I asked myself one fine day, just exactly why was it that guys couldn’t go into the kitchen and simply Make Something? Bingo-The answer is that they don’t need to. Okay, at least that is the case with my dear and wonderful husband. He told me that it was too hard for him because he was not used to doing it and he would mow the lawn instead if I did the cooking. Wrong answer. Mowing the lawn used to be giving a check to the yard guy, and now that he is retired it means sitting on his rider mower and going around the property.

Meanwhile, my definition has not changed. Food prep, I grant you, is easier now but it is still the same in many ways if you chose to cook farm to table or organic or in my case vegetarian and for some regular guests even pre-diabetic. Still a challenge, right? In the spirit of being a guide rather than a dictator, I have come up with a list of REALLY easy things that anyone can prepare. Don’t say you can’t do it simply because you have never done it either.

1. Heat some soup-Some canned soups are sooo good. I especially like Progresso, or the soups that come in boxes like Bisque of Tomato or Butternut Squash. but experiment around.
2. Any kind of a sandwich-Buy ahead for this. Cold cuts, sliced cheese, tomatoes and lettuce a can of tuna, etc, are all you need. If you must, keep it prepped in the fridge so there are no excuses.
3. Boiled eggs, toast, and fruit-Yes, any time. This is both healthy and high protein.
4. Three Bean Salad-Open 3 cans of beans (kidney, black, green, garbanzo, and so on) and add a bottled vinegar and oil type dressing.
5. Any bagged salad-This is totally a no brainer
6. Any good frozen entree-Also a no brainer. (I like Amy’s or Marie Callendar)

I could go on and on, but I am sure you get the idea. Not just guys, but kids in the kitchen too. Just make a start and see where you go from there. Bon Appetite!

Baked potatoes are one of the most versatile foods ever. Have one with just a bit of salt and pepper, a pat of butter, 1/2 cup cottage cheese or chili, two tablespoons of LITE sour cream, or broccoli and a bit of grated cheese. I could go on and on, and so could YOU!

There is nothing more healthy than Butter Nut Squash Soup. What a Fall favorite! I grew my own this year but BNSQ is available in any store produce section or better still from any Farmer’s Market. Cut open the squash and scoop out or cut out in chunks the orange flesh. Boil until pretty soft and drain all but enough to keep the squash from clogging your blender. Add back some more liquid and some milk or cream in your blender and flavor as you like. I like a dash of nutmeg but my husband likes cinnamon. Blend until smooth. Cook in a large pot and be sure to make extra. I freeze leftovers in milk cartons. This is super easy.

PS for totally non-cookers. Go down to the store and buy the soup and also bisque of tomato if you like it, in the square cartons. There are several brands and all are good.

PPSS Add a large piece of French bread or a roll.

Salads are not what they used to be. Lettuce and tomato are not the salad any more, they are just the starting base. What else can you add? Try some of these additives for a salad surprise. BTW-Eat This Not That means don’t add any cheese except feta and DON’T under any circumstances use full fat dressing. The best dressing is V and O of any type you like. I like apple cider or rice vinegar and Balsamic special vinegars. I use olive oil only for salads or dip and I use Canola oil to cook.

1. Boiled egg
2. Blueberries
3. Different types of tomato-there are sooo many
4. Any and all veg. Broc, Cauliflower, Carrots, (I like grated carrots) etc.
5. Add a special bag of Asian mix or South West mix
6. Nuts (I like walnuts)
7. Feta Cheese
8. Try “Skinny Girl” Dressings
9. Any different type of greens
10. Meat
11. Salmon, tuna, tofu or any other vegetable protein, like chick peas or beans
12. Just for fun-Try scallops (I buy the frozen bag at Trader Joe’s)

So, you see that I am right-right??? Do anything to your salad. Just be sure to watch the carbs and use lots of fiber! Let me know how it goes.

I love pear and yes, out of season I even use canned pears. I buy the kind that are canned in lite syrup and then I drain the syrup into tea, any type of water, just a jar of juices I keep in the fridge to caramelize things, and on and on. The easiest way to eat a pear is just out of hand, but you might also try a 1/2 peeled pear on a leaf of Romain lettuce with some blue or feta cheese. It looks really fancy when plated as a starter or salad.

I also really like to poach pears. Use canned or fresh and poach in just about anything you like that is flavorful. I poach in red wine, white wine, maple syrup added to water, even cheap sparkling wine.

Just barely cover the pear halves and bubble the liquid until the pears are al dente. Save the juice to pour over the pears and decorate with some mint leaves. Yummy-I think YES!