Recipe: Cod with Dill Sauce

Cod with Dill Sauce

• 2 leeks, white and tender green parts, thinly sliced and soaked in water to remove sand.
• 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried savory
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon butter or Earth Balance
• 4-8 oz cod fillets
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• Unbleached flour for dredging
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill, plus more for garnish

In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the leeks in 2 tablespoons of the oil until soft, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic, savory, broth and wine. Raise the heat to high, and cook until the liquid has been reduced by half, about 12-15 minutes. Put the mixture in a food processor or blender, add the butter, and puree. Pour into a small bowl, set aside, and cover to keep warm.
Sprinkle the cod with salt and pepper, and lightly dredge in flour. Heat the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil over high heat in the same skillet. Add the cod fillets and saute, turning once, until golden - about 2-3 minutes per side. Be careful not to overcook.

Arrange fish on a serving platter. Stir the dill into the sauce and season to taste with salt and pepper Pour the sauce over the fish. Garnish with additional dill if desired.

Serve with fresh, steamed vegetable or salad

"I just want to expire" she said

Her daughter and granddaughter came for a visit. As usual, anticipating the visit consumed her mind. I was glad they were coming; she has been very sad since her beloved cat, named "kitty", died. I wondered if they knew that this visit was the only thing of importance in Rose's world.

Visiting Elderly Relatives During the Holiday Season

This is the time of year many distant family members travel to see Mom or Dad, or a Grandparent. Maybe you haven't seen them for a while. You don't know the condition of their mind, and you are a bit nervous about what to say to them. Let me help you. She's still your mom. She's just different. She may have Dementia, and may not appear to recognize you. He's still your dad, but he is so unfamiliar to you. How did he become so frail, so small, and so shaky?


When you are getting ready to visit an elderly loved one, it is a good idea to jot down a few conversation topics so you don't end up with "dead air". I will be posting a story, tomorrow, about a botched visit which left my client feeling very depressed.


Make a list. If your elderly family member has Dementia or Alzheimer's, you will want to avoid asking them questions other than "how are you feeling?" or other at-the-moment questions. Here's a list to get you started:

• Your recent activities, as well as those of any children you have. Think about any activities which might stir up good memories of their past.
• Books you are reading. If appropriate, bring one along to discuss with them.
• The day's newspaper. Read headlines and discuss the news. Stick with good news, if possible! It's amazing to me how distraught some clients with Dementia get over stories about things like child abuse.
• Things you enjoyed as a child growing up. I have found that discussions which evoke memories of smells and feelings are very stimulating. For instance; a client of mine was very excited to reminisce about the sheets hung on the clothesline in the back yard.  I could see her relax as she thought about the touch and smell of those clean sheets.
• Things you appreciate about your loved one. This can be a tender moment.. You never know what memories will be sparked by this discussion.

Sit close to the elderly person. Look them directly in the eyes. Hold their hand if you can, at least for part of the time.  Speak clearly, and slowly.


Here is a list of what you should not say:

• "Remember"? It's so tempting to say that - but do your best not to. Just eliminate that from your vocabulary. If they've got Dementia or Alzheimer's, they don't remember. Instead of saying "Remember, Mom? I was here last Thursday." Say "Mom, you had on a pretty pink blouse when I saw you on Thursday. I like this yellow one, too."
• "What did you have for lunch"? (dinner, breakfast, etc.) this can be so distressing. I know you mean well, but... they may have NO idea that they even ate lunch.I've had clients forget within minutes of leaving the table. Instead, you might say "I hear they served one of your favorites, meatloaf, last night. I still think you make the best meatloaf."  
• Any questions which require that they remember anything. Don't ask if they saw the doctor, or your sister or the pastor. Make comments, but don't ask. I watch an elderly person with Dementia appear to search the walls for an answer when asked a question. it scares them that they can't remember.

The last gentle suggestion I have is this: Please talk with your elderly relative, and not in front of them. As tempting as it is to "leave" them and talk to the other person in the room - please don't. Not while you are there visiting them. Be present with them. Talk with them. Look at them. Encourage the oth
er visitor to do the same. The two of you can go get coffee and de-brief later. For now, it's all about this precious person. If you don't really think this matters, be sure to read tomorrow's post. All too soon, you'll be talking about them because they will be gone.

Caring For Lucille

I chased an elderly woman around all day! Dementia has stolen her mind, but her body is surprisingly strong. This can actually be dangerous. Imagine someone with 90 years' experience and a limited comprehension of consequences moving at a high rate around appliances and stairs.

Cooking For The Elderly - Protein

Caring for Elderly and Disabled people is rewarding and challenging. My favorite part, besides pampering them, is cooking for them. To have someone say "Oh, honey, I'm really not hungry" and then consume every last bite on their plate is such a rush for me! This is not a recipe, but a few ideas that I hope you can use. Recipes to follow!Protein:

Training For Caregivers

I have attended a remarkably helpful training, and want to share the resource with you. Teepa Snow is a unique woman, who teaches the basics on caring for and living with those who have Dementia and/or Alzheimers. If you can't go to a training, watch her videos! You will be glad you did.

Welcome to Your Life - Dementia

Dementia is Scary.

What if you woke up one day, and discovered you were in a place you'd never seen before? What if a friendly, but unknown-to-you person cheerfully entered the room in which you had been sleeping, and announced that it was time to take your medication; handing you a little glass filled with pills you had never seen and could not identify? What if that person urged you to get up, even though you could not remember having slept at all, and proceeded to take you to the toilet, expecting you to allow them to remove your underclothes?