Food when on crutches?

[HopHoppityHop]

Some suggestions please. Non-weight bearing for the next few weeks. What's easy to prepare that I can feed myself and DC. I can't tip boiling water away as I can't carry it from hob to the sink. The microwave is at my eye height, so I'm not sure about taking stuff out two handed. I think I could do a jacket potato.
I can't carry plates etc (but the DC could when here). I've a water bottle and flask for hot drinks.
Mainly worried about what the hell i'm going to feed the kids.

Could you do this? realfood.tesco.com/recipes/crispy-bacon-lasagne.html
Cream cheese and smoked salmon or pastrami bagels
Couscous salad www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/10minute-couscous-salad
Wraps

How old is your child?

Get an old fashioned chip basket to fit a pan, that way you can put the basket into an empty pan, add veg and then water. You can lift the veg out with the basket and then a dc can empty the pan - if they are young let the pan go cold first.

Check out any help available - I'm in Wolverhampton and here you can order meals on wheels a any age, but it is delivered at lunch time so maybe not so good if the children are out.

You can cook pasta in any container, just put the pasta in a bowl or mug and then add boiling water. Leave for about 10mins.

Easy creamy pasta sauce, fry a sliced mushroom in lots of salt and pepper, add a dollop of cream cheese and a spoon full of the water you are using to cook the pasta, it will melt into a creamy sauce.

Is your microwave built in? If not get someone to move it into another room, or onto a kitchen work top.

Toast can be the basis of many meals, beans and cheese are obvious but also club sandwiches and to have with soup.

If you can get the microwave moved than you can cook beans, tinned food and fresh veg in a bit of water.

If you and the children can't wash up then buy a stack of paper plates and throw them.

Ready meals and takeaways for a few weeks will not do you or the children long term harm.

Are you the only adult? And how old are the kids?

Can you get some toaster bags, and do fishfingers, potato waffles, toasties etc in the toaster? Better still, if the toaster can be moved to the table, so you can sit to do that bit of 'cooking'.

Can you get a box or stool that you can put under your knee on the bad leg so that you are not bearing weight but have your hands free at the cooker?

No, Lwmommy I can't do that as I can't bend my leg.
When I'm alone I think I'll just eat toast at the counter but I'll have a week where I'm alone with the DC. They're 7. Our microwave is built in so can't move it.
I have a dishwasher, their job is to unload it, so they can help load it too now.

OK 7 year olds are capable of putting something in the oven and taking it out again with supervision.

I'd plan freezer to oven meals for that week, supermarket ready meals and a bag salad. Thinks like lasagna, and garlic bread with some salad on the side.

How close are you to a chip shop? Two 7 year olds can walk to a chip shop as long as it isn't too far.

Can you borrow a basic microwave? Argos do same day delivery if you can afford to buy a new one.

Another vote for toast bags for toasties but also fish fingers.

Do you have a slow cooker? You could prep sitting down and the children can serve themselves.

You can also do baked potatoes in a slow cooker.

Have you watched Masterchef Junior? 8 year olds prepping and cooking lobster, children can do a lot more than we give them credit for. Maybe order a children's cook book and see what yours can do.

This one is written by a 12 year old.

wordery.com/20-recipes-kids-should-know-9783791385075?currency=GBP&gtrck=VW8wamFZWlhKOFB3QTJUditrK2VDZnA2NFlmU2h0RngxdTZBeGNxOW9DbCtsSVVFY2RGZk1rWWJtRVdZV2VINExRMkFtZWthRlphQTZ0RjdnU2JHK1E9PQ&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5JmEvObo4wIVFYXVCh1qlAMMEAkYASABEgIxVvD_BwE

One of [[
www.lakeland.co.uk/26031/Deep-Multipurpose-Cleaning-Caddy-White?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4M_U5e3o4wIVRbTtCh3QjALaEAQYASABEgJDzvD_BwE&src=gfeed&efid=EAIaIQobChMI4M_U5e3o4wIVRbTtCh3QjALaEAQYASABEgJDzvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!49!3!275625961131!!!g!298077422377!&ev_chn=shop&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMI4M_U5e3o4wIVRbTtCh3QjALaEAQYASABEgJDzvD_BwE:G:s these]]
is useful as you should be able to carry if in one hand with the crutch.
Could use plastic pots to carry food about in it too.
Can you get/buy/borrow a bar stool to sit on by the microwave/hob.
Rather than pour away boiling water, use a slatted spoon to remove the items, leaving the pan of water to cool and someone even a child to tip away when cool

Check your council website or give them a call, depending on your financial situation, there is some help available.
If you don't qualify for help, and depending where you live, check cookfood.net, they do frozen meals, I've heard they are delicious, but I haven't personally tried them.
You can use a backpack to carry bread, cutlery, a bottle of water etc to the table. Try to use the kitchen counter to move plates, food etc one step at the time. Yes, it takes long but once you master it, you will move quicker. I used to put the plate of food on a chair, go to the lounge where I could lower myself down and move on my bottom back to the kitchen to get the plate.
Depending on your injury, try and find a group on fb, I joined Intramedullary nail/ IM nail/ Tibia nail and it helped me to read what other were doing, also they might be able to give some advice too.
If you are in SW London, I would be happy to come and help as I know how hard it is! Good luck

Put a shout out on fb to see if any of your friends have a counter top lean, mean grilling machine kind of thing. You can cook almost any meat or fish in there and things like asparagus, baby leaks, courgettes etc.
I guess you would be ok to cook the frozen microwave pouches of rice, veg, grains etc.

Hop I searched for your own thread after seeing your insomnia comments
The kids can eat toast with you
Microwave beans on toast
Microwave spaghetti hoops on toast
Cheese om toast
Etc
It’s ok. They’ll be ok. Give them fruit
As you get to be in less pain and less wobbly you’ll be able to do a jacket spud (microwave or oven)
I’m in a cricket splint leg brace with a broken knee but can weight bear so much easier for me but I understand the limits

Ps I don’t adjust the Velcro in the night, I’ve cut the toes out of some bed socks and wearing them both on the same ankle under the bottom of the brace. Seems to keep it roughly in position

My 7 year old can cook a quiche etc in the oven and chop salad from scratch.

Agree a counter top microwave would help

Slow cooker would be good. Sit at table to chop everything then fling it in. Add tinned potatoes to curry etc then it is one pot. Add bread if required.

7year old can make tea except for pouring the water in.

Anything that needs carrying
Can go on a tray

7yo can also unpack a supermarket delivery shop.

This is doable - harder with younger children though.

And @itsboiledeggsagain reminded me of boiled eggs, fried eggs, scrambled eggs ...

Ouch QOD I hope that heals soon, sounds painful. I'm in a hinged leg brace with a max limit of 90 degrees, but I'm not there yet. Can bend it a maximum of 30. Any tips for washing your feet? I'm still wearing the socks I was discharged in I can't get the compression sock off my dodgy leg. I've physio today and they're going to ask why I'm still wearing it and know I've not washed it

Talk to the physiotherapist today about a referral to Occupational Therapy. Sounds like you need an urgent home visit. A perching stool in the kitchen might be helpful, you will be safely perched and both hands would be free. Possibly also a walking frame with a basket might help.

Oh you poor thing, I've been there and it's fucking horrible I really feel for you. Agree with PP if you're that limited then please do ask physio, doctor, everyone for a home visit - don't suffer in silence.

I think until you've had something similar it's hard for people to understand just how little you can move - people were really kind suggesting things for me to make that they thought were easy but I really couldn't do any of them.

Hopefully that isn't the case for you but make sure you tell the medical pros your concerns and that you're worried how you'll make the kids food while recovering as that's really important for them to help with. They can sometimes make temporary modifications to the home or lend equipment until you're mobile again.

Not about preparing food but something that helped me - I had a grabby stick thing which was a big help for as meant I wasn't having to do the whole painful getting up routine if i dropped something and couldn't reach it.

This kind of thing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Foldable-Extension-Lightweight-Mobility-Extender/dp/B07T48HH6W?ref=OcttCATRatedC282638103110&pfrddr=RVDVAQB786K07MK8CPEP&pfrddp=b0528562-fa55-5ec6-bb50-d022ba5af96c&pfrdds=mobile-hybrid-6&pfrddt=30901&pfrddi=2826381031&pfrddm=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

I don't have kids yet but my 8 year old god daughter oddly enjoyed helping with smaller jobs when she visited a few times a week - making me cold drinks / writing things down / typing / putting away online grocery delivery etc - so do get the kids to lend a hand with things if they are similar!

Hope you feel much better soon

Funnily enough I’m hyper mobile so I can put my hands flat on the floor when bending 😂 so I’m fine with socks etc
As I can weight bear I’ve showered daily and can get most of my foot with the sponge.
No compression socks thankfully

My brace is rigid. Not got any bend

Do you have a sandwich/toastie maker? I can't find the thread I really wanted but there are some pretty awesome ideas on here which would make a meal with a bit of salad added: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/food_and_recipes/2277883-Favourite-fillings-for-toasted-sandwich-maker?pg=1

Maybe someone else will finf the thread where people were frying eggs, making cakes and all sorts in their sandwich maker.

Hope you heal soon

Just to add to the joy I have no work tops as have a new kitchen 😂
Waiting for installation next week - I’ve got bits of wood balanced everywhere and the sink drains directly into the drive 🙄

My goodness taking that into account along with the leg I think I would stick to things on toast, ready made bits and bobs and takeaways.
You could try some of the Heinz Creations pouches. They are pouches based on pulses, beans etc things like lentil Dahl, Mexican bean chilli etc. They are quite tasty, and might be easier for you to do as being pouches are more grabable to take out the microwave one handed. Could be served with pouches of frozen rice or grains (all the supermarkets have them, actually they also do the frozen pouches of steamed veg which may work for you too.

Wow, impressed QOD! I can touch my toes (just!) but have stitches in the back of my knee too, so can't try to over reach. But having to balance on worktops, I would not like that. My lovely neighbour came over to help today, and the DC will help when home so I think I'll manage.
I asked today about getting help with transport so that it won't bankrupt me... it's £17.50 each way and I'll have not just my appointments but DC ones too.
Some useful ideas, we're definitely going to go for the easy or ready meal route for a while. DC will just have to learn to wash up

Have a look at on line supermarkets for ready prepared tuna etc salads with beans or cous-cous, Rio Mare is a brand that Ocado sell, I think John West do something similar. They are in a tub, you just peel the top off, can be eaten from the tub, to save washing up.

Picnic food is useful too, scotch eggs, ready made potato or pasta salad, ready cooked chicken pieces etc.
It you have toaster bags, toasted cheese sandwiches work well, use those ready sliced packs of cheese for convenience.
Kids will manage with the oven if things are put in on trays or large plates so there is something for them to get hold of easily.