Zinc not magnesium, as I recall.
And lots of exercise.
M

You're right, starrsville. It did make me feel good. He's lost so much weight. Gotta get some meat back on those bones. Just wish I could give him about 50 pounds of mine! Someone tell me why it is that the less he eats, the more I eat!

That 3 cheese mac and cheese sounds like it's right up his alley. If it's not too much trouble, I'd love to have it. Thanks, starrsville!

Oh CAPH, "someone tell me why it is the less he eats the more I eat" My dear, it is because understandably you are so stressed! Some of of us do not eat much when stressed and some of us overeat when stressed. My heart breaks for you, and for your dear husband.

Your husband seems to be able to enjoy and tolerate a cheese dish.

Try to find Campbells Cheese soup. Then grate some kind of cheese..cheddar or whatever you think your DH would like. Put the Campbell Cheese soup in a pot and put the grated cheese (two different kinds of cheese if you like) in the soup. Bring to a small simmer. Stir and keep an eye on it, until the sauce (soup) is all melted together.

Cook whatever kind of pasta he would like. Rigatoni or something similar. I would imagine you know how to do that. Do not overcook the pasta.

Drain the pasta. Put it in a casserole dish. Pour the soup/grated cheese mixture over the pasta and stir well. If you husband can handle it put croutons on top on this. You can layer some cheese slices on top of this casserole. If you do that make sure they are quite thinly sliced.

Put in preheated 325 degree oven for about 15 or 20 minutes, until cheese sauce is bubbling. Keep an eye on it, cover with aluminum foil if the top starts getting to dark before the dish is finished. You will be able to tell by looking at it.

If this would work for your DH do pour a bit of beer into the cheese soup mixture when it is in the pot on the stove. And if it would work for your DH a splash of two of hot pepper sauce in the cheese sauce is good...but imaagine you have to keep the receipe quite mild for your husband.

A easy macaroni and cheese dish perhaps for his lunch. My prayers are to the both of you that the future will bring good health to your dear husband. Best wishes to you also. Many hugs dear CALPH.

Sounds yummy, LoveItaly.

CAPH, here's the recipe I saved. Sounds easy too - as easy as bamakelly's corn casserole. I haven't made it, but the choice of favorite cheeses may spur his appetite.

Three Cheese Mac & Cheese

1/2 lb. American cheese
1 lb. sharp Cheddar
1/4 lb. Monterey Jack
16 oz. box elbow macaroni
4 c. condensed can milk
1 tsp. salt
1/2 stick butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. black pepper

Shred the American, Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses in a
bowl. Boil macaroni 7 minutes. Arrange cooked macaroni,
cheese, salt and pepper in a 5 quart casserole dish. Beat
eggs and pour into casserole dish. Mix all ingredients
thoroughly. Now pour milk and melted butter into casserole.
Bake uncovered at 350 degrees 1 hour and 15 minutes. Makes
up to 10-12 servings.

Sweet CAPH...

I was feeling particularly "low" one day and my DH gave me the necklace. However, more importantly, he gave me the motivational talk to get on with things, lol. I will be "completely finished" in 2 1/2 months. One last and ugly exam coming in two weeks - this one really scares me and can set me back, if I don't pass.

I am so happy to hear that your husband is finding nourishment that is appealing to him - he is wise to know that he must keep his strength up. As for gaining weight, CAPH, I understand exactly what you are talking about - Stress is evil on the hips If you use LoveItaly's wonderful mac and cheese recipe, feel free to sip the beer as you make it

Rave: Birdie's bald eagle!! A few years ago there was one in my backyard - everyone was ready to cart me away, not believing me - but I saw it. Now there is a hawk circling our cul-de-sac. It's a baby.

bennie...absolutley. i'm 30, and my dad is 64. it's not even the right time for me to go (just picking up a second job, $$$) but i'm ignoring everything other than the fact that this is my dad, and he won't be around forever. i know i'll be thankful i went, no matter where.

LoveItaly and starrsville, both recipes sound great! Thanks so much. I will definitely be trying them both!

And, believe me, STW, I will be sipping on that beer! I realized afterwards that "completely finished" probably wasn't the best phrase to use...sounds a little ominous! But I figured you'd know what I meant! Good luck with that exam. We'll all be pulling for you! Can't begin to tell you how much I admire you for doing this while working and raising a family. I know your kids are college age and older. But I sometimes think they take more out of you when they're older! And I'm guessing you started back to school while they were still home.

LoveItaly, I probably should have mentioned that it's a bit of a coincidence that you happened to give me that recipe. When I was in the grocery store yesterday I noticed they had a sale on Campbell's Cheddar Cheese Soup (and other varieties, of course). And I picked up a couple of cans 'cause I have another recipe (really good, really easy. Starts with one of those Hormel pre-cooked meat entrees. Let me know if anyone's interested) that calls for it. And, of course, I always have pasta (and beer!) in the house. So I'm all set to try your recipe!

The scary thing about stuff in cans is the amount of sodium.
M

mikemo: You're right! And in most fast foods and restaurants as well!

I'm finding things becoming more and more salty...I really can't stand it!

Belle

Hello CAPH, it seems to me that coincidences happen so much between us on Fodor's. Your message made me smile. A hug to you and your husband.

And seetheworld, a big hug to you also.

And yes mikemo, canned food does have high sodium, but if one only can eat certain foods then one has to balance what one can eat versus a bit too much sodium.

Wishing all my dear friends on Fodor's and their loved ones good health.

Fortunately, Mikemo, many companies are making lower sodium products. I always use the "healthier" versions like Campbell's Healthy Request, no salt added canned tomatoes, Swanson's and College Inn's reduced sodium broths, etc. whenever available. When I made the corn casserole last night, I used no salt added whole kernel and creamed corn. Figured there was enough salt in the corn muffin mix!

CAPH, you are very kind. Thanks for the encouragement. And I too admire you a great deal.

Someone once told me "little children, little worries; big children, bigger worries" - how true is that, lol!

Yes I did start back to school when my boys were young (very young) and they have endured my long journey.

Although I make my mac & cheese from a rue base, my sons still (believe it or not) like Kraft. I have a funny story to share, since we are talking about mac & cheese, I am reminded of the time their father "cooked" for them. He made that Kraft mac & cheese dinner, but neglected to read the box and did not drain the water before adding the cheese and served Needless to say, he doesn't do the cooking in this house, LOL. And our sons talk about that experience at least twice a year

I wish you and your family a peaceful week. Take care!

STW, thanks for sharing that story. You gave me a good laugh.

Isn't it amazing how our kids remember all the goofs we make over the years?! And never let us forget them!

Am having a little trouble with editing and posting tonight. Also wanted to thank you for wishing us a peaceful week. Believe me, these days "peaceful" is the nicest thing anyone could wish us! Wishing you the same.

Ok~,made mac and cheese recently using Tillamook sharp cheddar since it has vegetable rennet and works for the veggies in my crowd.

It was a big hit and kids and sdults alike were charmed:

6 tbs. butter
1/4 C flour made into roux
slowly add 2 C milk stirring constantly until tickens to the consistency of cream. Add 2 bricks Tillmook shredded(save some for topping mixture) and stir until melted. To this add 1 # penne which has been cooked and drained. Mix and pour into shallow casserole. Top with some grated cheese and bake at 375 about 1/2 hour -45 minutes. It's true comfort food.

CAPH52: Has anyone suggested Merinol to increase your husbands appetite?

Regarding those Kraft M&C boxes: I communed with my favoirte 3 and 6 yo
yesterday while their Dad went shopping. Their mother and I cook Annie's for them but he had a major stash of Kraft int he pantry and she is away for a yoga retreat. I cooked up a box of that Kraft stuff and tasted some myself..it was pretty damned good or I was very hungry
'

Gee wiz...I don't use a "rue", I use a ROUX! Mr recipe is similar to Pam's.

Thanks for the recipe, Pam! No, no one has suggested Merinol. I assume it's a medication? Actually, the key seems to be in finding foods that appeal to him. As with the corn casserole, if he likes something, he'll eat! He's not eating enough during the day when he's at work, won't take the time for a lunch break. But that's always been a problem with him! Thanks for the suggestion, though, Pam.

topping for kwren on Europe board

Merino is the "drug" made of THC and legal..it's bound to stimulate the muchies