[Blind-rollers] cooking and carrying things

Sun Aug 2 18:35:50 UTC 2009

I love to cook, too!  We owned a restaurant for while so I had to  conquer 
my kitchen as soon as I lost my vision.  That is where the blind  
association was so very supportive.  I started planning daily baking etc  just so I 
could trip through the process until I learned by trial and  error.  I have a 
microwave stand on wheels that the surface holds baking  supplies andthat 
has my specific baking items inside the cabinet.  The  Canisters on top are 
the size that I can hold with one hand. All my baking needs  from cocoa to 
baking soda is inside the cabinet.   I keep all my  measuring cups and spoons 
in the drawer of the cabinet.  All my muffin pans  etc stay in this cabinet 
too.  

In regards to draining pasta, etc., the blind association has workers that  
will help train you to live in your home and do these things.  There is a  
pan with a lid that locks does not allow the water to spill when in locked  
position. It has vents to leave the steam out as it cooks so when you open  
lid, all the steam does not burn you.   You have to use a pan with one  
handle...and use the other hand to operate the chair.  I also have a flat,  
square colander that works much better then the traditional colanders because it 
 can't tip.  Grabbing a pan full of steamed veggies or pasta   
means...building those biceps by core strengthening exercises.  I can carry  a stack of 
dirty dishes from the table to the sink but I have to stack them  correctly 
without silverware in between.  I also make multiple trips.   There is also 
a dish/silverware caddy that you can store your everyday dishes in  that has 
one handle and u can use that to store your dishes and grab the handle  and 
"go" to set the table. 
I am known to make sharp turns in the chair, our kitchen is big...  and  my 
family dance...when I am around...to dodge my whipping around the  wheels 
and running over their toes in the kitchen. We are sitting at table...and  we 
realize we need napkins....I am the one to zip over to get the napkins cuz  
the chair makes it a breeze to zip and get them.  My kitchen is set up for  
me.  Everyone puts the items back where I will know where they  are.  My 
aide has been trained....when putting measuring cups etc  away...they have to 
go in exact place.  Label or make a chart for others if  necessary of how 
you want things organized in your cupboards.  I still am  working on my men 
with the spices and someday, they are going to get pumpkin pie  spice in their 
fajitas if they don't quit carelessly throwing back my spices in  the spice 
drawer lol.  They all think they are Emeril, I guess.  

I love cast iron skillets but I can only use them when the guys are here to 
 lift it to sink when I am finished with it.  I know I cannot lift a cast  
iron skillet...tried it...not doing it again lol.  Lightweight  cookware!  
There are oven mitts that go up to your elbows that the blind  association 
provided for me for taking things out of oven and draining  things.  No more 
burns! A silicone potholder works wonderful. They can  withstand high 
temperatures.  Lightweight cutting boards with a handle  gives me a place to hold 
on when chopping veggies/meat on a prep  surface and move to the cooking 
surface.  There is a rolling chop thing  that the blind assoc gave me that is 
great for chopping eggs etc in a  container.  I use a pizza cutter to cut 
cakes/cookie bars/brownies.  I  take a clean ruler I just keep for cooking and 
put on top of the pan of brownies  2 inches from side of container...then 4 
etc...to make an even line to roll the  pizza cutter along.  That can be done 
for pizza too. That way my  pieces are even because perception is not my 
gift anymore due to vision  loss.  Keep your chair on turtle speed in kitchen. 
 Also, use the  space between your legs 
on foot petal to put milk etc to transport to your prep area.  I  realized 
my fire extinguisher was mounted where I could not access it after I  got my 
chair.  I had to throw cornstarch all over my stove cuz my son or  hubby 
had spilled grease down in the stove pans....now my aide checks this  daily.  
Scared me to death.  I didn't know it ignited and my face was  a foot from 
the fire.  Honestly, everyone is so proud at the meals I make  for family and 
church.  I bake bread, muffins, and sticky buns for my  Sunday school 
class.  Good luck, Holly...get cooking  and just move  around the obstacles!!!

In a message dated 8/2/2009 8:44:31 A.M. Central Daylight Time,  
mommaholly at gmail.com writes:

Hi  everyone.  Yes I am back yet again with another question.  I love  to
cook and I am always doing it.  I was wondering like if I am  boiling a
pot of noodles and water for spaghetti, and you have to drain  the
noodles, how do you carry that hot pan from the stove to the  sink?  You
can't very well put that thing in your lap.  And  dishes from the table
back to the sink, how do you carry them without  dropping them if you
carry more than one plate at a time.  Any  tips?

Holly Alonzo

www.hollyalonzo.com  <http://www.hollyalonzo.com/> 

Holly book cover  thumbnail
<http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz42/hollyalonzo/Hollybookcoverthumb
nail.jpg>  Never Giving Up Hope

You can get a copy of my book online  at
http://stores.lulu.com/hollyalonzo

If you would rather order a  book directly from me, you may send an  email
to
booksales at hollyalonzo.com and request a copy.  A payment  method can be
arranged.  I will do whatever is best for you. 

I  have a print copy and an electronic copy.  The print copy is on  solid
white paper with 14 point font, easier for low vision people to  read.  I
also have accessible electronic copies for those using screen  readers.

Print copies are $13 and the electronic copy is $7.

All  profits from books sales will go toward funding for the Auditory
Brainstem  Implant.  Please support and buy a book if you  can.

_______________________________________________
Blind-rollers  mailing  list
Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers_nfbnet.org
To  unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for  
Blind-rollers:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blind-rollers_nfbnet.org/agapedew%40ao
l.com

**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy 
steps! 
(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222846709x1201493018/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=115&bcd
=JulystepsfooterNO115)