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Old 20-09-2021, 10:32 AM
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Ready made meals.

So my last trip to hospital showed up a need to have regular meals..I had ended up having only a serve of sustigen ..lost four stone...

So although living with my x and daughter needed my own meal program...so I planned to have some "TV" dinners in the fridge so all that was needed was a heat up...this was to cover those times where I could miss a meal for whatever reason...them not being here or me not liking what was on offer.

So I found the ready made meals very disappointing...take the "Lamb cutlet" meal...mmm look at the photo on the box..so looking forward to that one but the damn Lamb was some sort of mix of flour and I expect lamb bits ( I hope at least)...
How can you call it a lamb cultlet??? Like a devon approach...so the next occassion a nice " beef roast" ...mmmm it was real beef but not enough to make half a sandwich...chicken roast...more flavouring and flour...the beef rissole meal was reasonable I guess you cant stuff them up much...

I feel like they are the worst rip off I can think of...and what do you do when you are starving..eat it of course..

So I am looking for meals that you can eat just after a warm up...are they all as bad as I found?...

My live alone system was to have a b.b.que and do a lamb roast, steaks and even cook some sausages, baked potato pumpkin, ...whatever, and for meals just grab some lamb, or beef, vegies and heat them up..and very very nice...

So any tips?

But the good news is I have gone from not eating to planning for second breakfasts.. just so hungry after they fixed my meds.

Alex
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Old 20-09-2021, 11:53 AM
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Alex I understand what you are saying, those TV Meals are pretty ordinary any day of the week.

Mate in your condition and being not very well at times I am sure you would be eligible for meals on wheels, and if not eligible than a small fee would see you have healthy and fulfilling meals delivered to your door most days of the week, I don't know if they operate on weekends.

All the best Alex.

Leon
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Old 20-09-2021, 12:14 PM
glend (Glen)
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Alex, as I live alone and of advanced years, I decided to give up cooking a few years back. The economics of cooking for one was wasteful, both in terms of dollars and food not eaten. I tried some of the supermarket frozen meals and found that they were generally horrible, and loaded with salt. There are some good ones to be found in the supermarket, like Fitness Outcomes, but with limited choice, and they are fairly expensive. I tried a few of the ready to eat meal delivery services, and eventually settled on Light and Easy. Now every week I have five dinners delivered on a Friday, and five soup dishes. There are a a number of different menus, it is not just for people on a diet, meals vary in size (there is a reduced size meal program for seniors if you wish) and you have seasonal menus. There are both frozen and fresh meals (which are refrigerated and have fairly short use by dates). Many of the fresh meals are salad based.

I find I spend less each week, I always have a choice of healthy things to eat, i pick my choices each week, and it always is delivered on time.
Probably does not work for everyone, and it helps that Lite and Easy has a distribution depot in Morisset now.
Anyway, my point is there are options for those of us that it suits.

As mentioned below, there are home care options for people like yourself, where meals would be delivered under the umbrella of the Aged Care system. This likely operates state wide. You might need your doctor to sign a form to qualify, basically confirming you are not able to prepare your own meals. It would likely be less costly as it is subsidised.
Best of luck.
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Old 20-09-2021, 12:58 PM
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Thanks Leon, thanks Glen.
I might contact the district nurse and find out what gives for other old useless folk in the area like me.
I went to Tabulam this morning, first time since March and forgot they all know me with the big beard and long hair which is gone now..I ran into the guy who cleared the block around the observatory and he could not recognise me...I had my covid mask on but even when I lifted it he had no idea until I said my name and did hand movements indicating a big beard and shoulder length hair..funny.
Anyways got some reasonable food to get me by ...
Some pies, tinned peas and instant mash potato and some instant gravy..so I can at least do pies and mushy peas.
Blood test tomorrow in Casino so I am thinking a chook, potato salad and coldslaw...and a couple of smoked trout with same...and see if I can find Glens suggestion.

I bought my camper fridge up from the van so I will set up a little stash.
Alex
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Old 20-09-2021, 04:42 PM
glend (Glen)
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Originally Posted by xelasnave View Post
Thanks Leon, thanks Glen.
I might contact the district nurse and find out what gives for other old useless folk in the area like me.
I went to Tabulam this morning, first time since March and forgot they all know me with the big beard and long hair which is gone now..I ran into the guy who cleared the block around the observatory and he could not recognise me...I had my covid mask on but even when I lifted it he had no idea until I said my name and did hand movements indicating a big beard and shoulder length hair..funny.
Anyways got some reasonable food to get me by ...
Some pies, tinned peas and instant mash potato and some instant gravy..so I can at least do pies and mushy peas.
Blood test tomorrow in Casino so I am thinking a chook, potato salad and coldslaw...and a couple of smoked trout with same...and see if I can find Glens suggestion.

I bought my camper fridge up from the van so I will set up a little stash.
Alex
Alex, I did some research. In order to get access to Aged Care Home Services you must be assessed as requiring services. There are many levels of services available, including meals, mobility assistance, etc. In my opinion you would definitely qualify based on your medical diagnosis alone. I encourage you to contact the Aged Care Services NSW.

Here is a link to their eligibility checker:

https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/am-i-eligible

I think you can get the services you need.
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Old 20-09-2021, 05:05 PM
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Some Coles and Woolies have sections with Ready Meals that are not frozen - some of those are quite tasty. However not being frozen means their use-by dates are something to consider.
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Old 20-09-2021, 05:08 PM
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Thanks Glen....Still had a go cooking tonight and it took me two hours preparing and eating...the cancer doctor rang just as I finished and cleared me to start the meds again..so hopefully I keep my appetite... anyways you gotta do what it takes but next time I wont soldier on...the way I ended up was worse than dead.
Thanks again Glen.
Alex
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Old 20-09-2021, 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by lazjen View Post
Some Coles and Woolies have sections with Ready Meals that are not frozen - some of those are quite tasty. However not being frozen means their use-by dates are something to consider.
Thanks.
I am having a serious look to morrow even though lock down goes till Thursday.

Alex
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Old 20-09-2021, 06:24 PM
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mura_gadi (Steve)
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mince is a good friend

Hello,

Cooking alone I found it was best to cook up a lot and freeze it.

Two kilo of mince was a favourite for me. Add onions garlic salt pepper etc, cook it up take some out for savoury mince. Add the tomatoes, veg, pack away in freezer containers for taco's, spag bol, lasagna later etc...

One cook gets you many meals, you just have to cook up the rice, pasta etc on the day. The mince should last you a few months frozen.



Steve
Maybe not start with two kilo though...

Woolworths does a "Cook" range of bagged meats, lamb shanks, ribs, brisket, hocks etc. They are pretty good and very easy, but not really weekly food. They go on special fairly regularly as well.
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Old 20-09-2021, 07:30 PM
Sitt (Simon)
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Another option is to order Hello Fresh. I find that ordering 3 meals for the week will last me the whole week with one days menu (two meals) lasting two days. They deliver too and some good menus to choose from
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Old 20-09-2021, 07:32 PM
By.Jove (Jove)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xelasnave View Post
So I found the ready made meals very disappointing...
Sorry I'm new here, and a bit of a lurker.

I agree many are pretty disappointing, but I discovered Harris Farm have some vacuum-sealed ones that are quite nice - bangers & mash, coq-au-vin, or lamb shanks... to do better you'd have to be a fair cook.

The other thing we have is a Japanese sushi shop that serves a range of freshly made-on-the-spot bento boxes as takeaway, and $8 bowls of rice with teriyaki chicken or salmon, excellent value and delicious. By the time you get them home it might take a minute to warm up. We usually buy several bowls of rice and teriyaki chicken or salmon and freeze them.

Agreed the ones carried by ColesWorth are disappointing.

Good luck Alex, wherever you are.
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Old 20-09-2021, 09:51 PM
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GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)
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brother Jim used to like a steak and kidney pie that came in a tin Alex
i guess he got them somewhere in Casino

he would use the empty tin as an ash tray

geoff
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  #13  
Old 20-09-2021, 10:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mura_gadi View Post
Hello,

Cooking alone I found it was best to cook up a lot and freeze it.

Two kilo of mince was a favourite for me. Add onions garlic salt pepper etc, cook it up take some out for savoury mince. Add the tomatoes, veg, pack away in freezer containers for taco's, spag bol, lasagna later etc...

One cook gets you many meals, you just have to cook up the rice, pasta etc on the day. The mince should last you a few months frozen.



Steve
Maybe not start with two kilo though...

Woolworths does a "Cook" range of bagged meats, lamb shanks, ribs, brisket, hocks etc. They are pretty good and very easy, but not really weekly food. They go on special fairly regularly as well.
Yes ... In Sydney I onve made up a batch using beef and sausage meat, with rice, ...all sorts of stuff..but made 63 large rissoles which were great, for hot meals or a snack... But here, remember, in the X's home ( and her kitchen) and there is no way she will let me loose with flour due to past cooking experience she has had with me...maybe if I can time it when they are out and clean the mess before they get home...I love my rissoles..maybe a even meatloaf..with wallnuts and stuff...cook it on the b.b.q...no one will be the wiser...
Thanks for the idea.
Alex
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Old 20-09-2021, 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Sitt View Post
Another option is to order Hello Fresh. I find that ordering 3 meals for the week will last me the whole week with one days menu (two meals) lasting two days. They deliver too and some good menus to choose from
Being in the sticks is a problem..like 7 klms outta Tabulam ..but 45 minutes from Casino.
Alex
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Old 20-09-2021, 10:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by By.Jove View Post
Sorry I'm new here, and a bit of a lurker.

I agree many are pretty disappointing, but I discovered Harris Farm have some vacuum-sealed ones that are quite nice - bangers & mash, coq-au-vin, or lamb shanks... to do better you'd have to be a fair cook.

The other thing we have is a Japanese sushi shop that serves a range of freshly made-on-the-spot bento boxes as takeaway, and $8 bowls of rice with teriyaki chicken or salmon, excellent value and delicious. By the time you get them home it might take a minute to warm up. We usually buy several bowls of rice and teriyaki chicken or salmon and freeze them.

Agreed the ones carried by ColesWorth are disappointing.

Good luck Alex, wherever you are.
Thank you for coming forward to help.
I will look out for Harris Farm.

Even in Lismore there is not a decent Japanese place..well there is one but take away is out..only the day before yesterday I was craving something Japanese as I would often get such at Hornsby ( when in Sydney) as the shop there is not bad...I did find another place in Lismore via Google and plan checking it out when I get to Lismore next...

Thanks again.
All this talk of food has me hungry...maybe a little mid night snack...mmm only got some Tim Tams..now would be a great time for a piece of cold battered fish..mmm... yes note to self..get some easy fix crumbed fish.
Alex
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Old 21-09-2021, 12:36 AM
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Alex,

Does the X have a slow cooker, they are great for a number of dishes. I frequently do a beef casserole........approx., 1kg of chuck (casserole) steak, 3 spuds, 2 carrots, celery and of course a good sized onion, peas and a parsnip. Bigger vegies are diced to chosen size (don't try to dice peas ). Liquid and powdered stock, (liquid is good instead of water BUT powdered enhances the flavour more), curry powder to taste. Methodology is important but the end result is good, hearty food that can be split and frozen for future use.

I could give you a spag recipe using chuck steak and spices rather than mince .

Cheers and take care.

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Old 21-09-2021, 12:49 AM
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Alex,

Does the X have a slow cooker, they are great for a number of dishes. I frequently do a beef casserole........approx., 1kg of chuck (casserole) steak, 3 spuds, 2 carrots, celery and of course a good sized onion, peas and a parsnip. Bigger vegies are diced to chosen size (don't try to dice peas ). Liquid and powdered stock, (liquid is good instead of water BUT powdered enhances the flavour more), curry powder to taste. Methodology is important but the end result is good, hearty food that can be split and frozen for future use.

I could give you a spag recipe using chuck steak and spices rather than mince .

Cheers and take care.

Wow talk about well timed...just woke from what you would call a nightmare...someone was trying to kidnap me before I could shoot them...
The house here is on solar power with modest system such that things like cookers..even a micro wave..are not in the mix...however there is a fuel stove used to heat the hot water ...which after the installation on Wednesday of a new Solar Hot Water system will become available...although a fuel stove in Summer is not much fun.
Thanks for contributing.
Alex
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Old 21-09-2021, 01:14 AM
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Damn, I thought I was the only night owl around, I can relate to the "nightmares", for me they usually disturb sleep enough to warn me to get up and have a pee

There's nothing wrong with fuel stoves, both my g/parents raised families with nothing else to cook on fired by either coal (here in N'cle) or wood on the property up the coast, you just have to learn how to "drive" them.

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Old 21-09-2021, 02:21 AM
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Fuel stoves for me until 1960 when we came to Sydney and I used to be the one who cut the wood after six years old...1960 was first TV for me and no girls at school...city life.
Alex
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Old 22-09-2021, 12:56 AM
Renato1 (Renato)
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Hi Alex,
I find most of the boxed McCains meals pretty good, as I do their cheaper Aldi equivalents.

However, they taste better cooked in the oven rather than microwaved. Alternatively, if the packet says microwave for 7 minutes, I'll microwave for five minutes, and finish off cooking in the oven for 10 minutes.

But - they taste even better if one puts a handful of oven fires in the oven, and after they and the frozen meal are cooked, put a big lump of butter over the vegetables.

The Woolworths essential lasagna packet is the cheapest in their fridge - and I find it better tasting than their more expensive brands.

I'm a big fan of the German made Dr Oetker Ristorante frozen pizzas, mainly because they taste okay and the don't give me heartburn like all the others do. I usually top them up with whatever I have in the fridge - ham, cheese, salami or artichokes, and cook them slightly longer than the packet says.

Woolworths have a lot of refrigerated meals. Some in the $7 range are okay, and if you read the back, some can be frozen to last longer, and instructions are given of how to microwave them, or microwave them from frozen.

Then Woolworths have their $10 to $12 refrigerated meals and these are the best, usually having a solid lump of meat or chicken in them - so long as you avoid any with new age "healthy" rubbish in them like sweet potato, cous cous, brown rice, weird rice, which usually wind up heavily discounted near their use-by date as few people like them.

I'm an expert at these refrigerated meals because I go shopping late at night, and my local Woolies has a bargain-bin fridge area - and I've picked most of them up from between $2.30 to $4 each.

The other thing that comes to mind is canned soup. I had back surgery earlier this year, where the surgeon also cut into the side of my stomach. And basically all I could then eat was a tiny amount of solid food that the hospital and then my wife cooked, before I would start feeling ill. So, after a week in hospital and a week at home of wasting away, I remembered that I had cans of Heinz and Campbells chunky soup in the pantry - and found that they all went down well, as opposed to regular food. So for the next three weeks, that was pretty much all I could eat. And they were pretty tasty too.

Wishing you many tasty meals.
Cheers,
Renato

Last edited by Renato1; 22-09-2021 at 11:37 AM.
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