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8/4/12 4:59 P

I would love to be able to cook for all of you. I would definitely be able to use my cooking skills I grew up learning. Mountains of food would pass through the door of our house in one way or another everyday. Don't know how (or why) my parents did it.
But we cooked for a small army, feed a small very active, growing small army, and usually had left overs.

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8/4/12 11:15 A

That really would be a great idea!

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7/29/12 8:31 A

Now there's an idea! SparkPeople local cooking co-ops!

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7/26/12 3:04 P

That would be great!!!

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7/26/12 11:25 A

Hi Lynn. I live alone too. I hate to cook. Basically I eat Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice and Smart Ones. Too bad you don't live near me, I would shop with you and pay you to cook. Good luck on your goals.

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7/26/12 7:20 A

Thank you Gemini, I have looked over the links you sent, and there is some good information, but I am "canning for dummies" level, so I think I will start there. But continue to follow the ideas on this board. And perhaps I will be courageous to build up to canning some good stuff this year.

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7/26/12 6:23 A

Hi Lynn and Welcome to the team and the challenge...You sound like you're well on your way !!!
I don't live alone, there are only the 2 of us tho, hubby and me...
Hubby is in construction so he needs his rib sticking meals for the energy needed. But I've learned to make them healthier for us.
I'm Italian, so I know the cook for an army routine ! :}
I, also, garden and can and freeze my goodies.
Do come join us at the Putting Foods Up team...Here is the link...

www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/groups_individ
ual.asp?gid=13192

I posted a Class onthe basics of canning...I think that would be helpful for you.
www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/team_messagebo
ard_thread.asp?board=6366x13192x48882216
Come join us !!!

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7/25/12 10:47 P

Hi, my name is Lynn. I am 51 and live alone although grew up in a big family and learned to cook in large portions. Every now and then I come across something I simply don't know how to make without making it for 8 people. When that happens I leave 2 servings out for left overs ( I love left overs) and I freeze the rest in small plastic containers or freezer bags with taped date. I would love to learn to be more organized in my shopping and meal preparation. I started eating more healthfully (very organic). I purchase most of my food, including meats, at the local farmers market.
I want to find more choices and perhaps learn how to cut my large meals into smaller portions. At the beginning of the year I bought my food at Walmart, but with all the recalls and pink slim and my starting to work out, I expected more of my food than the junk that was available from big super stores.
If I get anything from the store it is package cereal (but I love hemp granola), or a particular brand of cheese. But really keep the shopping there to a minimum.
I have gotten into the habit of eating healthy and when I don't I can feel it. My body doesn't like processed food at all anymore.
I work out everyday and need to loose weight and get my portion cooking sizes down. I will be starting Week 1 goal this weekend. I have already started making a menu (I keep that going throughout the week when I think of something I want to have. Then before I go to the market I make my shopping list. So sort of on my way to doing that goal already.

Also, I want to learn how to can and freeze summer veggies and fruits so I can have them though out the winter. I have been reading about it but still don't have a clear process of how to do this in bulk safely.

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