How do you decide what food to buy and what meals to cook?
2007-11-07 07:59:30 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
Great question! It took me awhile to adjust to cooking for just one after my last child left home in 1995. I was so used to cooking for a group....and kept doing so, then having to give food away or throw it out! lol
Gradually I realized that I could now eat some things I didn't when they were all home - and could actually afford it!...I mean 1/4 lb of this and 1/4 lb of that [seafood] provided me a feast and cost little.
Gradually I also became a daily shopper! LOL
I thought less in terms of menus and more in terms of what sounded good to me and then went and bought it!
2007-11-07 08:08:03 · answer #1 · answered by sage seeker 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I don't make as much at each meal and shop more often, so I can get just what we need for the week. I can buy just 2 of whatever type meat we want and smaller containers of food. I add more spices, chives, peppers, garlic, etc. to food now and try new recipes-nothing I cook ever tastes the same twice. lol We eat now when we are hungry instead of at certain times of the day. We can just run get something to eat if we want, I use a lot of restaurant coupons, so it really cuts the cost.
2007-11-07 09:29:58 · answer #2 · answered by luvspbr2 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Going from seven to just two was a major adjustment as I only knew how to cook LOTS of everything. And now we have less casseroles, can afford fancier cuts of meats and buy brands that I always thought were way too expensive. Big change. And if the mood hits, we can just go out for a meal or order in...both of which we seldom did before.
2007-11-07 09:08:40 · answer #3 · answered by night-owl gracie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I buy what I like to eat. I cook meals that I enjoy. Usually I make enough to freeze for another meal. I keep a few things the grand kids like for when they stop by.
2007-11-07 08:35:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
My cooking really took a back seat when the kids left. We still don't eat properly. We eat out a lot and when I do shop we eat lots of fruit salads or vegetable salads and different breads. I love trying the 5 star recipes on All Recipes.com . They have great recipes. Cooking bores me so trying new recipes makes it a little more interesting. My grown Grand daughter says her favorite food is anything I make.
2007-11-07 08:36:49 · answer #5 · answered by Ruth 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Most of the time I buy a chicken or some kind of fish, add vegetables, seasoning, a can of chicken bullion, and make a soup or stew. It lasts me usually four days. This way I don't have to think about cooking -not one of my favorite things to do. Or, I just may go out with a friend to a restaurant!
2007-11-07 12:50:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I enjoyed myself in the "cooking" department once the kids left. For example: my kids thought meatloaf should just be hamburger in a roll with ketchup on top. Now I can add cheese and onions and green peppers. I can eat cornish hens and wild rice, liver and onions. It helps to write out your menu for 1 week and just go shopping for those items. I happen to still cook for 3 or 4 so that I can freeze some or take it to work. I don't like like to cook every nite. You're free!! Go out and eat a couple nights a week with the girls or your husband.
2007-11-07 08:11:38 · answer #7 · answered by kathy s 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Ditch the cooking and eat out.A lifetime of slaving over a hot cooker is over now.Treat yourself and let someone else do it for you.Other than that you just proportion the ingredients to suit one or two if you have a partner.Better still get the kids to invite you around for dinner.A bit of role reversal is not unusual once the kids are independant.
2007-11-07 08:17:35 · answer #8 · answered by Niamh 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
We go to the US Navy commissary about once ever 6 weeks and stock up and the local supermarket in between. Then, when I get home from work, Mon - Fri (before my wife does by about an hour), I decide what to fix from what we have. I look in the freezer/cupboard or my wife will call during the day to 'place her order'.
2007-11-07 14:45:28 · answer #9 · answered by AmericanPatriot 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I buy what I like, unless Hubby asks for something specific, like kielbasa, sauerkraut, baked beans -- things I don't normally buy for myself.
We eat out about as often as we eat in, except in the past month, we've eaten out twice, because he spent a total of three weeks in the hospital and is having difficulty mobilizing with a walker.
For now, if I don't drive, we don't go. He'll be behind the wheel again probably by Thanksgiving.
Annamae, set two more places, please!
2007-11-07 09:33:48 · answer #10 · answered by felines 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋