A Bit Of This And A Bit Of That From Donna’s Did You Know Diary

A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary

Award winning sight loss coach, author and advocate

You can contact me via email at donnajodhan@gmail.com

 

Practical and natural!

Welcome to my Donna’s did you know diary for this month and pleased to share the following with you.

 

Here’s what I learned for this month.

 

  • Some dining etiquette

When using your cutlery, always take from the outside moving to the inside.

You’ll probably have more than one knife, fork, and spoon.

Your spoons are usually arranged at the top of your plate

With the soup spoon topmost

Then the dessert spoon.

Your tea spoon may be beneath the dessert spoon

Or it may be right next to your plate on the inside to the left of your main knife.

 

  • Testing for leaks in a container

Pour a tiny amount of water into the container

And if the water stays then your container is leak proof.

If the water runs out then it is not leak proof.

 

  • Checking for bad eggs before buying?

Open the box in the store

Then gently move each around in their compartment.

Make sure that you can move each egg around.

If any of the eggs stick then the egg is not good.

 

  • Some interesting info about tuna and salmon?

Tuna usually swim with the current

While salmon swim against the current.

 

  • Here is a home grown suggestion for losing weight!

Mix 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 1 tea spoon of lemon juice in a glass

and drink this mixture every morning.

 

  • About the benefits of Kumquats

Kumquats are an excellent source of vitamin C,

and the edible skin—chock-full of antioxidants and fiber—makes them a nutrient

 

  • About apple trees and apples?

Apple trees take from two to 3 years before they start bearing fruit.

Apples are filled with good fiber.

 

  • What are wi-fi pods?

Wi-fi pods are used to boost the Internet signal.

 

  • And the best time to water your plants?

First thing in the morning and last thing in the evening and why?

Because if you water them at noon the sun will burn their leaves in quick time.

 

  • Some tips for the sun.

Put lots of sun lotion behind your ears, behind your neck, and on the tops of your hands and feet and why?

Because these are the parts of your body that tend to burn very quickly.

 

 

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Catch up with sight loss coach Donna J. Jodhan – cleaning mirrors, removing Paper Stuck To A Wood Surface, cleaning Pewterware

Catching up with the coach!

May 2025

 

9) Best Of Helpful Hints: The Best Of Hints For Cleaning The Miscellaneous

Mirrors

*Mirrors will sparkle if you add bluing to the wash water.

_____

 

10) Best Of Helpful Hints: The Best Of Hints For Cleaning The Miscellaneous

Paper Stuck To A Wood Surface

* Old decals can be removed easily by painting them with several coats of white vinegar. Give the vinegar time to soak in. After several minutes, the decals can be washed right off.

* Allow a few drops of oil to soak into the stuck paper. Rub gently with a soft cloth.

_____

 

11) Best Of Helpful Hints: The Best Of Hints For Cleaning The Miscellaneous

Pewterware

* Wash with soap and water. Polish with a paste made of pumice powder and olive oil. Rinse well. Never use steel wool.

_____

 

To contact me with your idea send your emails to me at donnajodhan@gmail.com

 

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A review of the Princess Julianna Airport on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin

A review of the Princess Julianna Airport on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin
By Donna Jodhan
Award winning advocate and sight loss coach

Introduction:
This tiny airport is really welcoming, friendly and operates in the true spirit of accessibility.

So how would I rate their services? With 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, here are my ratings.
Service desk assistance – 5
Assistance for passengerswith special needs – 5
Assistance at airport – 5

Remarks :
This may be a tiny airport in comparison to many others but it runs very efficiently and staff are definitely up to the job of accessibility.

About airport staff:
Very friendly, welcoming, and willing to assist.
A true example for others to follow.

Any suggestions?
Just keep up the great work.

Contact info:

To learn more about me as an award winning sight loss coach and advocate visit www.donnajodhan.com
Visit www.donnajodhan.com and access the coach page to learn about the services that I offer; affordable

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Ask Sight Loss Coach Donna J. Jodhan – Thoughts On The Professional Mandoline, The Use And Value Of Vegetable Choppers, And The Function And Benefit To A Mini Chopper

Ask the Coach!

May 2025

My name is Donna Jodhan and I am using my extensive experience as a sight loss coach as well as my lived experience to share and respond to questions that are submitted to me and I also invite you to share your thoughts on questions asked.

 

For this month:  a question from Dana in Copenhagen Denmark.

Dana is curious to know our thoughts on the Professional Mandoline.

 

My response:

Dana, I believe that there is definitely a place in our kitchen for those who do a lot of work with the preparation of vegetables and greens.

The Professional Mandoline is definitely a tool or gadget that can help you to make your vegetables and greens easier to prepare and to look nicer.

The Professional Mandoline is easy to use, easy to clean and is available at most kitchen stores.

 

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Tell us what you think!  Share your feedback and let’s get more ideas cracking!

It’s important for us to share how we do things!

 

A question from Frank in Salem Oregan.

Frank wants some feedback on the use and value of vegetable choppers.

 

My response:

Frank, I use choppers all of the time to chop my onions, garlic, and other vegetables.

They really help to cut down on time spent to chop, they are very versatile, and almost all of them are very easy to clean.

As a matter of fact, the food and vegetables chopper is a very important part of my kitchen.

They are available in so many various kitchen stores and home hardware stores.

 

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Tell us what you think!  Share your feedback and let’s get more ideas cracking!

It’s important for us to share how we do things!

 

A question from Cathy in Albany New York.

Cathy wants to know a bit more of the function and benefit to a mini chopper.

 

My response:

Cathy, it’s really great to have a mini chopper if you can.

They are so flexible, easy to store, and most of the time they can definitely fill in for a larger chopper.

They have certainly improved in functionality and performance.

They are available almost anywhere.

Most of all they can perform at various speeds.

 

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Tell us what you think!  Share your feedback and let’s get more ideas cracking!

It’s important for us to share how we do things!

 

To contact me with a question or a thought; please send an email to me at donnajodhan@gmail.com and I’ll be sure to respond in 5 business days at the most.

If you wish me to respond earlier then put the word important in your subject line and I’ll do my best to respond more quickly.

Until the next time then!

I’m Donna wishing you a pleasant day and thanking everyone for their insightful feedback and suggestions!

 

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See What Donna J. Jodhan World Renown Advocate Was Up To For April

The Monthly News Round Up For Award Winning Advocate, Sight Loss Coach and Author Donna J. Jodhan
For the month of April 2025

Read about Donna’s external engagements

Current Affairs

Now you can read about Donna’s press releases here
https://at-newswire.com/company_name/donna-jodhan/

Major news items can be found here
It’s all about Donna’s major initiatives for this month plus a lot more

Current Affairs

For the month of April:
Donna continued her tireless work to move her various programs and initiatives forward.
Potter pieces
Donna continues to collaborate with her friends Blair and Ran to promote her pottery pieces on Instagram. These pieces are already being sold on www.etsy.com/shop/blindlybrilliant and on www.accesspark.shop
Donna has started to build her summer season special handmade ceramic glasses which is something to behold!
Her pottery instructor is the mastermind behind this line of products and Donna thanks Shaun Kelly and the Font Bonne Ministries Studio on the Hill organization.
The TNW program
Donna was also heavily engaged in her Transitioning to a New World (TNW) program.
She continued to collaborate with Denis Boudreau and founded a partnership to stage a weekend camp in late October with DR. Leo Bissonnette and Lucio Dentino of the Quebec Federation of the Blind.
This organization was founded in 1967 and its main mission is to give out scholarships to deserving college and university students in Montreal and surrounding cities.
Watch for more news on this exciting program.
The TNW program shows participants how to develop their leadership skills, build confidence and independence, and to enrich their personal and professional profiles.
Donna is also engaged with other organizations to join her TNW program.
Stand by for more news.
Call from Rogers Communications
Donna also fulfilled a request from a past Rogers Communications accessibility executive for her thoughts on Roger’s accessibility initiatives.
Preparing for the July Eye Retreat camp
Donna continued to work with the folks at the EYE Retreat camp to prepare for their July camp.
For this year, Donna will be teaching virtually to the students at the camp and she will be teaching the basics of entrepreneurship.
Engaging with Innosearch
Donna started an engagement with the Innosearch company; a rapidly growing global company that offers E Commerce shopping to persons with disabilities.
Innosearch reached out to Donna and she will be interviewing Patric Long, co founder of Innosearch on her Remarkable World Commentary podcast some time in May. 3, 25
Collaborating with the Touch Pad Pro Foundation
Earlier this month Donna engaged with Dawn Campbell of the Touch Pad Pro foundation who reached out to Donna.
This foundation has managed to take the global market by storm with their new invention “the Braille Doodle.” A product designed to teach Math and tactile drawing to teachers of students who are blind and vision impaired and to both adults and students interested in learning a brand new way of developing their Math and tactile drawing skills.
This is going to be a potentially very powerful partnership.
Engaging with the Apple Corporation to find ways to honour the memory of the late John Panarese
Donna continues to engage with Drew Winkelman of Apple to find ways to honour the late John Panarese and Drew has put her in touch with 2 additional folks; Craig Cohen and Ben Levy.
Donna and Craig and Ben will working full steam ahead to develop a potentially very exciting initiative in John’s name.
Donna has already developed the www.visiontechacademy.com website in John’s name with the help of Aaron Di Blasi her long time associate and friend with support from Leo Bissonnette.
The Air Canada advisory committee meeting in Vancouver
Donna attended this 2 day meeting as part of the AC advisory committee.
She along with other attendees participated in a jam packed agenda and among other things, had an in depth tour of the Vancouver airport, and listened to presentations from high level AC officials on what AC was doing re its various accessibility related activities.
Donna’s Remarkable World Commentary podcasts
And as April drew to an end, Donna was busy preparing for podcast interviews with several high profile interviewees which are carded to take place starting in May.
With Angela Bonfanti president and CEO of the CNIB.
Patrick Long co founder of Innosearch.
Kerianne Wilson chair of the Air Canada advisory committee and more.

You can start by taking a tour of Donna’s personal diary by visiting
www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Donna posts 3 times weekly and her posts gives you great insights into her daily life, challenges, and perspectives as a blind/vision impaired person.

Blogs posted for this month
To the www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog page

Overcoming Barriers in the Canadian Government Procurement Process for People with Disabilities

The Duty to Accommodate: A Forgotten Commitment?

The Third-Party Trauma How the Canadian Government’s Dependence on Outsourced developers Fails Its Citizens with Disabilities

The Dollarama Dilemma

You can also view previous selections here.

Contributions From Founder and Advocate Donna Jodhan

Donna has also posted other articles of interest on her
www.sterlingcreations.com/blog page
for this month.
News round up for April 2025

Keep up with world renown advocate Donna J. Jodhan’s latest news


Hottest tips from the Sterling Creations Business Desk

Jump aboard and read the latest helpful tips from the Sterling Creations team


Highlight review of the month

A review of the london heath row airport – one of the world’s busiests but still manages to be accessible


A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s latest did you know diary

From The Pages Of Donna J. Jodhan’s Monthly Diary – A Bit Of This And A Bit Of That; What I Learned For This Month

Catch up with Donna’s expert page at

Ask An Expert


and for this month

Ask expert Donna J. Jodhan – 10 tips for learning the MAC

Read Donna’s author’s tip for this month

Ask Author Donna J. Jodhan – April’s arrival! a breath of fresh air


And catch up with previous author’s tips

Ask An Author

Read Donna J. Jodhan’s articles on ask the coach for this month

Ask Sight Loss Coach Donna J. Jodhan – Different Types Of Measuring Cups, Metal Measuring Spoons, Collapsible Measuring Cups

Read Donna J. Jodhan’s tips and hints for catching up with the coach for this month

Catch Up With Sight Loss Coach Donna J. Jodhan – Learn How To Clean Jewelry, Lime Deposits, And Marble

See an archive of all of her product reviews at
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/news.html

Listen and catch up with Donna’s shows
Ask Donna advocacy in action
https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/ask-donna-advocacy-in-action-april-2025

“ask Donna advocacy in action”( )
Ask Donna YouTube Playlist: https://donnajodhan.com/askdonna

“dining with donna”
Dining With Donna: week 1 – Baked Cod Vinaigrette
https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/dining-with-donna-baked-cod-vinaigrette

Dining With Donna: Week 2 – Barbecued Trout
https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/dining-with-donna-barbecued-trout

Dining With Donna: week 3 – Broiled Spicy Chicken
https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/dining-with-donna-broiled-spicy-chicken

Dining With Donna: Week 4 – Broiled Salmon Steaks
https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/dining-with-donna-broiled-salmon-steaks

( )
Dining With Donna YouTube Playlist: https://www.donnajodhan.com/dwd

Your mental stretch with donna
The mental stretch volume 25
The Mental Stretch: April 2025
https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/the-mental-stretch-april-2025

YouTube Playlist: Mental Stretch
https://donnajodhan.com/mentalstretch

Ask the business reviewer:

Ask business reviewer Donna J. Jodhan – 10 tips for promoting a spring cleaning service April 2025


YouTube Playlist: Ask the Business Reviewer –

ask the scam watcher –

See what scam watcher Donna J. Jodhan identifies for April 2025

And now for Donna’s latest podcasts – her Blindly brilliant page on ETSE where Donna’s pottery creations are now available.
Blindly Brilliant Podcast: April 2025 (A)
https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/blindly-brilliant-podcast-april-2025-a

YouTube playlist: Blindly Brilliant – Etsy:

Libsyn:
https://sites.libsyn.com/521708/site
The Libsyn RSS feed link is here:
https://feeds.libsyn.com/521708/rss
For Spotify:
https://feeds.libsyn.com/521708/spotify

Finally!
Donna has resumed posting to the Access to Information News weekly online newsletter
Sponsored by Mindvault Solutions!

How accessible are social programs to Canadians with disabilities in Canada?

The Importance Of Independent Testers – They Bring An Unbiased And Transparent Approach

Is There Enough Financial Assistance For Canadians With Disabilities? An Issue For The Next Federal Government To Address

To learn more about Donna as an award winning sight loss coach and advocate plus more visit www.donnajodhan.com

That’s it for this month.
Don’t forget to drop me an email at donnajodhan@gmail.com
Don’t be shy! Share your thoughts and feedback!

 

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A must read – the Sterling Creations monthly newsletter crammed with plenty for you

The new look for 2025

Welcome to our new look monthly tips where we are pleased to share a plethora of tricks and tips that are relevant to such things as technology, travel, managing your daily life, and much more.
So just come aboard, sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy!
If you wish to contact us then please do not hesitate to write to us at info@sterlingcreations.ca and we promise to respond within 2 business days as long as technology allows us to do so.
Give us your feedback, comments, suggestions, and thoughts!
For it is only through you and with you that we are able to do this!

Table of contents –
1. From our 10 tips on technology series
2. From the pages of Donna’s travel diary
3. A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
4. From the scam watchers
5. Tips from Melanie Mama Peach

+++++++++++++++

From our 10 tips on technology series
Hello everyone:
Welcome to my 10 tip series where each month I’ll be sharing 10 tips on various pieces of technology.
This would include tips on popular screen readers, office software, and browsers.
If you have any suggestions on what you would like me to share then by all means! Write to me at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.
For this month:
10 tips for learning the talk back screen reader feature for Android

Here are 10 useful tips for learning the TalkBack screen reader feature on Android:
1. Understand Basic Gestures First
• Start by learning the essential gestures such as swiping left or right to move between items and double-tapping to select. Familiarize yourself with the two-finger gestures for scrolling up, down, left, or right. This helps you navigate your device more easily.
2. Explore the TalkBack Tutorial
• Android includes a built-in TalkBack tutorial. You can access this by going to Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack and selecting “Tutorial.” This interactive guide will walk you through various gestures and features.
3. Enable Verbose Mode for Extra Guidance
• TalkBack has a “verbose mode” that gives more detailed information about what’s on the screen. You can enable this in Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack. This is useful when you are learning as it gives you extra feedback on screen elements.
4. Use the Context Menu for Quick Actions
• Practice accessing the TalkBack global and local context menus by swiping up and right (global) or down and right (local). These menus offer shortcuts to features like reading from the top, accessing notifications, or adjusting TalkBack settings quickly.
5. Practice with the “Explore by Touch” Feature
• With “Explore by touch,” you can drag your finger around the screen, and TalkBack will announce what’s under your finger. This is a great way to get familiar with screen layouts and understand what content is where.
6. Turn on Sound and Vibration Feedback
• Enabling sound and vibration feedback can help you get a better sense of when TalkBack is reacting to your gestures. Go to TalkBack Settings and turn on “Sound feedback” and “Vibration feedback” to reinforce the gestures you’re making.
7. Adjust Speech Rate and Pitch
• Customizing the speech rate and pitch to a level that’s comfortable for you can improve your learning experience. You can adjust these in the TalkBack Settings > Text-to-speech output menu.
8. Learn TalkBack Keyboard Shortcuts (if using a physical keyboard)
• If you use a physical keyboard, learning keyboard shortcuts can make navigating faster. You can access a list of TalkBack shortcuts by pressing Alt + Ctrl + K on the keyboard when TalkBack is active.
9. Explore Different Reading Modes
• TalkBack allows you to switch reading modes for better control over navigation. For example, you can use text navigation, headings, or links depending on what you need. Try switching modes by swiping up or down with one finger while focused on text.
10. Be Patient and Practice Regularly
• Mastering TalkBack takes time and consistent practice. Start small by using TalkBack for basic tasks like messaging or browsing the web, and gradually increase the complexity of tasks as you gain confidence.
These tips should help you get more comfortable with TalkBack and improve your navigation experience on Android!

To contact me please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca
I’m Donna J. Jodhan (sight loss coach and accessibility advisor)

_________________________

Important tips from the travel table
From the pages of Donna’s diary
What makes for an accessible river boat

Truth be told I have come to thoroughly enjoy a river boat and a river boat cruise.
Here are my reasons.
Number of passengers are limited to no more than 150
Decks are just 3.
You get to know your cleaning staff, your dining room staff, and your crew on a personal level.
Facilities are so very easy to navigate.
The atmosphere is so warm, welcoming and friendly.
Meals are simply delicious and yummy.
Everything is so organized.
The noise levels are much less than on an ocean bound ship.

On your next trip you could enrich your down time with some of my audio mysteries. Take them with you wherever you go!
In the car, on the plane, on the bus or train, at the beach, anywhere!
And now you can listen to Donna’s weekly podcasts!
Ask donna – a plethora of tips from a sight loss coach along with book and product reviews!
Dining with donna – recipes and time saving tips for the kitchen!
Your mental stretch with Donna – how to recharge, renew, and get going! Save yourself from those dramas, traumas, and stress!
Visit www.donnajodhan.com/youtube
and subscribe for free
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

_________________________

A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
May 2025 monthly tips
A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
Award winning sight loss coach, author and advocate
You can contact me via email at donnajodhan@gmail.com

Practical and natural!
Welcome to my Donna’s did you know diary for this month and pleased to share the following with you.

Here’s what I learned for this month.

1) The sap, vine, and branch process!
The sap nourishes the vine.
The branch comes out of the vine.
Fruit is produced from the branch.

2) Some vital tips on putting out fires in your kitchen:
If the fire is on your stove top, just place a lid on the pot in question and voila!
The fire will put itself out.
Similarly, if you have a fire in your oven or microwave,
Keep the doors shut and the fire will eventually out itself.

3) An important tip about the function of your kidneys!
Well! Your kidneys act as filters as they filter unwanted matter from your blood.
Then they transport the clean blood to your heart.

4) And a perfect tip for the Month of May!
“Walking for 30 to 60 minutes a day, five days a week, has many health benefits,
such as reducing the chances of cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, and even depression.
It increases bone health, lowers the more harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and raises the more useful good high-density

5) An important piece of info when thinking of booking a Cuban holiday.
Best time to book for is at the beginning of the month and why?
It is when the food is most plentiful at hotels and resorts.
This because Cuba has to import most of its food.
Shipments arrive at the beginning of the month
But by mid month the supplies begin to disappear most quickly.

6) What is one of the most transmissible diseases?
Why, it is measles
But you can be vaccinated against this.

7) Here’s a tip when taking melatonin:
Best to take your melatonin pill about 45 minutes to an hour before retiring for the night.

8) A useful tip on managing your finances:
It is call the 20 50 20 10 allocation.
20% of your annual income for you to put into your savings.
50% of your annual income to be used for essentials.
20% of your annual income to be used for paying off debts.
10% of your annual income to be used on fun things.

9) 2 very simple stain removers for if food falls on your clothes:
Gently rub some hand sanitizer on the offending stain
Or you can also use dish soap.

10) Here is a tip when cooking ribs
Place your ribs in your pan with the bone facing down.
This way, your meat will not dry out.

_________________________

From the scam watchers

Here are three common scams that tend to peak around May:
1.
Tax Scams: With tax season wrapping up in the U.S., scammers often attempt to exploit the rush. They may impersonate IRS agents, threatening legal action if unpaid taxes aren’t settled immediately.
2.
Graduation Scams: As graduation season approaches, scammers may target parents or students with fake offers for scholarships, job placements, or fraudulent online courses. They often use urgency to pressure victims into providing personal information or money.
3.
Vacation Scams: With summer travel planning in full swing, scammers may advertise fake vacation rentals or travel deals that sound too good to be true. They may ask for deposits or personal information before disappearing.
Always verify sources and be cautious about sharing personal information or sending money.

_________________________

Tips from Melanie Mama Peach

A GUIDE TO SAUSAGE
The selection of sausages is so varied today it is helpful to have a basic understanding of the main kinds.
Fresh sausage is made from uncooked fresh meat, mainly pork, chicken and turkey, and occasionally beef–or even fish. Fresh sausage is perishable; refrigerate it promptly and use within a few days. (Or freeze it.) Cook thoroughly before eating.
Uncooked smoked sausage is much like fresh sausage, but the meats used have been cured and smoking gives it a characteristic flavor and color. Treat as fresh sausage.
Cooked sausage is prepared primarily from fresh, uncured meat (occasionally cured meat is used). If smoking is part of the flavoring process, the smoking takes place after the cooking process is completed. Cooked sausage is ready to serve and may be served cold or quickly grilled or fried for extra flavor.
Cooked smoked sausage, again, is prepared from uncooked meat, smoked and cooked fully. Although refrigeration is essential, any frying, grilling or heating may be short, since the sausage has been fully cooked.
Dry and semi-dry sausages are cured and dried. Dry sausages may be smoked or not; they are ready to eat. Most hard, dry sausages are air-dried from one to six months, during which time 30 to 40 percent of the moisture is lost, the texture firms or hardens, and the flavor intensifies. Certain salamis are cooked, then air-dried for a much shorter period; these belong to the cooked sausage group and must be refrigerated. Semi-dry sausages are cooked while in the smokehouse, but dried far less than the hard-dry kind. They have a softer texture and are ready to eat.

_________________________

Contact info:
Visit our websites at www.sterlingcreations.ca
www.donnajodhan.com
www.sterlingcreations.com

Email us at info@sterlingcreations.ca

Or call us at 416 491-7711

 

 

 

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From The Pages Of Donna J. Jodhan’s Monthly Diary – A Bit Of This And A Bit Of That; What I Learned For This Month

A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
Award winning sight loss coach, author and advocate
You can contact me via email at donnajodhan@gmail.com

Practical and natural!
Welcome to my Donna’s did you know diary for this month and pleased to share the following with you.

Here’s what I learned for this month.

1) About plants?
They appear to thrive very well in an air condition room.

2) When you take your blood pressure?
Make sure to rest your arm with the blood pressure cuff around it on a flat surface.
This way you can get an accurate reading.

3) A tip when using an injection pen!
Injection pens must be stored in a refrigerator before they are used
Before using the pen, take it out of the refrigerator about 15 minutes before using.
This helps to dull the impact of any potential pain when the injection enters the body and why?
Because if the injection is cold it is more difficult to pierce the skin.
So make sure that it is warm as per the above.

4) About rust stains!
If the stains are not too severe, use a solution of baking soda and vinegar on them.
If they are severe then you need to use heavy sand paper.

5) A safe way to pack injection pens when traveling!
Wrap them separately in a thick paper towel
Place them in a zip lock bag
And you should only have no more than 2 in a bag
Place in a thermos bag and use ice packs to keep cool
The ice packs should be kept frozen and placed in the thermos bag just before you depart.
Remember to keep your pens in the fridge at all times.

6) About reducing your bill when doing your laundry?
All you need to do is to turn off your taps after your washing is done.

7) How to detect freezer burn?
Very easy!
If your meat does not have a red colour then it is freezer burn.

8) A practical tip when trying to open stubborn bottles in your fridge?
First take them out of the fridge.
Next let stand for a few minutes.
Then voila! The cover comes very easy when you turn it.

9) A drink for soothing an upset stomach?
Try drinking a cup of hot water with a splash of lemon juice.

10) What 3 important questions that you need to answer satisfactorily when you first call 911?
• What is your name?
• Where are you calling from?
• What day of the week is it?

 

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Catch Up With Sight Loss Coach Donna J. Jodhan – Learn How To Clean Jewelry, Lime Deposits, And Marble

Catching up with the coach!

April 2025

 

6) Best Of Helpful Hints: The Best Of Hints For Cleaning The Miscellaneous

Jewelry

* If a silver ring turns dull and dark, soak it in 1/2 cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons baking soda for 2 hours. Rub with a towel or brush.

* Place a piece of white chalk into your jewelry box to prevent costume jewelry from tarnishing.

_____

 

7) Best Of Helpful Hints: The Best Of Hints For Cleaning The Miscellaneous

Lime Deposits

* Remove by rubbing with a clean cloth sprinkled with white vinegar.

_____

 

8) Best Of Helpful Hints: The Best Of Hints For Cleaning The Miscellaneous

Marble

* To remove spots, stains and discolorations from marble, place marble in hot sunlight. If this is not possible, heat marble one hour or more under a hot spotlight (never a sunlamp). Then, generously swab on household bleach. Continue this every hour or so until discoloration is gone. (Sometimes this may take a couple of days). Rinse with water and dry. Remove to shade. Use paste camuba wax to polish. Never use oil polish or soft waxes such as beeswax or paraffin wax on marble as they can cause discoloration.

_____

 

To contact me with your idea send your emails to me at donnajodhan@gmail.com

 

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A review of the london heath row airport – one of the world’s busiests but still manages to be accessible

A review of the london heath row airport
By Donna Jodhan
Award winning advocate and sight loss coach

Introduction:
This almost largest airport in the world can still provide some very important and necessary accessibility features.
Please read on.

So how would I rate their services? With 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, here are my ratings.
Service desk assistance – 5
Assistance for passengers with special needs – 5
Assistance at the airport – 4.5

Remarks :
I respectfully admit that for an airport of this size it was still possible for me to have my needs and requirements met.

About airport staff:
On the whole they were very friendly and welcoming.
They appeared knowledgeable and ready to assist.

Any suggestions?
Keep up the good work

Contact info:

To learn more about me as an award winning sight loss coach and advocate visit www.donnajodhan.com
Visit www.donnajodhan.com and access the coach page to learn about the services that I offer; affordable

Welcome to our new look monthly tips where we are pleased to share a plethora of tricks and tips that are relevant to such things as technology, travel, managing your daily life, and much more.
So just come aboard, sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy!
If you wish to contact us then please do not hesitate to write to us at info@sterlingcreations.ca and we promise to respond within 2 business days as long as technology allows us to do so.
Give us your feedback, comments, suggestions, and thoughts!
For it is only through you and with you that we are able to do this!

Table of contents –
1. From our 10 tips on technology series
2. From the pages of Donna’s travel diary
3. A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
4. From the scam watchers
5. Tips from Melanie Mama Peach

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From our 10 tips on technology series
Hello everyone:
Welcome to my 10 tip series where each month I’ll be sharing 10 tips on various pieces of technology.
This would include tips on popular screen readers, office software, and browsers.
If you have any suggestions on what you would like me to share then by all means! Write to me at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.
For this month:
10 tips for learning the talk back screen reader feature for Android

Here are 10 useful tips for learning the TalkBack screen reader feature on Android:
1. Understand Basic Gestures First
• Start by learning the essential gestures such as swiping left or right to move between items and double-tapping to select. Familiarize yourself with the two-finger gestures for scrolling up, down, left, or right. This helps you navigate your device more easily.
2. Explore the TalkBack Tutorial
• Android includes a built-in TalkBack tutorial. You can access this by going to Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack and selecting “Tutorial.” This interactive guide will walk you through various gestures and features.
3. Enable Verbose Mode for Extra Guidance
• TalkBack has a “verbose mode” that gives more detailed information about what’s on the screen. You can enable this in Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack. This is useful when you are learning as it gives you extra feedback on screen elements.
4. Use the Context Menu for Quick Actions
• Practice accessing the TalkBack global and local context menus by swiping up and right (global) or down and right (local). These menus offer shortcuts to features like reading from the top, accessing notifications, or adjusting TalkBack settings quickly.
5. Practice with the “Explore by Touch” Feature
• With “Explore by touch,” you can drag your finger around the screen, and TalkBack will announce what’s under your finger. This is a great way to get familiar with screen layouts and understand what content is where.
6. Turn on Sound and Vibration Feedback
• Enabling sound and vibration feedback can help you get a better sense of when TalkBack is reacting to your gestures. Go to TalkBack Settings and turn on “Sound feedback” and “Vibration feedback” to reinforce the gestures you’re making.
7. Adjust Speech Rate and Pitch
• Customizing the speech rate and pitch to a level that’s comfortable for you can improve your learning experience. You can adjust these in the TalkBack Settings > Text-to-speech output menu.
8. Learn TalkBack Keyboard Shortcuts (if using a physical keyboard)
• If you use a physical keyboard, learning keyboard shortcuts can make navigating faster. You can access a list of TalkBack shortcuts by pressing Alt + Ctrl + K on the keyboard when TalkBack is active.
9. Explore Different Reading Modes
• TalkBack allows you to switch reading modes for better control over navigation. For example, you can use text navigation, headings, or links depending on what you need. Try switching modes by swiping up or down with one finger while focused on text.
10. Be Patient and Practice Regularly
• Mastering TalkBack takes time and consistent practice. Start small by using TalkBack for basic tasks like messaging or browsing the web, and gradually increase the complexity of tasks as you gain confidence.
These tips should help you get more comfortable with TalkBack and improve your navigation experience on Android!

To contact me please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca
I’m Donna J. Jodhan (sight loss coach and accessibility advisor)

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Important tips from the travel table

From the pages of Donna’s diary
What makes for an accessible river boat

Truth be told I have come to thoroughly enjoy a river boat and a river boat cruise.
Here are my reasons.
Number of passengers are limited to no more than 150
Decks are just 3.
You get to know your cleaning staff, your dining room staff, and your crew on a personal level.
Facilities are so very easy to navigate.
The atmosphere is so warm, welcoming and friendly.
Meals are simply delicious and yummy.
Everything is so organized.
The noise levels are much less than on an ocean bound ship.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan enjoying my travels.

To learn more about me as a sight loss coach and author visit
http://www.donnajodhan.com

On your next trip you could enrich your down time with some of my audio mysteries. Take them with you wherever you go!
In the car, on the plane, on the bus or train, at the beach, anywhere!
And now you can listen to Donna’s weekly podcasts!
Ask donna – a plethora of tips from a sight loss coach along with book and product reviews!
Dining with donna – recipes and time saving tips for the kitchen!
Your mental stretch with Donna – how to recharge, renew, and get going! Save yourself from those dramas, traumas, and stress!
Visit www.donnajodhan.com/youtube
and subscribe for free
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

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A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary

May 2025 monthly tips
A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
Award winning sight loss coach, author and advocate
You can contact me via email at donnajodhan@gmail.com

Practical and natural!
Welcome to my Donna’s did you know diary for this month and pleased to share the following with you.

Here’s what I learned for this month.

1) The sap, vine, and branch process!
The sap nourishes the vine.
The branch comes out of the vine.
Fruit is produced from the branch.

2) Some vital tips on putting out fires in your kitchen:
If the fire is on your stove top, just place a lid on the pot in question and voila!
The fire will put itself out.
Similarly, if you have a fire in your oven or microwave,
Keep the doors shut and the fire will eventually out itself.

3) An important tip about the function of your kidneys!
Well! Your kidneys act as filters as they filter unwanted matter from your blood.
Then they transport the clean blood to your heart.

4) And a perfect tip for the Month of May!
“Walking for 30 to 60 minutes a day, five days a week, has many health benefits,
such as reducing the chances of cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, and even depression.
It increases bone health, lowers the more harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and raises the more useful good high-density

5) An important piece of info when thinking of booking a Cuban holiday.
Best time to book for is at the beginning of the month and why?
It is when the food is most plentiful at hotels and resorts.
This because Cuba has to import most of its food.
Shipments arrive at the beginning of the month
But by mid month the supplies begin to disappear most quickly.

6) What is one of the most transmissible diseases?
Why, it is measles
But you can be vaccinated against this.

7) Here’s a tip when taking melatonin:
Best to take your melatonin pill about 45 minutes to an hour before retiring for the night.

8) A useful tip on managing your finances:
It is call the 20 50 20 10 allocation.
20% of your annual income for you to put into your savings.
50% of your annual income to be used for essentials.
20% of your annual income to be used for paying off debts.
10% of your annual income to be used on fun things.

9) 2 very simple stain removers for if food falls on your clothes:
Gently rub some hand sanitizer on the offending stain
Or you can also use dish soap.

10) Here is a tip when cooking ribs
Place your ribs in your pan with the bone facing down.
This way, your meat will not dry out.

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From the scam watchers

In April, certain scams tend to be more common due to seasonal events and certain behaviors around this time. As we look toward April 2025, here are three typical scams to watch out for:
1. Tax Scams (U.S.)
April is tax season in the U.S., with the deadline to file tax returns typically falling on April 15. Scammers take advantage of this time by posing as the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) or tax preparers to steal personal information or demand fake tax payments.

Scam signs:
• Receiving a phone call, email, or text claiming to be from the IRS, demanding immediate payment or threatening arrest.
• Phishing emails or websites that look like legitimate IRS platforms.
• Fake tax preparation services offering refunds that seem too good to be true.

Protection: The IRS never initiates contact via phone, email, or text to demand payment. Always file taxes with trusted professionals or directly through verified IRS websites.
2. Spring Travel Scams
April often marks the start of spring break and early travel for summer vacations. Scammers exploit this by offering fake vacation deals, rental scams, and fraudulent travel packages.

Scam signs:
• Vacation rentals offered at extremely low prices on third-party platforms or social media, asking for upfront payment via wire transfer or gift cards.
• Phishing emails from travel agencies or airlines offering deep discounts on flights or packages, directing users to malicious websites.
• Fake travel agencies or tour operators that disappear after receiving payment.

Protection: Always verify travel deals through official airline or travel websites. Never wire money or use untraceable payment methods. Read reviews and verify accommodations through trusted platforms.
3. Charity Scams Post-Disaster
April often sees unpredictable weather events, including tornadoes, floods, or early hurricanes in various regions. Scammers use these events as an opportunity to create fake charity fundraisers, asking for donations to aid victims.

Scam signs:
• Unsolicited emails, texts, or calls asking for donations to aid victims of recent disasters.
• Fake charity websites that look similar to legitimate ones, with slight differences in spelling or domain names.
• Pressure tactics urging immediate donations, often requesting payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

Protection: Before donating, verify the legitimacy of a charity through platforms like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. Avoid unsolicited donation requests, especially those asking for non-traditional payment methods.
Being cautious of these scams in April will help you avoid falling victim to fraud in 2025!

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Tips from Melanie Mama Peach

BUYING AND STORING FISH
Fillets are the meaty sides of the fish cut off either side of the backbone (and are more or less boneless) while steaks are slices cut across the bone. Larger fish such as salmon or halibut are available either way. If a steak is very large, it can be cut in half and the bone removed before cooking, but it may be simpler to cook the fish with the bone in and then insert a knife and ease the cooked fish away from the bone. The meat of tuna, swordfish and other very large fish is cut into boneless steaks.
Freshness makes all the difference in the way fish tastes. Look for firm-textured, moist, pearly flesh, with no sign of dryness. Odor, if any, should be mild and fresh, never strong and fishy. Pools of liquid in packaged fish generally indicate the fish has been around too long.
Refrigerate fish as soon as you get it home. Use it within 1 to 2 days, or freeze it. The colder the storage temperature, the less rapidly the fish will spoil. If you have a fisherman in the house, it’s good to know never to store ungutted fish, which spoils quite rapidly. Non-oily fish such as flounder, sole, red snapper, and tilapia freeze best. Wrap individual fillets in plastic wrap and freeze them spread out on a baking sheet. When fish is frozen hard, pack in a ziptop bag. This allows you to easily take out just one or two pieces at a time. Freeze fish for up to 6 months.
In most cases, fish should be thawed in the refrigerator, although thin fillets can be thawed at room temperature in half an hour. Try not to refreeze fish once it has thawed because each freezing and thawing leads to a mushy texture. If you do refreeze fish (and we all have times when plans change) cut it in small pieces and use it to make a chowder.

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Contact info:
Visit our websites at www.sterlingcreations.ca
www.donnajodhan.com
www.sterlingcreations.com

Email us at info@sterlingcreations.ca

Or call us at 416 491-7711

 

 

 

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Ask Sight Loss Coach Donna J. Jodhan – Different Types Of Measuring Cups, Metal Measuring Spoons, Collapsible Measuring Cups

Ask the Coach!

My name is Donna Jodhan and I am using my extensive experience as a sight loss coach as well as my lived experience to share and respond to questions that are submitted to me and I also invite you to share your thoughts on questions asked.

 

For this month:  a question from Arianne in Miami Florida.

Arianne wants to know if there is a different type of measuring cup on the market in addition to the regular types.

 

My response:

Arianne, I found this type of measuring cup during one of my searches on the Internet.

Metal Wet & Dry Measuring Cup.

I am not sure if your regular home kitchen store would sell this but do give it a try.

Maybe I’ll see if I can purchase a set of these.

 

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Tell us what you think!  Share your feedback and let’s get more ideas cracking!

It’s important for us to share how we do things!

 

A question from Bev in Manhattan New York.

Bev wants to know if there is such a thing as Metal Measuring Spoons?

 

My response:

Bev, I do not own such a product but when I searched on the Internet I found information that such a product does exist.

I will start by visiting your nearby kitchen store and start from there.

 

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Tell us what you think!  Share your feedback and let’s get more ideas cracking!

It’s important for us to share how we do things!

 

A question from Mitchel in Omaha Nebraska.

Mitchel wants to know if there is such a thing as collapsable measuring cups.

 

My response:

Mitchel, of course!

I recently bought a set of collapsable measuring cups as a house warming gift for a friend.

 

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Tell us what you think!  Share your feedback and let’s get more ideas cracking!

It’s important for us to share how we do things!

 

To contact me with a question or a thought; please send an email to me at donnajodhan@gmail.com and I’ll be sure to respond in 5 business days at the most.

If you wish me to respond earlier then put the word important in your subject line and I’ll do my best to respond more quickly.

Until the next time then!

I’m Donna wishing you a pleasant day and thanking everyone for their insightful feedback and suggestions!

 

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