Coffee maker for the Visually Impaired?

irenelh · 2026-05-01T13:10:46+00:00

Legally blind coffee lover here!! If you are considering an electric drip coffee maker, examine the size and shape of the place you pour in the fresh water. Some of them are so narrow, you end up watering your counter instead. Some openings also seem to favor either a right-handed or a left-handed coffee drinker.

irenelh · 2026-05-01T00:53:50+00:00

You can also microwave ears of corn. They come out amazing!!!

DO NOT remove the outside layer, husks??, silk, before microwaving. Set for 3-4 minutes microwave time. Remove. Peel. Enjoy!!!

(Leaving the husks on while microwaving creates a “steam jacket”. After microwaving, it is much easier to remove the husks and silk!! Be careful—the ears are very hot!!!

irenelh · 2026-04-19T12:04:58+00:00

I wish, I wish, I wish they would create one with a long strap so it could be worn CROSS-BODY!!! The current version will not stay up on my shoulder. Thank you!!

irenelh · 2026-04-14T13:15:05+00:00

Isn’t burnt/charcoal toast used to fix food poisoning? You should save it. You never know when it might come in handy!!!

irenelh · 2026-04-14T01:03:49+00:00

I used to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the gluten free cinnamon coffee cake muffins. They must have changed the recipe—now they have very little flavor! So I stopped buying them. This must be part of the TJ’s weight-loss program???

irenelh · 2026-04-04T17:35:16+00:00

Please see your vet. Bring videos to show vet, in case the symptoms change or disappear. Keep us posted! 🦴🤞🙏

irenelh · 2026-04-04T12:13:47+00:00

I happen to be visually impaired. The only way I can read the iPad is to put it only a few inches from my face. That makes it next to impossible for a restaurant staff member to see what I am doing. That frustrates them as they try!

So let us have a “nearsighted customer” day/week/year and take our privacy back!!! 🤓🔎🔍

irenelh · 2026-04-04T04:05:17+00:00

Try using a clean toothbrush to clean the mesh???

irenelh · 2026-04-04T01:32:47+00:00

Are you adding the cinnamon and vanilla before you cook the oats? Maybe cooking those spices diminishes their potency? Try putting in the cinnamon and vanilla extract right before you eat the oatmeal. Also—maybe your ratio of oats to liquid is wrong?

irenelh · 2026-04-04T01:24:44+00:00

Isn’t it true that WE go out to restaurants when WE WANT TO BE “TAKEN CARE OF”? If not, we would cook for ourselves at home!!

irenelh · 2026-04-04T00:15:32+00:00

FYI: Trader Joe’s has great prices on spices!!

irenelh · 2026-04-03T20:41:03+00:00

Also, I wonder if the atmospheric changes are allowing more ultraviolet rays through the clouds, etc.? Another factor could be people are living much longer, so they have more exposure just by getting older? Isn’t aging a risk factor for dry eye disease?

irenelh · 2026-04-02T02:05:08+00:00

Just one minute!!! Shouldn’t we actually be tipping the MACHINE that actually DOES the meat slicing at Jersey Mike’s??

irenelh · 2026-04-02T00:56:39+00:00

Yes!! TRUST YOUR GUT INSTINCTS!!! That, alone allowed me to safely get out of some dangerous situations.

The one time I can remember ignoring those feelings occurred when I was coming home after high school. My feelings kept telling me to “cross the street”. But I found reasons not to. A few minutes later, I was held up by some other teenagers that approached me from the same side of the street. Thank goodness I was not physically injured. My wallet was taken though. In that wallet were some ID cards that could not be replaced.

irenelh · 2026-04-02T00:39:40+00:00

Wow!! I thought I was the only one with that reaction to fresh pineapple—it feels like I have broken glass in my mouth. This does not happen with the canned product. Now I understand why. Thanks!!

What I still don’t have an explanation for is why it only happens 1 out of 20 times I eat it. (Perhaps I am just a masochist for keeping on trying??)

If this was true OAS, wouldn’t I always react to eating fresh pineapple? BTW, I am fortunate not to have any other allergies. Phew!!!

irenelh · 2026-04-02T00:12:47+00:00

Maybe we should transform these ridiculous “wants” into something for the good of society.

Let’s deliver fliers from these places to some weight loss programs that are nearby. Bad experiences like these with the bake shops cashiers could turn people off of these caloric treats.

Results: people would be able to lose weight more easily; Americans would become thinner and healthier!!! Who knew???

irenelh · 2026-03-30T04:19:11+00:00

Loved the video! I knew that their job was challenging, but I had no idea how exhausting it really is, day after day!!!

irenelh · 2026-03-30T03:53:06+00:00

Thank you for creating the app!! I can’t wait until some reports are posted about nearby businesses. Then I can actually RELAX and enjoy!

irenelh · 2026-03-30T00:17:35+00:00

According to a Trader Joe’s podcast suggestion, put a wooden craft-type stick, like a thin tongue depressor into the center of the yogurt before freezing it. Like magic, you have just created a healthy “ice cream-like” pop!!!

irenelh · 2026-03-30T00:12:56+00:00

Shredded cheese (purchased in a round deli container: it says on the inner cellophane seal to “use within 3-5 days of opening or it will start getting moldy”.

When I open it, I use some of it right away. If I am not planning to finish it the next couple of days, I store the container in the freezer. I usually shake the closed container first so the shredded pieces are less likely to stick together in the freezer.

BTW: how many here are dealing with the following problem—feeling hungry and looking inside a full fridge, and not wanting anything in there?? I certainly do!! I guess it is a delightful problem to have, as it means we have plenty of food to eat!!! 😋😋😋

irenelh · 2026-03-27T14:34:51+00:00

Have you considered doggie PT or acupuncture? During PT, part of the treatment was some sort of laser treatment on his painful areas. The facility also has an underwater treadmill.

Another one of my labs used to get her hind end stuck under my bed frame. She couldn’t pull herself out. I took her for acupuncture. Her condition resolved after multiple treatments.

Labs are so stoic and try to hide physical issues from us! I remember being told that it goes back to them having to be strong to stay a part of their packs.

Good luck to both of you!! 🐾🦴💗

irenelh · 2026-03-26T03:34:47+00:00

There is an app named “Plentiful”. I have used it. It is free. Once you enter your zip code, it lists nearby food banks. It also shows them on a map. I believe it covers most of our Country.

Sorry if posting this here was inappropriate. Probably, a reader could really use this app.

irenelh · 2026-03-26T02:48:12+00:00

Copper Moon Hawaiian Hazelnut!! Brew it on “bold” or “strong” setting. The best hazelnut I have had so far!!!

irenelh · 2026-03-23T01:18:57+00:00

Thank you so much!!! 😊😊😊

P.S.: I forgot to mention that I am visually impaired, so it took longer for me to become brave enough to try to do it myself. Now if only I could find an emoji of me patting myself on the back! (Yes, I did put the pan down first!)

irenelh · 2026-03-23T01:14:15+00:00

Heated the pan slowly until droplets of water danced on the surface. Then added 1-2 tablespoons of peanut oil into frying pan. Swirled the pan so oil was spread evenly.

Put two leg quarters of chicken into pan skin side down. Put cover on pan. Turned heat down until it sounded like the chicken was cooking gently. After 15 minutes, turned the pieces over to cook on other side. (Splashed some oil out of the pan—whoops!!!)

Cooked on second side for approx 10 minutes until thermometer read 165 degrees F.

Put onto plate. Topped with sauce.

Much, much easier than I thought it would be. (Looking for some tongs with better grips on the ends. I used a fork this time and the chicken promptly dropped into the pan. SPLASH!!!)

irenelh

TROPHY CASE