Suddenly Cooking for One by Phyllis Staff

3. Don't cook for one.

It's no more trouble to make a meal for four than a meal for one - so cook for four, and freeze the surplus in meal-sized portions. Ziplock TM freezer bags will work well for single portions, but do not use sandwich bags. They are too thin for adequate freezer storage.

Alternatively, you might consider a vacuum packaging system. The company that makes the system promotes its bags as boil-in bags as well as freezer containers. Vacuum removal of air extends the storage life of frozen foods. I found one such system under $40.00 at DmartStores. Replacements bags are about $16.00 for three, 66-bag, rolls.

Don't forget to label bags and store them flat while freezing for easy stacking.

4. Eat what you've grown in your garden.

Food you've grown yourself feeds your body and your spirit. Even the smallest patio has room for a few pots of tomatoes and spicy peppers, and watching the plants mature and produce fruits and vegetables is something to look forward to every day. Freeze excess produce.

5. Share frozen meals with a friend.

Trade frozen meals with a friend (whom you have prequalified as a good, or at least acceptable cook). You'll both benefit from a change in diet.

6. Eat out!

But don't eat alone. While working as a veteran road warrior, I spent many weeks away from friends and family. I often ate in fine restaurants, but it was never the same as eating with a pleasant companion. So take the initiative -- invite a friend out for lunch or dinner.

Remember, cooking for one is not the problem. Loneliness and living in memories are, but you can move away from them and toward enjoying meals again.

Go to Page 1

BIO:

copyright 2003 by Phyllis Staff, Ph.D. - Phyllis Staff is an experimental psychologist and the CEO of The Best Is Yet.Net, an internet company that helps seniors and caregivers find trustworthy residential care. She is the daughter of a victim of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Staff is the author of How to Find Great Senior Housing: A Roadmap for Elders and Those Who Love Them:
http://www.thebestisyet.net/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/pando19/start.cgi/book.htm

Some Aditional Articles you may enjoy

Living with Asthma/Allergies by Deborah Mumm

Weight Problems - Facts You May Not Know by Janis Ihrig

Stress Relief in Minutes by Trevor Dumbleton

The Importance of taking a Multivitamin Supplement by Ryan Cote

Stretch Your Eldercare Dollars by Phyllis Staff

Click a Number to go to an article index page
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39