Granny Look hopes you have enjoyed the Springtime and all it brings -  bursts of blooms, warmer weather, lighter nights, new life emerging – the birds and the bees, the blossom on the trees, and all the delightful Spring flowers. 

Summer is nearly here, with the longest day in June – so thoughts are bound to turn to the things this season brings for everyone to see and do.   Picnics, outdoor parties, visits from families and friends, grandchildren eagerly awaiting their long summer holidays, grandads getting in some good gardening time,  not forgetting some planning and preparing for getting and jetting away!

Were your travel plans affected by volcanic ash cloud/airline disruptions? Have you waited to see what happened with elections and recessions?   Or, in this year of unprecedented and unpredictable weather, have you just been biding time before deciding what to do with your summer. If so, now is the time to start thinking about it!!

There’s no getting away from World Cup fever now it is upon us! Football widow or warrior, love it or hate it you will have to live with it over the next few weeks, so enter into the spirit in some way or other!   If  Dad,  grandad or grandchildren have birthdays soon, throw a party or BBQ with a football theme - support your own team as a family!  Celebrate or commiserate with one big get together, share the cost, dress up in your favourite team kit - win or lose it’s bound to be good fun and a big hit!!   

For all your flags, face paint, noise makers etc. the following sites have a great selection : http://www.all4parties.co.uk/  and  http://www.partypacks.co.uk  (clic on the World Cup 2010 section) also offer Father’s Day party supplies, an Events Calendar and most of what you need for your party apart from food!   For prizes and surprises, great party ideas and fab food check out  http://www.tescocountdowntothecup.com/  

Start thinking about holidays – whether you want a home or away one, shop around – there are sure to be some good bargains at present. 

Take a look at http://www.globalista.co.uk  for some independent and up-to-the-minute travel reports on over 200 destinations.   

For a family holiday in the U.K. try visiting http://www.ribbyhall.co.uk for details of all their holidays (or see the Football World Cup/Fathers Day special offers) at http://www.ribbyhall.co.uk/news/?p=62  (Mums and Grandmas who don’t like football there’s lots for you to do too!)

Arranging  a single person holiday can be difficult and daunting,  especially for someone not used to holidaying alone, or who is thinking about it for the first time.  Start your journey at http://www.justyou.co.uk/  to discover  a world of exciting and interesting destinations, tailor make your own or try Discovery Weekends for a taste of what fun it can be!  

                                   How to Create a Family Heirloom Cookbook

If you’re alive you belong to a family. And if you’re breathing, you eat regularly. That’s all the credentials you need to create your own family heritage cookbook. Think back to your growing up years and the things you loved to eat. Grandma probably had some mouth-watering recipes you enjoyed at holiday times and Aunt Lydia made those wonderful cookies that melted in the mouth. Maybe you were lucky enough to have a male member of the family who enjoyed cooking up a batch of chili or some mean barbecue. Get the family organized and put together a family heirloom cookbook.

Great gifts and fond memories

Family recipe books make great gift items. They are relatively inexpensive to produce, but they do require some organization and planning. If you come from a large family, all the better because there will be many people to contribute to the finished product. If your family is smaller you might want to include in-law’s favorites as well or go back into your family history to resurrect some recipes from former days. Give the books for wedding shower or wedding gifts. Give them out to family members at a 50^th anniversary celebration or at the next family reunion. You can even use them as a fundraiser for a family cause.

Family heirloom recipe books are more than just a cookbook. They are also a wealth of family photos and memories. Fill each page with the basic recipe, ingredient list and directions, but don’t forget to add the anecdotes of Uncle Charlie and his fishing trip that lead up to the recipe for Salmon Almondine. Current photos of Grandma and the grandkids baking up a cake are also welcome additions to the heirloom book. Remember that these cherished items will be around for future generations.

Getting Started

Decide who is in charge of the project and the overall vision. Make a list of family members to be included and decide how far back into family history you may want to go. Perhaps you have classic family recipes from generations ago that would be fun to include. Do you have old pickle recipes or cakes from scratch or how to butcher the hog and render lard? If so, you may not want to actually bring the recipe to life, but it will be fun to remember the olden days and be thankful for modern conveniences.

Create or choose a template for the recipes you will request. Decide on the format you want for an ingredient list, cooking directions and perhaps a photo or anecdote space to accompany each recipe. Give the family members an idea of the divisions of the cookbook. Will you organize by family, by category, or by holiday? There are many software packages now that help you choose a clear format for your cookbook and make the actual publishing a breeze. See:

http://www.cookbookpeople.com/cookbook%20software.htm?gclid=CIPciZjpmKECFR9aiAodgnjQPw

http://www.gandrpublishing.com/

http://www.familycookbookproject.com/

Putting It All Together

Choose a look for your heirloom cookbook that reflects your family. Create a clear and easily used table of contents and index and select a format that allows plenty of room for those family stories and pictures that will make the book a unique part of your family history. Some families choose to include a family tree and some genealogical information as an introduction to the recipe section.

Send out your request letter and sample format via e-mail if possible and by snail mail if necessary. Request that the recipes be returned by a certain date and be ready to follow up with reminders. Once you have gathered a fair number of recipes you will have a better idea of how to organize them and whether you may need to put out a call for a few more dessert or salad recipes. Print with a home color printer or use a professional printer to print and bind the pages together with a nice-looking cover and you’re done. A Family Heirloom Cookbook is a wonderful way to preserve family history, capture memories and ensure that family ties stay strong for many generations to come. 

Many of today’s young people have no idea where our food supplies originate. They may believe that milk comes from the grocery store and have no idea that hamburger comes  from an animal, If that is the case in your family, or if you just desire to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you may want to plan an agritourism vacation sometime soon.

What is Agritourism?

Agritourism is a world-wide trend in which any farm or land-based business opens up to the public for day visits or longer overnight stays. They are extremely popular in the U.S. and Canada, in Europe and even in exotic destinations such as India, Turkey and the Philippines. All of them offer authentic farm or rural experiences to their guests and many offer unique opportunities for educational experiences as well.

What’s Available?

The variety of Agritourism experiences is mind-boggling in its variety. There are dude ranches, animal farms, food production farms, markets, plant and garden farms, and many other types of back to the land destinations. Would you like to visit a llama farm or a pumpkin patch? How about a tour of wineries with an overnight stay at a Bed and Breakfast? Or would you enjoy seeing how rice, bananas, and coconuts are grown in Kerala, India?

Day Trip or Vacation?

The majority of the listings in the accompanying websites offer wonderful opportunities for a day trip into the country. You may want to access these during holiday times when you’re wanting to carve a pumpkin and go through a corn maze. Or perhaps you’ll want to visit a tree farm to find the perfect Christmas tree next winter. In the spring and summer you may want to take a day trip to gather some u-pick berries and have a pony ride afterward.  Or maybe you would enjoy a tour of a dairy farm from field to milk room. The children may enjoy a tractor or wagon ride and you’ll come home with some fresh- from-the-dairy milk or ice cream.

If you choose overnight destinations you can expect to find lodging in everything from farm homes to bunkhouses, cabins to country lodges. There will be gifts to purchase and activities offered in a wide variety of interests from fishing and bird watching to panning for gold or petting animals. There are distinctly adult vacations to plan or multi-generational ones in which the entire family can find plenty of fun.

Educational Opportunities

Many working farms will give you the opportunity to join right in with their family to slop the hogs and gather the eggs. You may learn about the eco-systems of the area, the flora and fauna and the unique geological attributes of the landscape. You’ll learn about the history of the family owning the land and about the planning and data keeping necessary to run a working farm in today’s economy. You’ll see how it used to be done and how modern farm equipment makes the tasks easier and faster. You’ll come away from your vacation with a renewed appreciation for the effort and dedication of those who choose to provide us with food and other life necessities.

Affordable Fun

In general Agritourism is a very affordable way to plan a vacation. You may need to be ready to “rough it” just a little, but that is balanced out by being in a fresh farm environment with friendly people and with simple comforts offered up in beautiful rural settings. If you choose to take the children they will begin to piece together the environmental food chain with edibles originating on the farm and ending up on the dinner table. And without a doubt they will have some fun experiences in natural and beautiful surroundings. Take a look at the following websites to begin planning your Farm Fresh Fun agritourism vacation.

http://www.agritourismworld.com/

http://www.reidsguides.com/bh/agritourism.html

http://homegrown.org/

http://www.ruralbounty.com/

.

Rise of the Bank of Gran and Grandad: 

Adults finding it hard to stop turning to grandparents for financial help

By Becky Barrow

As children, many of us could rely on granny or grandad to slip us a few extra sweets or a bit of extra pocket money. 

But adults are finding it increasingly hard to grow out of the habit of turning to grandparents for financial help, research shows. 

The number of families who are begging for money from the 'Bank of Granny and Grandad' has risen sharply. 

Many grandparents give their grandchildren money, but adults 

are finding it hard to stop relying on their elderly relatives for financial help 

Millions have had their finances crippled by the recession and the combination of pay freezes, pay cuts or redundancy and the rising cost of living. 

Retirees are using their homes as cash machines, taking money out of the value of their property to help their grown-up children or grandchildren - a process known as equity release. 

Between January and March, retired homeowners over the age of 65 withdrew £217million from their homes, nearly a fifth more than during the same period last year, a report found.

They took out an average of £43,090 each. 

The report, from the equity release firm Key Retirement Solutions, said the money was 'increasingly being used to help or treat family and friends'. 

More than a third said they were taking out the money to help their family, compared with less than a fifth at the same time last year. 

This was the second most popular reason for equity release, behind 'home and garden improvements'. 

Debt advisers the Consumer Credit Counselling Service yesterday said it had also spotted a growing trend for grandparents to help out their children or grandchildren financially. 

Dean Mirfin, business development director of Key Retirement Solutions, said: 'It is striking that pensioners are more confident about using their wealth to benefit others, rather than having to use the money for themselves.' 

But equity release schemes can be dangerous. 

The most common complaint is that elderly people do not tell their loved ones that they are doing it. 

When they die, their children - who had been expecting to inherit the family home - find that it has to be sold to pay back the money, including the large interest bill. 

The over-65s have a total of £765billion of equity in their homes. This is the value of the home excluding mortgage debt. 

But with average salaries of about £25,000 and the average house price nearly £170,000, millions of young people cannot afford to buy a home. [rc&91;

As Father’s Day approaches you may be thinking about your role as a Dad. Parenting is one of the few jobs where everything is on the job training and mistakes are inevitable. Gone are the days when Mom was home all the time and did 99% of all the work of raising the children. It’s a new day. Both Mom and Dad, whether they have outside jobs or not, are expected to do their share of both the fun and not so fun tasks involved in raising kids.

Parenting is a learned skill. If you were lucky enough to have a father or father figure who did a great job, you are one of the lucky ones. Many Dads have to embark upon the fathering adventure with less than wonderful memories of their relationship with their own dad. Either way, it’s a challenging role and requires dedication, commitment and a sense of humor as well. Here are some tips to encourage and inspire you to be the best dad in the world.

1) Being a father is a big job. Be prepared to make some mistakes along the way.

                Don’t demand perfection of either your children or yourself and learn to say

    those two magic words, “I’m sorry.”

2) Parenting roles are all about love. Love the children and love their Mom in a

                way that is visible to the children. Treat her with respect and work as a team

                when it comes to setting boundaries for the kids.

3) Make it a habit to speak in positive ways to your children. Honest praise, 

                encouraging words and offers to help with problems are the building blocks

    of trust in relationships.

4) Have fun together. Sure, there’s a lot of work to do and you’re busy, but take

    some time to play together. Kids will remember those times for many years

                to come.

5) Believe in your children. Of course they aren’t perfect, but each child has 

                 unique skills, abilities and personalities. Treasure each child as a gift.

6) Whether you like it or not, you are the role model your children will have

                 when it comes to fathering. Behave in ways that you want your kids to follow.

7)  Don’t try to weasel out of doing your fair share of the hard things. Dads used 

                 to get away with “learned helplessness” when it came to night feedings, 

                 changing dirty diapers, bathing and dressing, etc. Don’t be one of those.

8)  Give children the opportunity to make some decisions. Start with small things

                  and work up to bigger decisions. You want children who can make good 

                  choices when they face the big world on their own.

9)  Set reasonable limits and stick to them. In this world of “anything goes” kids

                 become confused and frustrated when their own family fails to help them to

                 know right from wrong.

         10)  Teach your children to be themselves. Help them develop the skills and 

                 abilities they have inside. It’s fine to offer a wide variety of activities when

                 they’re young, but let them gravitate toward their strengths and cheer them

                 on as they grow and mature. 

Balancing work and family is a challenge for all parents. There will be days when you fail to spend quality time with the family, but don’t let there be too many of those. Often parenting requires the choice of putting the children’s needs ahead of your own interests. Play together, work together, laugh and enjoy life together. Carve out family time and don’t let the world intrude on it. The years when you are raising children seem long at the time, but they fly by. Before you know it your sons and daughters are grown and trying to learn how to parent themselves. Be a great dad—it’s worth the effort.

For some good books of being a great father see:

The Good Father by Mark O’Connell at

http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9780743258012 

Always Dad: Being a Great Father During and After Divorce by Paul Mandelstein at

http://www.nolo.com/products/always-dad-DIFA.html 

On Being a Good Dad: Growing as a Provider, Mentor and Friend by Len Kageler at

http://books.google.com/books?id=gyJ1Ttltbk0C&q=books+on+being+a+good+dad&dq=books+on+being+a+good+dad&cd=2 

  It’s a Fact, Listening to Music is Good for Your Health

They say music soothes the savage breast, and I’ve always believed it to be true. Now there are actual scientific studies that have proved the value of music in relieving stress and benefitting many kinds of physical ailments. More and more it seems that music can play a role in maximizing health.

Some of the studies have been done on people experiencing chronic pain. With conditions such as osteoarthritis, chronic back pain and fibromyalgia, the participants experimented with listening to music daily and then kept a pain diary. Some listened to their favorite music, and others were given relaxing music chosen by the researchers. In both groups people reported a reduction in their pain as they listened and interestingly, a reduction in depression was also reported. It seems that the music’s relaxing and enjoyment qualities overrode the pain sensations and gave the listeners more “power over the pain.”

In other studies experiments have been done on heart patients. Again music proved to reduce stress, either the playing of music or merely listening to it. In these studies the participants were monitored using high-tech imaging equipment while enjoying music. The results showed that blood vessel sizes were changed in the process. The inner lining of the vessels relaxed which opened up the vessels improving circulation and also chemicals were produced that are protective of the heart.

One simple piece of research tracked students by having them listen to classical music while doing stressful tasks. The students showed a reduction in anxiety levels, lower heart rates and also lower blood pressure rates.

In an experiment done by Parkinson’s patients who joined a support group chorus the findings showed similar results. The joy of the music, the thrill of the performances and the camaraderie of the group all proved to be good medicine to each of them.

Music has long been used with mental patients and in counseling troubled children. It seems that the tones, melodies and rhythms interact with our physical makeup to produce a positive effect on our bodies. Now as we drive home after a busy day, commute by train or as we engage in work around the home, we can listen to our favorite music and know we are wisely de-stressing our bodies and minds. 

If you have ever spent time in the kitchen with little ones you know that there tends to be a lot of mess and very little in the way of an edible product. Most of us believe that the benefit of quality time spent together is the pay-off, but in reality there is much more that can be accomplished. Here are some tips for making your next multi-generational cooking venture a real learning experience.

   1) Be realistic

     If your grandchildren are aged three to five you will want to set them up for

     success by making most of the decisions yourself and choosing a quick and easy

     recipe. Pre-measuring ingredients and placing them in a line according to the

     directions makes the process a simple but rewarding experience. If the children 

     are older you will choose recipes according to their experience and interest. 

2)   Create a relaxed atmosphere

     Cooking is a bit like art, and it should be done in a relaxed setting that allows for

     a few spills, some creative flair and opportunities to express individuality. Don’t    

     rush or stress; even a “mistake” can be redeemed most of the time. Have fun as you   

     cook, and remember that the conversation taking place while in the process is part   

     of the togetherness, and affords opportunity for learning and growth.

3)   Don’t underestimate the things children can do 

     We often think that children can only watch adults cook and perhaps do a little

     stirring along the way. Here is a list of things children are able to do around the 

     process of creating good food: They can help choose the recipe, gather utensils and    

     ingredients, peel or mash veggies, crack eggs, stir, add ingredients, open cans, shape  

     dough, arrange trays or plates of food, set the table, make centerpieces and help 

     with clean-up. The more the children are able to do themselves, the greater their real 

     learning. 

4)   Add a little drama

     It is up to you to set the tone of the cooking adventure. Turn off the television,

     set up the kitchen as your activity point and get ready to create. Choose

     recipes that have some fun built into them such as animal shaped cookies or

     salads. Plan a meal to surprise a family member for a birthday or other celebration,

     add colorful aprons to wear during the process and take some pictures for the family

     albums. 

5)   Learning is fun  

     Cooking is a lifetime skill. While most people will not make their living in the

     kitchen, they will undoubtedly be grateful for learning the rudimentary skills of

     feeding themselves. There is math to be problem-solved in measurement, there

     are nutrition basics to learn, and there is a level of responsibility and a sense of

     accomplishment to enjoy when serving food to others.

What’s the point of cooking with children? It’s a great way to bond and share, a way to pass on family history and culture, a way to teach skills and train in responsibility. So get going Grandmas and Grandpas, there are plenty of good reasons to cook with kids.

Here are some links to great recipes and ideas for cooking with kids:

http://www.grandparents.com/gp/content/food/kids-cooking/index.html

http://grandparents.about.com/od/cookingwithgrandkids/tp/CookieFavorites.htm

http://grandparents.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&zTi=1&sdn=grandparents&cdn=parenting&tm=33&gps=176_531_1020_626&f=00&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//familyfun.go.com/recipes/

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/kids/?bnrid=3154001&cm_ven=NBSearch&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=wsKidsGeneral&cm_ite=cooking+with+children&OVMTC=Broad&site=&creative=2642879185&OVKEY=cooking%20with%20children

Who doesn’t love a fluffy kitten or a playful puppy? But who, also, hasn’t said the words, “I’ll never own a pet again! They cost too much, take too much time and they are too much trouble!” It’s true, pets do cost money and take time, but more and more studies are showing the great therapeutic value they have for human beings, especially for the elderly. 

In elder years many are struggling with huge changes in lifestyle. They may have lost spouses and most have long-ago left their careers behind. They begin to lack a sense of purpose. Friends have died, moved away, or otherwise been lost, and the elderly are often left with too much unoccupied time on their hands. It is in exactly these circumstances that pets have been found to offer encouragement and improve well-being.

Many studies have been done in the medical community on the value of pets in hospitals and clinics. There are “rehab” dogs, cats and even birds that make the rounds of hospital wards or are left in the care of those recovering from illness and injury. In every case there is evidence that most, if not all patients are encouraged and energized by the animal visits. There are even studies that show certain medical conditions respond to pet therapy. 

What are some of the statistics and facts?

- heart attack victims who own pets live longer

- a simple activity such as watching tropical fish may lower blood pressure

- AIDS and cancer victims who are pet owners have better mental health

- the elderly who suffer from mental illnesses are encouraged by pets

- petting dogs can lower blood pressure and enhance relaxation

There are many more instances in which pet owners are shown to require less medical care, especially for stress-induced aches and pains. A study done at the City Hospital in New York found that heart patients who owned pets were much more likely to be alive a year after they were discharged from the hospital than those who did not have a pet. 

Surprisingly it doesn’t seem to matter what kind of pet is owned. A goldfish can be as therapeutic as a dog or a cat. The crucial element is that the owner is invested in the care of that animal. Pet owners feel responsible for their animal and the care and feeding schedule of pets requires the provider to stay active and responsible. The owner feels needed and is stimulated to be more active than they otherwise might be. Additionally, pets provide unconditional love and affection which is prized by all pet owners including the elderly.

All the information on the value of pet ownership points to the fact that animals are extremely valuable in providing both physical and emotional health for older citizens. Even though there is some expense and a demand for time and attention, the benefits far outweigh any negatives. Consider a dog, cat, parakeet or other small animal for the seniors in your life, then watch for the smiles and sense of pride that will surely follow.

If you have been to the shopping malls lately you will notice that we are in a deeper recession than anyone thought. There isn’t even enough fabric in the clothes on the racks to cover our bodies!!! Seriously, the styles in most stores reflect a middle school style that is not at all pleasing to women of a certain age. But dressing fashionably is doable at any age, indeed some of the classiest dressers are to be found among older women who have some fashion history and know themselves well. So don’t worry about the latest fads and trends, let’s explore classic fashion just for you.

The Basics

Trends will come and go, but the savvy shopper knows that there are some basic fashion rules that will work for you: clothes need to fit properly, flatter your body type, not be extreme, suit your lifestyle and personality. A fashion mistake is to try a new trend knowing it just isn’t for you. Experienced women know that too much exposure is counter-productive and that fit and design are key.

Your Body Type

Baggy or ill-fitting clothing adds pounds. Clothing that is too tight is a fashion disaster. Find clothing that skims your body’s curves and you will look thinner. Get rid of old clothing that used to fit, but no longer does---everyone’s body changes over time. It is essential to find undergarments that fit properly. Take the time to have a specialist give you a proper fitting. Don’t stoop to wearing stretch waistlines or cheap fabrics, and watch out for “granny purses”. Shoulder bags that aren’t oversized are usually the most flattering.

Keep It Simple

Trendy fashion may be fun, but older women need to be cautious of looking too cutesy. Avoid frills and fussy designs that make an older woman look foolish. Instead choose simple design and quality fabrics and add style and pzazz with accessories. As the bargain queen says, “Instead of rhinestones on your derriere, try a rhinestone headband or  Swarovski crystal earrings”—style over trend every time. Find a middle ground--pant styles that are not too young, but no waistbands around the bust line either. Moderation in fashion usually pays off. 

Your Lifestyle

If you are a working woman you should choose simple knee-length skirts in several dark colors, closed-toe shoes, tailored pants, button up blouses, several blazers, one or two day dresses and at least one suit. If you don’t work, you will need fewer of these items plus some good-looking casual clothes. All women should have several dressier outfits appropriate for special occasions such as weddings.

Respect!

Remember, your clothing is sending a message, so dress accordingly. You can be stylish and earn respect by the clothing you choose and by your confidence in wearing it. When in doubt, select classic styles that fit you perfectly even if you have to have tailoring done. Add interesting accessories, scarves, jewelry, handbags. Choose beautiful fabrics and rich colors to fit your skin tones. Don’t hesitate to consult finer clothing stores consultants as you shop. You know when you’ve found something that works for you. It will not only look good, it will feel good! Listen to your inner voice when shopping, select fewer quality items with some interesting accessories for flair,

 and be that classy, stylish older woman who makes heads turn.

Look at these sites for more tips on dressing well at any age:

http://www.thebargainqueen.com/dress-great-at-any-age/

http://busywithstyle.com/ 

http://seniorstylenow.com/wordpress/?p=128