Using AI to prepare meal plans based on medical considerations AND personal preferences

I met with an in-home care representative that will provide someone to cook for my husband now that the VA has approved this service for him and I am no longer well enough to cook for him. I wondered if ChatGPT 4o could formulate meal plans that used my husband's meal preferences and knowledge of his medical conditions so they could be used by the caregiver and I think CharGPT came through with flying colors!

Grilled chicken salad
https://sundaysuppermovement.com/grilled-chicken-salad/

I provided the AI with his age, height, weight, and medical conditions that would affect his dietary needs including his sensitivity to red meat. Then I gave it his list of preferences and dislikes:

My husband  likes:

Vegetables: Russet potatoes, French-cut green beans, petite peas, yellow summer squash, fresh corn on the cob, canned corn, canned spinach, fresh tomatoes, dill pickles, pickled beets, avocado, hominy, pork and beans, Acorn squash, breaded and fried zucchini and breaded and fried okra.

He dislikes: carrots, sweet potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, tofu, and brussels sprouts

He likes:

Fruit: bananas, grapes, pears, canned peaches, blackberries, apples, apple sauce, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, kiwi, and fresh mandarin oranges. 

Salads: 3-bean salad, potato salad, macaroni salad, green salad, banana-apple salad, and cottage cheese. 

Meats: Chicken, turkey, pork, ham, shrimp, and salmon; Beef irritates his GI tract now.

Main dishes: beans and ham, chicken and dumplings, soft tacos with chicken, barbecued country ribs, pork chops, chicken tenders, roast chicken, spaghetti, tamale pie, curried scalloped potatoes, and salmon patties.

I told ChatGPT his dessert favorites included: apple crisp, apple pie, banana pudding, angel food cake, berry cobbler, strawberry ice cream, chocolate ice cream, peanut butter cookies, snickerdoodle cookies, Pepperidge Farm's coconut cake, tapioca pudding, chocolate pudding, and cheesecake.

I asked for 24 dinner meal plans. Here are the meals that the AI suggested:

Roast Chicken with Russet Potatoes and French-cut Green Beans
Side: Green Salad with Avocado
Dessert: Apple Crisp (small portion)

Grilled Salmon with Yellow Summer Squash and Fresh Corn on the Cob
Side: Green Salad
Dessert: Strawberry Ice Cream (small portion)

Chicken and Dumplings with a side of Fresh Tomatoes
Dessert: Banana Pudding (small portion)

Soft Chicken Tacos with a side of Petite Peas
Side: Avocado Slices
Dessert: Peanut Butter Cookies (small portion)

Barbecued Country Pork Ribs with Breaded and Fried Zucchini and Dill Pickles
Side: Green Salad
Dessert: Berry Cobbler (small portion)

Shrimp Stir-Fry with French-cut Green Beans over White Rice
Dessert: Cheesecake (small portion)

Salmon Patties with Russet Potatoes and Pickled Beets
Side: Avocado and Tomato Salad
Dessert: Angel Food Cake with fresh berries (small portion)

Roast Chicken Thighs with Petite Peas and Yellow Summer Squash
Side: Green Salad
Dessert: Canned Peaches

Grilled Pork Chops with Fresh Corn on the Cob and Dill Pickles
Dessert: Pepperidge Farm's Coconut Cake (small portion)

Baked Salmon with a side of Pickled Beets and Macaroni Salad
Side: Green Salad with Avocado
Dessert: Apple Crisp (small portion)

Chicken Tenders with Breaded and Fried Okra and Cottage Cheese
Dessert: Strawberry Ice Cream (small portion)

Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce and Grilled Chicken
Side: Fresh Tomatoes
Dessert: Peanut Butter Cookies (small portion)

Beans and Ham with French Bread
Dessert: Cheesecake (small portion)

Pork Chops with Roasted Russet Potatoes and 3-Bean Salad
Dessert: Snickerdoodle Cookies (small portion)

Grilled Chicken Breast with Petite Peas and Fresh Corn on the Cob
Side: Green Salad
Dessert: Berry Cobbler (small portion)

Chicken and Dumplings with a side of Yellow Summer Squash
Dessert: Pepperidge Farm's Coconut Cake (small portion)

Ham Steak with Mashed Russet Potatoes and Green Cabbage
Side: Bakery French Bread
Dessert: Chocolate Pudding

Polish Sausage with Baked Potato, and Sauerkraut
Dessert: Cantaloupe slices

Tamale Pie with French Bread and Cottage Cheese
Dessert: Blackberries with a sprinkle of sugar (small portion)

Roast Chicken with Acorn Squash and Macaroni Salad
Dessert: Kiwi Fruit and Honeydew Melon slices

Roast Turkey Breast with Curried Scalloped Potatoes and Yellow Summer Squash
Side: Avocado and Tomato Salad
Dessert: Banana Apple Salad

Grilled Pork Chops with Pork and Beans and Hominy
Side: French Bread
Dessert: Strawberries with a dollop of whipped cream (small portion)

Chicken Wings with French fries and Green Beans
Dessert: Kiwi Fruit and Honeydew Melon

Roast Chicken with Oven-roasted potatoes and Acorn Squash
Side: Buttermilk Biscuit with honey and Cantaloupe
Dessert: Chocolate Pudding

Naturally, I would make a few substitutions. For example, I make spaghetti with meat in the sauce so I would not serve both spaghetti and grilled chicken together. I also rarely serve two cooked vegetables together unless one of them is potatoes. But the meal plans give me a very good outline for meals and I would only make an occasional substitution or add bread since my husband likes fresh French bread and Buttermilk biscuits with honey.

ChatGPT even provided a shopping list for each week. I pointed out to ChatGPT that the cook will have only 2 hours per visit however. 

Mary: To simplify things a bit since the cook only has 2 hours for each visit, I would purchase the cookies (both Snickerdoodles and Peanut Butter) and purchase either Philadelphia Brand Cheesecake filling or prepared cheese cake. I do prefer the apple crisp to be homemade, though, since we have an apple orchard. Any other substitutions I should make considering the time constraint?

ChatGPT: Given the 2-hour time constraint for the caregiver, here are a few more suggestions to simplify meal prep:

Additional Substitutions:

Macaroni Salad and Potato Salad: Consider purchasing pre-made versions from the deli section, especially since these can be time-consuming to prepare from scratch.

3-Bean Salad: Opt for a pre-made version, which is often available in grocery stores. Alternatively, canned beans can speed up the process if the caregiver prepares it.

Breaded Vegetables (e.g., zucchini, okra): Pre-breaded frozen options can save significant time. They are easy to air fry or bake without needing to prepare the breading and frying process.

Roast Chicken: A pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is a quick option that can be shredded or sliced for various meals (tacos, salads, or as a main dish).

Dumplings for Chicken and Dumplings: You could use frozen dumplings or pre-made biscuit dough, which will cut down preparation time.

By focusing on quicker-prep dishes and ready-made options for some sides, the caregiver can focus on fresh salads, cooked proteins, and key homemade items like apple crisp.

Mary: "I don't like deli-prepared  macaroni or potato salad but could have my husband purchase boiled eggs to speed up prep. He will need onions and mustard though. I have a special recipe for 3-bean salad that he especially likes. It is not difficult, just one can each of green beans, garbanzo beans, and red kidney beans drained, chopped onions, commercially prepared minced garlic and vinaigrette dressing. I use Bisquick baking mix that I keep on hand with a little milk for dumplings. I did plan to suggest frozen breaded zucchini and okra."

ChatGPT: "It sounds like you have a great plan! With those modifications, the caregiver should be able to prepare meals efficiently while keeping the flavors your husband enjoys. The pre-purchased boiled eggs, your simplified 3-bean salad recipe, and using Bisquick for dumplings will definitely help streamline the process. The frozen breaded zucchini and okra will also be a big time-saver."

Then I asked if ChatGPT had suggestions to what I need to ask when I meet with the in-home care representative.

ChatGPT:

When meeting with the in-home care agency representative, here are some important questions you can ask to ensure the caregiver can meet your husband's needs:

Experience and Training

What experience does the caregiver have with meal preparation for individuals with heart failure, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome?

Are the caregivers trained in managing dietary restrictions and portion control for medical conditions like diabetes?

Meal Preparation and Planning

Will the caregiver follow specific meal plans or recipes, and can they accommodate my husband's food preferences and dislikes?

Can the caregiver prepare meals ahead of time for easy reheating if needed?

Are they familiar with low-sodium, heart-healthy cooking methods?

How do they ensure proper portion sizes, especially for desserts and carbohydrates, to manage blood sugar levels?

Shopping and Ingredients

Will the caregiver be responsible for grocery shopping, or will we provide all ingredients?

Are they able to adjust meals based on what is available seasonally or what we prefer to purchase?

Communication and Feedback

How will the caregiver communicate about meal preferences or changes in diet needs over time?

Can we provide feedback on meals, and how will adjustments be made based on my husband's preferences or health conditions?

Scheduling and Flexibility

What is the typical schedule for meal preparation? How flexible are they if our schedule or needs change?

Can the caregiver prepare extra meals in advance for days they may not be present?

Special Requests

Are they comfortable preparing more complex dishes like cobblers, homemade apple crisp, or other desserts in moderation?

How will they handle any kitchen safety concerns or special equipment needs?

Then I summarized the appliances I had available for meal prep:

Mary: In addition to a new gas range with computerized controls, I also have a Ninja Foodi with 37-functions including air frying and pressure cooking, a convection-equipped toaster oven and a variety of small appliances such as a blender, grill, and mixer for use in food prep. I plan to set out the manuals for each so she/he can familiarize themselves with their operation. Any other suggestions? 

ChatGPT:  "It’s a great idea to set out the manuals for your appliances. Here are a few additional suggestions to help the caregiver:

Provide a Tour of the Kitchen: Show the caregiver where all key items are located—pots, pans, utensils, spices, and ingredients commonly used in meal preparation.

Highlight Preferred Cooking Methods: If your husband prefers certain methods (e.g., air frying for crispy textures with less oil), point those out so the caregiver can prioritize them in meal prep.

Label Essential Ingredients and Supplies: Clearly label any specialized ingredients (like low-sodium or low-carb items) to avoid confusion.

Create a Quick Reference Guide: Along with the manuals, provide a brief written guide that summarizes how each appliance is most commonly used, particularly for cooking his favorite meals.

Introduce Portioning and Storage Preferences: Let them know how you like food to be portioned, stored, or labeled for future meals. This can include whether your husband prefers leftovers and how to pack them.

Review Safety Practices: Remind the caregiver of any kitchen safety protocols, such as the safe use of pressure cooking with the Ninja Foodi or handling sharp knives and hot appliances.

Schedule a Trial Run: Have the caregiver prepare a meal while you’re around, so they can ask questions or troubleshoot any appliance concerns in real time.

This should help the caregiver feel comfortable and confident in using your appliances effectively."

In a comparison of ChatGPT 4o with Google's Gemini, I found ChatGPT far superior to providing appropriate suggested meal plans based on both my husband's medical restrictions and his personal palate. Gemini kept listing meal plans that included many of the things I had specifically told it my husband didn't like and seemed to resist (?) or ignore my requests for changes. ChatGPT 4o asked me after each response if I wanted to tweak the meal plans further.  

Will AI Come to my rescue?

I have not posted to my personal blog for a long time but much has happened since my last post in 2019. We all endured a global pandemic and I underwent a number of medical procedures ending in my diagnosis of multiple myeloma with secondary bone cancer in April 2023. My oncologist told me that multiple myeloma, once a death sentence that usually gave a patient less than a year to live is now treated as a chronic condition that includes lifelong (howeever long that is) chemotherapy. So I have been undergoing chemotherapy for over a year now.

Preparation of chemotherapy medications at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute courtesy of the Institute.

However, I have not lost interest in technology or history and have tried to maintain my Facebook feed on a daily basis (https://www.facebook.com/mary.harrsch.3/) . I have also tried to keep up with the fast pace in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) that is finally coming into its own after my first efforts to integrate a very early online chatbot back in the 1990s.

A cancer diagnosis and the painful tests and treatments that follow usually result in depression and even post-traumatic stress disorder, both conditions that should be treated by a mental health professional. Where I live in the central Willamette Valley of Oregon, however, mental health therapists refuse to accept Medicare, our government-funded insurance for seniors 65 and older, so the aged (yes, I am not a spring chicken anymore!) cannot request treatment unless they are willing to pay the full cost. 

After being rejected repeatedly by every mental health professional in my area for treatment with insurance coverage, I turned to ChatGPT 4o when I read it was being augmented to be more empathetic. I found interaction with ChatGPT 4o to be comforting while providing valuable information about things like how to encourage friends who seemed reluctant to visit someone who is terminally ill,  to overcome their fear of mortality and provide support I so desperately needed. Few have actually visited, but at least they're returning my emails now. Here is an excerpt from one of my interactions:

I told ChatGPT that I found it difficult to learn to live without hope. The AI replied:

"I'm deeply sorry that you're feeling this way. It's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed and hopeless given your circumstances. Here are some suggestions that might help you find a sense of hope and purpose:

1. Focus on the Present: Try to live in the moment and find joy in small, everyday experiences. Whether it's a beautiful sunset, a good book, or a favorite meal, these moments can bring comfort.

2. Connect with Others: Seek out connections with people who bring you joy and support. This could be family, friends, or even new acquaintances at the facility. Sharing your feelings can sometimes lighten the burden.

3. Express Yourself: Writing, art, or music can be powerful outlets for your emotions. Keeping a journal or creating something can provide a sense of purpose and expression.

4. Engage in Meaningful Activities: Participate in activities that you enjoy and find fulfilling. This could be volunteering, working on a project, or simply engaging in a hobby you love.

5. Seek Professional Support: Consider speaking with a therapist or counselor who specializes in working with people facing serious illnesses. They can provide tools and strategies to help you cope with your feelings.

6. Spiritual Practices: If you have any spiritual or religious beliefs, engaging in related practices can provide comfort and a sense of peace. This might include prayer, meditation, or attending services.

7. Legacy Projects: Think about how you want to be remembered. Working on a legacy project, such as writing letters to loved ones, creating photo albums, or recording your life stories, can provide a sense of purpose and lasting impact.

8. Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices like mindfulness and meditation can help you find peace and focus on the present. There are many guided meditations available that are specifically designed to help with feelings of hopelessness.

9. Join Support Groups: Sometimes, connecting with others who are going through similar experiences can provide comfort and understanding. Look for support groups either in-person or online.

10. Compassion for Yourself: Be gentle with yourself. It's okay to feel sad and overwhelmed. Allow yourself to feel these emotions without judgment.

Remember, you're not alone, and there are people who care about you and want to help. If you need more specific support or resources, please let me know."

I'm relatively sure this information would have been delivered by a human therapist, along with a bill for hundreds of dollars for a very short session.

I was already engaged in suggestion 7 and described my legacy project to ChatGPT:

Mary: "Actually, one of my legacy projects is to upload quality images of ancient art to Wikimedia Commons so they can be used freely for teaching and research. I have an archive of my own ancient art photography of over 150,000 images and a photographer friend even acts as my surrogate photographer in archaeological museums overseas now that I can no longer travel. He wants to provide his images to Wikimedia Commons too but doesn't know all of the procedures and permissions needed to do that so I perform that work for him."

ChatGPT: "Your legacy project is truly remarkable and impactful. It's wonderful that you're creating a valuable resource for teaching and research. Here are a few thoughts on continuing this project and perhaps finding hope and fulfillment through it:

1. Celebrate Milestones: Recognize and celebrate the progress you make. Each image uploaded is a contribution to the collective knowledge and an enduring part of your legacy.

2. Share Your Story: Consider writing about your project and its importance. Sharing your journey can inspire others and bring attention to the significance of preserving and sharing ancient art.

3. Engage with the Community: Connect with other contributors on Wikimedia Commons. Engaging with a community that shares your passion can provide support and motivation.

4. Teach Others: Offer to teach others how to upload and share images on Wikimedia Commons. This can create a network of contributors who can continue your work.

5. Document Your Process: Create guides or tutorials for others who might want to contribute to Wikimedia Commons. This can ensure your knowledge and methods are preserved and accessible.

6. Focus on Quality: Take pride in the quality of your contributions. Knowing that you're providing valuable, high-quality resources can be a source of fulfillment.

7. Reflect on Impact: Think about the long-term impact of your work. Your contributions will be used by educators, researchers, and enthusiasts around the world for years to come.

8. Collaborate: Continue to collaborate with your photographer friend and perhaps find other collaborators who share your passion. Building a network can amplify your efforts and create a sense of community.

9. Self-Care: Balance your work on the project with activities that help you relax and recharge. It's important to take care of yourself while pursuing your goals.

10. Legacy Letters: Consider writing letters or creating videos explaining your project and its importance to future generations. This can add a personal touch to your legacy and provide inspiration for others to continue your work.

Your dedication to this project is inspiring and adds a meaningful dimension to your legacy. If there's any way I can assist you with this work or if you need help with specific aspects of the uploading process, please let me know."

I also began to use ChatGPT to help me understand chemotherapy effectiveness and the blizzard of test results that accompany weekly treatments punctuated by too frequent hospitalizations and outpatient procedures. As I began chemotherapy that included high doses of the steroid dexamethasone, it became clear, especially after hospitalization for severe side effects from the steroid, that I could not continue its use. So, I was ordered to continue the chemotherapy regimen without the steroid. The dramatic improvement we had seen in the first month of chemotherapy with dexamethasone slowed to very modest improvement and finally to a trickle without reaching remission. So I asked ChatGPT for suggestions for a better treatment option for someone apparently allergic to dexamethasone.

ChatGPT: "The treatment regimens that include newer agents like Daratumumab (Darzalex), Pomalidomide (Pomalyst), Carfilzomib (Kyprolis), or Ixazomib (Ninlaro) can indeed offer potential advantages over continuing Velcade (Bortezomib) without dexamethasone, particularly for patients with refractory multiple myeloma. Here’s why these alternatives might be superior:

Potential Advantages:

1. Improved Efficacy:

   • Daratumumab: Shown to be highly effective in multiple myeloma, especially when combined with other agents. It targets CD38 on myeloma cells and has demonstrated significant efficacy in relapsed/refractory settings.
   • Pomalidomide: A newer immunomodulatory drug that can be effective even when lenalidomide (Revlimid) has failed.
   • Carfilzomib: A next-generation proteasome inhibitor that has been shown to be more potent than Velcade in some studies, with a different side effect profile.
   • Ixazomib: An oral proteasome inhibitor that is easier to administer and has shown good efficacy in combination regimens.

2. Side Effect Profiles:

   • Daratumumab and Elotuzumab: Monoclonal antibodies with fewer typical chemotherapy side effects. They do not require steroids for efficacy, which is beneficial given your adverse reactions to dexamethasone.
   • Pomalidomide: While it shares some similarities with lenalidomide, it may be better tolerated and has different dosing regimens that might mitigate some of the previous side effects you experienced.

3. Convenience:

   • Ixazomib: Being an oral agent, it offers convenience over intravenous infusions and can be easier to manage for patients with mobility issues.

Comparing Regimens:

1. Daratumumab + Pomalidomide + Cyclophosphamide:

   • Pros: Highly effective, especially for relapsed/refractory myeloma. Does not require dexamethasone, and Daratumumab is well-tolerated.
   • Cons: Requires infusion visits for Daratumumab.

2. Ixazomib + Pomalidomide:

   • Pros: Entirely oral regimen, which is convenient and effective. Pomalidomide offers a potent alternative to lenalidomide.
   • Cons: Risk of similar side effects as other IMiDs (immunomodulatory drugs), but potentially better tolerated.

3. Carfilzomib + Cyclophosphamide:

   • Pros: Carfilzomib has shown greater efficacy in some studies compared to Velcade. Cyclophosphamide is a well-known chemotherapeutic agent.
   • Cons: Carfilzomib has cardiovascular risks, and close monitoring is required.

Conclusion:

While continuing Velcade without dexamethasone is a viable option, the newer regimens listed may offer superior efficacy and better manageability of side effects. Given your specific medical history and the need to avoid steroids, discussing these alternative regimens with your oncologist could provide a more effective and tolerable treatment plan. Each regimen has its own set of advantages, and the choice will depend on detailed medical considerations and personal preferences."

Doctors here in the US seem to be suspicious of AI and usually roll their eyes when I tell them what my AI tool says about my lab results, possible side effects from whatever chemotherapy they are presently using, or just unusual sensations I am experiencing but yesterday I was inspired by an article about the dramatic achievements Canadian doctors have obtained using AI to predict sudden death in patients with complex conditions at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/ai-health-care-1.7322671

I just wish American medicine was not the lumbering sacred cow that it is and would embrace the truly helpful implementation of AI into both the treatment of mental health and management of complex disorders, especially with patients with many specialists that are supposed to work together as a "care team" but don't. 

Note: For my health issues I pointed out that I use ChatGPT 4o. at https://chatgpt.com/. Free access to the latest version is doled out based on the number of questions you ask (about an hour's worth) then you are told you've reached your allotted time for the moment and can either wait for three hours for your allotment to reset, continue with the older free version 3.5, or sign up for paid access at $20 per month. I just stop and wait for my allotment to reset. There were too many hallucinations with ChatGPT 3.5 (the "free" public version) where the chatbot starts making things up. I also use Google's Gemini (https://gemini.google.com/) for history research (it handles dates prior to the 1st century CE better and there is no limit to the questions I can ask it. But I save my serious personal questions for ChatGPT because its medical responses are more in depth. Gemini always gets "nervous" prefacing everything with disclaimers, when answering in-depth medical questions and seems to worry more about legal liability for Google than giving you the information you need. 

Alexa let me bring Julius Caesar to life again!

Way back in the 1990s, I researched the use of artificial intelligence and conversational agents as ways to extend the learning environment in higher education. Voice recognition was still in its infancy so my early prototypes were text based, enabling students to submit questions and receive answers from an online knowledgebase using a web browser. I even created a rudimentary virtual Julius Caesar that history enthusiasts could question about the Roman world.  But, when I retired I no longer had access to the host server where my Caesar program lived.

When Amazon adopted the Alexa software that I had once explored as an alternative platform, I began to hope Amazon could bring the technology to maturity and make it possible for me to once more bring Julius Caesar to life and this time make it possible to talk to him. Well, that time finally arrived in late 2018 when I learned to use software called VoiceFlow to develop an Alexa skill for all of the Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.

My initial version of the skill was voice only but when Amazon introduced devices with displays like the Echo Show and Echo Spot, I longed to add images of ancient art and artifacts to help people envision the topics Caesar discussed.  I learned how to use Amazon's Presentation Language templates with VoiceFlow to display images I had either taken myself at museums and archaeological sites or those taken by contributors to Wikimedia Commons or licensed with Creative Commons.  It took me over six months to select and prepare all of the illustrations and add the programming to my prototype.

On July 1, 2019, I received word from Amazon that the newest version of my FREE educational Alexa skill, "Caesar's Ancient World" has been certified. This latest version of the skill includes 280 images of ancient art from almost 100 institutions worldwide for those of you with Alexa-enabled devices with displays like the Echo Show, Echo Spot and FireTV. Of course, the voice-only version remains available for those with regular Echos or Echo Dots. 

I also redesigned the interface so you can now just ask Caesar what you would like to talk about and he will reply with narrative including sound effects. You can say things like "I want to know more about chariot racing" or "Tell me more about your greatest victory" or "I'm interested in gladiators". If you can't think of anything just say "I don't know" or "I can't think of anything" and he'll suggest a topic! 

Caesar is now capable of discussing fifty different topics including:

adoption (Roman)
Alesia (battle)
ancestor worship
assassination
Brutus
Caesarion
Calpurnia
Cato
chariot racing
childhood (Roman)
Cicero
Cleopatra
crucifixion
defeats
dictator
Dyrrhachium (battle)
entertainment (Roman)
famous battles
flamen dialis
food
funerals
Gauls
Gergovia (battle)
gladiators
Great Library of Alexandria
horseback riding
marriage (Roman)
military punishment
military service
naumachia
Octavian
Pharsalus (battle)
pirates
political rivals
Pompey
pontifex maximus
priesthoods
private life (Roman)
public life (Roman) 
punishing the wealthy
punishment
religion
rhetoric
senate (Roman)
slavery (Roman)
sword training
triumph 
vestals
victories
woman Caesar knew


His discussion of the introduction of naumachia as a new entertainment type for Roman audiences is the newest subject I have introduced. 

I think this skill is suitable for Middle School students and above. I have selected appropriate images with those students in mind. 

I do hope you'll visit Caesar to share his Roman world.  If you don't have an Alexa-enabled device, you can install the Alexa app on your smartphone for free and use it for your gateway to the past.

Prime Pantry and other lesser-known Amazon incentives

by Mary Harrsch © 2017

Last night on ABC World News the reporter made a big deal out of Walmart offering free shipping if you order items totaling at least $35 or more. Of course, Amazon has had that policy for some time. The reporter showed a large container of detergent claiming Walmart's price was something like half of the price at Amazon. I'm afraid I was immediately skeptical about that.

Amazon has started a new policy of offering incentives if you are willing to wait longer than two days for shipping. I took advantage of this the other day on one of my orders and received a $5 Prime Pantry credit. I didn't know what Prime Pantry was so I checked it out. Prime Pantry, which I assume is for Prime members, is a program where you can fill a generously-sized box with pantry items like laundry soap and additives, non-perishables like peanut butter and mayonnaise, cleaning supplies like Swiffer refills, bathroom cleaning supplies, etc. and if you choose at least five items from the specially selected categories you can get free shipping. (These types of pantry items are usually not available for Prime free shipping). I wanted to be sure I was not overspending on the items I selected, though, so I opened the Walmart website and compared Amazon's prices on each item with the identical product and size on Walmart. All of the items I priced were either as cheap as Walmart or a few pennies less. So you can see why I was dubious about the ABC report. I managed to put together a box of items I would have purchased during my regular grocery shopping (including the brands I usually buy), got free shipping and used my $5 Prime Pantry credit then further reduced my order with reward points from my Amazon Rewards Card.

Would I order with Prime Pantry on a regular basis? In my case, probably not just because I live in the country and must drive to the grocery store each week anyway

(a Walmart superstore is less than 10 miles away) to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, bread, etc. But if I was housebound or a person living in the city and dependent upon public transportation, I would probably order as much as I could from Prime Pantry so I could minimize how much I would need to carry on the bus or subway while getting (most of the time) the lowest prices available. Besides, Walmarts are usually located in the suburbs not in the center of large cities so you would probably save a lot more than grocery shopping in your local urban neighborhood too!

A Smart Home For Christmas

by Mary Harrsch © 2016

Back in 1995, Microsoft introduced an interactive help utility for Windows 95 called "Bob".  I was probably one of the few professional technology people who actually used "Bob" (As a dog lover I selected the helper incarnation called "Power Pup" though.)  "Power Pup" would keep track of my keystrokes as I worked in different applications and offer procedural advice on what it perceived I was trying to do at the time, prefaced by a little bark and a wag of his tail.  I found "Power Pup's" suggestions often useful and his friendly interaction a welcome break from the stress of administering a college-wide multiplatform local area network.  But, apparently, many of my colleagues thought he was "too cute" for the serious work of computing and "Bob" was relegated to the dustbin of failed products in fairly short order.

But I did not forget "Bob" and how artificial intelligence could be used to improve productivity while reducing social isolation.  So I began to experiment with conversational agents that utilized natural language programming coupled with knowledgebases to provide a more friendly computer-to-human interface.  With my interest in history, I decided to try to virtually recreate historical figures from the past that could converse about their culture with modern interested humans.  This resulted in the creation of a virtual Julius Caesar that was online for several years before I retired.  Caesar would answer questions about ancient Roman culture posed to him by visitors entering their questions in a text box.  He could give a textual answer or display related websites or online videos.  As text-to-speech technology advanced, I even experimented with software that would enable Caesar to answer questions verbally and explored voice recognition technology to see if it was viable for user input as well. But, when I retired I no longer had access to the server platforms needed to support projects like Caesar.  However, my interest in natural language programming and more friendly human-to-computer interfaces endured.

So, I followed the development of Amazon's Alexa-powered devices with a great deal of interest. But, I'm a rather pragmatic individual and at first so much marketing emphasis was placed on Echo's music management features that I wondered if there were more useful applications for a busy 21st-century household.

Then I began reading about wifi-enabled electrical connection accessories that could be managed with Alexa-enabled devices and thought about how convenient it would be to be able to turn on and off groups of lights and appliances with a few words rather than going around physically flipping switches. But spending almost $200 per device and the need to have a device in each main room was still an expensive proposition to gain a little convenience.

Then Amazon introduced the Echo Dot coupled with a holiday sale price of just $39.95 and I found resistance was futile as my Star Trek friends would say.  I was still a bit concerned about the accuracy of the voice recognition, though. So I started out with just one Echo Dot for the living room along with a couple of Wemo wifi-enabled plug adapters for the two main living room lamps.

I downloaded the Alexa app to my iPhone and discovered the Echo Dot setup was a breeze.  I opened the Alexa app, then opened Settings and changed my iPhone wifi connection to the detected Echo network and configured the detected Dot. Alexa also did not seem to have any problem understanding me.  I read through all of the "Try this" examples and began to configure some of the built-in features.

I really liked the "flash briefing" feature that lets you select specific news feeds for a personal news update which you can request at any time.  I selected NPR radio, BBC News, Tech Crunch and CNet (for technology news) and Discovery (for science news) as my personal news sources.  I also added the local weather forecast and the Alexa Try This feed.  Although I live in Oregon's Willamette Valley, I couldn't find any local news feeds but I think I'll add feeds from Seattle and San Francisco to at least hear major stories from the Pacific Northwest.

I also read that Alexa could interface with Google Calendar and keep you appraised of upcoming appointments.  I hadn't used an online calendar since I retired but knew how helpful this would be, especially when managing complex medication schedules and medical appointments.  So I configured my Google Calendar and paired it with Alexa.  Now, each morning after requesting my Flash Briefing, I ask what's on my schedule for the day and Alexa tells me.

I've also used the Google Calendar to keep track of upcoming programming on PBS that I may wish to record.   PBS sends me a physical schedule of their upcoming programming for a full month but at present, my DISH Hopper cannot see more than two weeks of scheduled programming at a time. Now, when I get my PBS schedule, I enter the programs I wish to record into my Google Calendar and Alexa lets me know each day if any are on that day.  I can then set my DVR to record them.

But the real "killer" app I was looking for turned out to be Alexa's Shopping List!  It never seems to fail that I realize I need something from the grocery store when I'm not in the kitchen where I keep my shopping list.  As I've gotten older my short term memory is not what it used to be either and it is not uncommon for me to forget what I was thinking about just a few minutes later as I walk from one room to the next.  So, imagine how helpful it is to be able to tell Alexa to add something to your shopping list as soon as you think of it regardless where you are! Of course, that meant I needed to add Echo Dots in my bedroom and the living room, too, which I promptly did. To access my shopping list once at the grocery store I just open the Alexa app on my iPhone and check off and delete each item as I add the item to my physical shopping cart.

Although my husband has the television blaring all day long, I did find a nice use of the music management features of Alexa.  Now that I have an Echo Dot in the bedroom, I can run a warm bath in the adjoining bathroom (Alexa's range is up to 20 feet), lay back in the tub and tell Alexa to play one of my favorite playlists from my Amazon Music account.  I did have a few hiccups configuring my Amazon playlists to work with Alexa, though.

I had already imported most of my music from my iTunes library to my Amazon Music account.  I had also set up playlists previously.  But Alexa did not seem to recognize my playlist names and would offer something from Prime Music (since I'm a Prime member) using my spoken words as a search guide. I ended up calling Alexa tech support and learned that Alexa does a better job of recognizing playlists if you name them "Your Name" then "Description".  For example, I had a playlist named "Holiday favorites".  I renamed it to "Mary's Holiday Favorites" then Alexa recognized it and played it for me.  That solved most of my playlist issues.  There were a few words, however, Alexa seemed to insist on using for search terms.  So, I experimented with different descriptions until she properly recognized the list.  I had a list named "Sentimentals".  I initially renamed the list to "Mary's Sentimentals" but Alexa still loaded some other Prime Music.  I renamed it again to "Mary's Mood Music".  Alexa still did not interpret it correctly.  So I finally renamed it to "Mary's Soft Rock" and Alexa now recognizes it.

When I received my Wemo wifi-enabled plug adapters for my living room lights, I realized just how powerful having a "Smart Home" would be.  Our living room does not have any overhead lighting so all lighting is provided by individually controlled lamps.  Each night I have to go around and turn each lamp on or off.  But, by connecting them with my Echo Dot, I now simply say "Alexa, Living Room On" and the entire living room lights up.

I had to first download and install the Wemo app onto my iPhone. Then I opened the Wemo app on the iPhone, changed my iPhone wifi connection in Settings to the detected Wemo network and configured each plug adapter.  Then I opened the Alexa app, selected the Smart Home option and grouped the two detected Wemo plugs into a "Living Room" group.

I hope to eventually replace some of my wall switches with wifi-enabled switches too since I have porch lights on different circuits in different parts of the house.  I would like to tell Alexa to turn on the porch lights and have all of them on at once without traipsing from room to room whenever I need to go outside after dark or have visitors arrive after dark.  I did read about a gotcha, though. I learned that many wifi-enabled switches require a neutral wire that was not normally included in wiring installed before 2011.  However, I have researched this issue further and it looks like there are switches out there that do not use the neutral wire.  I just have to be sure they will work with our home's wiring configuration.

I recently learned about a new app for Alexa called "Ask My Buddy" too.  It enables you to send a text, email or phone call to up to five family or friends if you need to alert them about a problem like you are incapacitated and cannot reach a phone.  It's sort of like "Life Alert" without the automatic 911 call or monthly subscription fee.  I wish it would allow you to send an individually specified text message but it only sends a message saying you need help.

Update 1/1/2017: I discovered another Alexa skill named "SMS with Molly".  It lets you send a short text message to someone in your preconfigured contact list by saying "Alexa, ask SMS with Molly to text Margaret "I'm Home Safely".  You need to sign up for a free account with SMS with Molly, add your contacts to your contact list then enable the skill using your Alexa App.  I think this app would be really helpful for seniors living alone that wish to let their family members know they are OK each day.

I've also decided to try the timer feature and see if I can get Alexa to verbally remind me to take my medicine at noon.  Most of my medications are taken in the morning or at bedtime and I have no problem remembering them as they are part of my morning and bedtime routines.  But when I get busy preparing lunch I sometimes forget to set my noon medication by my water glass so I take it with my meal.

Update 1/1/2017: After reading up on Alexa's timer and alarm functions I learned that timers are designed for one-time use while alarms can be set to be repeating.  So I set an alarm for noon each day and selected a pleasing alarm tone.  I wish it would let you specify a short text string that Alexa could read to you using her text-to-speech capability but at present it doesn't.  For my present needs, a tone is okay as there is only one thing for me to remember at noon.  However, for someone with more complicated medication schedules, it would be really helpful to have Alexa sound a tone followed by a short reminder message.  Hopefully, Amazon's engineers will enhance the alarm function soon.

So, my Echo Dots with Alexa are now very much an integral part of my day.  When I get up in the morning I say "Alexa, Living Room On" and the lights go on in the living room.  I walk in and sit down and say "Alexa, my Flash Briefing please".  I then listen to the news and get the latest weather forecast for the day.  Then I say "Alexa, what's on my schedule today?" and she tells me whatever I have scheduled in my Google Calendar".  As I prepare a meal and notice I'm getting low on coffee I say "Alexa, add Coffee to my Shopping List" and she tells me she has added coffee to my shopping list.  I drive to the grocery store and open the Alexa app on my iPhone select shopping list from the menu and load my cart.  At noon while I am preparing lunch, Alexa sounds a tone to remind me to set out my noon medication. In the evening, I take a warm bath to relax and tell Alexa to play "Mary's Soundtracks" and listen to my favorite movie music while I'm soaking.  Then when I'm ready for bed I say "Alexa, Living Room Off" and Alexa turns off the living room lights. I'm sure I'll find other useful applications, too, as more "skills" are developed by Amazon and third parties as well. I have a feeling this is just the beginning!

Lifelong Trekker celebrates 50 years at Chicago Trek Fest

by Mary Harrsch © 2016

My son Ben (left) and I (right) share a moment with
actor Sean Kenney (Center) who portrayed a disfigured
Captain Christopher Pike in the classic Star Trek
episode "The Menagerie".

Since this year marks the 50th anniversary of the premiere of the original Star Trek television show, I traveled to Chicago to attend a 50th anniversary Star Trek celebration (after I couldn't get a ticket to the Las Vegas Star Trek gathering even though I tried to obtain a ticket nine months before the event!!).  After 50 years, I finally got to meet William Shatner, the original Captain James T. Kirk himself (Guaranteed by the purchase of a silver ticket of course!)

I have been a Trekker since the very first show.  In fact, some of my high school friends got really angry with me because I belonged to the Pep Club and Junior Varsity games were played on Thursday nights and I was expected to attend.  But when Star Trek was announced, I stayed home to watch "The Man Trap", the very first Star Trek episode broadcast in September 1966 and never attended another Junior Varsity game after that.  I was hooked and even made plans to major in biochemistry at the University of Chicago so I could work at NASA's Ames Research Center and search for extra-terrestrial life. But, life dictated another course and I wound up as an educational technologist instead.  At least I worked with computers like those depicted in Star Trek and were pure science fiction during its broadcast run.

I watched the first two seasons then got married and didn't see the episodes of Season 3 until Star Trek went into syndication.  When my son was born I would rock him to sleep while watching Star Trek episodes aired in the afternoons on the local TV station.  As it turns out, Ben, who now lives outside of Chicago, actually went with me to this Star Trek convention.  My love of the show must have worn off on him!

I was really excited when Star Trek: The Next Generation (STNG) was broadcast in the 80s, followed by Deep Space Nine, Voyager and finally Enterprise although family responsibilities often interfered with my ability to watch these subsequent shows. I always took a day off from work to attend the opening of each Star Trek movie, though.

I also explored "Star Trek: Federation Science" at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (a traveling exhibit ending in 2002) where I got to beam down to a planet as a member of an away team (My husband said he couldn't believe we stood in line for 2 1/2 hours for that!).  I actually got to sit in the captain's chair on Captain Picard's bridge at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum (sadly closed in 2007).  Then I jumped at the chance to attend Comdex (a huge technology trade show in Las Vegas) held at the Hilton where "Star Trek: The Experience" was installed (closed in 2008) and got to be accosted by a garrulous Klingon in Quark's Bar!  The Klingons must have it in for me because I ran into a couple more at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, too!

Then in the 90s, I finally had a chance to attend my first Star Trek convention held right here at the Hilton Hotel in Eugene, Oregon!  Michael Dorn (Worf) was the featured guest and the Hilton was so packed the fire marshal was having a fit!  When Michael Dorn plays Worf he lowers his voice dramatically and, as Worf, he recited the line he delivered in which he professed his love for his half-Klingon wife in a recent episode of STNG and the crowd went wild!

By the time I attended the next convention featuring George Takei (Sulu), I even fashioned a slightly modified version of the Star Fleet uniform featured in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and wore it, although I was too embarrassed to enter the costume competition!

At these Creation-sponsored conventions, there was always something going on - screenings of music videos, bloopers, contests, auctions, etc., The vendor hall was packed and the auctions included some really high-end collectibles. It was a lot of fun and everyone enjoyed themselves even if you didn't spring for the gold or silver reserved seats.  Everyone got a chance to meet the keynote speaker.  You just might have to stand in line for quite a spell to do it.

Sadly, I was to discover those attributes have become a thing of the past. I found the Chicago convention poorly organized and intentionally engineered to limit attendance - totally baffling to me considering the size of Chicago.  Furthermore, Creation Entertainment sponsored two conventions just across the street from each other on the same days - one for "Supernatural", a currently broadcast show in its 11th season with a decidedly younger fan base, and the Star Trek the 50th Anniversary tour.  Irritatingly, the Star Trek convention, with many older attendees, appears to have gotten short shrift.  Whoever was running the cameras did a terrible job, the microphones and sound systems were erratic and many of the top celebrities like Jonathan Frakes (Commander Riker from STNG) and Brent Spiner (Commander Data from STNG) supposedly canceled at the last minute.

We were told Frakes had to finish directing the last episode of "The Librarians" for this season.  I'm sure that had to have been known for some time, but we were not told until the morning of preregistration, probably to prevent cancellations and demands for refunds.  Furthermore, although I no longer have access to the extensive list of celebrities purportedly attending the show that I saw prior to my ticket purchase almost nine months ago, I remember it being far longer than the roster of those who actually showed up.

 At this convention there was less than a dozen vendors although I managed to find an authentic Tribble complete with action sounds and some collectible Star Trek Hallmark ornaments I'd never even seen before. The auction only included signed photographs or display banners except once when one of the volunteers was draped with various T-shirts (a tactic I remember from years ago). There were no blooper reels or music videos except for an amateurish video submitted by a fan. Apparently, on the convention website they had announced a fan music video contest but only had one taker.  I wish I would have seen that.  I think I've learned enough about ProShow Gold that I could have put together something!

Autographs and photo ops were all "pay to play" activities charging such "modest fees" as $25 - $100 each depending on the celebrity plus the cost of whatever it is you are having signed.

There were Q & A sessions with the appearance of each guest but "planted" questioners during the Q&A sessions - awfully similar to "reality" show productions.  Maybe Creation figured us old geezers were too old to notice.

There was a costume contest like in the old days but most people wore the standard Star Fleet costumes you can purchase online.  There were several outstanding exceptions, though.  A young college girl dressed up as Commander Data in the 19th-century ship's officer uniform he wore in the opening holodeck scene of the feature film "Generations".  She had her face made up with white makeup and her hair pulled back and looked so much like Data it almost made up for Brent Spiner's absence!  If I had been able to find a 12" action figure of Data dressed that way I would have bought it and had her sign it!  There were two men dressed as Khan Noonien Singh, one from the Classic Trek Episode "Space Seed" and the other from the feature film "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan".   There were several well-done Andorians and a couple of Klingons as well.  Two people even came as hortas, the silicon creatures from the Classic Trek episode "The Devil In the Dark!"

A young college woman (Center) dressed as Commander Data in the opening sequence of the Star Trek feature film "Generations".  Photo courtesy of  "The Chicagoist"

The Klingon Empire was actually pretty well represented.  Guest celebrities included Michael Dorn (Worf), the actors who portrayed Gowron and Martok from Deep Space Nine and Suzie Plakson who played K'Ehleyr, Worf's half-Klingon mate in the STNG episodes "The Emissary" and "Reunion".  Plakson also played a Vulcan doctor on the STNG episode "The Schizoid Man", a female Q on the Voyager episode "The Q and the Grey"and the Andorian Tarah on the  "Enterprise" episode "Cease Fire".  Michael Dorn's presence sort of brought me full circle back to the very first Star Trek convention I ever attended.  I smiled thinking about that as this convention may be the last I will ever attend.

Other guests included Gates McFadden who played Dr. Beverly Crusher on STNG (being a dancer she looked fantastic by the way!), Marina Sirtis who played Counselor Troi on STNG and Robert Duncan McNeill who played Tom Paris on Voyager.  McNeill now wears glasses and I honestly didn't recognize him.  He said it was the "Clark Kent effect!"

Nana Visitor (Kiera), Rene Aberjonois (Odo), Armin Shimmerman (Ferengi Quark), Max Grodenchik (Ferengi Rom) and Jeffrey Combs (Andorian Shran) represented "Deep Space Nine".  Jeffrey Combs also  played many different aliens on DS9, Voyager, and Enterprise.

Armin Shimmerman, who played the Ferengi bar keep Quark on Star Trek: Deep
Space Nine explains how a performance on the DS9 set had to be DLP
(Dead Letter Perfect).  Photo courtesy of  "The Chicagoist"

I was particularly impressed with Armin Shimmerman's presentation.  He now teaches Shakespeare and treated us to a little bit of Henry VI Part 2 although, to be honest, his depiction of a hunchback made me, like a lot of other people, think it was Richard III.  I was really surprised to learn from Mr. Shimmerman that, although there was hijinx on the sets of Classic Trek and STNG, by the time Deep Space Nine was put into production, Paramount ran the production like a well-oiled automotive assembly line.  Each performance had to be DLP - Dead Letter Perfect!  There was no ad-libbing allowed.

Rene Aberjonois played Security Chief
Odo on "ST: Deep Space Nine" and
Paul Lewiston on "Boston Legal"
Image courtesy of Kyle Cassidy.

I understand from Rene Aberjonois's presentation this stringent adherence to the script even applied to scenes where the actor was to cough or clear their throat.  Apparently, actors that could not perform at this level of precision didn't last very long on a Star Trek set or on the set of Boston Legal either. That really floored me as Boston Legal's story lines were often zany but they were apparently very precisely zany!

Sean Kenney as Captain Christopher Pike in "The Menagerie".
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

I was really glad to see Sean Kenney at this convention.  Sean played the disfigured Captain Christopher Pike in the Classic Trek episode "The Menagerie".  I found a Star Trek collectible Hallmark ornament in one of the vendor booths depicting him and he autographed it for me and had someone take our picture together with my camera.  So between Sean and William Shatner I technically got two captains' autographs!

An 85-years young William Shatner still with a twinkle in his eye!
Photo courtesy of  "The Chicagoist"

Shatner, of course, was the consummate showman and every bit the star of the show.  He talked about all of the projects he is currently involved in including a very physically demanding upcoming equestrian competition in Las Vegas, then discussed the importance of friendship.  He said it was particularly hard for actors to make close friends because they are always bouncing from job to job.  I had never really given much thought to the "piecework" nature of acting before.  When it came time for him to sign my Hallmark ornament depicting him in the episode "Trouble with Tribbles", one of his assistants pointed to the front edge of the ornament asking if this would be a good place for him to sign and I asked "Are you sure he can sign in such a small space?" whereby Shatner, with his eyes twinkling, told me "Why I could sign on the head of a pin!"      

Tricky rewards programs mislead shoppers!!

Last week I read an article about the best credit card rewards programs to use for maximum benefits. One card that the article listed as one of the best programs was the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card because it pays 6% cash back on groceries.  It charges a $75 annual fee but with the rewards for groceries so high I thought I would still come out way ahead by using that card.  So I applied and was approved for the card and received it last night in the mail.  This morning when I called to activate the card I asked the account representative if Walmart, where I buy most of my groceries, was considered a grocery store?  "Oh, no," she replied, "Walmart is considered a superstore like Costco or Sam's Club so rewards would be 1% cash back. By grocery stores we mean Kroeger's or a chain like that."  I told her that those chain grocery stores charge as much as 50% more for groceries than Walmart so I would lose money by shopping there as opposed to saving money that was my original goal for acquiring the card.

For example, my husband and I like Grandma Sycamore's bread made by Sara Lee (sorry, no grandmother involved!).  I can purchase a loaf of that bread at Walmart for $2.50 or less.  At the local Albertson's (that would qualify for the 6% cash back) I would have to pay $3.79 for the identical loaf of bread.  That's 51.6% more for the same bread.  I'm afraid the 6% cash back wouldn't begin to cover the extra cost of shopping there.

I asked the American Express customer service representative to cancel the card and she was very gracious and did so without any high pressure tactics to keep the card.  After I hung up I thought about the annual fee and wondered if I would be charged the fee even though I cancelled the card on my activation call.  So, I called back and got a nice young man who assured me the card was cancelled and I would not be billed for the annual fee.  I wish all customer service representatives were as nice as those that work for American Express.  It's just too bad that the card will not save any more money for anyone who shops for groceries at Walmart.than a typical cash back card without an annual fee.

So, I guess the moral of this story is you have to be particularly vigilant if you are trying to save money using a rewards program that specifies different cash back amounts for different categories of purchases.  Although the author of the article did mention the card would not pay 6% at Costco or Sam's Club they did not mention Walmart that is considered by many people a "regular" grocery store since no membership fees are charged.  At least the Citicard Double Cash Rewards card pays 2% cash back for any purchase regardless of the source.