A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
Here’s what I learned for this month.

• If you are looking to save on your electricity bill then the best time for you to do your laundry and run your dish washer is between 7 pm and 7 am.

• About boiling rice. If you want to rinse the starch out of your rice after it is boiled then pour rice into a strainer to get the water out of it.
Rinse in cold water and then strain rice back into your pot. Be sure to rinse the pot before you do this.

• About boiling pasta. To obtain the best flavour to your pasta, do not strain pasta after it is boiled.

• How about using a rubber band in your kitchen?
Do this when you need to open a jar or bottle and you do not have a jar or bottle opener on hand.
Just place the rubber band around said cork or cover and this increases your grip.
Then turn cork or cover to your right.

• How to keep your wine well stored?
Be careful with humidity, temperature, movement, and light.
That is, be sure not to keep your bottles of wine under too much humidity.
At the right temperature. That is, not too warm.
Movement, try to keep in one spot.
Light, not too much light.
Suggested best place to store would be in your basement.

• About your furnace?
Clean regularly and keep it turned down at night.

• A tip on saving electricity!
Turn on lights when entering a room but turn them off when leaving the room.

• Some food tips:
Do not leave left overs out for too long as they will start to gather bacteria.
Put it away as soon as you can after eating.
Wait for it to cool.

• About washing our meat before cooking?
You run the risk of splashing unwanted bacteria all over your kitchen when washing.

Catching up with the coach!

November 29 2022

The Blind Lifestyle Newsletter. The lifestyle newsletter of and for the blind and vision impaired by Sight Loss Coach and Author Donna Jodhan.

Welcome to my blind lifestyle newsletter.

Today I am pleased to share some of my tips with you and you can read more of these by visiting www.donnajodhan.com/tbln.html

1) Best Of Helpful Hints: The Best Of Hints For The Carpet

Spot Removers

For any stain:

* Make a sudsy solution of Tide laundry detergent and water. Brush the suds into the stain vertically and horizontally with a soft brush. Blot dry as much as possible. If stain persists, repeat process.

Grease Stains:

* Pour a generous amount of either baking soda or cornmeal over the spots and brush lightly through the pile of the rug. Leave overnight and vacuum off the next day.

Doggy Spots:

* Rub with a solution of vinegar or lemon juice and warm sudsy water. Blot and repeat if necessary. Or blot up thoroughly. Then pour club soda over the spot. Blot again. Place a dry white towel over the stain and put a heavy book on top of it. If the towel becomes soggy, replace with a clean towel immediately.

Cola And Coffee Stains:

* Quick action and an ice cube will generally remove these stains from pale carpeting. Blot the spill immediately, then rub an ice cube over the spot and blot again. Or blot up the excess, then rub with a solution of vinegar, detergent and water.

* Try shaving cream. It is ready instantly and is often more effective than water solutions.

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2) Best Of Helpful Hints: The Best Of Hints For The Carpet

Repairing A Burn

* Remove some fuzz from the carpet, either by shaving or pulling out with a tweezer. Roll into the shape of the burn. Apply a good cement glue to the backing of the rug and press the fuzz down into the burn spot. Cover with a piece of cleansing tissue and place a heavy book on top. This will cause the glue to dry very slowly, and you will get the best results.

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3) Best Of Helpful Hints: The Best Of Hints For Carpet

Removing Sooty Footmarks

* Try an art gum eraser on light-colored carpets

* Sprinkle soiled areas with salt. Wait 30 minutes and then vacuum.

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Please send me your feedback and if you have any suggestions or thoughts then I’d love to hear from you.

Email me at donnajodhan@gmail.com

Catching up with the coach!

October 29 2022

The Blind Lifestyle Newsletter. The lifestyle newsletter of and for the blind and vision impaired by Sight Loss Coach and Author Donna Jodhan.

Welcome to my blind lifestyle newsletter.

Today I am pleased to share some of my tips with you and you can read more of these by visiting www.donnajodhan.com/tbln.html

Please send me your feedback and if you have any suggestions or thoughts then I’d love to hear from you.

Email me at donnajodhan@gmail.com

The best of hints for cars

1)  Quick Window Cleaning

* Baking soda quickly cleans spatters and traffic grime from windshields, headlights, chrome and enamel. Wipe with soda, sprinkled onto a damp sponge or dissolve 2 tablespoons in a quart of water. Rinse.

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2) Best Of Helpful Hints: The Best Of Hints For The Car

Preventing Doors And Trunk From Freezing Shut

* Wipe the rubber gaskets with a heavy coating of vegetable oil. The oil will seal out water, but won’t harm the gasket. Especially good before having your car washed in the winter.

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3) Recipes And Tips For Today:

Best Of Helpful Hints: The Best Of Hints For Cars

Cigarette Ashes

* Ashes that continue to burn in the car ashtray are a nuisance. Prevent by placing an inch of baking soda (or gravel) in the bottom of the tray.

A review of the Moxy’s restaurant
By Donna Jodhan
Award winning advocate and sight loss coach

Introduction:
This restaurant has changed its image over the last few years and this started before the Pandemic.
From a restaurant that served yummy and delicious food with a pleasant ambiance to a different one now.

So how would I rate their services? With 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, here are my ratings.
Service desk assistance – 4
Assistance for guests with special needs – 4
Assistance at restaurant – 4

Remarks :
Access to the restaurant was extremely user friendly for a vision impaired person and navigating among the tables was not very difficult.

About restaurant staff:
They appear to be knowledgeable about what they serve and they are very friendly

My meals:
They are zesty.

Any suggestions?
Maybe they could think of playing their music a bit softer?

Contact info:
Located on the second floor of the Fairview Mall

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

Ask the Coach!

October 08 2022

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 week:  a question from Megan in Dublin Ireland:

Megan is looking for tips on how to scramble eggs.

My response:

Megan, this is not my favourite thing to cook but for what it is worth:

I put a small amount of oil along with a dot of margarine or butter in my pan.

Next I turn my heat on low and with a spatula I spread the oil and butter around

And make sure that oil and butter are well combined.

When I hear the contents of my pan starting to make a sizzling sound,

I gently pour my eggs which I have previously cracked into my pan.

I then take my spatula and mix my eggs and I make  sure that they do not stick to the pan

And that they do not get hard.

I like my scrambled eggs soft.

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!

Ask the Coach!

October 08 2022

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 week:  a question from Janine in Halifax Nova Scotia:

Janine would like to know what to do when there is a broken egg on the floor.

My response:

Janine, Try this one out.

* If you break an egg on the floor, sprinkle it heavily with salt; after 5 to 10 minutes, sweet the dried egg into the dustpan.

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!

Ask the Coach!

October 08 2022

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 week:  a question from Shaun in Queens NY:

Shaun wants to get some tips on how to deal with broken glass.

My response:

Shaun, here is something for you.

* Use a dampened paper towel or cotton ball to pick up all slivers of glass.

First of all however, make very sure that you have accurately located where the broken glass is.

Make sure that your feet are well protected with rubber shoes or slip on shoes.

Wear rubber gloves as well.

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!

News round up for September 2022

For the month of September Donna continued her relentless pace on her various initiatives
Here are the highlights.
On September 02 Donna made her third appearance on Bob Branco’s podcast titled in perspective where she shared her experiences on how she interacts and communicates with the Canadian Federal Government as an accessibility consultant/advisor.
This podcast has listeners worldwide.
You can access this at

In Perspective, 273, With Donna Jodhan, Consultant With the Canadian Government

Image = podcast-studio-microphone-960×499

On September 14 Donna participated in a training video for CATSA (Canadian Air Transportation Security Agency).
This video shoot was held at Toronto Pearson International Airport and it will be used as training material for over 8000 CATSA agents across Canada.
Here are the questions that Donna was asked to respond to.
First a brief introduction.
1. Explain [her] accessibility challenges when going through security screening
2. Describe how Screening Officers can help through the screening process and any steps a Screening Officer could take to facilitate the screening experience.
3. Key messages
4. Anecdote or short story (optional)
Image = the CATSA logo

On September 17 Donna in conjunction with the CCB Toronto Visionaries chapter sponsored a harbour boat cruise and there were over 100 attendees.
A great time was had by all with a sumptuous lunch served and there were several door prizes.
Donna donated the proceedes from her pre Covid chapter activities to this venture and moving forward she will now be concentrating on annual single events.
Watch for her upcoming Dear MRS Claus letter writing competition announcements opened to kids from around the world.
Images = CCB Mysteries chapter and CCB Visionaries chapter

For the month of September Donna answered the following questions from her ask the coach feature
These were just some of the questions asked.
How important is it for a vision impaired person to engage in physical activity?
Are there any tried and proven ways to discover stains on carpets.
Are there any good ways to clean bath tubs.
Read more at www.donnajodhan.com/#news
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Donna included the following tips in her catching up with the coach feature for the September 01 issue:
1) Best Of Helpful Hints: The Best Of Hints
For The Bathroom: Ceramic Tile:
* Turtle Wax (car wax) is an excellent tile cleaner and refinisher. Rub in well with a soft cloth, let stand for 10 minutes. Do not let it dry too thoroughly. Polish with a clean cloth or better yet, buff with an electric buffer. Your tiles will sparkle like new.
* Try cleaning with a solution of sal soda concentrate, the strength depending on the extent of the soil. To the stubborn cracks, apply the sal dry with a stiff brush.
* Clean the recessed spaces between tiles with an ordinary typewriter eraser or rub with a white nail pencil.
* Make a paste of baking soda and bleach and scrub with a small brush.
* Also, before you start cleaning the bathroom walls, fill the tub with the hottest tap water available. Dirt loosened by steam will come off faster.
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Read more at www.donnajodhan.com/#news

In her September 15 issue she highlighted the following article:
10 Foods That Help You Sleep Better
Contributed by Gaston Bedard
Read more at www.donnajodhan.com/#news
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For the month of September Donna’s whose blind life is it anyway show “ask Donna” featured the following topics.
Week 1 –
Ask the advocate – examples of provincial entities
Week 2 –
As the author – study time resumed
Week 3 –
As the coach – the importance of physical activity
Week 4 –
As the expert – What makes a workplace accessible
Read more at www.donnajodhan.com/#news
Image = Whose-Blind-Life-Is-It-Anyway-Network-Logo-1200×930

In September, Donna’s dining with Donna show debued.
Donna started a weekly show where each week she shared tried and proven recipes with her listeners and for September the theme was focused on recipes containing 300 calories or less.
Here are the highlights to this show.
week 1 – Asian Pork Tenderloin
week 2 – Barley With Currants And Pine Nuts
week 3 – Mushroom Wild Rice
week 4 – Vegetable Curry
Text copies are available and you can listen in at
www.donnajodhan.com/youtube

For the month of September Donna wrote the following editorials
The challenge of interpreting
How accessible is our future?
Crying in the dark
The assumption syndrome
You can read these editorials by visiting

Blog

And a selection of her advocacy editorials can also be found at

Contributions From Founder and Advocate Donna Jodhan

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You can listen to Donna’s ask donna’s shows at
www.donnajodhan.com/youtube
Image = Whose-Blind-Life-Is-It-Anyway-Network-Logo-1200×930

You can read Donna’s author’s tips for September;
study time resumed at
www.sterlingcreations.ca/askanauthor.html
Image = study-time-books-clock-chalkboard-1200×800

You can read Donna’s ask an expert feature for September;
What makes a workplace accessible at
www.sterlingcreations.ca/askanexpert.html
Image = donna and laptop

Finally! Read Donna’s product review on the Egg pod
Donna reviews a nifty product that helps you to cook hard boiled eggs in the microwave and then you can peal them without any difficulty.
Reader Review: The Egg Pod
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/114.html

Sorry to be late but better late than never!
A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
Here’s what I learned for this month.

• When it comes to describing those up and down money markets, here are some terms to remember.
• Bull market – when the market is in a great mood and stock prices are rising
• Bear market – when the market is in a grumpy mood and stock prices are falling
• Trough – when the market is bottoming out.
• Peak – when the market has reached a certain level.

• About opened bottles of wine –
Best to put them to lie flat after you have opened them so that the cork does not dry out and your wine is kept from going flat.

• For those who love to chew on lemon wedges: This action can cause damage to your teeth’s enamel.

• For those who love to chew on ice: Did you know that this action can cause damage to your teeth? It can fracture your teeth and fillings as well as to break your fillings!

• So it’s back to those wondering wasps once more!
They definitely have a sweet tooth just like those bees!
This is why you will often find them buzzing around glasses of soft drinks, juices, and alcoholic drinks.
And here’s another startling factor about their appetite! They love meat!

• And with the onset of apple picking season! Here is what I learned for this month.
When picking your apples, make sure that 60% of the fruit is red and 40% is green. This makes for the best choice for a sweet and delicious apple.
Another tip?
If you want to have your apples last the longest then put them in the fridge when you bring them home.

Catching up with the coach!

September 28 2022

The Blind Lifestyle Newsletter. The lifestyle newsletter of and for the blind and vision impaired by Sight Loss Coach and Author Donna Jodhan.

Welcome to my blind lifestyle newsletter.

Today I am pleased to share some of my tips with you and you can read more of these by visiting www.donnajodhan.com/tbln.html

Please send me your feedback and if you have any suggestions or thoughts then I’d love to hear from you.

Email me at donnajodhan@gmail.com

4)  Best Of Helpful Hints: The Best Of Hints

For The Bathroom: Two Excellent Cleaners

* To save time and money while providing the best shine possible to your bathroom fixtures, use an old cloth which has been slightly dunked in kerosene. Kerosene removes scum from the fixtures, including the outside of the toilet bowl. The odor will only remain for a few minutes.

* Spray tile and fixtures with Spray & Wash (laundry soil and stain remover) liberally. Rub with cloth for a beautiful shine.

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5)  Best Of Helpful Hints: The Best Of Hints

For The Bathroom:

Shower Stall Film

* Rub lightly with a plain piece of dry fine steel wool (not the soap filled variety). Try a patch first to be sure it isn’t scratching your tile. If it is, you should use a finer piece of steel wool. As you scour the tile, you will see the scum coming right off. Wash down after the job is completed.

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6) Best Of Helpful Hints: The Best Of Hints

For The Bathroom:

Shower Stall Film

* Rub lightly with a plain piece of dry fine steel wool (not the soap filled variety). Try a patch first to be sure it isn’t scratching your tile. If it is, you should use a finer piece of steel wool. As you scour the tile, you will see the scum coming right off. Wash down after the job is completed.

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