Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of commentary from friends and family about cooking for themselves once they’re flying solo in life. They struggle with motivation and portion sizes when they no longer have a family or partner to cook for. Cooking for one becomes an unexciting chore.
I started cooking for myself and myself alone when I was in college, and I have never stopped. I learned habits that have sustained me: Write a menu for the upcoming week, craft a shopping list to create that menu, practice those math skills to cut down portion sizes, and don’t turn your nose up at leftovers.
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Lisa Brown is the administrative assistant at the Joplin Public Library.
Dining and Cooking