Red lored amazon rescue

Question
First a bit of background, I am an avid parrot lover and owner and only adopt rescue birds.  Several months ago I had a "lost cause" dropped off to me.  The breeders didn't want her, the pet stores didn't want her, her owners didn't want her.  I couldn't turn her away.
Maggie is a Red Lored Amazon, wild caught and imported, we estimate between 20-25 years.  She came in a cockatiel cage, with no toys and 1 perch, smelled of urine and was on a diet of mainly shelled peanuts.  She has moderate scissor beak due to the malnutrition.
She was cantankerous, bit screamed, thrashed ect..  She would bite and then duck.  It was as though she was possessed.  Lol!
With a lot of patience and time we have been able to show her that she is safe.  She will now step up, sit on my shoulder though she is afraid of heights and very nervous.  Having been pinioned though I would imagine this would be the result.  She follows me around snuggles and talks up a storm.  Maggie even made me a nest and regularily tries to regurgitate for me(This is not encouraged though).  We think she is a he.
My question is that how can I get her to use the mineral blocks or cuttle bones?  If I crush it up in her food she will eat it but we would really like to see her use her beak on it.  Though her diet is much better and a beak trimming will correct some of it we would like to prevent overgrowth and such.  I hate doing the beak trimming but I am the only one that can handle her.
Thank you for your time!


Answer
I want you to start a bird club in your area and TEACH others how to be patient and learn the bird rather than try to bend the bird to themselves.  Good job!!!

I'm not a fan of beak trimming either and if the bird doesn't go for the cuttlebone or mineral block, put a grooming perch next to or at the fresh food serving area.  When you give her fresh, soft foods (oatmeal, baby food, mashed sweet potatoes, etc) she's compelled to wipe her beak off on something - and the grooming perch does it.  They are made out of various materials, but of course I prefer the calcium types.  One of the best sites I've found for prices is Drs. Foster and Smith (DrsFosterandSmith.com).   And I never, ever recommend sites other than my own.  So they're really good to get my thumbs up.

If you notice overgrowth despite opportunities to self groom, often we're looking at a disease or nutritional problem.  Get a vet

This, of course, is necessary anyway.  Our birds have regular checks up that include nails and wing trims, twice a year.  The peace of mind is remarkable, believe me.  And knowing you've got someone who knows your bird and will see her on a holiday or after hours is sometimes what will save her life.

Take a look at my girls  www.4AnimalCare.org

Keep up the good work!