Comments on: Ten Tips for Cooking with a Disability or Injury

By: Hannah

Hannah — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:00:56 +0000

Thanks, Devorah, for adding these tips.

By: Devorah

Devorah — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:23:38 +0000

My mother had a host of issues, including a bad back and severe arthritis. She purchased a tall computer-type chair that was very adjustable and on wheels and used that for the kitchen. Also make sure that your faucet has a lever handle instead of knobs to turn.

Kitchen utensils with thicker handles tend to be a bit easier on the hands. They don’t store very nicely in the drawer, but they are so worth it. Also to make sure to lift pans and other equipment with both hands. While you might have the strength to lift a full pot with one hand, it will definitely strain you.

What I frequently do is stage all of my recipes in advance. I’ll make a list of all of the food I need to make, then put each recipe on the table with its ingredients and the pot/pan/blender I need to use for it. The staging takes minimal effort but makes the cooking much more streamlined and much easier because you don’t have to think too much and you don’t have to run around looking for everything. I usually stage the night before.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:35:44 +0000

Thanks, Penny and Miriam for your compliments! Leah, agreed! Standing over a table and peeling is a sure way to a bad back.

By: LeahGG

LeahGG — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:37:32 +0000

My tip for EVERYONE is to *sit* at the table or counter (if you have a taller chair) when you cut and peel vegetables. The position you stand in when you cut vegetables standing isn’t great for your back. Since most vegetables come in plastic bags, I spread one of them out next to the cutting board for peels and stems and other garbage, then I wrap up the bag, and put it in the trash. (I don’t have a garden, so no compost heap…)
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By: Miriam Kresh

Miriam Kresh — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:29:04 +0000

Excellent post, Hannah, thank you. Penny’s comments are also very useful.
Miriam Kresh recently posted..Buttered Black Radish Recipe

By: Penny

Penny — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:10:30 +0000

This is such a smart post. While I fortunately don’t have to worry about any of these myself, I’m sure it’ll be helpful for those that do need it.
Another few things to add- some stores let you order by phone and make home deliveries- that can be really helpful to people with disabilities.
Crock pot cooking also can help because it doesn’t entail standing over the stove and mixing. Most crockpot meals are “dump meals”.
Also another point about cooking the same meals over and over- you learn to eyeball quantities, not to mention memorizing recipes, so you don’t have to get and wash and put away your cookbook and measuring tools.

Thanks for a wonderful post!
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