If you didn't (or don't) cook...

[Deleted]

what do you want someone to do to help you?

My sister is living with us while she gets on her feet, but she's moving out soon. She doesn't really cook much, because she has chronic pain that makes it hard for her to move quickly or have a bunch of things to keep an eye on. It's also just her, and it's not super fun to cook for one.

I want to get her something to help her transition from living with us (where I've been cooking) to being on her own. I'm thinking either just getting her a) gift card to Walmart so she can buy whatever food/other stuff she needs, b) a bunch of freezer meals (I would make some and buy some) or c) a crock pot and some basic ingredients to make easy crockpot meals.

What would you prefer to get if you were in this situation? Or other suggestions?

[usm]

Crockpot and recipes. Maybe freezer containers since crockpot meals tend to feed a family, she can freeze leftovers.

[NandaB]

Does she WANT a crockpot? That's the last thing I would want when I was single, but it is nice to throw stuff in and them forget about it for a while

[usm]

Oct 22, 2015 19:42:41 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Does she WANT a crockpot? That's the last thing I would want when I was single, but it is nice to throw stuff in and them forget about it for a while

I had a crockpot in college. Put some rotel in before going to the bar, come home to the perfect snack. But yeah, after thinking about it most people might not use it as often.

[NandaB]

Oct 22, 2015 20:24:37 GMT -5 usm said:

Oct 22, 2015 19:42:41 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Does she WANT a crockpot? That's the last thing I would want when I was single, but it is nice to throw stuff in and them forget about it for a while

I had a crockpot in college. Put some rotel in before going to the bar, come home to the perfect snack. But yeah, after thinking about it most people might not use it as often.

You, my friend, are a genius. I am Sad I never thought of this. I even had a crockpot in college that i won in a church raffle. When I was 14, lol

[Deleted]

Oct 22, 2015 20:11:21 GMT -5 @mama2b said:

Will she still be in your area? If so, an invitation to come eat a meal at your house once a week and send her home with leftovers;)

That's a great idea - just not sure if she'd take me up on it! She'll be in a different city, but it's really close.

[lattelady5]

What about that breakfast sandwich maker do-dah? Kc has posted it before.

[Deleted]

Oct 22, 2015 21:38:50 GMT -5 @mama2b said:

It needs to be said, you are a great sister. We read so much on here about issues with family, nice to read the positive stories too!

Aw, thank you for saying that - that made my day! It's a tough situation for all, and I've definitely had times when I didn't feel very supportive, but I've realized that if I want my sister in my life, it's not going to be a very traditional "sister" relationship. Letting go of my expectations of her and our relationship has been a huge learning curve, but so far its been a really good thing.

[NandaB]

A Forman grill is a great idea. Ours came with different "plates" to grill meat, make waffles and make paninis/

[ashb62]

I LOVE my crockpot, but I can't imagine I would use it often if I was cooking for one. Most crockpot meals feed my family twice, that would be a ridiculous amount of leftovers.

I agree with the George Foreman grill. We had one when we first got married and used it often.

Of your choices, I'd probably do the gift card, but I think if you want to put the time and effort into freezer meals that would be amazing.

[Deleted]

I like all your ideas.

Can you throw her together a quick cookbook of pinterest recipes (or the like or just buy one...lol) that's easy recipes. There's a lot of "one pan" or recipes with semi prepared grocery stuff. It might be a lot easier for her to start there and learn. Most of those also require very little watching. Buy her the ingredients for a few of the recipes as well.

Or can you make her a list of stuff she might like from the store with meal ideas attached and then get her a gift card.

[momin2013]

It's already been mentioned, but when I was cooking for one, I would go visit my parents once a week and my mom a) fed me dinner and b) sent me home with leftovers for the next night. Hey, that took care of cooking for two nights of the week!

When I was cooking for just myself, I literally don't know if I EVER made a full meal unless I had someone coming over. Dinners were things like mac n cheese, BLT sandwiches, etc. I never would have used a crockpot just for myself, but did occasionally use my sandwich maker to make a pizza sandwich for dinner.

[usm]

Oct 22, 2015 20:27:49 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Oct 22, 2015 20:24:37 GMT -5 usm said:

I had a crockpot in college. Put some rotel in before going to the bar, come home to the perfect snack. But yeah, after thinking about it most people might not use it as often.

You, my friend, are a genius. I am Sad I never thought of this. I even had a crockpot in college that i won in a church raffle. When I was 14, lol

Keep it in mind for your next mason jar, vodka drink incident. (Winky face)

[NandaB]

Oct 23, 2015 8:18:51 GMT -5 usm said:

Oct 22, 2015 20:27:49 GMT -5 NandaB said:

You, my friend, are a genius. I am Sad I never thought of this. I even had a crockpot in college that i won in a church raffle. When I was 14, lol

Keep it in mind for your next mason jar, vodka drink incident. (Winky face)

Noooooooo

[Kcthepouchh8r]

What about assembling a cookbook of easy meals? There are one pot pasta dishes where you throw everything in at once, chicken dishes where you add rice/water to the same pan and the rice cooks with the chicken at the same time, etc. With a gift card to a local grocery store to buy supplies?

[jag01]

What about a kitchen kick start package. A basket of different spices, oven mitts, cake pan/cookie sheets, maybe some pasta and sauces, a cookbook, measuring spoons/ cups. What ever you do, she'll appreciate your thoughtfulness.

[Deleted]

I would get her a convection toaster oven that toasts/bakes/broils. I use mine for everything and the rack and pan with it are the perfect sizes for small meals. Also frozen food/snacks come out delish in there. That and a gift card and a pair of oven mitts would probably help a lot!

[cjcouple]

Another vote for George foreman.super easy to clean too.

[quesyrah]

Oct 22, 2015 22:14:10 GMT -5 @tooshort said:

A George Foreman grill? That was the first cooking tool I was given and it is amazing. I'm made all sorts of stuff on it: burgers, grilled cheese, hot dogs....

If she's close you should definitely invite her over it being her a meal occasionally.

I wouldn't do the crock pot. I personally still don't love my crock pot. It's nice every once in a while but I can't imagine I would use it much if it was just me at home.

Oh man that brings back memories! I think I ate all my meals off a George foreman in college. To this day those were the best tuna melts because I didn't have to butter th bread

[quesyrah]

Oct 24, 2015 13:57:52 GMT -5 @tooshort said:

Oct 24, 2015 13:56:12 GMT -5 quesyrah said:

Oh man that brings back memories! I think I ate all my meals off a George foreman in college. To this day those were the best tuna melts because I didn't have to butter th bread

This post made me go dig for my foreman except I couldn't find it....H threw it away!!!! Wtf man?!? I'm so sad.

Bad move Mr. tooshort

[lala]

I don't remember loving my George foreman. We had it the first year or two we were married & then got rid of it.

[Deleted]

Does she own a microwave?

I had these 101 things to do with a crockpot, 101 things to do with a cake mix...easy recipes...

I vote GC (maybe a starter pack of like pasta, sauce, rice, condiments, basic spices) and meals from your house.

[auroraloo]

I echo the Foreman and I would upgrade to the version that has the removable plates because it's easier to clean.

[justbecause]

George Forman grills make the best grilled cheese.