ideas for more variety and less cost in my diet?

jannyg_2

hello,my 2 daughters have Me as well so I know what it is like trying to find energy to cook. One good idea id to keep a few carrots in the fridge because thaycan be grated and added to anything, sandwiches, wraps,stews etc. I have problems with my hands and my best investment was an electric can opener.They are reasonably priced and places like argos,tesco do a checp one, I think the brandname is cookworks. both my daughters and I use it now

Ames

I've seen a couple of electric tin openers, but I'm hoping that occupational therapy can provide one. I've been doing ok, I've got a few ideas for things to try when I've worked through the stuff in the freezer.

I've just got a load of cheap fruit, a punnet of plums, one of nectarines, and 5 (now 4) of blueberries, all reduced to 20p. Can I just freeze them, or is there anything else I can do with them so they'll keep longer?

greenbee

Ames wrote: »

I've seen a couple of electric tin openers, but I'm hoping that occupational therapy can provide one. I've been doing ok, I've got a few ideas for things to try when I've worked through the stuff in the freezer.

I've just got a load of cheap fruit, a punnet of plums, one of nectarines, and 5 (now 4) of blueberries, all reduced to 20p. Can I just freeze them, or is there anything else I can do with them so they'll keep longer?

Blueberries freeze as they are. Plums will need to be stewed (just stone them and then stew with a couple of spoonfuls of water to get the juice going). Nectarines are best fresh (slice them onto porridge/yogurt/cereal for breakfast as well as eating later in the day), but if you need to freeze them you should poach them first.

Ames

Thanks. I doubt the blueberries are going to last long enough to need to do anything with them! I'll eat the nectarines asap, and stew the plums. I used to stew plums, but did them with wine, spices and lots of sugar. Hmm, wonder how it is that I need to lose 7 stone! I'll try it with just water, and the ginger and cinnamon.

BigMummaF

Have you thought about investing in something like this little food chopper?

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/james-martin-mini-chopper/F/C/kitchenideas/C/kitchenideas-cooking-baking/C/cooking-baking-utensils/C/utensils-dicers-choppers/product/12990

[I only chose this one cuz oi finx James is gorrrrdge!:drool: :rotfl:] It would help with a multitude of things like chopping the veg, grating carrot etc for salad..some models would slice too making it useful for cabbage in a coleslaw, leeks in a cheese sauce [leeks au gratin if you prefer ]

And I've seen little gizmoes that slide onto your palm & held fast by the ring finger I think? that are vegetable peelers. They would also double to 'julienne' things like carrot, when you want those really thin strips of veg. Not a very good picture but perhaps if you google it, some better ones will come up.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dexam-PP-120AV-Chefn-Peeler-Avocado/dp/B000EZKYHA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen&qid=1249976286&sr=1-1


Looking for the peeler, I came across this site..just having anose & never seen it before but might be of some help if only for guidance.
http://www.redlandhealthcare.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=1024

If I think of anything else I'll let you know, but hope this gives you something to think about if nothing else. Good Luck.

Ames

They look good, thanks! I never knew you could get an electric peeler! I'll look into them more when the OT assessment's been done and I know what I'm getting from that and what I need to get myself.

Thanks again for all the help.