Kitchen Tips

Working in the kitchen can be a pain in the…. well everywhere! Chopping and stirring hurts your hands and arms. Standing too long can hurt your legs. But there is hope.

• Here are a few simple tips to make your chores a little easier.

• Use a turkey baster to drain fat from meat instead of trying to lift and tip a heavy pan.

• Use a can opener that “runs around” the top of you can instead of the hand held type.

• Use rubber grips to open jars, or pop the seal with a pointy type can opener. Even thick rubber bands wrapped around the lid help your grip.

• If you can afford it, buy a scooba to clean your floors. It’s a cute little robot tool, and you don’t do anything but turn it on. If you can’t afford that, Swiffers are much easier to handle than regular sponge or rag mops.

• Frozen or precut veggies from the salad bar save chopping.

• Consider using paper plates from recycled paper for snacks and sandwiches to cut down on the amount of dishes you have.

• Cook ahead on your good days, and freeze for your bad days. When feeling well enough to cook, always make two batches of anything that’s freezable. It’s just as easy to double the recipe as it is to make one, and you’ll be thankful you did when you’re having a bad day. Think meatloaf, soup, stews, etc.

• If there is a grocery delivery service near you, take advantage of it. Many stores now do your shopping and deliver for a small charge. There are also many websites where you can buy non-perishable groceries online.

• If you have to go to the store, where comfortable shoes, and bring gloves if you hands are sensitive to the cold sections. Memorize the layout of your store, and use a list to avoid back tracking. Put like items on the conveyor together, and ask that they be bagged that way. Place all your meats together, all your freezer foods together, fridge foods, pantry items etc. When you get home, put away perishable items first, and rest before doing what’s left.

• Keep a running list on your fridge and write down items immediately as you run out or think of them. Don’t count on your memory, it doesn’t work!

• When you’re preparing your food, pull up a high barstool and sit down to chop, mix, or stir, instead of standing at the counter. It’s also helpful for washing the dishes.

• Place a damp towel under your cutting board like the professionals do to prevent it from sliding. Also do this with mixing bowls.

• Pots with two handles are easier to manage than one handled pots.

• Use scissors to open packages, rather than tearing them.

• Use the large basket from a deep fryer inside pot of boiling water to just lift out and strain spaghetti or vegetables.

• Fill large pots with water by using a pitcher, rather than carrying the filled pot to the stove.

• Have a few healthy microwaveable meals in your freezer or pantry for when you just can’t cook.

• Line your baking pans with foil for easier cleanup. You may also want to do this to your stoves drip pans. You can also buy liners for your crockpot, no cleanup! Consider using foil pans for things like lasagna, especially when making double batches, so your baking dish isn’t tied up in the freezer, and you can just throw it away when done. You can find these at the dollar stores these days,

• If your kitchen is large, use a wheeled cart to move things from one area to the other, instead of carrying them.

• Use a wheeled chair (computer chair) to move yourself around the kitchen.

• Food processor will save you from chopping, and the mini ones are great for sore hands.

• Keep your kitchen or pantry stocked with non-perishables, so you always have something to eat, even if you’re not up to shopping.

• Organize by activity. Certain chores are done repetitively and you don’t want to waste energy collecting the same provisions each time. Store supplies that are used together in one place: The coffee, coffee pot and filters together near the plug, dishes near the dishwasher, spices near the stove- you get the idea.

• Keep your frequently used items at eye level. Install slide out shelves and turntables to get greater access. Store heavy pots where you don’t have to lift them.

• Remember to take your time while cooking, and take as many breaks as you need. Cooking can be enjoyable again, with just a few adjustments.

You may already know some of these tips, while others may seem very obvious. Hopefully there are some new ones that you can incorporate into your chores to ease your burden. Sometimes it’s the little things that can help us get through the day without becoming totally spent.

________________________

About the Author:

Faith Stone is a regular contributor to Fog Magazine. In spite of her fibromyalgia, her columns appear here twice a month.