Dining with a 96 year old mother

My Mom is careful about her eating habits: careful to eat healthily and get her nutrients from her food as she doesn't like swallowing pills (supplements); and careful about maintaining a good weight as she has difficulty walking. She also has dentures and finds it hard to chew nuts, raw vegetables or a steak. She has slowed down in the past 2 years, still, she's not bad for 96.

Here is an example of her daily meals:

Breakfast: Fortified high fiber cereals, 2% milk (tastier), 1/2 banana, 1 cup coffee with milk. A good breakfast starts off a good day.

Mid-morning: Whole wheat bread, 1 tsp butter, 2 tsp jam, 1 cup milk, tea.

Lunch: Avocado and tomato on whole wheat bread, or scrambled egg on toast. 1/2 cup vegetable soup. 1/2 cup grapes.

Afternoon snack: Tea, 1/2 grapefruit, yogurt, 1/2 oz fudge.

Dinner: 3 oz fish, a potato, cooked vegetables; or chicken and vegetable soup and toasted cheese; or beef and vegetable stew with rice. 1/2 cup fruit juice.

Late night snack: 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup ice cream or fruit.

There is more variety she is happy to try, but enjoys a routine without too many new flavors.

For activity, she does wheelchair exercises.

Her brain is very active. She reads a lot, a LOT! Once a week, she's picked up by wonderful ladies from the Canadian Community Center who take the oldies out to lunch and to different areas around Canmore. I went with them last week. They are given a quiz. My Mom's knowledge of all things in the world is amazing. Better than mine. That was an awakening.

When watching TV, she plays Solitaire on her laptop. She's quite addicted to this game, as I am when I visit.

Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a variety of nutritious foods and keeping the brain active are the best ways to age beautifully. Keep going Mom!!!