Get
cooking again with these kitchen helpers
Hate to cook?
Or love to cook, but find cooking
difficult? Perhaps you find it hard to hold onto things...or
your hands ache...or you tire easily...or you can't see very
well. For whatever reason, the kitchen has become a frustrating place.
Still, you have to eat. Every day.
So you try the take-out routine. And the
frozen convenience food routine. But the choices are limited,
expensive, and not that healthy. You'd like to enjoy fresh
food again without all the preparation hassle.
It may be time to treat yourself to some new
kitchen utensils that can save cooking time and effort. But
how do you tell the essential gadgets from those that don't
work? This is largely a matter of function and your personal
work style.
Begin by taking stock:
 | What foods do you enjoy? |
| What kitchen tasks do you perform most often? |
| What tools do you use over and over? |
| What functions do you wish you had a tool to
handle? |
Next, check your drawers and cabinets to see what
utensils you already have--and what condition they're in.
If
knives have grown dull through the years (making it harder than it
should be to slice and dice), consider replacing them. Pitch
or donate the tools
and small appliances that you never use. You don't need the clutter
or the aggravation.
Now you're ready to shop for kitchen gear that can
bring comfort and convenience to your mealtime chores.
Do you struggle to decipher small numbers and
symbols on measuring tools? Look for:
| measuring cups and spoons with colors or large,
contrasting numbers to indicate size |
| liquid level indicator to prevent spill-overs
in cups and bowls by buzzing when the liquid reaches the
appropriate level |
| low vision timers that keep track of time so
you don't accidentally overcook foods |
Are your hands weak? Get help with stubborn
lids:
Is your dexterity poor? Consider:
Along with right kitchen tools, a little
creativity is called for. Experiment with new ways of handling
old chores, and you'll find ample opportunity to get good results
with less effort.
Minimize trips from one
room to another by grouping items on a tray--preferably an
easy-to-carry tray
to avoid spilling. For heavy items, use a rolling
cart.
Use a long-handled reacher
to avoid bending, stretching, climbing.
If the oven is too low for
comfort, use a tabletop electric broiler oven instead.
Replace heavy pots with
lighter aluminum ones, and breakable dishes with unbreakable
plastic.
Be resourceful. Work smart, and you'll be
amazed what you can accomplish despite physical limitations
Cooking will become do-able again, and eating, a renewed
pleasure. |
