walkable neighborhoods

I am a walker. I love to walk. I will walk anywhere. Parks, random neighborhoods in any city from industrial areas to out in the middle of nowhere. You see and observe things so much better when you walk. It’s endlessly fascinating and part of that fascination lately is the idea of living in a complete neighborhood, which is a neighborhood where you can walk to your basic daily needs. So I’d say within a 15 minute walking distance to a grocery store, a cafe, a library, and a park. It’s about a mile give or take. Your daily needs may include mass transit station, schools, community centers, entertainment and others.

Now that I have PD, it’s even more interesting to me as I think about my future health and how it may impact where or how I live. I live on a beautiful island where I can get to the big city, the beach or the mountains in less than 10 minutes and the weather is gorgeous all year long. But my neighborhood is also on a steep hill with no sidewalks so walking to any of these places is a challenge.

If in the future I have limitations on driving, living in a complete neighborhood would allow me to still enjoy these daily needs with more independence and more frequency. It would also provide more ways to get exercise, to be outside & to engage with others in my community. A complete neighborhood can also be in a big city or in a small town. It’s encouraging to see that some new communities are planning with this concept in mind and many existing communities are retrofitting areas to make them more walk and bike friendly.

Walk Score is a fun way to see the walk-ability of your neighborhood. You put in your address and it gives you a score out of a possible 100 and a break down. It works for the US, Canada, & Australia. Mine was a 23 out of 100 which is low. Do you live in a walk-able neighborhood and if so does it add a positive quality to your daily life?

new makeup brand developed by a parkie

Wonderful news to hear about a new makeup brand developed by a woman with Parkinson’s. Makeup artist Terri Bryant has developed Guide Beauty which launched last month, with products designed to help people with disabilities apply makeup with more ease.

It looks like there are currently four products, an eyebrow gel, eyeliner, eyeliner applicator, and mascara. I’m looking forward to trying them, especially the eyeliner. The applicator is a unique design and rests against your cheek for more stabilization. Take a look at the tutorial.

If you’ve tried any of the products, let me know what you think of them or if there are any other brands out there we should try.

aloha friday

What’s going on with you this week? I’m looking forward to a hike to the Makapuu light house this weekend with our support group. The photos above are the views from this beautiful hike. Here are a few other things that have interested me the last few weeks. Have a wonderful weekend.

~ Parasite - Winner of Best Picture at the Academy Awards & The Palme d’Or at the Canne Film Festival. I saw it described as a tragicomedy which is perfect. It’s about a destitute family and a wealthy family and how their intertwining creates all sorts of drama. You never know what’s going to happen next which was so entertaining. All the characters are played to the hilt and the house that it’s filmed in adds to the atmosphere.

~ I had breakfast with a friend of mine who recently got diagnosed with PD. It’s difficult because you know their fears, confusion, and that limbo you feel in the beginning, until you find your place back into the new story of your life. But we can be there for them and become part of their support system, that we all need. Here are two thoughtful blog posts if you or someone you know is newly diagnosed. One from Twitchy Woman and Parking Suns.

~ Time to bring back sun dried tomatoes - In the 90’s sun dried tomatoes were the thing and now you rarely here about them. But they are a great flavor booster and since a loss of smell and taste is a common symptom in Parkinson’s it’s an easy way add oomph to lots of different foods. Bella Sun Luci is the brand that I like. When you want to use them, microwave a small cup of water until it boils and throw in a handful of tomatoes and let them soak for a couple of minutes.

This Double-Tomato Bruschetta is wonderful in the winter when all you have is cherry tomatoes. Here is a quick pasta dinner. You probably already have all of these ingredients, just pick up a bag of arugula and you’re ready to go.

spaghettini or any long pasta
sliced garlic
olive oil
sun dried tomatoes, chopped
white wine
chili flakes
arugula
toasted bread crumbs or grated parmesan cheese
Boil water and cook pasta. At the same time saute sliced garlic in olive oil until lightly browned. Add tomatoes, white wine & chili flakes, let wine reduce. Add cooked pasta and arugula and toss. Sprinkle with toasted bread crumbs or cheese.

A handful are also delicious thrown into a soup, added to whatever sauce your making for chicken or pork, and is delicious added to ground turkey for burgers.

~ I just love the spring colors in this post from Emily Henderson. Isn’t her patio gorgeous!

“My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far I’ve finished two bags of M&Ms and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.” Dave Barry

what i'm reading

Have you had a good month with reading? I have, but lately if I read in the afternoon after lunch, it makes me very drowsy. I’m in the middle of The Whisper Man by Alex North. Scary thrillers have never been a genre I read before, but I heard good things about it from the Currently Reading Podcast so I thought I’d give it a try and I’m really enjoying it so far.

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick

Arthur Pepper is a recent widower and after finding a gold charm bracelet in his wife’s possessions that he has never seen before, it takes him on a life changing odyssey through London, Paris, and India. It’s a charming, easy read that I enjoyed.

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Hell Bent: One Man’s Crusade to Crush the Hawaiian Mob by Jason Ryan

This book was interesting to me because it’s set here where I grew up. Chuck Marsland was the city Prosecutor whose son was killed by alleged mobsters in the 1970’s in Honolulu. It’s full of descriptions of local law enforcement, politicians, and alleged mobsters that were names we heard frequently growing up, and how they are all intertwined. It’s an interesting deep dive into the case and the influence of the mob on the local society.

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The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

Anna Fox lives alone in her home. She is unable to leave her house. So she watches classic movies, plays online chess, and spy’s on her neighbors. One night as she is watching the new neighbors across the way, she sees the wife stabbed and bleeding through a window. But no one believes her. It’s a psychological thriller and I kept wanting to read more to find out what happened. It’s sort of twist on the movie Rear Window.

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French Kids Eat Everything: How Our Family Moved to France, Cured Picky Eating, Banned Snacking, and Discovered 10 Simple Rules for Raising, Happy, Healthy Eaters by Karen Le Billon

Wow that title is a mouthful. I randomly saw this at the library and picked it up out of curiosity. I don’t have small children but in the vein of “French Women Don’t Get Fat” I’m always interested in food and eating customs. The most interesting part to me was the concept of no children’s menus or food, and less snacking so that kids are more hungry at meal time and therefore willing to try different foods. You may not agree with everything but it was an interesting read.

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Me by Elton John

His warm and humble stories from childhood through his life challenges including drug addiction, to his fulfilling life now with a husband and children. He has met and been friends with many interesting celebrities along the way. I listened to the audio book while I painted my bedroom and really enjoyed it.

Happy Reading. xo kai

staying connected to your partner

Having a chronic health issue can be like a third partner in your relationship. No matter what you’re doing, it wants to stick its nose in and say “hey there, don’t forget about me”. It can be beyond annoying, so it’s important that I do things to help keep that connection as a couple. Another change is that I’m no longer working and Marc is very busy with his job, so our schedules and energy levels are different.

For you, it may be that you’re both very busy with your own jobs, have conflicting schedules, or have kids that keep you busy. Whatever the reason, trying to stay connected at different stages of our lives is important and can take extra thought and effort. Here are a few things that I try to incorporate into our lives.

15-minute decompress time – When one or both of you get home at the end of the day, give each other space to change gears. It’s never fun to walk in the door and get bombarded by your partner with questions or requests. Change into something more comfortable or do whatever ritual that helps you shift from work to home time.

One thing to talk about at dinner – Each person brings one thought to discuss at dinner. It doesn’t have to be deep or mind blowing, but just one tidbit to start a little conversation. Whether it’s some news you heard in the world, something about a person you know, or something that happened that day. Even your silliest thought can be a fun conversation starter. It’s fun also during the day when something happens, you start thinking “I can’t wait to talk about it at dinner”.

No Worries Date Night or Day – My ex in-laws used to have a “why worry club”. This was a small group of couples who got together for dinner regularly and the only rule was no talking about troubles, kids, jobs, anything that was stressful. You of course could put together a group, but if that isn’t an option, make it just for yourselves. What you do is completely up to you but no discussing the parent-teacher conference coming up, your sore knee, or the report that’s due next week.

Go for an after-dinner walk – Taking a 15-minute stroll together after dinner is a great way wind down your day and reconnect. It’s not a heavy exercising walk but a stroll. Italians call it passeggiata, meaning a short walk taken purely for pleasure.

Tell your partner - I love you, I appreciate you, or thank you for …. After being together for a while you may think that your partner already knows these things, but saying them regularly makes both partners feel connected. It doesn’t need to be a conversation, even just a quick text when you’re both having a busy day can bring a moment of joy.

What are things that you do stay connected to your partner?

foot stretches & exercises

Lately my feet and ankles have been extra stiff. So I found these exercises and have been doing them daily and it feels fabulous. You can do them while watching TV, so what could be easier. That’s it. Enjoy and be well.

Favorite Books of 2019

This year has been a super enjoyable year of reading for me. Although there are always more on my to read list than I can get through, a few things help me keep my reading in a positive direction. One is that I put down a book if I’m not enjoying it. There are too many good books out there waiting. Sometimes I also have a slow burn book, which is a book that I read very slowly. Sort of in the background while I’m reading other books. This is helpful when you have a book that may take more thinking, or can be a more complicated book than you feel like reading all the time. I read a few pages at a time and it can take me months to finish it.

Here are a few of my favorite books this year. I try to use the library and the library book sale as my main source of books, so many times getting the newest releases are difficult, but I’ve found over the years that it’s actually a plus. Sometimes new books are over hyped, so by the time I get to them, the reviews are more balanced. I’ve added a short review from other sources as I’m terrible at writing reviews, they all end up sounding the same. Happy Reading!

Non-Fiction

Non Fiction

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan - Winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Autobiography. Included in President Obama’s 2016 Summer Reading List. “Reading this guy on the subject of waves and water is like reading Hemingway on bullfighting; William Burroughs on controlled substances; Updike on adultery. . . . a coming-of-age story, seen through the gloss resin coat of a surfboard.”—Sports Illustrated

I.M.: A Memoir by Isaac Mizrahi - “Heart-rending…[an] honest rendering of how the underdog Mizrahi, whose self-image and livelihood are alternately crushed and affirmed, moves through the many creative phases of his life.” ―The Washington Post

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover - “Tara Westover is living proof that some people are flat-out, boots-always-laced-up indomitable. Her new book, Educated, is a heartbreaking, heartwarming, best-in-years memoir about striding beyond the limitations of birth and environment into a better life. . . . ★★★★ out of four.”—USA Today

Inheritance by Dani Shapiro - “As compulsively readable as a mystery novel, while exploring the deeper mysteries of identity and family and truth itself... a story told with great insight and honesty and heart.” —San Francisco Chronicle

Catch & Kill by Ronan Farrow - "At the heart of every great noir is a conspiracy of evil that imbues the initial crime uncovered by the hero with a weightier resonance than was immediately obvious. So it goes with Catch and Kill."―Elizabeth Bruenig, The Washington Post

She Said by Jodi Kantor & Megan Twohey - "An instant classic of investigative journalism...‘All the President’s Men’ for the Me Too era." — Carlos Lozada, The Washington Post

Wild Game by Adrienne Brodeur - “Exquisite and harrowing . . . [WILD GAME] is so gorgeously written and deeply insightful, and with a line of narrative tension that never slacks, from the first page to the last, that it’s one you’ll likely read in a single, delicious sitting.” —New York Times Book Review

Wild by Cheryl Strayed - “Pretty much obliterated me. I was reduced, during the book’s final third, to puddle-eyed cretinism. . . . As loose and sexy and dark as an early Lucinda Williams song. It’s got a punk spirit and makes an earthy and American sound. . . . The cumulative welling up I experienced during Wild was partly a response to that too infrequent sight: that of a writer finding her voice, and sustaining it, right in front of your eyes.” —Dwight Garner, The New York Times

Fiction

Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey - “Part mystery, part meditation on memory, part Dickensian revelation of how apparent charity may hurt its recipients, this is altogether brilliant.” -Booklist

Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz - From the New York Times bestselling author of Moriarty and Trigger Mortis, this fiendishly brilliant, riveting thriller weaves a classic whodunit worthy of Agatha Christie into a chilling, ingeniously original modern-day mystery.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles - "If you're looking for a summer novel, this is it. Beautifully written, a story of a Russian aristocrat trapped in Moscow during the tumult of the 1930s. It brims with intelligence, erudition, and insight, an old-fashioned novel in the best sense of the term." —Fareed Zakaria, "Global Public Square," CNN

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer & Annie Barrows - “A jewel . . . Poignant and keenly observed, Guernsey is a small masterpiece about love, war, and the immeasurable sustenance to be found in good books and good friends.”—People

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett - “Patchett’s splendid novel is a thoughtful, compassionate exploration of obsession and forgiveness, what people acquire, keep, lose or give away, and what they leave behind.” - Publishers Weekly

The Mother in Law by Sally Hepworth - "Behold: the book that'll make your subway ride an actual enjoyable experience! This suspenseful thriller is impossible to put down." ―Cosmo

The Passengers by John Marrs - “A fast-paced thriller that offers a discourse on morality and ethics…Marrs excels at thrilling readers by creating a real sense of tension and delivering a believable, harsh criticism of modern society through this dark and entertaining story. Driving…will never feel quite the same.”—LA Times

Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O’Farrell - “O’Farrell has done it again. . . . There is a deliciousness to this novel, a warmth and readability that render it unputdownable and will surely make it a hit.” —The Guardian (London)

looking back at 2019

“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” Soren Kierkegaard

As the year comes to a close, I look back and think about all that has happened. The things that worked and didn’t work, and take stock. Each year I choose two words that are my focus. This year they were “growth” & “connection”. I loved thinking about those words throughout the year and all the many ways I could incorporate them into my daily life. I added “gratitude” into my thoughts on a daily basis and the more I focused on it, the more abundance I saw.

There were of course challenges. The ever changing efforts to maintain my physical and mental health when having a chronic illness is never far from the surface. A family member had a major health challenge this year and thankfully it had a positive outcome.

This year my words are “trust” and “express”. It will very interesting to see how these words manifest. I’m looking forward to this year and all that it holds. I’m grateful for you as a reader of this blog. I appreciate every connection I’ve made, all the wisdom and strength that I’ve gotten from our community is immeasurable.

I wish you a very happy and fulfilling new year! xoxo Kai

enjoying the holidays

Hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving! We enjoyed dinner at my moms and everyone brought a few dishes. It was a real united nations of a meal. There was mandoo which are Korean dumplings, turkey, smoked brisket, Chamorro red rice, potato gratin, baked beans, ham, pumpkin mochi, and tons more. It was all so delicious.

And although it can be an enjoyable time of year, it can also be stressful. I heard someone yesterday say they felt pressure that they were behind. Having a chronic illness can add to the stress, so it's a good idea to think about things we can do ahead of time to keep it positive and enjoyable and not overwhelming and unrealistic. Most of these we have all heard but it's a good reminder to help us not to get too caught up.

1. Pace yourself. Don't feel like you have to participate in everything and when you need to rest, rest.

2. Keep up your exercise. It can be tempting to skip or put off exercise during the holidays when there is so much do. But keeping up our exercise can actually give us more energy and keep us feeling better.

3. Enjoying holiday food doesn't mean going on a free for all from Thanksgiving to the New Year. Plan ahead to eat healthy meals between events. If you overindulge at meal, that's ok just eat normally at your next meal. The idea that since you've blown a meal, you may as well blow the whole day, but when you just get back on track at your next meal, you won't feel like it was a big deal.

4. No one has the perfect holidays, no matter what they say. Don't try too hard to create perfect moments. Seeing social media shots of everyone having the perfect time can make your imperfect life feel magnified.

5. It's not about stuff. Really. It's not about stuff. Do you remember what you bought or received as gifts last year? Probably not. Our family decided to purchase gifts for the kids in our family only and it has made it so much simpler and enjoyable.

6. Do something for someone else. Contact a local charity. They need lots of extra help during the holidays. Invite someone to a holiday meal who doesn't have a place to go. Bring some extra cookies to a neighbor. Helping others also helps us feel good.

xo-Kai

aloha friday

This year I’m in the mood to do a little holiday decorating. Nothing crazy, just a few things. So this weekend I’ll take a look at what I have and look for ideas online and plan on putting them together on the week of Thanksgiving. Hope you have a lovely weekend.

~ Always happy to hear more positive news that gardening is the new exercise. I also love this beautiful post about the pace with which we garden by Tara Dillard.

~ Books I’ve read recently. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. This is a profoundly compelling portrait of Stevens, the perfect butler, and of his fading, insular world in post-World War II England. From Scratch by Michael Ruhlman. He is one of my favorite food writers and the audio version is wonderful to listen to. You don’t get all the recipes that you would in the printed book, but you get tons of techniques that you can use in your daily cooking. His books are always easy to read and well researched. Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow. An in depth accounting of Ronan’s investigation & Pulitzer Prize article for The New Yorker about Harvey Weinstein. The Other Woman by Sandie Jones is a thriller. It’s a page turner with a twisty plot and is an easy read during the busy upcoming holidays.

~ Two podcasts that I recently found are Next Question with Katie Couric. Katie has in depth interviews and a fun banter with her producer co-host. If you watch Shark Tank you may like The Pitch. It also has people pitching their ideas to potential investors and people have some really interesting ideas.

~ If you’re looking for an easy and fabulous fall dessert, this Apple Cake from Dorie Greenspan is a winner.

~ Oprah is back with her holiday Amazon shop with a few of her favorite things. The Peepers Blue Light reading glasses are so cute and these gold hoop earrings never go out of style.

Be Well. xo Kai

aloha friday

This weekend is the Hawaii Parkinson’s Walk at Ala Moana Beach Park. I’m sure it will be fun day for all, to help raise awareness of PD and to raise money for the Hawaii Parkinson’s Association. If you’re in Honolulu, please join us. Aside from that I’m doing a little diy project of painting my kitchen counter stools and of course reading and gardening. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

~ Liz Dennett’s inspiring story of hoping to become the first person with Parkinson’s to row across the Atlantic Ocean. Go Liz!

~ These are two fall vegetable dishes that I’m looking forward to trying this week that both have a mouth watering miso glaze. Miso-Glazed Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Sweet Potatoes w/Sesame Pistachios & Miso-Citrus Dressing.

~ This simple tan colored silk top from Everlane is on my wish list. It looks great on the model but since I’m so short it may be too boxy on me. Hmmm….I’ll think about it.

~ I’m in the middle of reading The Butler Speaks by Charles MacPherson. The author is a Butler and it’s a fascinating read about the history and current day knowledge and skills that Butlers utilize in their work.

~ Dolly Parton is one of my favorite celebrities. Now there is a podcast about her. Love it.

~ A year from now…Will today’s emergency even be remembered? Will that thing you’re particularly anxious about have been hardly worth the time you put into it?

Better question: What could you do today that would matter a year from now? - Seth Godin

tips on applying makeup with parkinson's

The tremor in my right hand has progressed so that I have a difficult time applying my makeup with it. I’m fortunate that I’m sort of ambidextrous, so it was relatively easy to switch hands. However, I’ve been wondering what I’ll do when my tremor migrates to my left hand.  Here are few tips that might be help. If you have any suggestions please share them.

1. If you stand in the bathroom, try to find a place to sit instead. It may help your tremor and you can rest your elbow on a counter or table for stability.

2. Use a magnifying mirror. You will be surprised how much more you see (good and bad) and catch little mistakes that you’d not see otherwise.

3. Find a place with good natural light to apply your makeup. You’ll see how your makeup will really look when you’re out and about, as artificial light can sometimes not be accurate.

4. Take your time and don’t rush. I made this mistake by giving myself the same amount of time to get ready as I did before I was diagnosed with PD. Little by little as my symptoms increased it was taking a little longer to get ready but I hadn’t realized it, so I found I was rushing around. Give yourself extra time so you can apply it in a relaxed state.

5. Drugstore vs. Department Store brands – I use both but I noticed that drugstore brands generally have less pigment than department store brands which means they can be a little more forgiving. However, that can also mean the application doesn’t last as long, so you may need to apply it again during the day.

6. If you use a foundation, use a primer beforehand. It really does help the foundation stay put longer.

7. Use transparent lip colors instead of opaque colors. They are more forgiving, and you don’t need to be as precise around the edges, particularly if you use darker colors.

8. Lip stains are also a good way to minimize having to retouch as often.

9. Cream or powder – Eye shadow, foundation, blush, they all come in both creams & powders. Try them to see which ones are easier for you to apply.

10. Application – You can apply makeup with sponges, brushes, or your fingers. Again, try them all and see which is more comfortable for you. I used to use a sponge for my foundation but now I use my fingers because I feel like I have better control in smoothing it out.

11. Double duty- Tinted moisturizer, BB or CC creams are a great way to combine skincare, moisturizer and foundation in one.

12. Lastly, permanent eyebrow or liner tattooing might be right for you. The eyebrow tattooing of old has progressed quite a bit and looks much more natural.

aloha friday

by Morgan Harper Nichols

What’s going this weekend? I’d love to take a hike or a long walk in a new neighborhood, followed by a good read and a nap! That sounds perfect to me. Have a wonderful weekend.

~ Morgan Harper Nichols Instagram - Her site has such beautiful words of inspiration.

~ Recent books I’ve read: Little Big Lies by Liane Moriarity. I saw the HBO series before I read the book. The TV series is a lot more glamorous than the book but I still really enjoyed the book.

~Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep

~A Beautiful Mystery & How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny. Books 7 & 8 in the Armand Gamache mystery series. Love this series.

~Mrs. Beeton’s Book on Household Management - This is more of a book you will skim than read. She was sort of the Martha Stewart of her day and you get interesting information about life in that time with servants and everything basically being done hand. It made my housework seem easy after looking at this. It’s also a free e-book because it’s out of copyright.

~Inside Out: A Memoir by Demi Moore - Good as an audio book, read by her. Very honest about her family life and struggles and I really enjoyed it.

~I have a bumper crop of lemons on my tree this year, so I made lemon curd, which was super delicious with yogurt and granola, this lemon almond pound cake, which was on a recent episode of Milk Street TV. Now that it’s fall, I have this Butternut Squash & Ricotta Bruschetta from Ina Garten on my list to make.

~Are you looking for some new underwear? This article asks 26 stylish woman about their favorites.

~When we visited Japan, I was impressed with how clean it was without a public trash can it sight and this BBC article explains a little about why.

dear kai

I got this email from one of our readers and thought it would be a good post. If you have any suggestions for a topic or a question, please email me at asimpleislandlife@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to try and answer on the blog or in private.

 “Dear Kai, I’ve had PD for about six years and I’m finding it difficult to motivate myself to exercise. I’ve been a moderate on and off exerciser most of my life. I’m tired a lot and it’s easier to put it off for another day. Any suggestions?”

Motivating yourself to exercise can be extra challenging with a chronic illness. Fatigue, tremors, dystonia, balance issues, and physical weakness can add up to saying “maybe tomorrow”. And if you’re a person who didn’t exercise much before you’re diagnosis, it can be a tall order to start exercising after.  But we all know the mantra that beyond for normal wellness, we with PD must exercise as much as we can. Here are a few ways to help.

Make it fun – There is much ongoing research on which exercises are best for PWP but I say the ones that you enjoy will be the ones you do the most. There are so things to choose from and you may need to try a few before you find something you like. Is there something you did when you were younger that you enjoyed and could start up again?

Make it convenient – Do things that are close in proximity to where you live or work. Research shows that the farther away your exercise place is, the less frequently you will go.

Figure out your personality – Are you the type of person who will show up more often when you are accountable to someone? Then find an exercise buddy. Aside from the workout, you could get a cup of coffee afterwards and get a twofer of exercise and a nice chat with a friend. Do you prefer having a set day and time each week or would rather have flexibility if your schedule differs a lot?

Make it a family activity – If you have kids or grand kids, doing exercise together is a great way to bond. How about an easy hike, or hit some balls at a golf range. Or while you’re waiting for your kids at their sports practice, instead of waiting on the sidelines, walk around the field or neighborhood.

Write it down – Keep track of your exercise and you’ll see your progress and accomplishments. When you look at your monthly calendar and see how many times you actually did exercise, it can encourage you to keep going.

Change it up – I get bored doing the same exercises all the time so I do a variety of things. Kickboxing one day a week, walk with someone another day, go to the gym, do yoga at home, swim, walk on the sand. It keeps it interesting and fresh.

Cut yourself some slack – When you miss a day, that’s ok. Just get back at it the next day. Sometimes we are too hard on ourselves and are always looking at what we didn’t do, instead of what we did accomplish.

Every little bit helps – You don’t always need a hardcore workout. It seems we have designed our world to eliminate physical movement in our day to day lives. In his book The Blue Zones, Dan Buettner talks about the places in the world where their populations live longer and healthier, and that one of the common traits they have is they incorporate exercise into their daily lives. So walk to the store if you can, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Ask your yard person to come every other time and you do the lawn on the alternate weeks. There are many ways to incorporate movement into our daily lives if we look for them.

food this week

My wonderful in-laws were visiting last weekend so I made a retro dish, Steak Diane. I remember reading an article a long time ago from I think either James Beard or Craig Claiborne, who talked about going to the theater in New York to see a play and making a quick supper of Steak Diane beforehand. It sounded so chic, so New York, and how can anything with steak, butter, cream, and cognac be anything but delicious.

Easy curries have been on my regular rotation in the last few months. I like their versatility. Roasted Cauliflower Lentil Curry and Zucchini & Shrimp Coconut Curry are my current favorites to riff on.

The eggplants in my garden are going bananas this year. I’ve made Pasta alla Norma and Eggplant Caponata which is a delicious Italian dish great as an appetizer on a slice of baguette or spread in a sandwich. My mom also gave me some corn on the cob and my favorite thing to eat this week was a free form salad with corn and blueberries. Put a few cobs of corn in a hot dry saute pan and turn every minute or so until the corn is grilled on all sides. Cut off the kernels and in a bowl mix the corn with fresh blueberries, diced red onion, & chopped basil. Toss with a little rice vinegar, olive oil, and s & p. Let macerate for about an hour before serving.

Have you tried the new plant based burgers called the Beyond Burger and the Impossible Burger? They are both delicious, look just like beef, and if no one told me it was plant based, I would not have known. Beyond Burger is sold in stores and the Impossible Burger you can find in restaurants but I’ve heard that they will be in stores soon.

I use these guides to what produce is in season in Hawaii and Southern California. They’re very helpful as I look at recipes and put together my meals. You probably have something similar for your area.

These Green Falafel Balls from 101 Cookbooks are great to freeze and and pan fry a few for lunch. Last but not least, take a look at this incredibly beautiful Rainbow Cake from Molly Yeh. I could never make this in a thousand years but I love it so much. Happy eating.

Photo from NY Times Cooking.

summer of brazil

We just returned from a fantastic trip to Brazil. My son Bronson lives in Rio so we started there and enjoyed many breathtaking sights, fabulous food, and experiences. It’s the perfect time to visit as it’s winter there and the low tourist season, so it felt like we had many places to ourselves.

In Rio we stayed in Ipanema a block from the gorgeous beach. Some of the favorite foods we ate were the Pao de Queijo which are chewy bread rolls with cheese in the middle, the Portuguese custard pastries called Pasteis de nata, and a fresh farmers cheese and guava paste they call Romeu e Julieta. And of course the Caiparinha’s were flowing.

From Rio, our next stop was Paraty, a charming small colonial seaside town where we took a small boat to along the coastline which was incredible. Then to the big city of Sao Paulo and the falls of Iguassu. The people throughout Brazil were very friendly and welcoming, the scenery is spectacular, and the food delicious.

When I travel, my PD symptoms seem to lessen. It’s probably the adrenaline of being on the trip, coupled with wanting to keep up with everyone that keeps my focus on other things. I did rest when I needed to and did my best to eat well which did help quite a bit. It was a memorable trip!

aloha friday

I hope your week went well. This weekend there is a PD support group meeting and I’ll be getting ready for our trip to Brazil. My current dose of carbidopa/levodopa is starting to wear off before my next scheduled dose, so I’m thinking of adding Entacapone to help extend it. If you have tried it, I would so appreciate it if you would email me with your experience. Thanks and enjoy your weekend.

~ Great, more good books to add to my TBR list. 14 Books You Wish You Could Read for the First Time Again.

~ This summer cocktail looks strange and interesting at the same time.

~ Watched The Accountant of Auschwitz on Netflix. Very interesting doc about one of the last living members of the SS who went on trial for war crimes. Also really enjoying Big Little Lies on HBO.

~ Books I’m currently reading - The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer, Heirs and Graces (The Royal Spyness Mysteries #7) by Rhys Bowen, Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz, My Friend Anna by Rachel DeLoache Williams.

~ The photo above Sweet Potato and Black Bean Freezer Burritos if from Molly Yeh. What a great idea for an easy lunch or dinner. I’m making a batch this weekend.

~ Melissa Clark has a new food podcast called Weeknight Kitchen with Melissa Clark. Listen to the intro episode and try her tomato salad recipe. It is out of this world.

~ Interesting article The Biggest Wastes of Time We Regret When We Get Older.

~ “It is not happy people who are thankful, but thankful people who are happy.”

popsicles

Popsicle’s are not just for kids. They are easy to make, involve no cooking, and are super refreshing. I like them whenever I want something a little sweet, but also trying to nudge towards the healthy. The basic formula for 6 popsicles is 2 c. fruit, 2-4 T honey, 1/2 c. either yogurt, juice, milk, or water, and any flavoring ingredients. Have fun using whatever fruit you have available. For all of them you basically whiz the ingredients into a blender, pour into the molds, and freeze for a few hours. Enjoy.

Mango Yogurt Popsicles

2 cups diced mango

2-4 Tablespoons honey (or sweetener of your choice)

juice from 1/2 lime

1/2 cup yogurt (I used full fat yogurt but use whatever you’d like)

Also try:

1 c. strawberries, 1 banana, 1/2 c. fruit juice, juice of 1/2 lemon, 2 T. honey

2 c. watermelon, 1/2 c. cranberry juice, juice of 1 lime, 3 T. honey

fudgesicles- 1 c. room temperature coffee, 1/2 c. half & half, 1/2 c. milk, 1/2 tsp. cacao powder, 3 T. honey, 1 tsp. vanilla

practicing happiness

Being happy can sometimes be challenging when you have a chronic illness. First there is the lack of dopamine and all the other physiological reasons. Then there are the daily challenges that can rack up, and zap our ability to be happy or positive. On those days, we may need to nudge ourselves in a more positive direction. It doesn’t always work and sometimes I’d rather have a short pity party, but then it’s time to get back on track.  

 Here are a few things that can zap happiness:

- Don’t “should” yourself all the time. I should do this, I should do that. It comes from a negative place. Say instead “I’d like to do this” or “I will do this”. And while we are at it, try not to “should” others in our lives.

- Comparing yourself to others. As FDR said, “comparison is the thief of joy”. It really doesn’t matter what others have done. Do what’s right for you. When you have a chronic illness, it can sometimes feel that everyone is whizzing past you in life. But it’s not a race. You do you.

- When you’re having a tough day, don’t pile on. It’s easy to start adding on other negative feelings or thoughts. Try to keep it to just that situation. You’ll get through it.

Practicing these things can create more happiness:

- Do little positive things each day. It’s not the grand gestures that make you happier, but the little daily habits that build on themselves.

- Exercise. It’s shown in studies that it not only helps us physically but can help reduce anxiety and depression.

- Spend time outdoors. Exercise, read, people watch, anything. Do it now while the weather is good.

- Socialize with others. Not only with friends and family, but casual relationships are also beneficial. So, chat with your postman each day or the cashier in your grocery store each time you see them.

- Write down two things each day that you’re grateful for. They can be the smallest things but write them down.

- If you want to keep it, give it away. Helping someone else can make you feel happier.

xoxo-kai

aloha friday

I started a new kickboxing class this week. It was posted on our local PD association email, so I thought it was a class for PWP. I showed up and I was the only one there who had PD. At first it was a little nerve wracking because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to keep up with everyone, but I ended up having a terrific time. If you live in Honolulu and would like to find out more, email me directly and I’d be happy to share more details.

Aside from trying to stay cool, here are few things that I’ve been interested in this week. Have a wonderful weekend.

What I’m watching - I want to hang out with Monty Don in his garden. His soothing voice and obvious passion for gardening makes me love every show he is in. I’m currently watching Gardeners World. All the Queen’s Horses is a an interesting documentary about a comptroller in a small town in Illinois and how she embezzled $53 million in public funds. TCM is highlighting movies made in 1939 called “Hollywood’s Golden Year” for movies. There are some great classics that I’ll be watching including Love Affair and Wuthering Heights.

What I’m reading - A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny. This is the 7th in the Armand Gamache mysteries and I’m just loving this series. The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz. Super interesting the way he interspurses his real life into the novel. The House of Morgan: An American Banking Dynasty and the Rise of Modern Finance by Ron Chernow. A highly researched and written book about the family banking dynasty. Styled: Secrets for Arranging Rooms, from Tabletops to Bookshelves by Emily Henderson is a beautiful book with great tips.

What I’m listening to - Joao Gilberto the pioneer musician of Bossa Nova just passed. I’ll be making a weekend cocktail and listening to this classic album Getz/Gilberto. Gretchen Rubin’s latest book is Outer Order Inner Calm. I enjoy all her books and this one is about decluttering and organizing your home.

Last thought - Chronic illness can take, but one of the things it has given me is the awareness to marvel in the ordinary.

xoxo~ kai