Quad food prep., cooking and product tips

[antiquity]

I posted a list of things that make cooking and food prep. easier for me in another thread but decided to make it a topic. If anyone has other ideas, including easy recipes (I'm a one pot cook) please post them here.

I don't have tenodesis which means that I'm unable to grip with one hand so my strategies/struggles may not apply to every quad.

Ideas for quad cooks:

Storage: Storing food in zip lock baggies is much easier than using tupperwear. Those lids are a pain to get off.

Buy pre-prepared veggies: The better supermarkets should have a decent selection of precut fresh raw veggies like brocolli, onions, cauliflower, green pepper, carrots etc., usually in wrapped packages in the produce section. Using graters, dicers and slicers like cuisinart can still be a hassle for those with limited hand use.

Meats: Most markets will also have pre-seasoned raw meats, that are already diced, shredded or wrapped. Eliminates the need for a lot of cutting and slicing. Poultry, fish and meatballs for example can be bought already breaded and or cooked.

Fruits: Peeling is simply out of the question for most quads so I buy ready to eat fruit. Supermarkets will also have "fresh fruit salads" already prepared if you want it super fresh. I usually buy fruit in glass jars, seems a little fresher than what's in the cans and plastic cups.

Since spreads can be difficult to manage, I would suggest buying butter or margarine in the squeeze containers. Same applies to ketchup, mustard, mayonaise and jelly.

I like Cuisinart cookware because it's lightweight and has that hole in the handle which I use to hook my thumb through for lifting. The lids, which have handles instead of knobs make lifting them off possible too. Cast iron and calphalon are too heavy and cumbersome, there's no easy way to grip them.

Non-stick plastic cooking utensils are a must , they tend to be much lighter than metal or wood, easier to handle.

For hot drinks like coffee/tea, I heat water in the microwave instead of using a tea pot or coffee maker. I use coffee bags instead or brewed because it's easier than opening a jar and spooning out the coffee.

Sammons used to carry quad knives, one chopper and one serrated type but they've apparently been discontinued. I lost my chopper but still have two of the serrated knives left, don't know what I'll do when they disappear. They've been a godsend.

A kitchen with lowered counter tops and a roll under cooktop and sink will enable easier cooking and dishwashing. A raised wall oven with a swing away side mounted door eases baking and food removal challenges.

A side by side refrigerator helps too.

And buy everything pre-chopped, either fresh or frozen!

[This message was edited by seneca on 02-23-04 at 06:10 PM.]

[This message was edited by seneca on 02-23-04 at 06:11 PM.]

[This message was edited by seneca on 02-23-04 at 06:19 PM.]

[marmalady]

Sen, I love squeeze bottles, and use 'em for all kinds of things - salad dressing, soy sauce - you name it!

I just got Matt a 'mezzaluna' the crescent shaped 'rocker' knife - he's doing okay with it, but it's hard to manage things like carrots; softer things are okay, tho.

What about a cutting board you can put on your lap? With nails driven up from the bottom side, so you can 'spear' food to be cut, so it stays in one place.

And those rubbery, wavy drawer liner thingys - can't remember what they're called - help! Anyway, they're great to put under bowls and things to keep them from sliding on the counter.

_____________
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. - Mother Teresa

[lilsister]

Seneca, in the frozen foods section you can find many vegetables and fruit also. Many are very good, they are flash frozen without additives. Onions, green peppers and many combinations are great for one pot delights. They come in bags that can be ripped open using teeth and/or hands. Extremely handy!

[antiquity]

Lilsister, soo true, frozen veggies are my friend. Here's a super quick and easy meal that I made tonight.

Chicken and vegetable stew (or soup if you add more water) Leave out the chicken if you're a vegetarian. I'm a semi-veg.

1 bag of Tysons chunk chicken breast in the pouch

1 - 1.5 cups of stir-fry frozen vegetables in the bag. It contains red, yellow and green bell peppers and onions.

1 cup of frozen whole kernel yellow corn in the bag

(I sometimes use frozen stew mix which contains potatoes, carrots, celery and onions)

2 cups of water

3-4 Tbs of olive oil

salt, pepper, dehydrated minced garlic, Italian seasoning and A1'classic' seasoning (dry). I don't measure anything so I can't say precisely how much I use.

I use my serrated quad knife to open all bags. I add the oil first, then all the contents, seasoning and water last. I place over medium high heat, cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occassionally.

For the rice which I sometimes add: I put boil in-the-bag rice in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave on high for 13-14 minutes. There's a slit at the top of the bag which I slide my knife into to remove. I shake it over the sink to drain. I put a towel on my lap, sit the bag on it move over to the cook top. I cut a slit in the top, tilt the bag over the side of the pan, and turn it upside down by lifting the bottom with the knife. Once everything is in, I stir and it's ready to serve.

That's a good idea Marm, I hadn't thought about buying the squeeze bottles separately and filling them up with whatever. I love apple jelly but I haven't been able to find it in a squeeze bottle, now I know what to do.

[PB72181]

Originally posted by Marmalady:

And those rubbery, wavy drawer liner thingys - can't remember what they're called - help!

They're called drawer or shelf liners, Marm. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif

Stupidity is not a handicap. Please park elsewhere. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Jeff B]

Originally posted by seneca:

Sammons used to carry quad knives, one chopper and one serrated type but they've apparently been discontinued. I lost my chopper but still have two of the serrated knives left, don't know what I'll do when they disappear. They've been a godsend.


Please describe these quad knives.

[chick]

Marm: Dycem? They are sticky rolls that can be cut to use as needed (ie grip/twist jars) or come in table place mat style, to hold plates etc in place.

Jeff B: knives can come in many designs, and different types of handles may serve individual quads differently, per hand function.
- Bigger handles, location of handle, cut-outs for hands to slip into, cuff-like shape to hook hand, etc.

Sen: EAT the skin on your fruit! http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif

I find Tupperware easier than zip-loc plastic bags. Closing/opening lids is faster on tupperware (for me). Use teeth to open or, use fork/thumb to loosen edge (fork for tight lids).

Pre-seasoned/packaged foods can be good, but does cost more. Idea would be to get in good with the butcher/meat & fish dept person and they may cut up the meats for you without addtl cost.

Hot drinks: For plain hot water or coffee/tea, Coffee pot is easier than microwave- less likely to burn with hot cup.
I use filter to make hot water and fill coffee pot. Good if you are needing more than a single cup too, so not repeat nuking cups in microwave.
I grind coffee beans and brew fresh coffee. Not too much more work, just an extra minute or so to grind and put into coffee machine. A minute is nothing if you prefer fresh coffee.

[betheny]

Cass gave me this link for a knife which I plan to order. She swears by it...

knife recommendation (http://lifewithease.com/gripknife.html)

C5/6 incomplete, injured Aug. 2000

[antiquity]

Originally posted by Jeff B:

Please describe these quad knives.

Jeff B, they're called vertical palm self-handle utensils. Like Chick described, it's a vertical cuff with a utensil attached that you slide your hand through. The knife attachments are no longer available.

Originally posted by chick:
Hot drinks: For plain hot water or coffee/tea, Coffee pot is easier than microwave- less likely to burn with hot cup.


Chick, how do you avoid touching the hot pot when you lift, can you grip the handle?

I stack two styrofoam cups, fill with water then put in microwave, the exterior isn't hot when I remove. I know, I know, shouldn't put styro in micro....

[This message was edited by seneca on 02-24-04 at 01:34 PM.]

[marmalady]

Chick, No it's not Dycem - this stuff is way cheaper, you can get it where the contact paper and drawer liner stuff is in the grovery or Home Depot - it's thin and rubbery, and makes great grippers! Usually comes in rolls.

_____________
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. - Mother Teresa

[joyt]

i've read that a toaster oven on a table is much easier to maneuver than a regular oven... http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

joy
"You've got to learn to love the little things in life in order to be happy, like a sip of whiskey in the evening or a beautiful morning sunrise."
~Gus McRae, "Lonesome Dove"

[lilsister]

Okay, I went down to the basement to get the name of the non-slippery stuff-it's called SAFE SHELF,'a nonslip shelf and drawer liner', distributed by MidwesternHome Products. When cutting for use I just cut in size of a placemat, course being the crafty sort, I make fish and other shapes. Can be washed off and lasts forever. Can get at any discount store- K-Mart, Wal-mart, Walgreens, etc. Good for under books, laptops also.

When making soup, you can just throw in rice, after it's hot, and will make it into a stew. Took me longer than the average bear to realize that you didn't have to pre-cook the rice! Duh!

[marmalady]

Thanks, Deb! The only roll I had in the house doesn't have the labellng on it, and my CRS kicked in and couldn't remember the name!

_____________
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. - Mother Teresa

[antiquity]

Originally posted by lilsister:

When making soup, you can just throw in rice, after it's hot, and will make it into a stew. Took me longer than the average bear to realize that you didn't have to pre-cook the rice! Duh!

Double duh, I didn't think of that either. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif Thanks Lil.

[lilsister]

Seneca, thank you so much for not letting me go down alone!! My mother never had me help cook and so I floundered for a long time! It's all those little tips that make it easier. My theory is that is why mothers are good cooks-because they have to make meals consistently and cheaply every-ding-dang-day.

If anyone wants a roll of the non-slip stuff let me know, I'll send it to you. I was just going to stick it in the garage sale, since I over estimated the demand here, and am trying to lessen the clutter (due to a foolish New Years resolution).

[chick]

Hey guys, just make sure there is enough liquid in soup/pot when adding uncooked rice. Even cooked rice will absorb liquid.

Sen, on the coffe pot, I use a regular decanter, most have similar handles, but some shapes/designs are better than others in enabling my hand to hold- mostly with thumb, being hooked under handle. Some might require base of palm (toward wrist) to touch glass portion of pot, so some padding (dish rag/pot pad, etc) might be useful to prevent from burning skin and/or help to give better leverage when lifting. This may be more the case when pot is full.

I have become pretty adept at this that I have no or little difficulty lifting pot with right hand. This is easier with the right hand because my fingers have more tone/tightness than left hand. My right thumb wraps around under handle, as some of the weight of the pot is distributed onto my hand (lift from handle, not touching pot). I have been trying to lift less often the full 12-cup pot, due to some strain on thumb, but necessity and impatience has me overdoing it more than I should, which adds too much stress on thumb/joint.

When the pot is completely full and hot, I have been just pulling it out of the hotplate, onto counter and just tipping the pot over the sink, where I place my cup. This has been easier that trying to lift a full hot glass pot.
I also pull out pot when filled to where I want (4-6 cups) then pour into cup and then place back onto hotplate to finish dripping. I don't have to concern myself with touching hot glass then, since I can lift half filled pot without touching glass. Brewing coffee, I let finish dripping first.

For making coffee, a gold filter w/handle is convenient for lining with paper filter and adding coffee grounds. Easy to lift out and toss out used grounds. (hmm, is that grinds?)
I always line filter with paper even when just making hot water.

A thought just came to mind- if you have a hose on sink, maybe that can easily reach to coffee pot to fill with water so you won't need to lift heavy pot?

Sorry for long reply on simple question! http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/frown.gif

[This message was edited by chick on 03-08-04 at 10:39 AM.]

[marco25]

I was hoping some of you para and quad cooks out there could post some more recipes like Seneca's soup. There are some excellent ideas and hints shared here. So consider this a "bump" and share some of your favorites.

[Fritsch]

i coulnt get anythig done without a trusty tray with heat protection so i dont burn myself. Also a rocker knife is a big help.

[nate007]

Haven't read the thread really thoroughly but as a c5/6 i grill all sorts of meat on my George Foreman grill. Steak, chicken, pork, fish, you name it. It's very easy too, just slap it on and close the lid. Just make sure you have enough cupboard room above it so the lid doesn't fall shut on you.

[chick]

Seeing that there have been recent interest expressed by quads, living on own and cooking, I thought this might be a good thread to follow-up on.

Great ideas were listed by Antiquity and others here. It would be cool to continue building on these suggestions and adding more! :)

[antiquity]

Wow, I made a corn/rice/onions/garlic and broccoli stew the other night and almost forgot my recipe lol. I barely cook now with the home business. Hubby brings home take-out almost every night. I miss my food. :(

Now that I have a camera, I'll take a pic of the quad knives I was referring to.

[redbandit]

Now that I have a camera, I'll take a pic of the quad knives I was referring to.

Where's the pictures antiquity?

Can you descibe the cuff that attaches to the knife, will it fit any knife or just those special quad knives? I use a mezzaluna now but it's not great for slicing. I could maybe make a cuff that would work since you say they are not available anymore.

[antiquity]

Oh hehe. I'll do that tonight.

[redbandit]

awesome, thanks!

[antiquity]

alrighty. the cuff part is a little out of shape since its an old knife. unfortunately, they're not made anymore so i can't replace it.

[betheny]

I ordered this off TV-the Vidalia Chop Wizard. I'm loving it. I had an earlier version that I liked so well I gave them as gifts. It has a smaller dice. I like the bigger size chop on this and I like the fact that it catches what I've chopped. It is a GREAT product for quad hands.



https://www.chopwizard.com/?source=gg&camp=chop&grp=generic&term=chopper%20food&&s_kwcid=chopper%20food|736960759&gclid=CMGu7IS7wooCFRlvSAodQy3Fhg

[Jeff B]

https://www.chopwizard.com/

When you use it do you yell "Hi-yaa" or "Abracadabra"?

[betheny]

I prefer Hi-yaaa. I appreciate your asking! :rotfl:

[redbandit]

Antiquity, I'm not sure about the knife still. It looks like your hand goes into the cuff from the side while the blade is pointing forward. Is that right? The knife looks really narrow, like a filet knife. Is the blade serrated?


When you use it do you yell "Hi-yaa" or "Abracadabra"?

Hilarious! I thought the same thing when I saw the commercial.

Bethany, I've been considering buying the chopwizard but I was suspicious about its performance. Does it mash anything like tomatoes instead of cutting them? I worry about how long it will stay sharp too. How is yours holding up?

I have the one touch can opener from tv and I love it!

[betheny]

So far it is holding up well. When it gets dull it will have to be replaced tho. :(

Re tomatoes-You have to slice them in half first, for best results, even Roma's. (Not cherries). The Romas explode if you try to chop w/out first slicing. It looks a bit gory when that happens...kinda Tarantino-esque LOL.

[antiquity]

Antiquity, I'm not sure about the knife still. It looks like your hand goes into the cuff from the side while the blade is pointing forward. Is that right? The knife looks really narrow, like a filet knife. Is the blade serrated?


yep, it's serrated. they had another one with a short broad blade but i lost that a couple of years ago. sammons catalogue carried them.

they do have this which i ordered but it's huge and totally impractical.

http://www.sammonspreston.com/images/products/3351.JPG

[redbandit]

It seems like to me.... if the cuff was turned 90 deg in relation to the blade, and had an adjustable strap to tighten onto your hand that it would be more efficient....just an idea.

[chick]

Here are some pics of knives with my hand.

The top pic #1 is like what Sen posted. Blade is wrapped because I never opened it after bring it home from O.T. who helped me modify it with the D-ring strap (over 10 yrs ago!). I think it is serrated. *(I can send this to someone who needs it - in particular, due to limited hands, in need of knife w/strap).

#2 & 3: I don't really use any modified equip for my hands since right hand is pretty tight. Left hand is looser, so I can't maintain grip like on my right hand, tho the different "tightness" levels on each hand allows me to use it for various needs - both serve dif functions and has it's individual benefits.

Most times for smaller cutting and for items that are soft, I use a serrated steak knife.

[redbandit]

thanks for the pics, Chick. I do similar things as you do with my knives. I'm functionally a c6 so I have wrist extension but no grip strength other than spasticity. I would love it if you could send me your knife w/strap. My grip is not quite as good as yours as it looks in the pictures. PM me if you want and I can give you details.

[Jeff B]

The problem with using a strap to hold your hand on the knife is that they don't stay tight enough and when you are putting it on the blade is flipping all over the place. This is particularily dangerous if you are using your teeth to tighten the strap.

[chick]

Sure thing red. First come first serve! Will get your info in PM. Most likely mail out sometime next week. I didn't want to unwrap the blade, just in case I was mailing out :)

I function as c5/6, with no finger dexterity or intentional "grip". Objects (like handles) stay passively in Right hand due to tone and shortened muscles. I like to keep my hands in fist w/fingers curled and thumb usually tucked under fingers to maintain tone. I didn't like wearing splints in rehab, which I am glad I didn't.

[chick]

The problem with using a strap to hold your hand on the knife is that they don't stay tight enough and when you are putting it on the blade is flipping all over the place. This is particularily dangerous if you are using your teeth to tighten the strap.Yes, I agree. I think Red might need to modify strap to help secure his hand better. I never found straps on TOP of knives helpful or functional (for my functional level).
1) Could never get enough pressure w/elbow up/out from side.
2) Elbow down and to side with handle end pointing out w/thunb facing me (hands positioned as pictured in butcher knife), I have firmer control and get better results.
3) Most of my pressure comes from leaving wrist forced back and using arms NOT hands. (note: much of my right hand use comes from wrist (hyper) extended out, since I have no flexion, but this can be over used and cause problems/pain - esp. since for me, I type and do other things with wrist pretty locked in this position (see pic below). So, anyone with wrist hyper-extended and/or with repetitive use in such position, be careful and consider some wrist support).


Redbandit - I don't know how your hand is, so hard to tell how useful knife might be, but I think that your wrist (for stability/support) and pec (for cutting/pressure) strength will have significant effect. If you have counter-top you can cut on, where you are positioned well and balanced, you may be able to use knife w/strap to secure it on one hand, while using other hand to press down and/or guide. If your hand is rather flaccid w/fingers extended, it might be possible to put through handle and adjust strap as needed?

[redbandit]

I have a lot of tone everywhere, so that helps me with my trunk control and sitting balance as well as my grip. My hands are far from flaccid. The fingers on my left hand are folded more (like your right hand in the pic). The fingers are so stiff that I can hook and hold on while I'm leaning to the right to pick something up. I have to wedge open my fingers with my wrist dropped to put a cup in my left hand, and when I pull the wrist up my fingers clamp down pretty hard. It's actually harder to get something out of my left hand than in. I can even open some screwtop lids if I can get my left hand around it. My right hand is more open. It's almost perfect for tenodesis, but the wrist extension and grip is weaker. My tone also keeps my wrist from hyperextending, the active range is about 20-30 degrees past neutral. OK...so that's my hands. As far as the rest of my body is concerned, I don't have pecs so I cheat with my shoulders which means I don't get a lot of push. I use a mezzaluna knife now and I kinda do what you do with your chef knife. I hold the knife with my right hand and press down from my right shoulder and if I need more power I add my left hand over the top and press or strike with my left hand. It just doesn't work well with everything. A cuff that would stabilize my grip a little more on a right angle knife would do the trick I think because everything else would be relatively stable. Imagine taking your right hand as if you are going to shake hands and grip the knife handle with your fingers going thru the loop of the handle. Then you would secure your hand with the cuff. Your hand would be positioned with the thumb facing up and the palm facing left. Your elbow would be down at your side. I hope that all makes sense.........

[chick]

Yes, makes sense :)

Given your function, it seems the knife w/strap might help, but if it doesn't, like I mentioned earlier, you could always modify it to position it to where it might best work for you. Like you, I have no pecs, so pressing down with elbow up and out to side, is difficult. Most of the adaptive type knives haven't been helpful to me, which is why I just use the regular ones.

Do you have a rehab near you where you can try out some of the different equipment, even getting some simple cuffs to adapt onto your existing supplies? They will usually be in the O.T. dept. Utensil cuffs can be screwed onto handles, or velcro strips (from any store) screwed on to create cuff straps.

[redbandit]

Yea, I try to use regular stuff as much as possible. I just don't like having a lot of gadgets/modifications around, sometimes I can't avoid it though.

I have a rehab center about 1-1.5 hrs from where I live but they wouldn't be much help. I know more than they do about what I need. I'm not being a know-it-all, they just mostly have experience with sports injuries. I go to Craig every year for my eval. so I'm sure I could get some ideas there.

I've also been wanting to get supplies to make cuffs with because I'm tired of being gouged by medical supply companies. I know that I could make some cuffs for a lot cheaper than what they sell them for. I was looking at knives with right angle handles and imagining attaching a cuff almost exactly how the one on your knife is attached, only with the cuff anchored to the side of the handle with a strong waterproof glue.

[chick]

Just following up here.

RE gadgets- yea, I've got a drawer and closet full of stuff from years back (18+ !), I've never used. I kinda want to keep some of it around, just in case I ever need any of it (and I'm kind of a pack-rat).

To make your own adaptations, e.g. cuffs, etc. some simple velcro, screws and heavy duty glue, and the all purpose duct tape, are good. I'm not sure how strong water-proof glue would be, so if you can, maybe get someone to screw a nail or something on the cuff to the handles. Esp. with something like a knife, you wouldn't want that to accidently fly off!

Ok, hope you figure something out and then maybe post a picture of a meal you've prepared! :)

Btw. let us know how that knife works for you.

[redbandit]

I have the knife!:applaud: Thanks Chick, I'll try to put it to good use. Man, whoever wrapped that thing up wasn't foolin' around. I'll take some pics of me using it soon, along with some of my other tools. I diced an onion up with it and it worked pretty well, but I need to experiment with it some more.

[sjean423]

I'm a para, so this is just a guess, but I have this peeler (http://www.amazon.com/Chefn-Peeler-Vegetable-Peeler-Sunflower/dp/B000F71TU8)
and I would think it would work. You don't need to grip it.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000F71TU8.01-A1RINI00XKAH0M._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[redbandit]

I'm finally getting around to posting my pics of how I use the knife that chick graciously donated to me. Through trial and error this is what I came up with.

Step 1 - Pull strap out into large loop.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/mjc1024/100_1129.jpg

Step 2 - Pass hand through loop from underneath.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/mjc1024/100_1130.jpg

Step 3 - Twist hand clockwise back over the strap, and
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/mjc1024/100_1131.jpg

Step 4 - push fingers around the handle. The
strap pulls the hand tight against the
handle.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/mjc1024/100_1132.jpg

Step 5 - Chop like the wind!
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/mjc1024/100_1133.jpg

The strap just happened to be the right length for my hand so that it pulled my hand onto the handle pretty tight. I think it would work even better if the strap was a strong elastic material.

[Eileen]

One of my absolute best kitchen gadgets is a Keurig coffee maker. It has a big handle that you just flip forward to make coffee after putting in a "K cup," which are available in all sorts of regular and flavored coffees, in addtion to various teas. What they don't go out of their way to tell you is that you can just flip the same handle with no K cup in place and out comes hot water to be used for hot chocolate, instant soup mixes, whatever you might want a cup of nearly 200 degree hot water for. It is always hot, so it is always ready. It is easy to fill as I can slide my thumb in the little indentation that holds the water reservoir and just pry it off, then I fill it with my big handle mug instead of actually lifting off the whole resevoir and bringing it to the sink as I would if I was ab. For people looking for knives I have found a pretty good selection at Allegro Medical online.

[redbandit]

One of my absolute best kitchen gadgets is a Keurig coffee maker. It has a big handle that you just flip forward to make coffee after putting in a "K cup," which are available in all sorts of regular and flavored coffees, in addtion to various teas. What they don't go out of their way to tell you is that you can just flip the same handle with no K cup in place and out comes hot water to be used for hot chocolate, instant soup mixes, whatever you might want a cup of nearly 200 degree hot water for. It is always hot, so it is always ready. It is easy to fill as I can slide my thumb in the little indentation that holds the water reservoir and just pry it off, then I fill it with my big handle mug instead of actually lifting off the whole resevoir and bringing it to the sink as I would if I was ab. For people looking for knives I have found a pretty good selection at Allegro Medical online.

Pretty cool, here's the website
http://www.keurig.com/index.asp?mscsid=TCRJ2R6W6T979NTPCHJHTL5DG6S1DQJF

[chick]

I'm finally getting around to posting my pics of how I use the knife that chick graciously donated to me. Through trial and error this is what I came up with.

Step 1 - Step 5

The strap just happened to be the right length for my hand so that it pulled my hand onto the handle pretty tight. I think it would work even better if the strap was a strong elastic material.Heyyy. Great to hear this has worked out and you're making good use of it (thought you'd never get the wrapping off! :p). Those pics are really cool in showing the steps and very descriptive.

I like to wrap and twist things tightly around my hand and wrist to help secure grasp also. My right wrist is more c5, and tends to supinate with wrist flopping back easily after a while, so for some things that may have straps and depending on use, it helps to wrap straps around wrist and hand , to serve as brace and locking wrist a bit.

You gotta now show a picture displaying the next meal you've prepped ... ummm... Thanksgiving? Yea, yea...don't roll your eyes... we know now, that at least you can chop the celery for stuffing! :D

[darrel]

chick,
thank you for showing how you hold a knife, I have to hold them the same way and found it to be a pain but at least I'm the one doing it..I have prosseced my own deer last year holding the knifes the same way..I also have to brush my teeth using the same method and found my self holding my fork and spoon the same...I even write holding a fat pen this way...
thank you for showing it, I felt rather odd when around other ppl and trying to do things this way...

[redbandit]

Chick, this is how I'm gonna prepare the turkey for Thanksgiving this year...



http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/mjc1024/bikinibird.jpg

[redbandit]

Eileen, how many cups of coffee or tea does each K-cup make? Have you found that it's cheaper to use the filters and your own brew?

[Eileen]

Redbandit,
Each K cup makes only one cup, and then you just reach in and toss it in the wastebasket. That is the total cleanup. The brewer that I have is the Keurig 60 model, and it has a choice of three amounts of water that go through the k cup.....6 oz, 9 oz, and 12 oz. It depends on how strong you like your coffee. The six ounce is expresso like, and I usually make the 12 oz size. You can also buy the kcups in what I would call regular strength coffee or the extra bold. In the summer I use the extra bold to turn it into iced coffee because the ice cubes dilute it a bit. It is probably cheaper to use the standard ground coffee and filters, but there are such good deals out there on k cups that the price gap is closing. I can get K cups at BJ's (100 cups for $39.00, or .39 per cup), and online the really good prices are at Coffeegiant.com and other sites. Most of them offer free shipping too if you buy four boxes or spend a certain amount of money. The Keurig is also great if you have company because everyone can pick their own brew since each K cup only makes one cup. I had friends over the other day and one person wanted the mocha flavored, someone else wanted tea, and another person wanted just regular coffee. No problem, just throw the cup in, throw it away, and then repeat with whatever flavor is next.