I recently have had a lot to do since my husband is having two major surgeries this summer. One of my friends really came through. She made a huge batch of chicken cacciatore and a wonderful lamb stew. I am so grateful. She didn’t ask what she could do; she just appeared with these wonderful gifts. It means so much.
This is such a helpful post, so much good and practical information. I really love cooking for and taking food to people. I struggle a bit when there are certain food restrictions and eating quirks among family members, house mates etc.. I so appreciate your practical wisdom! I'd love to deliver a meal to you! ❤️
Wonderful thoughtful post, Julia! To answer Beth’s question, I would rely heavily on pre-cut fresh fruits & veg (packaged and/of from the salad bar) and buy lots of frozen fruits and vegetables. Frozen produce gets a bad rap, but it shouldn’t! Frozen produce is picked & frozen at peak ripeness, providing great flavor and texture. It’s *usually* fresher than buying fresh produce (unless you’re a farmer and/or grow your own)! Canned and jarred fruits & veg are also wonderful to keep on-hand, but can be more difficult to open, if mobility/strength is a concern.
I'm currently dealing with shoulder restrictions on my dominate arm for a few weeks. I reached out for cooking help in advance so me and my partner would have MRE's (meals ready to eat) and I also froze a bunch of what she made. I realize having this kind of help is a luxury and not available to many or most. But it has made a huge difference.
Though I didn't have a lot of time or bandwidth beforehand to cook, but I made a couple of extra portions of comforting mashed potatoes and marinated shaved steak for when we needed something homemade.
I love your ideas, Julia, of keeping things simple and consider the need. We asked for help this week for chopping veggies like cucumbers, celery, and cauliflower so we can have ready access to fresh items to munch on and cook with. I will ask our friend to chop some celery fine, as well as some dill pickles, for tuna salad. So great to have simple, comforting tuna salad on hand. Thanks for the great suggestion. Wish I had some Ritz crackers on hand:)
My sister had breast cancer when her kids were small so friends very helpfully did a meal train. Best suggestion was to leave in a cooler at the door so no one had to visit if they weren’t up to it and PLEASE no banana bread. She is 15 yrs post treatment and still can’t stand it!
Thank you, Julia! A great reminder of the importance of taking care of each other.
In reference to nonprofit meal services, last year I started volunteering at Open Arms of Minnesota (https://www.openarmsmn.org/) based in the Twin Cities. Meals are prepared by trained chefs and then portioned, packaged and delivered by volunteers. It’s been so rewarding to know my hands are helping feed someone who needs it, whether they are going through a crisis, live with a chronic condition or are taking care of someone else who is.
If any readers are in MSP, I encourage you to check out their org and mission! And volunteer if you’re able. 🥪
This is so helpful - practical, simple, and inspiring!
Beth's question reminded me of a cookbook I read a few years ago called Cook As You Are by Ruby Tandoh. I remember being impressed by the author's work to make the recipes inclusive and accessible for different abilities and lifestyles. Might be worth a look!
The time of this could not be more perfect. A friend of mine just reached out asking for help. I was so grateful she asked! Thanks for sharing this Julia ❤️
I loved this! I second no lasagna! I actually would also say no baked pasta - for whatever reason it's always the first thing that comes to people's minds. I ran a months-long meal train for one of my kids' teachers and finally I had to impose a no-pasta rule because that's all she was getting! I often make Chicken Marbella, the retro Silver Palate recipe, because it's flavorful and easy to make ibn big batches and keeps well. My family also was lucky enough to have a meal train run for us when my husband was in cancer treatment and I will say it helps to be specific about what you want and don't want - people really welcome that feedback. I will also say that I got way more excited about cut-up fruit and vegetables than anything else!
i loved having a batch of oat muffins in the freezer postpartum - i'd microwave one and then rip in half, insert a chunk of butter, smash it back together and eat while nursing the baby...oats supposedly help w milk production. i try to make them for all new moms now!
I recently have had a lot to do since my husband is having two major surgeries this summer. One of my friends really came through. She made a huge batch of chicken cacciatore and a wonderful lamb stew. I am so grateful. She didn’t ask what she could do; she just appeared with these wonderful gifts. It means so much.
oh that's so kind! so glad you have that practical support and hope all goes well with your husband's surgeries!
This is such a helpful post, so much good and practical information. I really love cooking for and taking food to people. I struggle a bit when there are certain food restrictions and eating quirks among family members, house mates etc.. I so appreciate your practical wisdom! I'd love to deliver a meal to you! ❤️
that's very sweet!
This is so wonderful, kind and practical!!!
<3 <3
Wonderful thoughtful post, Julia! To answer Beth’s question, I would rely heavily on pre-cut fresh fruits & veg (packaged and/of from the salad bar) and buy lots of frozen fruits and vegetables. Frozen produce gets a bad rap, but it shouldn’t! Frozen produce is picked & frozen at peak ripeness, providing great flavor and texture. It’s *usually* fresher than buying fresh produce (unless you’re a farmer and/or grow your own)! Canned and jarred fruits & veg are also wonderful to keep on-hand, but can be more difficult to open, if mobility/strength is a concern.
thanks for these ideas !!
I'm currently dealing with shoulder restrictions on my dominate arm for a few weeks. I reached out for cooking help in advance so me and my partner would have MRE's (meals ready to eat) and I also froze a bunch of what she made. I realize having this kind of help is a luxury and not available to many or most. But it has made a huge difference.
Though I didn't have a lot of time or bandwidth beforehand to cook, but I made a couple of extra portions of comforting mashed potatoes and marinated shaved steak for when we needed something homemade.
I love your ideas, Julia, of keeping things simple and consider the need. We asked for help this week for chopping veggies like cucumbers, celery, and cauliflower so we can have ready access to fresh items to munch on and cook with. I will ask our friend to chop some celery fine, as well as some dill pickles, for tuna salad. So great to have simple, comforting tuna salad on hand. Thanks for the great suggestion. Wish I had some Ritz crackers on hand:)
this is all so helpful to hear and wishing you a speedy recovery!
Thank you for these excellent ideas and tips. My love language is food so this post will definitely help me in the future!
<3 <3
My sister had breast cancer when her kids were small so friends very helpfully did a meal train. Best suggestion was to leave in a cooler at the door so no one had to visit if they weren’t up to it and PLEASE no banana bread. She is 15 yrs post treatment and still can’t stand it!
the cooler is key!!
Thank you, Julia! A great reminder of the importance of taking care of each other.
In reference to nonprofit meal services, last year I started volunteering at Open Arms of Minnesota (https://www.openarmsmn.org/) based in the Twin Cities. Meals are prepared by trained chefs and then portioned, packaged and delivered by volunteers. It’s been so rewarding to know my hands are helping feed someone who needs it, whether they are going through a crisis, live with a chronic condition or are taking care of someone else who is.
If any readers are in MSP, I encourage you to check out their org and mission! And volunteer if you’re able. 🥪
love knowing about this — thank you!!!
This is so helpful - practical, simple, and inspiring!
Beth's question reminded me of a cookbook I read a few years ago called Cook As You Are by Ruby Tandoh. I remember being impressed by the author's work to make the recipes inclusive and accessible for different abilities and lifestyles. Might be worth a look!
yes!!!!
The time of this could not be more perfect. A friend of mine just reached out asking for help. I was so grateful she asked! Thanks for sharing this Julia ❤️
oh good!
I loved this! I second no lasagna! I actually would also say no baked pasta - for whatever reason it's always the first thing that comes to people's minds. I ran a months-long meal train for one of my kids' teachers and finally I had to impose a no-pasta rule because that's all she was getting! I often make Chicken Marbella, the retro Silver Palate recipe, because it's flavorful and easy to make ibn big batches and keeps well. My family also was lucky enough to have a meal train run for us when my husband was in cancer treatment and I will say it helps to be specific about what you want and don't want - people really welcome that feedback. I will also say that I got way more excited about cut-up fruit and vegetables than anything else!
thanks for sharing all of this Elisa! xooxxoox
this is so helpful! seriously great advice
i loved having a batch of oat muffins in the freezer postpartum - i'd microwave one and then rip in half, insert a chunk of butter, smash it back together and eat while nursing the baby...oats supposedly help w milk production. i try to make them for all new moms now!
butter smash YES!