Widows & Widowers Support Group
This community is dedicated to those who have lost a husband, wife, or partner. Anything is open for discussion here, with the hope that we can focus on grief, bereavement, life after loss, and continuing on after a great loss.
I took a deep breath and decided to break my fast food marathon and go to the grocery store today. I was greeted by some bad memories of the yogurt, nuts, ensure, and all the other stuff for cancer he wouldn't eat, but no flashback. That seemed like a milestone. I bought a little steak and potato, enjoyed a decent meal, and felt a lot better afterward. Now I realize a new challenge. Everything is packaged for families, at least in my little town. Even recipes are for at least two. Any tips on cooking for one?
I still but frozen dinners like cabbage rolls etc
For fruit, you can buy frozen berries which you just use what you need and keep the rest in the freezer. They are good in smoothies, on ice cream, and a little thawed on cereal.
Dole also makes little fruit cups, they come in a pack of 4. While not fresh fruit, they are still a healthy snack or dessert. You get can get them packed in juice or fruit in jello (jelly for my British friends). They have a long shelf life and taste better than canned (tinned) fruit. No wastage that way.
Bread can be frozen. That's the easiest way to avoid it going moldy before you can use it. I keep extra (plastic) milk jugs in the freezer, too.
Leaf salads last longer if you store the leftover in a covered bowl or tupperware container and not in plastic bags. My Dad always kept his in the fridge in a bowl with a plate loosely on the top.
Line your veggie drawer with paper towels (kitchen towels in the UK) and your veg and lettuces will keep about twice as long. Moisture and condensation can speed up the rotting/mold growth. Veg needs some humidity, but too much can make it go off. The paper towels help keep it at the right amount.
Also make sure your fridge temperatures are set correctly. It helps to periodically vacuum the dust off the vents, too, so the fridge runs properly and the temperatures are maintained at a constant. That also cuts down the electricity used. Sometimes the little adjustments can make a difference.
Hope this helps....
Love and Hugs,
Martha
If I did all that food saving what would my quail, and deer eat? (smile)
But it is an adjustment. I used to hate buying the family sized portions in the grocery store. Who needs 5 lbs of potatoes? Onions? A whole head of cauliflower or broccoli? A pound of ground beef?
I actually cried as I looked in my shopping cart and saw how little food was in there. Where was my husband's favourite spaghetti sauce? Cream for his coffee? (I take milk) Dad's cookies? Sometimes I'd fill the cart up because it seemed more "normal". But of course, I'd end up throwing most of it out.
I had an aversion to freezing food. Don't ask why - I have no idea. But then nothing in that first year made sense. And I hardly cooked anyway. Just ate prepared food.
I did learn from a friend to freeze a loaf of bread. Never thought of that before. She told me to take a few slices out of the freezer at a time and put them in a ziplock bag to keep in the fridge.
It works. Bread stays fresh now.