Cooking Is Different When You're Single=^..^=
By kellyjeanne
@kellyjeanne (1576)
United States
October 8, 2010 8:12am CST
When you're a couple and especially a couple with kids the food during a family meal is more involved. For instance, a family might sit down to the main course, a salad, some vegetables, maybe mashed potatoes and other side dishes along with the condiments and various things to drink.
Now, take a single person, like me, for instance:
My meals are very basic and sparse. I usually sit down to a main course and a vegetable. It seems like nearly every meal is like that with a variation about once a week. I mean, being single, why would I go through such an elaborate bother in the kitchen, right?
Of course, it doesn't help that I'm on Disability and can't really afford to buy a lot of food each month and my bad back prevents me from being able to stand for very long at the stove before I'm ready to faint from the ache in my back and taking into consideration that I suffer from major depression and don't have much energy to begin with. And the fact that I do suffer from depression there are so many times when I may be hungry, but, I have no appetite to really eat anything. If that makes sense to you! LOL! Please understand. I'm not complaining. I'm just itemizing my personal situation here. It does sound funny, though, as I'm writing this! LOL!
If you are single like me do you find that your meals are not as elaborate?
Are you a family and find that most of your meals are JUST a little bit more bountiful?
What's your take on this? I'd really be intereted in knowing!
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
3 people like this
12 responses
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
8 Oct 10
When my children were growing up we had good meals, I would sometimes spend hours making supper for them and my husband. After my divorce I continued to make those kinds of meals until I moved home to the Midwest. When the boys come to visit (they are adults now, I would never have left them till they grew up!) they still ask me to make such meals.
For myself, I cook as you do, very simply. I know it's not good for me but I buy cheap frozen dinners because, like you, it's agony for me to stand at the stove and fuss with a meal. Occasionally I'll cook more elaborate stuff.
I keep a chair in the kitchen that I can sit on as I cook sometimes. Just doing the dishes, I have to take a break and sit if there are too many.
1 person likes this
@shia88 (4571)
• Malaysia
9 Oct 10
Hi,
For me , cooking is a kinda of hobby and I enjoy
cooking after having my son.
When I was single, I did cook for myself sometimes,but
I just need to cook very simple meal,more instant meal
and I can eat anything.
But now with my son around, I have to cook complete meal
like vegetable,soup and meat almost everyday.
I also believe home-cooked meal is more healthier than dine out.
1 person likes this
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
9 Oct 10
Hey dragon! Thanks for the reply! The chair is a very good idea. I don't know why I never thought about it. As for dishes; I used to love washing dishes by hand because it was very meditative for me. Now, I can only wash 3 or 4 dishes at a time before my back starts hurting and I have to sit down.
A month ago I wanted to make tacos so I bought all the fixin's for it. After browning the ground beef and cutting up the tomatoes my back was really hurting and I was feeling very nauseated and very nearly fainted before I finally sat down. From now on I'm going to use a chair. That's why I like baking more than coking on top of the stove where you constantly have to babysit the food. I love casseroles because you can just pop them in the oven and let it bake and they are very healthy too.
I have a housekeeper who comes 3 times a week and she cooks for me about twice a week. If I find a new and complicated recipe to try out I'll help her out.
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
1 person likes this
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
9 Oct 10
Hi shia88!
I totally agree with you. Homecooking is far more healthier for you than eating out. I haven't eaten out for such a long time. Once in awhile I'll ask my housekeeper to get me a burrito or rolled tacos, but, not too often. Being on Disability I put myself on a very stringent budget.
Thanks for replying, hon!
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
9 Oct 10
I understand your situation here Kelly. When I was a bachelor and away from home, I rarely used to cook and the meals were quick and hasty. I did not bother to going out to restaurants for my lunch or dinner and took anything that was available at the canteen or nearby. This was because I believed that I was short on time and if i started having a complete lunch or dinner it would be a waste of time.
But then when I was at home or now when I am married and have a family, I realize that I do have a complete fulfilling meal. It happens so because at home, I am more conscious about the health part and so are the people around me (my mom or my wife or even me when I cook). Even though I am ill and cannot consume everything that I want still, I make it a point to provide the best that I can to my body.
Health Matters more now.
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
9 Oct 10
Hello thesids!
Yes, health does matter more and now that I'm 52 I do my best to be more health conscious even with my snacks. Many times when I'm hungry, but, have no real appetite I'll have toast with peanut butter and honey. Peanut butter is full of protein and honey is very healthy for the body. It also has so many medicinal qualities.
Thanks for the reply!
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
9 Oct 10
Thanks Kelly for your appreciating my response. I believe that as we grow we learn a lot and mature enough to realize what is good and bad. It also teaches patience and that has what has happened with me.
Having a rich nutritious diet as you mention - Peanut Butter and Honey or anything that sort of - is great and at times more nutritious than the normal meals.
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
18 Oct 10
Exactly. Being single you are more tempted to just eat a little here and a little there. Not really sit down to full meals. In fact, I eat all of my meals on the couch even though I have this beautiful wooden table in my kitchen.
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
@my_name_is_coco (4333)
• Philippines
9 Oct 10
I think that when you cook for a family,you have to consider a lot of things.you have to consider the husband's preference and the nutrition needs of the children.also,you have to really tweak the menu on a daily,if not weekly,basis so the family won't get sick of the food they are served.being single,I enjoy cooking and eating for and by myself.I absolutely adore seafood and pasta,and I can eat them everyday without any complaints.I guess when you're single.it's much more fun to cook because you're doing it for yourself.
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
9 Oct 10
Hello coco!
LOL! I'm Sicilian and I was born and raised on pasta! Love the stuff! And I do love my seafood, too!
You're right about considering the nutritional needs of the ones that you cook for.
Thanks for the reply!
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
9 Oct 10
Hello exx007!
In that case you can come and cook for me! I live in San Diego. Since I'm on Disability I can't pay you in money, but, I can pay you in chocolate! LOL!
Thanks for the reply!
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
9 Oct 10
Hi zuzh901
I'm sorry to hear that. Is it a choice of yours or are you physically disabled or what? You don't have to answer. It's none of my business.
Thanks for replying!
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
14 Oct 10
What do you mean by a main course and a vegetable? I cooked what for me is a simple meal tonight but it was also a little bit fancy. It was a split chicken marinated in a garlic and chilli sauce. I roasted it with a couple of spuds and a couple of pieces of pumpkin. So a very basic roast. That will give me 4 full meals and 2 of those, meals I might eke out into other meals or have several snacks from them.
I do lots of stir fries or I might have a steak with a salad...I'm lucky as my friend has cattle and shares some of his meat with me. I have quite nice meals but they are also very simply put together. Those that take a bit longer to prepare don't worry me.
@shaggin (72141)
• United States
8 Oct 10
When my husband lived with us I made more elaborate meals all the time. Now that its just me and the kids I dont really bother. They dont eat a lot of the things that I like to cook because they are picky. So I usually just cook what I know they will eat and then I have a little bit of it myself or eat up whatever they leave on their plates. Most the time like you from my depression I dont even feel like eating.
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
9 Oct 10
Hi shaggin!
I can totally relate to that. For instance, tonight when I woke up I made some toast topped with peanut butter and honey. It's a healthy snack and I don't feel like I'm shorting myself nutritionally speaking.
Thank you for replying!
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
9 Oct 10
Cooking for a single person can be difficult at times. It's not the same as cooking for a large family. Smaller portion meals have to decided on when you are single. If you cook a large dish, you end up eating it several times or freezing it. it can be hard to know what to cook when you are the only one to serve.@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
9 Oct 10
You definitely have that right. Most recipes are for 500 people or more! LOL! It is hard to portion out every meal and you do end up either eating it for the rest of the week, freezing most of it, or, God forbid, throwing it down the food composter. They are starting to make recipe books with single serve recipes.
Thanks for replying!
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
@kodukodu84 (1569)
• Malaysia
8 Oct 10
I'm not married yet and don't have kids so I'm still single
Whenever I'm cooking for myself, I don't really care how it is cooked or what condiment I put and all. I'm happy for whatever I cook for myself. I don't mind for not going course by course with my meal. Just a main course and some simple salad with a glass of soft drink or something is enough. Then a fruit afterwards. But it always different everyday, as I said it is not a big matter. As long as I have something to cook
But when I go home to my family's house, ugh, everything will be complicated again. Like, must have this must have that you know. What drinks to prepare, do we need a soup and all. What a big difference!
Whenever I'm cooking for myself, I don't really care how it is cooked or what condiment I put and all. I'm happy for whatever I cook for myself. I don't mind for not going course by course with my meal. Just a main course and some simple salad with a glass of soft drink or something is enough. Then a fruit afterwards. But it always different everyday, as I said it is not a big matter. As long as I have something to cook
But when I go home to my family's house, ugh, everything will be complicated again. Like, must have this must have that you know. What drinks to prepare, do we need a soup and all. What a big difference!@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
9 Oct 10
Hi kodukou84!
Maybe you should thank your lucky stars that you're still single with no kids! LOL! I'm 52 and at a very young age I made up my mind not to get married or have kids and I have NEVER regreted that decision!
With my depression problems and lack of energy how in the world could I do it? I joke that any man I ever marry better be a good cook. Of course, at this stage of my life marriage is not on my mind. Actually, it never has been. So, consider yourself fortunate, my friend!
Thanks for the reply!
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
@RRYaco_C (23)
• Philippines
9 Oct 10
i am a mom...for me its really different when your single and your married.
cause i have tryed that before when im still single. i really dont know how to cook
even a vegetables, i did not know how to cook it.but when i get married i know everything... but yes its difficault in first.
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
9 Oct 10
Hello RRYaco_C!
You are right about that. Whatever situation you find yourself in life you have to adapt. I'm glad that you were able to make the transition.
I'm 52 and at a very young age I decided that I would never get married or have kids and I've never regreted that decision!
Thanks for the reply!
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
