Readers Respond: What Helps You With Cooking?

Responses: 29

Updated February 24, 2010

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Invest in a good rice cooker and buy good quality rice in bulk at your local Asian grocery store. Making perfect, great-tasting rice is a snap, cook up some boneless, skinless chicken breasts, throw in a handful of prechopped veggies, combine with a jar of curry or your favorite oriental sauce and it's dinner.
—Guest Cinder

I also try to keep it simple. Also I have a padded fold-able stool so I am not on my feet so much.
—hatlady53

I plan a menu with some easy recipes we have a wednesday where everyone makes their own meal and book on bench with recipes so everyone can cook or prepare some of steps or remember bits of shopping needed for meals whilst shopping i often text my daughter when i forget what i need she sends back what i need to get good knives are fabulous and extra padding on arms so bench doesn't dig in or hurt you and multivitamins for all those nutritional back up
—Guest Jennifun

It helps me to write down what I am going to do and the how and the when. I use the alarm clock my mobile a lot. I also put "yellow" reminders in the bowls, and plate I use for serving the food.
—Guest Kolbrun Gunnarsdottir

I order my groceries online. For $4.95 the store does my shopping for me and brings the groceries out to my car. They will even keep the food fresh and cold if I can't pick up my order as planned. And I make sure I get my groceries after school, so the neighborhood children will bring the bags inside for me. I don't have the energy to cook every day, so I will make a large batch of food at one time. I've invested in food-grade plastic freezer containers and use blue painters tape to mark what's in them (this tape is great - it stays on the container even through dishwashing, yet peels off easily without leaving a mark). My secret weapon for batch cooking: the crock pot! I've learned to adapt my favorite recipes to the slow cooker (no can of cream of mushroom soup for me!), and the results are wonderful.
—MaryJordaine

I find it helps to prep and cut the produce well ahead of time, so I don't have to do that when I'm trying to cook. That way there is a lot less distraction when I'm doing the actual cooking part and I don't have to spend all that time on my feet, which is so painful.
—Friend2Indeed

One more, I can't stop! I use the rolling stands that go under planters for lots of things. Right now they are under my computer tower and printer so I can pull them out from under the desk easily. Anytime casters would be nice I think of these!
—Guest weeroo

Great ideas! I sometimes have reactions to foods and additives so I cook my own meals and snacks as often as possible, I just feel better that way. Here are some tips I can add. If no padding on a tool or handle, use a hot pad or mit, or even a kitchen towel. (It is the only way I can get my wine open!) I have adjusted to a cluttered countertop and odd cabinet uses to make what I need accessible. A sacrifice well worth it. I don't have fancy cabinets with 'appliance garages' but get by with bread boxes and baskets to control the mess. Vitamins are in with the glasses by the sink, old cookie sheets and plastic trays are 'pull out devices' for stuff on shelves. This is actually in fashion now, called repurposing! In books and recipies I use magnetic bookmarks to mark the exact line I need to look at. Expectations of what and when I 'should' eat have relaxed. Breakfst is great for dinner and cold pizza is great for breakfast!
—Guest weeroo

I do a lot of cooking in my crock pot. I just chop everything in the morning(or the night before) and let it cook all day. This summer I purchased a Bullet Express to take care of slicing (or grating) everything I need for a good soup or stew. Once the veggies are cleaned, it only takes a few moment to cut them all. The slicer rinses off easily except when I use it to shred cheese. Then I have to wash it with soap. Because I am so sick, I make soups or stews most days, varying vegetables and spices to avoid boredom. One day I might add whole kernel corn and black beans with Mexican spices. Another day might have tomato sauce and Italian spices or rice and nuts with curry.
—mindwing

I loved cast iron cook ware but I had to give it up the light weight stuff is easier on my arms and wrist.
—Guest chadsmom

I have my favorite recipes stored on my computer. I print out the page when I'm ready to start and tape it in front of me. When I'm finished, I can toss it, and don't have to worry about spills and splashes. I've typed in or scanned my old favorites, but there are recipes for almost everything on-line that you can e-mail to yourself with just a few clicks.
—stellachiara

I buy a really large chicken when it is on special, rather than just a couple of pieces at a time. After cooking it is kept in the fridge - & I have the basis for a variety of meals, instead of having to start from scratch each night. Each meal is also quicker to prepare, too, than when starting with uncooked meat. Sometimes I freeze some of the cooked meat, or make a larger quantity of a recipe so I can freeze some extra meals from it. When soaking & cooking dried beans, I always do a lot extra - it takes the same amount of time, but gives me plenty to freeze so they can easily be used in future recipes, rather than having to plan a day or two ahead. If there is just a smaller amount left when dishing a meal, I freeze it for when only one person is eating at home. I try to prepare meals a day ahead, so if things are really bad my husband can heat his meal himself. My dear Mum often prepares a vegetable - e.g. cubed pumpkin - which she knows I find difficult, & freezes it for me.
—Guest Rob

I buy a really large chicken when it is on special, rather than just a couple of pieces at a time. After cooking it is kept in the fridge - & I have the basis for a variety of meals, instead of having to start from scratch each night. Each meal is also quicker to prepare, too, than when starting with uncooked meat. Sometimes I freeze some of the cooked meat, or make a larger quantity of a recipe so I can freeze some extra meals from it. When soaking & boiling dried beans, I always do a lot extra - it takes the same amount of time, but gives me plenty to freeze so they can easily be added to future recipes, rather than having to plan a day or two ahead. If there is just a smaller amount left when dishing a meal, I freeze it for when only one person is eating at home. I try to prepare meals a day ahead, so if things are really bad my husband can heat his meal himself. My dear Mum often prepares a vegetable - e.g. cubed pumpkin - which she knows I find difficult, & freezes it for me
—Guest Rob

I buy fresh veggies and fruit already prepared whenever possible. Bagged items like salad mix are a life-saver. We all know that chopping hurts the hands so if I can buy chopped veggies or fruit, I will!
—Guest Vera

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Adrienne Dellwo
Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Guide

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