I'm sorry to hear about your accident. Having been incapacitated with injuries at various times, my first suggestion would be that when friends say something like, "If there's anything I can do to help, please let know", let them know. Ask them if they could get you some things on their next trip to the grocery store and bring them over and help you put them away.

The first healthy food that comes to mind this time of year is melons - cantaloupes, honeydews and muskmelons. Ask if the place where you purchase them will cut them in half for you. Scooping out the seeds and flesh with a spoon should be manageable with your left hand. If you have a melon baller, that might be easier than cutting with a knife if you want smaller pieces.

Also, keep a damp washcloth on your counter and sit your bowl on that to keep it from sliding around.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Is there a church you belong to that might be able to help with your grocery list? Poor thing, I hope you feel better soon. Maybe there is a grocery store with preassembled meals. How about bagged lettuce? Yogurt?
When did this happen?
jo

Oh Barb I'm so sorry to hear about your accident.

I bet if your doctor can get you a referral to an occupational therapist, he/she can get you going with some tips and tricks to help you cope.

Oh dear, Barb, I'm also sorry to hear about your accident and your injuries. I hope you heal quickly. And I can't even imagine trying to cook left handed, I am so right hand dominant.

Ah, but I had a secretary at one time who had only one arm. One of her favorite easy meals was a baked potato in the microwave, just wash it, nuke it and put fat free ranch or honey dijon dressing on it in place of sour cream, or cover it with yogurt. Potatoes get a very bad rap, they are actually low in calories, no fat, have more potassium than a banana and tons of vitamins and minerals.

OK, what else? Bagged lettuce might be good right now, if you can open the bag. Cottage cheese and fruit is nice on hot days and an egg is relatively easy and can be boiled or scrambled.

How long will you be incapacitated? It might be worthwhile to get a family member to put some meals in the freezer for you, make a pot of soup to freeze, or some muffins. If it's short term, I'd be eating a lot of peanut butter sandwiches!

Too bad I'm not closer, I'd come cook for you.

Annie

Whenever I hear of something like that, any troubles I might have seem so insignificant. I hope things improve for you.

First, please try not to let your appearance keep you in the house. Go shopping, covering yourself well if that will make you less self conscious. But try not to worry what others may think. I see people with quite serious physical deformities going about their business daily. It doesn't bother other people and it doesn't bother them. I know this is not easy for you, but it's important.

Others have already posted great advice on how to manage the task of preparing food. I can't add much there.

Ask around about organizations which provide services you might find helpful. Be open to any assistance others may offer. You need it and deserve it. They want to give it. Don't be bashful about accepting it.

Jim

Sorry to hear about your problems.

I take it you are living alone.

Do you have an electric can opener? You may need to consider canned foods for a while.

I also understand that you prefer low carb/ low glycemic diets, that makes it difficult to have fresh veggies in your situation. With some searching on-line you may be able to find some frozen packaged food which may work.

In my area, all supermarkets deliver, and many restaurants do also. I donÂt believe thatÂs your situation. In that case, others have made good suggestions already.

Good luck.

dcarch

I became very incapacitated when I broke my foot. I lived alone, did not belong to a church, and had no friends and family offering to help. I finally hired a "home helper" person and it made a huge difference. Look in the phone book for them or try calling some kind of medical or social services organization to get a recommendation, that's what I did. I called a church social services office and they recommended one. Often senior centers or county commissions on aging will have a list of recommended home helpers. They are not expensive, and they just come over and help you with light housework. You could have someone come in once a week and help you cook enough food to eat during the week. I only used my person for a bout 2-3 weeks and she only came a couple of times, but boy it sure made a difference! As I said, it was not hugely expensive considering the dramatic difference it made in my quality of life. Check into it and keep us posted!!

I'm sorry that you got hurt ! I'm hoping you get better quickly!

I have a couple of suggestions.

Cascadian Farms, and some others, have lots of good veggies and fruits in the frozen section. They are unsweetened, unsalted and are organic.

The part of the market with the bagged lettuce/greens/spinach also has washed and chopped veggies such as carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and snap peas. I think even costco carries fresh veggies ready to eat...green beans I think. Sometimes the veggies can be found in multi packs so you can have two or three veggies in one bag, all ready to cook or eat raw. Hmm, I think they even have washed and shredded cole slaw in a bag, you just add the rest of the ingredients.

RSVP, which is now called Care Connect in my state, has a service of volunteers who can do your shopping for you. They are not just for seniors, they are also for those who are home bound etc. I love shopping for my neighbor and she doesn't have to go out herself or lift bags. The things you want to remember with having someone else shop for you is that they need to save all the receipts. Make a list so you have a record of what you wanted and be sure to include details such as organic, not the one with omega 3, no bruised apples, fat free or whatever you prefer. The main benefit of using an organization to find a shopper for you is that they perform background checks and have liability insurance. After all, you'd be letting someone into your home!

Whatever you do, don't try to use a cheese grater or any of those rasps, mandolines, veggie peelers or shaving things. They are scraped knuckles waiting to happen!

That is all I can think of, I hope it is helpful.

Take care,

Jennifer

How about Meals on Wheels. I use to volunteer for them and we delivered a hot meal and a sandwich for later, a piece of fruit and a dessert. Special dietary needs were taken into consideration. It is not just for the elderly or indigent. It is for people in your situation as well. There is a very small fee. We delivered many meals for people who were recuperating from a hospital visit or a temporary illness. Check to see if there is one in your area. I do hope you will be better real soon.

Thanks everybody for the encouragements. I am doing better--but certainly not good. Nights are rather hectic--don't get much sleep. Think I will be going to some kind of therapy. I have tried myself but I certainly must have torn loose every ligament in my upper body. Stll a big knot on my forehead and a slight lightening of the black eyes. Am able to use my fingers but when writing, it hurts all the way up and can't raise my arm. I thank the man upstairs that it wasn't any worse than it was. It will just take lots of time. Good thing I am retired . Am able to cook for myself to a certain extent. I certainly am not starving. Thanks again for your thoughts. Barb