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Post by scrapmaven on Apr 14, 2019 22:42:05 GMT
I I cook for one. Dh eats and I do not. It took getting used to, but I really like it. When I cook the meal will normally last 2 nights. So, I don't have to cook every day. Plus, we make broth on the weekends for soup during the week. So, some days I cook dinner and soup for the next day. I am getting spoiled, because I cook about 4 days per week, lately. When the kids come home for the summer it'll be back to full time cooking.
Go online and surf recipes. You'll find inspiration.
Just wondering, what do you mean you don’t eat? I'm a tube feeder. I eat, just not the way nature designed.
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julie5
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Post by julie5 on Apr 14, 2019 22:45:47 GMT
I would buy the foods I like from the store and not feel guilty. Whether you cook, or put together small meals of crackers cheese veggies and such, I wouldn’t care. Sometimes I crave certain meals and would make them if I wanted it. But yeah if it’s just you, eat what how you want. Within reason. Actually I would go back the meal kits by mail. I loved trying new things and having it all portioned and ready to cook. My family disliked more than they liked so I quit buying them.
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kate
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Post by kate on Apr 14, 2019 22:46:58 GMT
I cook for myself, but only ONE pot per meal. I'll make a frittata with eggs, veggies, and potatoes, but it must all go in one pan. I'll throw a bunch of things into some vegetable broth and call it soup, but I won't pre-cook the veggies or tofu. If I need to add protein to a meal, I'll nuke a frozen veggie burger.
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sueg
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Apr 12, 2016 12:51:01 GMT
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Post by sueg on Apr 14, 2019 22:57:56 GMT
I cook for myself often. We are empty nesters, and DH travels for work 3 weeks out of 4 most of the year. I will cook my regular amounts, which means a meal will last for 2 days, so I don't have to cook every day. Also, on weekends before he is going to be away, DH will often cook meals designed to have leftovers, and freeze them in individual portions for me. Once in a while, I'll get a ready to eat meal, but the variety is not that great where I live, or I might go get pizza.
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hannahruth
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Aug 29, 2014 18:57:20 GMT
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Post by hannahruth on Apr 14, 2019 22:58:47 GMT
Yes I do - but I'm not one for leftovers really I would rather start out fresh.
Sometimes it is a full meal other times it may be a couple of eggs with stuff thrown in. DH only eats what I call a meal occasionally (health issues) but I being Type II need to need as well as I can.
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AllieC
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Post by AllieC on Apr 14, 2019 23:12:25 GMT
I have been alone for 5+ years. In my previous life I was expected to cook dinner every night. Now, I am grateful to not have to cook every night. I cook when I want to. When I do cook, I have days and days of leftovers. I hate eating wild rice soup for 5 days. Why don't you freeze the extra serves? There are only 2 of us and I usually double recipes so that there are 4 serves and freeze the rest. That means some weeks we eat frozen meals every night if we can't be bothered and it works out great. I would much rather do this than have the same thing several nights in a row.
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Post by camanddanismom on Apr 14, 2019 23:16:28 GMT
It is rare I am by myself for dinner. I use this as a day off and more likely to have a bowl of cereal!
However, it i were actually alone all the time, I would cook for myself. I like to cook!
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pinklady
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Post by pinklady on Apr 15, 2019 0:23:13 GMT
Yep, cook for myself. During the week it’s quick easy stuff but on the weekends I’ll make a bigger meal or bbq. I also don’t mind eating leftovers for a few days.
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Post by monklady123 on Apr 15, 2019 0:26:20 GMT
My dh travels a lot for work, sometimes 2-3 weeks at a time. I usually do NOT cook for myself. Nope, been there done that, as they say. I'm done cooking if I don't have to. Usually the week before he leaves I'll cook some things like soups, chili, butter chicken (where I'll make extra sauce to freeze), etc. then I freeze portions of that. I can eat the same things for days at a time and I don't care. Otherwise I'll do sandwiches, cheese and crackers, fruit, yogurt, eggs...I'll get myself Chipotle a couple of times...That's it. I HATE TO COOK!
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Post by lisae on Apr 15, 2019 0:30:13 GMT
For many years, DH was on the road M-F, I cooked for myself most nights. I did a lot of stir fry, baked fish (because only I like that anyway) and other simple meals. There isn't much here but fast food and I really prefer to cook for myself because I can maintain my weight better that way.
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Post by pjaye on Apr 15, 2019 0:42:59 GMT
If I cook enough for 4 days, I don't call that "left overs" I call it meal preparation. It's a deliberate thing. If I cook some chicken then some vegetables, and then some rice. I portion it out into individual serving dishes and put it in the fridge, Then at night I just take out one serve and heat it up.
Like this: (not my picture...I'd have more vegetables and a lot less rice)
So I don't see how anyone would call that process eating left overs.
I also have a variety of dishes I cook, Therefore if I make something and eat it for 4 days, then I don't make that same thing again for a couple of months...so I might only eat it 4 times a year. For example, I'll use different herbs/spices/sauce on the chicken, I'll use different seasonal vegetables, or use salmon instead of chicken. In winter I might make a chili over brown rice and add some broccoli on the side, then a few weeks later use turkey mince for the chili over purple rice and add cauliflower. Technically it's the same sort of dish but still different enough that I don't feel like I am eating the same thing over and over. If you are organised, have the right containers, set aside certain days to meal prep then it isn't that hard to cook for one.
There's also the weight issue, I could eat out every day...but I'd be huge. It's getting harder to control my weight as I get older, I need to eat a lot less then I used to when I was younger, so now I need to control ingredients and portion sizes. If I lived on cereal and sandwiches and crackers (carbs./carbs/carbs) it would rapidly become a losing battle for me.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Apr 15, 2019 0:48:18 GMT
Not easily but I will do it sometimes. I never know what to make. I suck at adulting.
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Post by padresfan619 on Apr 15, 2019 1:02:59 GMT
My husband travels for work and I tend to eat some variety of a baked potato every time he’s gone. Meal prepping is fine, but I don’t care for a lot of stuff that is cooked and then reheated. If I want a meal to stretch over many days I make sure it is something I enjoy reheated like chili or taco meat.
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Post by smokeynspike on Apr 15, 2019 1:08:57 GMT
I think those meal subscription services are made for those people who only have one or two people to cook for! Try one! Home Chef comes to mind. They send you only what you need to cook the meal for that portion.
Melissa
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Apr 15, 2019 1:11:22 GMT
I don't like cooking, for me it's a tedious chore.
I make the food I like to eat. When I do cook, I make a lot then freeze individual portions/meals. I cook about once or twice a month, it generally takes a couple hours, and I end up with 20-25 meals to freeze. At any given time, I usually have an assortment of 4-5 various type of meals frozen. I also buy a cornbread and portion it up individually. Sometimes I take a piece for lunch. I also buy and freeze a couple flavors of muffins and will take one for lunch or have one for breakfast.
I usually do a batch of roasted vegetables (usually end up with 12-14 individual portion). I also "make" soup, and by that I mean I mix several canned soup together (chicken pot pie and chicken & dumpling), (Vegetable beef and beef barley), etc... and then portion them individual servings. I make 3-4 baked potato's at a time them freeze them for future consumption. I will also make stir fry, then portion it individually.
My daily "cooking" is heating up whatever I have defrosted. I generally "heat up" using the toaster over or microwave.
About the only thing I cook same day, is if I want breakfast for dinner. Then I will do scrambled eggs and bacon on my griddle.
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Post by smalltowngirlie on Apr 15, 2019 1:22:20 GMT
I think I would cook for myself, but my meals would be completely different. I would do a lot more salads and simple meals. Some things I love as left overs, others not so much.
We are trying to do more keto friendly meals, I could do that easier if it was just me. I love a good salad with a protein and some nuts and maybe a small handful of berries, depending upon the protein. DH can do salad maybe once a week. I would also totally do a meat and cheese tray or a veggie tray for a meal.
I think my meals would be more grab it and eat it, not as much prep.
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tincin
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Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Apr 15, 2019 1:28:21 GMT
Heck no, I cooked meals nearly every day for almost 30 years. Forget that. I’ve lived alone for about 18 months and I think at most I cook every couple of months. I either grab takeout or it’s cottage cheese with fruit, tuna with crackers, something simple like that. I’m done being a cook, I never really enjoyed it although I still usually make homemade for company.
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 21:28:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2019 1:30:51 GMT
I prepare food during the day because the bird wants to eat. Otherwise I would only be eating cereal during the day.
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Post by bc2ca on Apr 15, 2019 1:53:48 GMT
I love to cook. I enjoy menu planning and feeding a crowd. Just not every day. How much I cook has really evolved over the years.
For about 12 years as a single adult in the corporate world, daily "cooking" might be scrambled eggs, a quesadilla or grabbing something from the deli on the corner. If I'd had lunch out, dinner was more likely to be crackers, cheese and an apple. Weekends were either going out to eat or having a dinner at my place. I loved to cook those meals, picking something from the most recent Bon Appetit and shopping at Granville Island.
Getting married meant going to almost daily cooking dinner and more meat based meals for my carnivores. I don't mind it, but get bored easily cooking the same things. When the kids were in HS I started cooking pretty much every other day, with the food designed for people to grab and eat when they could and enough to last at least two days.
If I find myself home alone now, I revert happily to my single days.
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Post by tracyarts on Apr 15, 2019 2:11:37 GMT
When I lived alone, I only cooked for myself when money was tight. When I could afford it, I preferred to eat at restaurants or get takeout.
I don't like to cook just for me, I'm too lazy and indifferent. Not gonna lie, many days my lunch is a pouch of tuna or salmon, and some crackers. I can't even be bothered to heat up a can of soup.
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Why
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Post by Why on Apr 15, 2019 3:14:21 GMT
I have been alone for over 5 years and seldom leave the house. Thank goodness for microwaves. There are quite a few frozen entrées that work for me. Lean Cuisine (the best at a lower price) to the rescue. For the larger sizes (usually higher in sodium) I eat only half and add frozen veggies. That + cereal and sandwiches. I hated cooking!!!
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Post by LisaDV on Apr 24, 2019 0:35:06 GMT
When I was single, I did cook for myself. I like to eat and I like good food. I made one "fancy" dinner a week. I made one larger meal that I would eat through out the week. I know various pasta salads, soups, and green salads were frequently eaten. I worked at an office and we would go out at least once a week for lunch, which almost always meant leftovers for another meal. But I see nothing wrong with cheese, crackers, and fruit. Sounds good.
Now I'm a mom who has had her child/ren at home with her for the last 16 years. This means, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks have needed to be prepared and served every. dang. day. Ugh! I've told DH that once the kids have left the nest, that he is not getting meals cooked every day. I am happy with a salad or a soup for dinner. I liked the way I did it when I was single. One good meal and then an couple of easier meals to eat through the week. Right now, his plan is to frequently ask the kids over for dinner.
I say do what makes you happy as long as you're eating somewhat healthy
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Post by papersilly on Apr 24, 2019 0:59:34 GMT
I am facing an empty nest soon. The kids are all off living their lives. DH spends most of his time at our river cottage in the Spring, Summer and Fall. I have to stay home as I work 30 hours a week from home to pay for some house renovations that need done. Because of this I am home alone most of the time. Weekends are usually spent at my Mom’s house helping her with cleaning and errands so not a lot of free time to plan and shop for elaborate meals. I like to cook and bake for others but I just can’t work up any enthusiasm to do it for just me. I find myself subsisting on fruit, cheese, crackers, cereal, yogurt and the like. Sometimes I’ll throw together a salad but even that usually doesn’t interest me. Do you or would you make the effort to cook just for you? I swear if they could invent a meal replacement pill I would be happy as a clam. I like to cook so I'll cook for myself. I just have to cut down the ingredients so I don't cook for an army.
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Post by Zee on Apr 24, 2019 1:24:59 GMT
My kids are gone. When DH travels i don't cook for myself. I might eat out or eat a simple dinner of snacks or a salad or a bagel or something, but i can't be bothered to cook for just myself.
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Post by scrappyem on Apr 24, 2019 1:26:37 GMT
I struggle with this too. My boyfriend travels most of the time for work. I don't like leftovers or reheated food either. I also really don't like to cook & I work a ton. Cooking for just me never seems worth it. I try to meal plan/grocery shop but then never get around to eating the food. I don't eat a ton, so I have a hard time because portions are so large. I've found shopping the salad bar is a better option for me most of the time when I can drag myself to the store. I can grab a wider variety of veggies & protein in smaller portions. It's more expensive but I throw away less food so I feel like it's a win overall. I eat a lot of take-out. I recently tried the meal service "Freshly" and I personally didn't care for it at all. I was hoping it would be a solution. It wasn't.
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Rhondito
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Post by Rhondito on Apr 24, 2019 1:28:33 GMT
Now that my daughter isn't home as much I don't cook as often. When I do, I like to make things that will last a few days. Sometimes I'll have cereal; more often though I get a take-out blue-plate from a local restaurant. The portions are generous so I get two meals out of one. So much easier than trying to cook a meat and two veggies at home!
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likescarrots
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Post by likescarrots on Apr 24, 2019 3:12:15 GMT
Almost always. I don't eat out that often. Even if it's something simple like eggs and potatoes or something. But sometimes I cook fancier stuff too. My husband is going away this week and I plan to make myself an eggplant and zucchini lasagna. I love cooking and dinner is 'my meal', meaning I don't feel like the day is done if I didn't sit down to have dinner. I would be craving something all night and snacking too much.
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 21:28:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2019 11:48:11 GMT
I am divorced and live alone. If I do not cook for myself who will? When I slack off from cooking and eating properly it impacts my health.
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schizo319
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Post by schizo319 on Apr 24, 2019 12:10:47 GMT
I do, but not every day and not usually something complex. Pasta/sauce, salads, quesadillas, omelettes, sandwiches, soups that kind of thing. I don't mind eating leftovers, but I'd rather not eat the same thing 4 days in a row, so I'll freeze pasta sauces and soups to get out later.
BudgetBytes.com has some really good recipes/ideas for small, relatively healthy, inexpensive meal ideas.
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Post by jenb72 on Apr 24, 2019 13:14:44 GMT
I do actually make the effort to cook for myself, mostly because I'm on a different diet than everyone else in my house. I make myself breakfast every morning (unless DH gets up and offers to do it for me, which he does sometimes). I enjoy cooking and get tired of take-out all the time. And it gives me leftovers I can take to work for lunches, too.
Jen
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