Friends, if you live alone do you find you are more unwilling to really cook a meal these days?

Question

Not that I am skinny by any means because I tend to I grab carbs--pasta, cereal, or bread. But I just don't care to cook any more and have heard this is typical for folks "of a certain age." What do you think?

Answer 1

Well, I love to cook and I do. Living single can present challenges but I don't like any of the fast food joints, don't care for processed, frozen foods and "convenience" foods. I prefer fresh veggies (whatever is in season), homemade soups and chili and meals made from scratch.

I eat lots of good pasta with homemade sauces, lots of chicken and pork. I don't care too much for beef unless it is hamburgers or chili. After shopping, I separate meats, etc., into "one person" serving sizes. When I cook, I usually cook enough to provide leftovers for lunch or another dinner.

Lots of homemade soups in my freezer for those days when I don't feel like cooking. Also have been known to enjoy peanut butter and jam sandwiches and a glass of milk for dinner or a huge bowl of hot oatmeal (not that awful, salt laden instant stuff, either) with lots of raisins and a coupla pieces of toast. Grilled cheese and tomato soup is another fave.

I make my spaghetti sauce (called gravy where I live) and usually a huge potful. Then freeze it. Quick, delicious meal without any fuss.

Love vegetables...broccoli, brussel sprouts, green beans, potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, etc.
Sometimes I just clean a bunch of veggies, sprinkle them with a good olive oil and lots of whole garlic cloves, salt, pepper and some oregano and bake the dickens out of them in a hot oven. That and a coupla pieces of good Italian bread makes a meal.

I know women my age who never cook. They buy those awful microwave meals or frozen dinners. Some of them spend a small fortune on prepared foods from the market or at dreadful "fast food" places. YUK!

Answer 2

I enjoy cooking however, being single, it is just not worth all the effort. and cleanup If I do cook, I have leftovers which is great. Thankfully, I enjoy leftovers and don't mind eating the same thing for a few days. Many times, it is a sandwich or something quick and easy for dinner. I discovered Tyson's chicken breasts, individually wrapped and cost about $1.00 each in a bag of 10 for $9.97. One is good and I don't have any waste and they are quick too. I also have found salmon, individually portioned and frozen for about $1.00 each too There are times that I have a craving for something so I will cook up a lot and freeze for later. It certainly is NOT like cooking when the kids were home, my 2, Dan's 4 and him and I and whoever happened to be in the house at dinner time, I loved the cooking part, but hated the pots and pans....I detest cleaning broiler pans for some reason.

Answer 3

I have been cooking, at home and professionally, ever since I was just a youngster and I really still enjoy it. I have lived alone before and I still cooked, invited my family over and sent the leftovers home with them.

However, there are two dishes that they do not get to take the leftovers home. That would be my homemade vegetable beef soup and chili. Those leftovers go in the freezer for me. Then I don't have to cook again until I'm good and ready to do it. The microwave has a defrost cycle and it gets used when these two foods are around.

Occasionally, I go out with friends for dinner and it's good to get out of the house and eat someone else's cooking.

Answer 4

Some nights I cook as if I had 2 or 3 people coming for dinner and other nights, a sandwich and drink make me very satisfied.

I like to cook two - 3 decent meals per week due to high food prices and then I can eat off the leftovers.

Answer 5

1 lb meat 1 lb veggies 1 lb beans 1 onion cut up potatoes according to space available 2 cans cream of (something) soup or 1 quart gourmet soup water as needed Place all in a crock pot and heat. Be sure the mix is always covered with water. This makes 9 cups of stew, which I spoon into plastic cups and freeze. I usually use beef, mixed veggies, lentil beans, and cream of mushroom soup. Roasted pepper soup is better but I can't always get it at Big Lots. So yeah, sort of. I cook myself a proper meal every nine days. I do the same for breakfast: RICE PUDDING Heat oven to 350 F. Butter a large casserole pan with 1/4 cup of butter. Us it all. Set aside. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 cup white rice. Reduce heat and simmer until all the water is absorbed. In a large bowl mix 1 dozen eggs and four cups milk. Add 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1 TBSP nutmeg. Mix well. Put the hot rice in the casserole pan and stir well so the butter is melted. Pour in the liquid mixture and stir to spread the rice evenly. Bake at 350 F for about 1 hour. Cool, then divide into storage dishes and refrigerate.

Answer 6

I dont cook, I love cooking, would love to have a houseful again to cook for - but eating is so wrapped up in it being a social/sharing occassion for me, with the family or your partner, and you coming home from work - sitting down together, talking, enjoying good food, good company, that I find it hard to even eat these days!

For me twilight time, dinner time is the loneliest time of the day and I cant force myself to swallow food - it makes me gag. So around 10 PM or so I will get a "snack" for myself, popcorn or a sandwich -- maybe microwave some spring rolls or something.

I had a craving for an A&W hamburger tonight but seeing as my car has a flat tire there was no chance at getting one. I had a coupon - :-( So maybe just a couple or perogies and an orange will do it for today.

Answer 7

I was a great cook when I had family to cook for. I would spend whole weekends in the kitchen and at the bbq. Now that I'm alone, I only prepare meals that can be warmed up in the microwave. Can't call that cooking.

Answer 8

When I go shopping I portion meat out into individual servings. and freeze.
I do love to cook, so I will make stew, enchiladas, tamale casserole, soup, stuffed cabbage, spaghetti sauce and freeze leftovers in individual containers for other meals.
If I want steak, pork chops, or chicken I take out individual portions and cook with rice or potatoe's or pasta.
Sometimes I just cook up a hamburger. like tonight I will have it with some potatoe salad that I made.
Other nights I may just make a salad or may just have a sandwich, if I'm not that hungry.
Occaisonally I will cook a turkey breast, or small ham or corned beef and cabbage with carrots and potaotes or cornish hen, or whole chicken. Then I will have leftovers for quite a while.
I do miss baking tho, I used to make pies, cakes and cupcakes, but it is too much for one person these days. Once in a while I do still make cupcakes and freeze them for later.

Answer 9

I've heard that too, yet I wonder then how they afford to eat out ...lol

Yep, I cook most nights. I'm diabetic too so have to watch my meals. I love to eat and like good food and the only way I can get it or afford it is to fix it myself! LOL

Over the years since my home became an empty nest, I have made this cooking and evening dinner a ritual of mine that I look forward to.

Now I don't cook as fancy or as involved as in the past, but it is tasty and meets my needs :-)

Answer 10

I agree with you! I love to cook if someone is coming over, but if am on my own with the TV on - I'll settle for something from the Microwave, or a can of soup (good stuff - no junk in this house) and sometimes I will eat salad with a sandwich! Anything that is halfway nutritious and quick and easy!