prices if this one goes up. 

I usually link to the product I use, but I decided that you can look for the brand I am using and do your own research. Mine is from a no-name type of producer called "Wovarkie". When I do a visual search, I see the exact same bottles on other sites and, sometimes, with what looks like a different brand stamp. So... you know.

Peace

--Free

I Was Not Tornado Ready!

 We are were under a tornado warning right now recently. We were  have been for a couple of days. I have not been prepared, people.

(Um, I didn't finish this post the same day I started it so, use your judgment about the tense.)

 I moved here to the Midwest almost exactly 8 years ago. The first thing I worried about was tornados. We are so close to Kansas, like Palin said, I can see it from my backyard. Like Palin, I exaggerate. BUT Kansas is close and, technically, I live in Tornado Alley. There are tornado sirens and designated shelters. God help me.

Anyway.

When I first moved here, I was terrified of a tornado coming through. Once or twice, we had windstorms severe enough that my neighbors and I congregated in the halls (sturdy walls), ready to make the run to the shelter across the way. My neighbors were all so very nonchalant. Most of them used these occasions to catch up on local gossip. A few of them kept reassuring me that we haven't had "a touchdown" in years. 

I guess because nothing like that has happened for the past two or two and half years, I got comfortable. I was so comfortable that I was sleeping pretty hard this morning - even though we were under a weather advisory. When my phone rang at 6:37, I thought I was dreaming until the third ring. Yeah. 

The call was from my brother (he lives about 12 minutes away in the next town) asking if I'd heard the tornado sirens. I had not. I almost hadn't believed the annoying phone shrilling just 20 inches from my ear.

I snapped right awake, ready to panic. My brother calmed me down and said to just throw on some clothes and go back to sleep. That way, I'd be ready in case of "a touchdown".

"Back to sleep"? Crazy man... I was going nowhere near sleep again soon. I got up and made coffee. Then I tried to put together some things I might need to take to a storm shelter.

G.I. brat here. I'll be sleeping "ready roll".

The first thing I did (I mean, after making coffee) was to put in my dentures. That's a new consideration, right? After that, I dug out my backpack and threw in some essentials: Bible, wallet, sneakers, water, some feminine hygiene items, and my bag of prescription meds. This is when I realized I have no idea in which "place of important things" I'd put my birth certificate...

And that was also the moment I realized that I am not tornado ready. I mean, as far as having stuff in a "Go Bag".  Even as far as knowing where my very important birth certificate was.

Wow. I'd be a lousy girlfriend to Red Reddington, wouldn't I? He'd be calling for Edward with a "wheels up" alert while was running around, trying to decide which face cream to pack - or where I'd even put such a cream.

I kid. A bit.  But I did get motivated later on to find that birth certificate. Typical me. I find motivation in the strangest ways.

Even though I only took about 5 minutes to get my bag ready - you know, after I made coffee - I was not really prepared. For one thing, when I was grabbing meds, I forgot a really important one that I keep in the fridge. I also forgot to pack the syringes for that med. I also forgot to pack anything important to my vanity - other than the teeth. I had nothing for my hair, no lotion, no face creams, and no sunscreen. And, good Lord, I would never be able to get my perfumes into anything but a small carry-on bag...

Yeah, I am not prepared to get on the move in a hurry. 

Now that I am a little less frazzled, I am thinking about all those silly TV shows. You know the ones where someone has to get out of town quickly because of a crazy ex or maybe the FBI is on their way? (Like I said, I'd be a terrible chick for Reddington.) 

I'm with Floridians

There is no one I've ever known who could clear out the way those fictional TV characters do. I would never be able to leave that fast. Ever. Just for a normal, taking-my-time move, my hair and skin products alone require a separate logistics plan.

 I would need a couple of days, at least, just to think about which clothes to take. There would be none of that dumping a drawer into a suitcase for me. I can't just be willy nilly dumping things into a bag. I'm a woman who keeps underwear separated into "The Good", "The Bad", "The Ugly", and "Keeping Only Because I am a Hoarder".

Best bugout bag ever

Seriously, this tornado warning situation was a needed wakeup call - literally and figuratively. This is the day that I am going to put together a realistic Go Bag.

Stay Safe out there, folks.

Peace

--Free

P.S.: As I was posting this (with the tornado scare over - for now), we are under a heat advisory.... 🙄

**UPDATE (to the update?)** Dental Update #12 Almost 3 Weeks In

 I wrote this original post 7 days ago and... I'm back with more good news. I am eating salads almost every day and sometimes twice a day now. I can chew the peppers and onions and thick pieces of tomato. It is glorious. 

What I have learned is that it is all about the adhesive. I think I mentioned before that I had to try a couple before I got what I like. I settled on a powder, and I learned how to use just the right amount: enough for a good hold, but not so much that it's caked on. If I don't use my adhesive properly, I have trouble chewing and enjoying some foods.

There are a couple of things I've noticed and have to be careful of. While I'm mostly protected from brain freeze when eating cold things (because of the top palate), but I can also accidentally swallow something that is too hot. If I don't feel the heat on my palate, a hot food or beverage can hit me wrong going down my throat. I know, I know and, yes, I do realize it when it hits my tongue, but...

All in all, I can say that I really got lucky in choosing a great dentist. My teeth have been working well and my diet is so much healthier now that I can chow down on veggies. I'm not going back to eating as much meat as I always did, but it's nice to have a piece of turkey, chicken, or pork chop every now and again.

I will say it one more time for the folks in the back: don't hesitate to get started on your dental journey!

****************

If I said at one point that I would do a diary about having my teeth, I lied. I tried to keep a daily record for my dentist and ended up only noting the highlights. In the 18 days that I have had these teeth, these are the main highlights:

• Days 1-4: I felt like crying. A lot. I couldn't eat anything. The teeth felt too big, and my tongue was taking up too much room, blah, blah, blah...
• Day 4: I ate a potato chip. Best chip ever.
• Switched from using liquid adhesive to a thick paste.
• Learned that the better your dentures fit, the thinner your adhesive should be.
• Switched from a thick paste to a powder. This has been much better.
• Day 9: Ate part of a sandwich of tomato, avocado, and spinach.
• Learned that it's not what I eat, but how I eat. I can eat almost anything - but some things require a bit more care.
• Day 12: My jaw and face muscles have gotten used to having dentures. The teeth don't feel as big and my tongue is back to normal. The gagging issue has greatly improved.
• Day 15: My dentures stopped feeling like dentures and started to feel more a natural part of my mouth.

It kept getting better and better. I still and not able to eat whole raw carrots and broccoli, but will be getting some to slice thin and eat with a bit of dip. I think the best day I had was when I was able to pull out the walnuts that have been in my freezer for over a year. I made some brown sugar bread with them and... heaven. Pure heaven.

There are still days when I wake up and think, "This is my life now". Mostly, though, I am just thankful to be able to chew food thoroughly.

I've run into a couple of more things that are normal for people with dentures. One is that I've had to go back for minor adjustments. Another is that it's as easy to develop bad habits with dentures as it is with natural teeth. I have been tempted to sleep in mine and have to fight that urge. I must say, though, that it's easier to reach all the nooks and crannies when brushing dentures! 

Sounds like that dental lisp...
(source link)

This will most likely be the last post dedicated to dentures. If I can offer any advice, it would be:

• Almost everybody has a hard time adjusting
• As soon as you are able to eat with dentures, do not be tempted to eat without them
• It really does get easier, bit by bit. You might feel that you are never going to be even close to normal again without your natural teeth. I think everyone feels that way for the first several days or weeks.
• For encouragement, go search out videos with "dentures vs food" or "food vs dentures". There are a lot of wonderful people who share their experiences and helpful tips.
• Check out the Subreddit for dentures. Great group of helpful people offering a lot of encouragement and advice.

So, yeah. I am at the point where I have accepted that this really is my life now. I am very glad to have a beautiful smile again. I am very blessed to be able to eat and enjoy food again. Just remember, you can't make the journey if you don't start the journey.

Peace

-- Free

**REVIEW** Junoon (The Powder-iest Perfume EVER)

  I love a perfume with a powder note. Shalimar, Emeraude, and Ana Abiyedh Poudree are some really good ones. I thought that AA Poudree was as powdery as it gets (although Valentino's is strong, though not my favorite), but, noooo. I have now met the powder bomb of powder note perfumes. 

That, my people, is Junoon from Al Haramain, and it's my first from them.

Oh, my word! This blows everything else out of the water when it comes to being powdery. All those others are powdery, but this is Powdery - like peppers are spicy, but a ghost pepper is spicy.

And I love it! I can't get enough of it.

The first time I sprayed it, I was kind of thrown. Unlike the other scents above, the powder in this one is not tempered by the florals or other notes. Or, at least, it's not tempered much. The powder was almost too much for me at first (what?) and I was kind of bothered by that.

Once I waited a moment or two, the powder settled - almost like actual powder does when tossed in the air - and I started to get more of the sweetness of the vanilla and the soft iris. After about 5 minutes, the scent was everything I wanted in a powder - sweet, soft, powdery and floral without the sharpness I got from the Valentino's scent.

The bottle is simple elegance

The best thing about this is how well it plays with others. I layered it with Lattafa's Eclair and that was just yummy. Eclair by itself lacks something I need and the Junoon solved that. I also have tried this layered with Khamrah, then sandwiched between Khamrah and Nebras. That last one was a bit much for daytime, but would be good for a night out.

I also discovered that this works really well to tone down and femme-up more fragrances that are labeled as "unisex" but that lean masculine. I paired this with the outright male fragrance Habit Rouge and... What!?!?!? It was something not like Shalimar in scent, but it had that Shalimar vibe. 

I am not sure if Al Haramain scents are like Lattafa's in that they need time to get better. If this one gets any better, I may not be able to stand it.

So, yeah, I have found my powder bomb scent. I can't wait to try it with Molten Caramel....

Peace

--Free

The Random & Unexpected (When Getting Dentures)

 I watched a lot of videos when I was trying to understand the ordeal of getting dentures. I watched stuff on extractions and living with them; changes in the face and voice; eating without teeth; and the whole thing of being fitted for dentures. I thought I was going to be prepared. I was - sort of, but there were a lot of things I really didn't expect. Here's a rundown:

• Getting my teeth pulled was not the worst of it. The worst was the blood and gore for the first few days afterward. Oh, my Lord, how I hated that. I learned to keep some warm salt water near me for the first day. I was able to rinse and spit. The salt kept down the taste of blood. It also helped keep me from piking because of my vivid imagination about all the gore in my mouth. After the first day or maybe day and a half, things calm down. Then I would sit broth. Again, the savory water really helps settle a queasy stomach, and I was queasy for at least a week.
• Once I was over the gore, I had to get used to looking at a very different face in the mirror. I really understand now how much one's teeth have to do with the entire facial structure. It's drastic, people.
• I got used to talking and eating without all my teeth quicker than I am re-learning to do those things with teeth. 
• People tend to assume things about why you are without teeth. Whenever I wore a mask in public, it wasn't because of vanity, it was because I learned what some people assumed. It was my eye doctor who called this to my attention. She knows me and was sympathizing that some people would assume I was a drug user. What??? I had not thought of that. 
• Just as some people might have treated or thought of me differently when I was without teeth, I see a difference in how I am treated now. I'd always taken for granted that, for most of my life, strangers have tended to be friendly or civil toward me in public. Of course, I'm from Alaska, where strangers smile and chat with each other all the time. When I moved here, I notice the same is mostly true of people in small towns like where I live and, often, even in the larger places. When I was without teeth, I didn't feel that same casual kindness from strangers or passersby. Today, I went out to the store, and things were better. (I realize that I was probably behaving differently myself, or just being hyper-critical of people.)
• The longer I went without teeth, the more my face "shrunk" (maybe "contracted" is a better word). Since I was without a lot of my teeth for the past 2 years, then most of them for a year and, finally, all of them for about 7 + months, a lot of my facial muscles had lost something. This is why I'm going to take more time than usual to adjust to my dentures. My dentist is awesome and has explained this all to me. We aren't going to do any major tweaks or adjustments (if any) until my jaw and the rest of my face has re-adapted to a full mouth of teeth. I may not need any adjustments, so we're going to give this some time. (BTW, I was able to talk better within just hours of getting my dentures. By the 2nd day, I was getting really good. So this is a re-learning game.)
• There is a potential gagging issue with dentures. That's because the upper plate does go back a ways. I had a terrible time the first day, but I started getting used to it pretty quickly. Again, my dentist will make some adjustments later, if needed. He wanted to know how bad it was now. Honestly, I can handle it because I think I'm still getting used to the dentures.
• I don't know if this is true for everyone, but I am producing more saliva than before. This isn't a bad thing, since I used to have dry mouth. It's a new thing, so... Weird
• My bottom implants are wonderful. I am so happy that my dentist was able to put them in. I'd heard from another doctor that it wouldn't be possible. Of course, that same doctor is one that was so rude and uncaring that even his nurse looked dumbstruck, and I left his office in tears and I had to beg my brother not to go in and say something... It's not wild at all that his name is synonymous with a farm animal. Because of the implants, I never have to worry about my bottom plate sliding around or popping out. I snap the plate in, and that bad boy is locked in place until I remove it. 
• This is a very weird observation that I hadn't realized it until the day I got my dentures. The first thing I did when I got home was to put on a little lip gloss! I know, that's so random. I've never worn lots of makeup - maybe for special occasions or when I was in a mood - but I have always loved wearing lip gloss and a little bit of eyeliner. There was no way I wanted to call attention to my mouth when I was without teeth, and I really didn't ever feel like dressing up my eyes. But these lips are shining and lightly tinted now, baby!
• Even if I wasn't aware of being a lot less confident before, I do feel so much more confident and generally happier now that I have teeth again. 

I am sure that, as time wears on, I will find more things to add to this list. Out of everything, this is the most important thing I want to say: If you need dentures, don't hesitate out of fear or vanity. I wish I had started the minute I had a chance.

Peace

--Free

Dental Update #11 They're Here!

 What a wild ride...

I got my dentures and could not be more thrilled. I am so glad that I waited and trusted in my amazing dentist and his staff. (BTW, shout out to Dr. Grant Lehmann and the staff at Lehmann Family Dental!!!)

Because it's been several months since I've had teeth, the muscles in and around my mouth are having to re-learn their jobs. (That's the best way I know to put all the technical jargon!) As a result, I am still learning how to talk and eat and just exist with teeth again.

The most important things right now:

• My dentures are well-fitted and comfortable
• My dentist knows I might need some small adjustments as I get used to my teeth
• I have my smile and confidence back

While I am not awfully vain, it is so nice to see my "normal" face again in the mirror. It's almost weird!

The dentist did such a great job that my dentures don't look like dentures. Everyone whose seen me so far have asked for the name of my dentist. Those that saw me before my problems, say that I look almost exactly as I did before. Now, that's saying something big!!!

So... here's my big reveal -

Here's a closer look:

Don't let me mess around and fix my hair and slap on some lipstick! 

It's going to be a while before I am eating "normally". My face is still realigning - learning to have teeth in place. Once that happens, the dentist will be able to make minor adjustments to my "bite". Right now, it's slow and steady. I'm just happy to be able to enjoy smiling again.

I want to thank God for getting me through this whole thing. I want to thank my family for their support (and money) and love. 

Peace

--Free

P.S.: I think I will write a post talking about all the weird and unexpected things when getting dentures. For now, I can give you a freebie: I find it weird that I can't feel my upper palate. I was popped a cough drop in my mouth and... Well, I have to keep it tucked in my cheek.

(Update to the Update!) Dental Update #10 (one of the last!)

Update to the update. I did not get my teeth. But that is a good thing. My dentist (a perfectionist, thankfully) was not happy with something that the lab did. He has adjusted his notes to them and sent my plates back for correction.

Am I sad? Yes, but... My brother reminded me that waiting another couple of weeks is worth it to get teeth I will be wearing for the next several years. I agree.

My biggest disappointment is that I am really ready to get on my new eating regimen so I can lose weight. It's not just the weight gain I worry about; it's that I'm missing the foods I cannot eat. I am craving raw veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds. I've even come up with a grocery list for when can chew:

• broccoli (to eat raw)
• carrots (to eat raw)
• spinach
• squash (to cook)
• greens (for salads)
• almonds
• sunflower seeds
• walnuts & pecans (to make snack bars)
• cabbage (to eat cooked and raw)
• chicken and turkey (to eat on salads)
• olives and cornichons (for snacking & on salads)
• green beans, asparagus and sweet peppers (to bake and eat)

So, should the good Lord be willing to let me live and see the day, my first meal will be one of the biggest salads know to man. (Well, after the planned Panda Express with the fam!)

I will be back soon to do an update. Hopefully!

Peace

Now that I am only a few days away from having a full set of teeth (for the first time in I don't know how long), I'm still more anxious than excited.

My dentist has told me that it might take a while before I can eat and talk properly. My extractions were done last June. I won't know how to act with teeth in my mouth! Whatever happens, my family and I have plans to go to Panda Express for my first meal. Send up a prayer for me, people...

Source

I was talking with someone else who had all their teeth replaced just over a year ago. Her advice was to just take my time. She said that it does take a minute to get used to not only having teeth, but having good teeth.

Here's my plan: I'm going to get some fresh fruits and veggies, some dip, and salad fixings. I want to meal prep some light salads (for lunch) and big salads (for dinner), and cartons of dip-ready veggies. I have been eating (or drinking) plenty of frozen fruit so that's not a priority. I'm really craving raw broccoli, lettuce, spinach and carrots - and olives! All kinds - green, black, stuffed... I don't plan to eat pancakes, rice, or bread for a good long while. (Okay, I love fresh bread, so maybe I will bake some in a few weeks.)

By the way, the reason Panda Express is our pick for the celebration meal is because, well, there is not a lot of good Chinese food nearby. The next time we visit family in Minnesota or go to an appointment in Des Moines, we might get some luscious Chinese food. It's my dream.

One of my neighbors (she just turned 90, and I was shocked to learn that) reassured me that I will love having dentures. She said that with all the prep I've had, mine should fit well, so I will be used to them in no time. She's had dentures for over 15 years (and she is ninety, people!) and says she sometimes sleeps in hers. She said she takes them out every day and soaks and cleans them, but that she doesn't like sleeping without them. I can relate.

I will update when I have gotten used to my teeth. Monday is going to be like a special family day for us. My brother here will be FaceTiming the rest of the family. I think they are all as excited as I am.

Stay tuned for updates!

Peace

--Free

Dental Update #9 Almost There

 What a journey! What a wild time this has been. I have done the first fittings of the wax dentures. They look amazing, but they were a bit tall in my mouth. My dentist warned me to be VERY picky about everything as I try out the wax dentures because, once I say "Go", there is no backtracking - at least without a lot of expense.

I love that they captured what my natural teeth looked like. I guess they did use the pictures I gave them. The bottom teeth are nicer than my natural teeth, but I am not complaining!

BTW - The dentist asked me to smile this big to 
see how the full set looks LOL!

I am so impressed that they 
used my photos!

Anyway, other than the fact that it felt weird to have teeth in my mouth again, things are going well. I go back in another week to try the set with the changes, so...

The odd thing is that I am having some anxiety about this. I keep thinking what it will be like trying to talk and eat and just be me with these teeth. It's been so long since I started losing my own teeth, and it's been half a year since I've had no teeth. I just feel very strange and insecure now. I am hoping that when the teeth fit correctly that I will be able to adjust my life and my emotions to the situation.

Apparently, I won't be able to just start chowing down on the salads I've been dreaming about (like this one!) because it takes time to learn to eat (and talk) with dentures. My plan now is to start with some meals at home using soft meats and veggies so that I don't embarrass myself in public.

On a side note, I have learned a lot about vanity and humility. Ten years ago, I would not have been able to handle (I don't think) being without teeth for the time it took to heal. I'm not saying that it's been fun, but I did realize how much I have to be thankful for. I stopped caring so much about how I look to strangers. Again, don't get me wrong - I cannot wait to be able to smile at people without feeling that moment of self-consciousness! But I have learned to be more thankful for having reasons to smile more than worrying what I look like when I smile. Did that make sense?

Anyway, I am happy to be almost done with this ordeal. I encourage anyone who is having dental issues because of a medical condition - or the medications they are one - to not put off getting help. If I had gone to the dentist sooner, I'd already be chomping on some juicy sweet peppers right now!

Keep any prayers coming.

Peace

--Free

**Perfume** Emeraude Has Been Discontinued... Now What?

 I love perfume, but have never been influenced by the price or brand. If I like the way it smells, I don't care who makes it. I felt that way even when I could afford to splash out a bit. Other than Shalimar, most of my favorite perfumes have been on the more affordable (or even cheaply priced) side. Right now, Lattafa is my go-to for perfume. They make beautiful scents that won't make you feel stupid for buying them when you will never have your name in the Social Register or have access to a Black Card. I like to say that Lattafa makes broke girls (and guys) feel beautiful. The fragrances are not cheap, but are not totally ridiculously priced. Also, I usually find mine via Amazon or eBay.

I'm rambling, so let me get back to my point.

They went and discontinued the poor woman's Shalimar. Yes, people, Emeraude is no longer being made and people are selling their stash for ridiculous prices... Cue my tears! I'm glad that I had gotten a couple of vintage Emeraude gifts. (I now have a "regular" Emeraude, and two vintage bottles. (Maybe I can trade them for eggs if things get tougher!) To be honest, you can still find some deals on eBay, if you want to chance it.

About two or two and half years ago, I bought a bottle from Amazon and also copped a couple of "vintage" bottles from eBay. I did it on a whim and, thankfully, I didn't really use any of the vintage bottles and didn't use up the newer one. Now I look at them and am so happy I have the 3. 

The Shalimar is what's left of a gift from
a niece when I lived in Anchorage.

By the way, I will probably never use the tiny bit left of the Shalimar. I appreciate so much that my niece got that for my birthday years ago!

Anyway. I had to dry my tears and get over it. There are other scents that fill the hole left by Emeraude. For ladies who wanted that Shalimar/Emeraude vibe for drugstore prices, I would suggest:

• Chantilly by Dana
• Youth Dew by Estée Lauder

I do think that Chantilly (the cheap one by Dana, not the vintage from Houbigant) comes closer than Youth Dew. Chantilly has the powdery softness of Shalimar and Emeraude while Youth Dew is "harder" and spicier. Both are lovely, and I find that Youth Dew has better longevity.

Now, here is where it gets wild. I tried layering Youth Dew and Chantilly - just for kicks - and... Wow! It elevates both scents to new levels. It's now become my favorite blend. Keep in mind that both fragrances can be found for under $35-$40. Seriously.

I will be honest and say that I actually like my YD&C blend better than Shalimar. That's because it has such good longevity. Even though my remaining Shalimar has aged to a point of deliciousness, it does not last long on my aging skin. That could be because of improper storage(?). My YD&C blend will last at least 5 hours before it dries down to a skin scent.

Go over to Fragrantica, Basenotes, or Wikiparfum and get the notes and accords for Emeraude (or whatever perfume you love). Look for the list of similar perfumes. Read comments for suggestions for dupes. Reddit is another good source of perfume info. Trust me, there is usually something similar out there.

Speaking of finding similar fragrances, I looked for the longest for anything even a little bit like Blanche Bête. Reading about it on Fragrantica, it's not a scent I would normally seek because it doesn't sound sweet or edible-like, but I got a sample from ScentSplit once and... Oh, mercy! That was such a gorgeous fragrance! The price, though, is nowhere in the range of my budget because... no Black Card, remember?

Blanche Bête is in a whole other galaxy away from my budget that the Webb telescope couldn't find it. It's hilarious that I didn't even know what the name translated to and assumed it was "Not For Broke Folk" (it's actually "White Beast").  I was some kind of thrilled when I found that some people think that Lattafa's Her Confession is a bit of a dupe. Well, now. I do love me some Lattafa, don't I? Hopefully, I will get my hands on some HC and find out how close to BB it is...

Peace

--Free

P.S.: I am working on a post about Lattafa perfumes. I like the affordability and quality. Over the course of about 3 years, I have built up a nice collection.

**CKD** Things I Will Be Asking My Docs About

 I've gotten better about taking care of my health this past 8 or 9 months. I've also been hearing about a lot of supplements and other sources that might help slow the progression of my CKD. Of course, I won't be dabbling with anything until I ask my doctors, but I do have questions and here are some:

1. Is Nicotinamide something that I could be taking? I've heard that it might or might not be helpful in lowering creatine levels and/or promoting better GFR. I wonder if there is any harm in giving the supplement a shot. It is also supposed to be good for other things. (I only have "peek" access to some of the info - like this - and don't understand it anyway.)
2. What about N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)? I've heard about some of its potential benefits, but I don't know if it's safe for me with the other medications I take. If it's not helpful for CKD, is it helpful for anything else in my situation?
3. Saffron is supposed to be a good antioxidant - among other benefits. I also have seen info showing potential benefits for renal issues. This blurb from a National Library of Medicine page has me hopeful: "It seems that saffron supplementation had no significant effect on Cr as a renal function factor. However, BUN reduction was significant in the saffron group compared to placebo." Notice my emphasis. I also remember some hearsay from people in the East Indian and Mediterranean communities back in Anchorage that saffron is a medicinal herb for them.
4. What are some other herbs and spices that I can use in my food that might also benefit my kidney function? I already heed the warnings about what I can't have - turmeric and too much cacao are the two that surprised me...

So, yeah, I have quite a few questions. The frustrating thing is that I think I have asked about some of these before with other doctors. I can't remember though because my doctors keep leaving me! This time I am going to have my notebook ready.

What really frightens me these days is that, with the current White House administration, I might lose some (or all?) of my care. What if I'm out here having to fend for myself with ONLY herbs and supplements. It's a very real possibility, I think.

Anyway, make sure that you are not taking any of the information in this post as advice - other than telling you to always consult with your care team before you try anything! Please stay as healthy as you can and, if nothing else, be peaceful.

Peace

--Free

Hazards Hidden in the Home (and a Solution)

 I've blogged in the past several months about some health issues - coughing, colds, general unwellness. What I've spent time on recently, is trying to find the causes. Apparently, some of the problems have been hiding right under my (sniffling) nose. Here are some of the things I've dealt with:

• Coughing, sneezing, severe throat dryness, and other cold-like symptoms that have lasted for months. 
• Dry, itchy skin and scalp (in spite of moisturizing and treating carefully).
• A lot of white dust on plants, furniture, counters, the fan, and on my laptop.

These are not problems I've dealt with so much before. After some careful note-taking and light research, I narrowed the problem down to one thing: the extremely hard water from the tap. Seriously.

While I can't blame all the coughing and sneezing on the water, I can say that the water caused a lot of it. I know that because, when I remedied the water issue (to a great degree), some of the problems went away immediately and some began improving.

Iowa (or at least where I'm living) has water so hard that I'm lucky the faucet's not spitting out rocks. Also, it smells terrible. I almost never let dishes "soak" for more than an hour and I never drink it, and it really affects laundry. (The laundry situation got so bad that I've been carting mine over to my brother and SIL's to use their machine, as they have a whole-house treatment system.)

There are a lot of hidden hazards around a home. Most of us know to monitor carbon monoxide, check outlets and plugs for problems, and watch which laundry detergents and skincare products we use. We clean and sanitize our surroundings, and we try to maintain a decent level of general household order. To think that it was the tap water causing so many problems was kind of surprising.

Here's where the water comes in: I run a humidifier using tap water, and it finally dawned on me that it was the cause of all the white dust. Of course, I suspected this, but it still was a problem after I began using a pitcher filter system. I used a very popular filter brand and changed filters often. That did not help. I did some light research and changed up my situation. 

I considered a distiller, but the price gave me the vapors. I looked at delivery services but, again, the price (and lack of home space) put me off. I finally settled on getting a faucet filter system. Then I had to decide between horizontal or vertical... Decisions, decisions. At any rate, I now have a faucet filter system (from PUR) and, wow, what a HUGE difference. By the way, I chose the horizontal style since it seems a better fit for my smaller sink space.

Understand that I'm not pimping for PUR. There are at least a couple of other options, but they are more expensive and not that necessary for my single-user needs. I mainly want cleaner, filtered water for the humidifier and coffee pot. I'm not trying to wash dishes or use the filtered water for every little thing. I don't plan to go through gallons and gallons of water a month. The filter has already made a lot of difference.

When I run my humidifier now, I'm not having to blow that white dust out of the fan and computer and, most important, I'm not coughing throughout the night.

The photos are not the best, but if you can imagine the gunk I had to constantly clean from the fan and the computer, you can imagine the damage from breathing that into my lungs.

Constantly blasting it to get 
rid of this dust!

Had to clean this EVERY day

That's horrible. And I even run an air purifier! And for anyone thinking I'm an idiot for not realizing the problem sooner, well, what can I say? At any rate, it's almost weird not to have to clean everything every single day. 

I do miss the Alaska tap water, that's for sure. I never even had to think about it and surely never had to buy drinking water...

So, yeah, this kind of made me go, "Duh!"

The PUR faucet filter system was really a lot more reasonably priced than I expected. The Brita system was up in the high 40-dollar range (and came with 2 filters), while the PUR ran me just over $27 with tax, and came with only one filter (but has better ratings). By the way, I was running Brita filters in the pitcher and that didn't work so well against the dust.

I got it from Walmart
for the same-day delivery

As I said, there are systems from other brands but, for my limited use, the PUR works perfectly. It was super easy to hook up and get running. (I do have a funny story about getting the original aerator off the faucet. I was frustrated to the point of literally crying before I realized I was just turning in the wrong direction. So much for righty-tighty, lefty-loosey... My brother is still laughing about it!)

I guess I'm sharing this (as embarrassing as my ignorance is) so that you will take a look around your own home. There could be something simple that is causing you problems. 

Oh, another benefit of having the filter is that my coffee sure does taste a lot better. No kidding.

Peace

--Free

**Frugality Tip** Milk & Sugar Alternatives **UPDATED with a recipe**

 **This is for those trying to make a dollar out of fifteen cents**

Sugar Alternative:

I already posted about panela and why I have replaced sugar with it. It's cheap (but I've found a tip for getting it cheaper), and it's low glycemic. It also is lower in calories for the same amount of sugar.

The first tip is to buy it in the blocks vs buying it ground. I bought the first couple of bags already ground. I like it so much that I use it almost completely in the place of sugar (I'm still learning how to use it in baking), so I go through the ground too fast. Buying it in the blocks is much cheaper, but I have to grind it myself and I have to store it very carefully. Grinding it is not hard (I use a grinder or a grater, depending on how much I want at a time). To store and protect it against humidity, I vac-seal it. I will make some smaller sealed bags of it for longer-term storage and seal a few smaller bags for more immediate use.

NOTE: don't confuse panela with "raw sugar", brown sugar, or turbinado sugar. (Here is some info on different sugars.)

Milk Alternative:

Evaporated milk is milk that has had half the water removed. My mother used it back in the day for certain recipes just because it added a better flavor than whole milk. I have started using it recently to save money. Living alone, I don't use enough milk on a regular basis. Whole milk tends to go bad, and then I run out of ways to use it (in baking or making pancakes, for example). I have been buying an excellent powdered milk from the Netherlands. It has more fat and flavor than a brand I previously used. (It made my recent Favorites list.) However, I am worried about prices going up so I have cut down on my subscription of that, stopped buying coffee creamer, and instead started using evaporated milk. 

Pros to using evaporated milk:

• Price (generally affordable if bought in bulk)
• Shelf stable and so saves room in fridge.
• Used as is, adds a very nice richness to coffee and tea.
• Can be rehydrated to a whole milk form.
• Convenient all around.

From my own experience, when I try to use unsweetened cream or half-and-half to coffee (to save calories), I miss that slight touch of creaminess from the sugars. Evaporated milk does add something, and I am not missing the sugary (and pricey) creamers. I can add panela if I want (and I notice that I don't use much panela when I add it!).

NOTE: don't confuse evaporated milk with sweetened condensed milk!

Keep your head up as we deal with higher food and living costs. I know who is truly in control.

Peace

--Free

UPDATE: I found an eggless brioche recipe to try. I am going to use panela sugar and evaporated milk. Wish me luck!!