Hi All,

I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
do a few things - but chopping is right out.

I've suggested she check the prepared fresh foods
at the grocery store for things like ready-prepped
vegetables, or even the grocery salad bar - but
if anyone has other/better suggestions, I'd love to
pass them on to her!

She lives in a fairly large midwestern city, so has
access to things like Costco. No Trader Joe's, though.

Thanks for any ideas!

Michelle

Michelle wrote:
>
>Hi All,
>
>I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
>cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
>accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
>it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
>do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>
>I've suggested she check the prepared fresh foods
>at the grocery store for things like ready-prepped
>vegetables, or even the grocery salad bar - but
>if anyone has other/better suggestions, I'd love to
>pass them on to her!
>
>She lives in a fairly large midwestern city, so has
>access to things like Costco. No Trader Joe's, though.
>
>Thanks for any ideas!

All stores sell bagged salad stuff, just needs to open a bottle of
dressing. Smoothies are pretty easy to prepare with one hand. All
manner of egg dishes need only one hand. I'd keep the menu for the
local Chinese take out handy. Food shouldn't present a problem... and
I'd be pleased to help with her bra, I'm an expert at unclasping one
handed!

On 2015-04-30 4:57 PM, Michelle wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
> do a few things - but chopping is right out.

Can she use a phone? Order take out food.

In article >,
says...
>
> Hi All,
>
> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
> do a few things - but chopping is right out.

After a surgery accident my son spent a couple of months with one arm
and its hand completely out of use and (apart from the fact he couldn't
work or drive), cooking was one of the worst practical problems. With
only one hand, it was impossible to slice carve or peel anything, or
chop anything that rolled, use a tin opener, safely lift anything hot
from the oven, etc. Its quite hard to stir anything in a pan when you
can't hold the pan steady.

ISTR he lived on grilled meats, boiled eggs, fruit, bowls of cereal and
ready-bags of salad.

Janet UK

On 4/30/2015 4:57 PM, Michelle wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>

If she is determined, she can adapt. I've known a couple of amputees
that could do anything you and I can do. Even in a cast, that hand can
hold light things.

This lady has some hints
http://www.toysrbob.com/onearm/

"Michelle" > wrote in message
...
> Hi All,
>
> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>
> I've suggested she check the prepared fresh foods
> at the grocery store for things like ready-prepped
> vegetables, or even the grocery salad bar - but
> if anyone has other/better suggestions, I'd love to
> pass them on to her!
>
> She lives in a fairly large midwestern city, so has
> access to things like Costco. No Trader Joe's, though.
>
> Thanks for any ideas!
>
> Michelle

She might have to get someone to help her at least to do some of the prep
work. Such as chopping. Yes, you can get some things chopped already but I
would think even opening those packages could be trouble for her. I assume
that she lives alone? If it were me, I would have someone chop or cut up
veggies and portion them out into little sandwich bags. She could then if
necessary, cut the bag open with scissors and dispose of it. Also, if it
were me, I likely wouldn't eat much in the way of cooked foods. I would eat
things like raw veggies, nuts, sandwiches. Pizza might be another option if
one liked it. Easy to eat with one hand so long as the pieces aren't cut
too large.

"Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
...
> Michelle wrote:
>>
>> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
>> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
>> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
>> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
>> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>
> When I couldn't use one hand, I'd open
> a jar by getting on the floor, holding
> the jar between my feet, and using my
> my good hand. When that didn't work
> with a particularly obstinate jar of
> salsa, I had the brilliant idea of
> relieving the vacuum in the jar by
> stabbing the lid with a knife. That
> worked! The lid came right off!
>
> Or maybe it didn't. Maybe disaster
> ensued. I could be lying. You pay
> your money, you take your chances.

Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing something
to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do would render the
lid unusable. So it would work if you were going to use the whole jar at
once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.

"Julie Bove" > wrote:
> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message ...
>> Michelle wrote:
>>>
>>> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
>>> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
>>> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
>>> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
>>> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>>
>> When I couldn't use one hand, I'd open
>> a jar by getting on the floor, holding
>> the jar between my feet, and using my
>> my good hand. When that didn't work
>> with a particularly obstinate jar of
>> salsa, I had the brilliant idea of
>> relieving the vacuum in the jar by
>> stabbing the lid with a knife. That
>> worked! The lid came right off!
>>
>> Or maybe it didn't. Maybe disaster
>> ensued. I could be lying. You pay
>> your money, you take your chances.
>
> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going to use
> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.

Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not toss it
out.
--
jinx the minx

"jinx the minx" > wrote in message
...
> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Michelle wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
>>>> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
>>>> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
>>>> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
>>>> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>>>
>>> When I couldn't use one hand, I'd open
>>> a jar by getting on the floor, holding
>>> the jar between my feet, and using my
>>> my good hand. When that didn't work
>>> with a particularly obstinate jar of
>>> salsa, I had the brilliant idea of
>>> relieving the vacuum in the jar by
>>> stabbing the lid with a knife. That
>>> worked! The lid came right off!
>>>
>>> Or maybe it didn't. Maybe disaster
>>> ensued. I could be lying. You pay
>>> your money, you take your chances.
>>
>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going to use
>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>
> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not toss
> it
> out.

Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then put
the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.

Michelle wrote:
>
> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
> do a few things - but chopping is right out.

When I couldn't use one hand, I'd open
a jar by getting on the floor, holding
the jar between my feet, and using my
my good hand. When that didn't work
with a particularly obstinate jar of
salsa, I had the brilliant idea of
relieving the vacuum in the jar by
stabbing the lid with a knife. That
worked! The lid came right off!

Or maybe it didn't. Maybe disaster
ensued. I could be lying. You pay
your money, you take your chances.

On 4/30/2015 2:57 PM, Michelle wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>
> I've suggested she check the prepared fresh foods
> at the grocery store for things like ready-prepped
> vegetables, or even the grocery salad bar - but
> if anyone has other/better suggestions, I'd love to
> pass them on to her!
>
> She lives in a fairly large midwestern city, so has
> access to things like Costco. No Trader Joe's, though.
>
> Thanks for any ideas!
>
> Michelle
>

I think the microwave and freezer section, or some pre-made pizzas are
her go to.

"Julie Bove" > wrote:
> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message >> ...
>>>> Michelle wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
>>>>> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
>>>>> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
>>>>> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
>>>>> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>>>>
>>>> When I couldn't use one hand, I'd open
>>>> a jar by getting on the floor, holding
>>>> the jar between my feet, and using my
>>>> my good hand. When that didn't work
>>>> with a particularly obstinate jar of
>>>> salsa, I had the brilliant idea of
>>>> relieving the vacuum in the jar by
>>>> stabbing the lid with a knife. That
>>>> worked! The lid came right off!
>>>>
>>>> Or maybe it didn't. Maybe disaster
>>>> ensued. I could be lying. You pay
>>>> your money, you take your chances.
>>>
>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going to use
>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>>
>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not toss > it
>> out.
>
> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then
> put the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.

If the lid was broken, yes.
--
jinx the minx

On Thu, 30 Apr 2015 13:57:51 -0700 (PDT), Michelle
> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>
> I've suggested she check the prepared fresh foods
> at the grocery store for things like ready-prepped
> vegetables, or even the grocery salad bar - but
> if anyone has other/better suggestions, I'd love to
> pass them on to her!
>
> She lives in a fairly large midwestern city, so has
> access to things like Costco. No Trader Joe's, though.
>
> Thanks for any ideas!
>
I'm sure there's more than one product like it, but this is the first
one that came to mind.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...t=1&pldnSite=1
Believe me, she's not as helpless as she or you think. I drove a
stick shift car with my left leg in a walking cast. If I can do that,
she can use a knife.

--

sf

"Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
> On 4/30/2015 4:57 PM, Michelle wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
>> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
>> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
>> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
>> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>>
>
> If she is determined, she can adapt. I've known a couple of amputees that
> could do anything you and I can do. Even in a cast, that hand can hold
> light things.
>
> This lady has some hints
> http://www.toysrbob.com/onearm/

That lady is an inspiration and her step mother needs to thank her lucky
stars she doesn't have that problem and such a nasty helper!


--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"jinx the minx" > wrote in message
...
> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>>> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message >>
>>>> ...
>>>>> Michelle wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
>>>>>> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
>>>>>> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
>>>>>> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
>>>>>> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>>>>>
>>>>> When I couldn't use one hand, I'd open
>>>>> a jar by getting on the floor, holding
>>>>> the jar between my feet, and using my
>>>>> my good hand. When that didn't work
>>>>> with a particularly obstinate jar of
>>>>> salsa, I had the brilliant idea of
>>>>> relieving the vacuum in the jar by
>>>>> stabbing the lid with a knife. That
>>>>> worked! The lid came right off!
>>>>>
>>>>> Or maybe it didn't. Maybe disaster
>>>>> ensued. I could be lying. You pay
>>>>> your money, you take your chances.
>>>>
>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going to
>>>> use
>>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>>>
>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not toss
>>> > it
>>> out.
>>
>> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then
>> put the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
>
> If the lid was broken, yes.

OMG! He was breaking the lid on purpose. You missed my point. Yeah, it
gets the jar open, but...

On Friday, May 1, 2015 at 5:50:22 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> On Thu, 30 Apr 2015 21:18:45 -0800, Mark Thorson >
> wrote:
>
> >Michelle wrote:
> >>
> >> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
> >> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
> >> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
> >> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
> >> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
> >
> >When I couldn't use one hand, I'd open
> >a jar by getting on the floor, holding
> >the jar between my feet, and using my
> >my good hand. When that didn't work
> >with a particularly obstinate jar of
> >salsa, I had the brilliant idea of
> >relieving the vacuum in the jar by
> >stabbing the lid with a knife. That
> >worked! The lid came right off!
> >Or maybe it didn't. Maybe disaster
> >ensued. I could be lying. You pay
> >your money, you take your chances.
> You lives and learns as they say. My hand from elbow down was in a
> cast last year, on balance I managed quite well. Some things like
> putting toothpaste on the brush, tended to be messy.
>
> I wanted to chop some garlic and figured I could manage it. When the
> knife slipped it didn't go far and met resistance. The resistance was
> the bone in my finger and I was left with plenty of blood and a
> garlicky smelling underlay to the cast. I always believed that saying
> about it isn't the sharp knife that cuts and kept the knives like
> razors. What it does is just make it so when it hits bone, it does it
> effortlessly.
>
> She will manage, one does when it is imperative.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'll pass them along.

"Julie Bove" > wrote:
> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>>>> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message >> >>>>
>>>>> ...
>>>>>> Michelle wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
>>>>>>> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
>>>>>>> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
>>>>>>> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
>>>>>>> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> When I couldn't use one hand, I'd open
>>>>>> a jar by getting on the floor, holding
>>>>>> the jar between my feet, and using my
>>>>>> my good hand. When that didn't work
>>>>>> with a particularly obstinate jar of
>>>>>> salsa, I had the brilliant idea of
>>>>>> relieving the vacuum in the jar by
>>>>>> stabbing the lid with a knife. That
>>>>>> worked! The lid came right off!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Or maybe it didn't. Maybe disaster
>>>>>> ensued. I could be lying. You pay
>>>>>> your money, you take your chances.
>>>>>
>>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going to >>>> use
>>>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>>>>
>>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not toss >>> > it
>>>> out.
>>>
>>> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then
>>> put the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
>>
>> If the lid was broken, yes.
>
> OMG! He was breaking the lid on purpose. You missed my point. Yeah, it
> gets the jar open, but...

OMG you are an idiot.
--
jinx the minx

On 5/1/2015 9:23 AM, jinx the minx wrote:
> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>> "jinx the minx" > wrote

>>>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>>>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going to >>>> use
>>>>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>>>>>
>>>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not toss >>> > it
>>>>> out.
>>>>
>>>> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then
>>>> put the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
>>>
>>> If the lid was broken, yes.
>>
>> OMG! He was breaking the lid on purpose. You missed my point. Yeah, it
>> gets the jar open, but...
>
> OMG you are an idiot.

If Sheldon was talking about using a pointy can opener to pry
the top a bit to break the seal, the lid still works just fine,
you don't have to mangle the lid. Perfectly good to keep
pickles in a jar that's just going to be sitting in the refrigerator,
no less.

nancy

On Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:05:21 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

>
>"jinx the minx" > wrote in message


>>>
>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going to use
>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>>
>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not toss
>> it
>> out.
>
>Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then put
>the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.

Do you ever think before you speak?
Janet US

On Fri, 1 May 2015 13:23:31 +0000 (UTC), jinx the minx
> wrote:

> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
> > "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
> >>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
> >>> ...
> >>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
> >>>>> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message >> >>>>
> >>>>> ...
> >>>>>> Michelle wrote:
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
> >>>>>>> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
> >>>>>>> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
> >>>>>>> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
> >>>>>>> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> When I couldn't use one hand, I'd open
> >>>>>> a jar by getting on the floor, holding
> >>>>>> the jar between my feet, and using my
> >>>>>> my good hand. When that didn't work
> >>>>>> with a particularly obstinate jar of
> >>>>>> salsa, I had the brilliant idea of
> >>>>>> relieving the vacuum in the jar by
> >>>>>> stabbing the lid with a knife. That
> >>>>>> worked! The lid came right off!
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Or maybe it didn't. Maybe disaster
> >>>>>> ensued. I could be lying. You pay
> >>>>>> your money, you take your chances.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
> >>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
> >>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going to >>>> use
> >>>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
> >>>>
> >>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not toss >>> > it
> >>>> out.
> >>>
> >>> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then
> >>> put the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
> >>
> >> If the lid was broken, yes.
> >
> > OMG! He was breaking the lid on purpose. You missed my point. Yeah, it
> > gets the jar open, but...
>
> OMG you are an idiot.

I have one of these.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...DL._SY355_.jpg
It breaks the seal and doesn't ruin anything, not even a dent.

--

sf

On 5/1/2015 1:18 AM, Mark Thorson wrote:

> When that didn't work
> with a particularly obstinate jar of
> salsa, I had the brilliant idea of
> relieving the vacuum in the jar by
> stabbing the lid with a knife. That
> worked! The lid came right off!

Relieving the vacuum is the best way to open a jar. Usually a can/bottle
opener will do the trick, even a knife blade to lift the edge.
Stabbing, of course, if you really have to.

On 2015-05-01, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:

> Relieving the vacuum is the best way to open a jar. Usually a can/bottle
> opener will do the trick, even a knife blade to lift the edge.
> Stabbing, of course, if you really have to.

I've always used the "whack the lid with the back of a knife" method.

You take a table knife, and hit the corner of the top of the lid with
the knife. Sometimes using the handle to whack the lid works better.
Whacking consists of glancing blows to the lid all around the top edge
in the direction that opens the lid (lefty-lucy). I've also used this
in removing rusted nuts/bolts. Take a chisel and hammer to the
nut/bolt edge and tap in removal direction. Works better than most
lid removal tools.

nb

On 5/1/2015 10:52 AM, Sqwertz wrote:
> On Fri, 01 May 2015 09:55:51 -0400, Nancy Young wrote:

>> If Sheldon was talking about using a pointy can opener to pry
>> the top a bit to break the seal, the lid still works just fine,
>> you don't have to mangle the lid. Perfectly good to keep
>> pickles in a jar that's just going to be sitting in the refrigerator,
>> no less.
>
> He probably suggested taking an awl to the lid - Punching a small hole
> in the lid to release the vacuum. Whcih I have done before.

Nothing a little tape won't fix.

> I have one of those plastic "jar key" gizmos that pry up the side of
> the lid to break the vacuum seal. They work, but can leave the lid
> slightly warped so it never forms a complete seal again.

It still has all the crimps to hold flat to the jar. I wouldn't
take it on a picnic if it's something liquid but it works just fine
otherwise.

> http://www.containerstore.com/shop/k...uctId=10000651

That looks good, I'd get one if I was having a problem with lids.

> I most often reach for my mechanical "Top Off" opener, when sheer
> brute force doesn't work and I pull a muscle in my neck.
>
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Edlu...r/361282506719

I've seen those. Not up close and personal, they look like a gadget
failure but it seems they do the job. Meanwhile, my usual go-to if
I have to open a stubborn jar myself is a rubber band around the
edge of the lid.

nancy

On Fri, 01 May 2015 12:09:27 -0400, Nancy Young
> wrote:

> Meanwhile, my usual go-to if
> I have to open a stubborn jar myself is a rubber band around the
> edge of the lid.

I turn mine upside down and give the lid a couple of good whacks on
the counter, that usually does it.

--

sf

On 5/1/2015 1:10 PM, sf wrote:
> On Fri, 01 May 2015 12:09:27 -0400, Nancy Young
> > wrote:
>
>> Meanwhile, my usual go-to if
>> I have to open a stubborn jar myself is a rubber band around the
>> edge of the lid.
>
> I turn mine upside down and give the lid a couple of good whacks on
> the counter, that usually does it.
>


I've always had success with running the lid under hot water for a time
and then drying it off and opening.

On 5/1/2015 5:15 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>
> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>
>>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>>>> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message >>
>>>>> ...
>>>>>> Michelle wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
>>>>>>> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
>>>>>>> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
>>>>>>> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
>>>>>>> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> When I couldn't use one hand, I'd open
>>>>>> a jar by getting on the floor, holding
>>>>>> the jar between my feet, and using my
>>>>>> my good hand. When that didn't work
>>>>>> with a particularly obstinate jar of
>>>>>> salsa, I had the brilliant idea of
>>>>>> relieving the vacuum in the jar by
>>>>>> stabbing the lid with a knife. That
>>>>>> worked! The lid came right off!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Or maybe it didn't. Maybe disaster
>>>>>> ensued. I could be lying. You pay
>>>>>> your money, you take your chances.
>>>>>
>>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going
>>>>> to use
>>>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>>>>
>>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not
>>>> toss > it
>>>> out.
>>>
>>> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then
>>> put the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
>>
>> If the lid was broken, yes.
>
> OMG! He was breaking the lid on purpose. You missed my point. Yeah,
> it gets the jar open, but...

No, YOU missed the point. If we punctured the lid in order to break the
seal we certainly would transfer the unused portion from the jar into
another container. If you did it, it would merely be an excuse to throw
out more food.

Jill

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
...
> On 5/1/2015 9:23 AM, jinx the minx wrote:
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>> "jinx the minx" > wrote
>
>>>>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>>>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>>>>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going
>>>>>>> to >>>> use
>>>>>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not
>>>>>> toss >>> > it
>>>>>> out.
>>>>>
>>>>> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then
>>>>> put the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
>>>>
>>>> If the lid was broken, yes.
>>>
>>> OMG! He was breaking the lid on purpose. You missed my point. Yeah,
>>> it
>>> gets the jar open, but...
>>
>> OMG you are an idiot.
>
> If Sheldon was talking about using a pointy can opener to pry
> the top a bit to break the seal, the lid still works just fine,
> you don't have to mangle the lid. Perfectly good to keep
> pickles in a jar that's just going to be sitting in the refrigerator,
> no less.
>
> nancy

Nope. That was not what he was talking about. I don't want to say because
I can't remember exactly but I think it had to do with piercing a hole in
the lid.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 1 May 2015 13:23:31 +0000 (UTC), jinx the minx
> > wrote:
>
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>> > "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>> > ...
>> >> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>> >>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>> >>> ...
>> >>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>> >>>>> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message >> >>>>
>> >>>>> ...
>> >>>>>> Michelle wrote:
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
>> >>>>>>> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
>> >>>>>>> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
>> >>>>>>> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
>> >>>>>>> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> When I couldn't use one hand, I'd open
>> >>>>>> a jar by getting on the floor, holding
>> >>>>>> the jar between my feet, and using my
>> >>>>>> my good hand. When that didn't work
>> >>>>>> with a particularly obstinate jar of
>> >>>>>> salsa, I had the brilliant idea of
>> >>>>>> relieving the vacuum in the jar by
>> >>>>>> stabbing the lid with a knife. That
>> >>>>>> worked! The lid came right off!
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> Or maybe it didn't. Maybe disaster
>> >>>>>> ensued. I could be lying. You pay
>> >>>>>> your money, you take your chances.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>> >>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to
>> >>>>> do
>> >>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going
>> >>>>> to >>>> use
>> >>>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not
>> >>>> toss >>> > it
>> >>>> out.
>> >>>
>> >>> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar,
>> >>> then
>> >>> put the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
>> >>
>> >> If the lid was broken, yes.
>> >
>> > OMG! He was breaking the lid on purpose. You missed my point. Yeah,
>> > it
>> > gets the jar open, but...
>>
>> OMG you are an idiot.
>
> I have one of these.
> http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...DL._SY355_.jpg
> It breaks the seal and doesn't ruin anything, not even a dent.

A spoon will usually break the seal too.

"Janet B" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:05:21 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>>"jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>
>
>>>>
>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going to
>>>> use
>>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>>>
>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not toss
>>> it
>>> out.
>>
>>Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then put
>>the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
>
> Do you ever think before you speak?

So tell me. How do you store your pickles?

"Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
> On 5/1/2015 1:18 AM, Mark Thorson wrote:
>
>> When that didn't work
>> with a particularly obstinate jar of
>> salsa, I had the brilliant idea of
>> relieving the vacuum in the jar by
>> stabbing the lid with a knife. That
>> worked! The lid came right off!
>
> Relieving the vacuum is the best way to open a jar. Usually a can/bottle
> opener will do the trick, even a knife blade to lift the edge. Stabbing,
> of course, if you really have to.

The bowl of a spoon usually works too.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 5/1/2015 5:15 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>
>>>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>>>>> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message >>
>>>>>> ...
>>>>>>> Michelle wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
>>>>>>>> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
>>>>>>>> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
>>>>>>>> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
>>>>>>>> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> When I couldn't use one hand, I'd open
>>>>>>> a jar by getting on the floor, holding
>>>>>>> the jar between my feet, and using my
>>>>>>> my good hand. When that didn't work
>>>>>>> with a particularly obstinate jar of
>>>>>>> salsa, I had the brilliant idea of
>>>>>>> relieving the vacuum in the jar by
>>>>>>> stabbing the lid with a knife. That
>>>>>>> worked! The lid came right off!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Or maybe it didn't. Maybe disaster
>>>>>>> ensued. I could be lying. You pay
>>>>>>> your money, you take your chances.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>>>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going
>>>>>> to use
>>>>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>>>>>
>>>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not
>>>>> toss > it
>>>>> out.
>>>>
>>>> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then
>>>> put the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
>>>
>>> If the lid was broken, yes.
>>
>> OMG! He was breaking the lid on purpose. You missed my point. Yeah,
>> it gets the jar open, but...
>
> No, YOU missed the point. If we punctured the lid in order to break the
> seal we certainly would transfer the unused portion from the jar into
> another container. If you did it, it would merely be an excuse to throw
> out more food.

I have never punctured a lid nor would I.

On 5/1/2015 3:20 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 5/1/2015 5:15 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>>
>>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>
>>>
>>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>>>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>>>>>> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message >>
>>>>>>> ...
>>>>>>>> Michelle wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks for
>>>>>>>>> cooking with a broken arm. My sister had a car
>>>>>>>>> accident, and is in a cast for 5 weeks. Fortunately,
>>>>>>>>> it's the left arm, and she is right handed, so she can
>>>>>>>>> do a few things - but chopping is right out.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> When I couldn't use one hand, I'd open
>>>>>>>> a jar by getting on the floor, holding
>>>>>>>> the jar between my feet, and using my
>>>>>>>> my good hand. When that didn't work
>>>>>>>> with a particularly obstinate jar of
>>>>>>>> salsa, I had the brilliant idea of
>>>>>>>> relieving the vacuum in the jar by
>>>>>>>> stabbing the lid with a knife. That
>>>>>>>> worked! The lid came right off!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Or maybe it didn't. Maybe disaster
>>>>>>>> ensued. I could be lying. You pay
>>>>>>>> your money, you take your chances.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>>>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>>>>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going
>>>>>>> to use
>>>>>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not
>>>>>> toss > it
>>>>>> out.
>>>>>
>>>>> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then
>>>>> put the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
>>>>
>>>> If the lid was broken, yes.
>>>
>>> OMG! He was breaking the lid on purpose. You missed my point. Yeah,
>>> it gets the jar open, but...
>>
>> No, YOU missed the point. If we punctured the lid in order to break
>> the seal we certainly would transfer the unused portion from the jar
>> into another container. If you did it, it would merely be an excuse
>> to throw out more food.
>
> I have never punctured a lid nor would I.

Nor would I, not hen hot running water always works to loosen it.

On Fri, 01 May 2015 12:10:53 -0700, sf > wrote:

>On Fri, 01 May 2015 12:09:27 -0400, Nancy Young
> wrote:
>
>> Meanwhile, my usual go-to if
>> I have to open a stubborn jar myself is a rubber band around the
>> edge of the lid.

Rubberbands work well. I have rubber lid grips that work just fine...
rubbers with little gripper bumps, like heavy duty condoms.

>I turn mine upside down and give the lid a couple of good whacks on
>the counter, that usually does it.

Whacking is how your fat ass works. That's a great way to end up with
glass slivers in your food.

On 2015-05-01 11:44 AM, notbob wrote:
> On 2015-05-01, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
>
>> Relieving the vacuum is the best way to open a jar. Usually a can/bottle
>> opener will do the trick, even a knife blade to lift the edge.
>> Stabbing, of course, if you really have to.
>
> I've always used the "whack the lid with the back of a knife" method.
>

It has always worked for me.

"Julie Bove" > wrote:
> "Janet B" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:05:21 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>>
>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going to >>>> use
>>>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>>>>
>>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not toss
>>>> it
>>>> out.
>>>
>>> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then put
>>> the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
>>
>> Do you ever think before you speak?
>
> So tell me. How do you store your pickles?

The real question should be how do YOU store YOUR pickles if the lid is
irreparably damaged? Assuming it's a brand new jar you just opened for one
pickle...
--
jinx the minx

On 5/1/2015 5:20 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 5/1/2015 5:15 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>>
>>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>
>>>
>>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>>>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>>>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>>>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>>>>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going
>>>>>>> to use the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not
>>>>>> toss > it
>>>>>> out.
>>>>>
>>>>> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then
>>>>> put the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
>>>>
>>>> If the lid was broken, yes.
>>>
>>> OMG! He was breaking the lid on purpose. You missed my point. Yeah,
>>> it gets the jar open, but...
>>
>> No, YOU missed the point. If we punctured the lid in order to break
>> the seal we certainly would transfer the unused portion from the jar
>> into another container. If you did it, it would merely be an excuse
>> to throw out more food.
>
> I have never punctured a lid nor would I.

Who cares? You brought it up. I have never had a need to puncture lids
on glass jars to relieve pressure.

I have no doubt if *you* ever found a reason to do it you'd throw out
the remaining contents rather than put it in another container. It's
your modus operandi for handling food.

Jill

On 5/1/2015 6:15 PM, jinx the minx wrote:
> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>> "Janet B" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:05:21 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>>>
>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>>>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going to >>>> use
>>>>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>>>>>
>>>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not toss
>>>>> it
>>>>> out.
>>>>
>>>> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then put
>>>> the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
>>>
>>> Do you ever think before you speak?
>>
>> So tell me. How do you store your pickles?
>
> The real question should be how do YOU store YOUR pickles if the lid is
> irreparably damaged? Assuming it's a brand new jar you just opened for one
> pickle...
>
Yep, one pickle taken from a mangled/punctured jar lid. (NOTE: she will
inform us again she never punctures a jar lid.)

Following her example about a jar of pickles, she seems to think no one
would bother to store the remaining pickles in a different container.
That's pretty typical of her throwaway food mentality.

Jill

"jinx the minx" > wrote in message
...
> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>> "Janet B" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:05:21 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>>>
>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>>>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going to
>>>>>> >>>> use
>>>>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>>>>>
>>>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not
>>>>> toss
>>>>> it
>>>>> out.
>>>>
>>>> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then
>>>> put
>>>> the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
>>>
>>> Do you ever think before you speak?
>>
>> So tell me. How do you store your pickles?
>
> The real question should be how do YOU store YOUR pickles if the lid is
> irreparably damaged? Assuming it's a brand new jar you just opened for
> one
> pickle...

I can honestly say that I've never had that problem.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 5/1/2015 6:15 PM, jinx the minx wrote:
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>> "Janet B" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> On Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:05:21 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>>>> > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>>>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to do
>>>>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going
>>>>>>> to >>>> use
>>>>>>> the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for later.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not
>>>>>> toss
>>>>>> it
>>>>>> out.
>>>>>
>>>>> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar, then
>>>>> put
>>>>> the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
>>>>
>>>> Do you ever think before you speak?
>>>
>>> So tell me. How do you store your pickles?
>>
>> The real question should be how do YOU store YOUR pickles if the lid is
>> irreparably damaged? Assuming it's a brand new jar you just opened for
>> one
>> pickle...
>>
> Yep, one pickle taken from a mangled/punctured jar lid. (NOTE: she will
> inform us again she never punctures a jar lid.)
>
> Following her example about a jar of pickles, she seems to think no one
> would bother to store the remaining pickles in a different container.
> That's pretty typical of her throwaway food mentality.

I have never ever had the need to puncture a lid. Repeat, never.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 5/1/2015 5:20 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On 5/1/2015 5:15 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>>>
>>>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>>>>> "jinx the minx" > wrote in message
>>>>>> ...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>>>>>>> Hehehe. I remember Sheldon saying some stupid thing about doing
>>>>>>>> something to the jar lid to break the seal. Only what he said to
>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>> would render the lid unusable. So it would work if you were going
>>>>>>>> to use the whole jar at once but not if you wanted to keep some for
>>>>>>>> later.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Normal people would put the leftovers in a different container, not
>>>>>>> toss > it
>>>>>>> out.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Really? So... Normal people would take one pickle from the jar,
>>>>>> then
>>>>>> put the remaining contents in another container? I don't think so.
>>>>>
>>>>> If the lid was broken, yes.
>>>>
>>>> OMG! He was breaking the lid on purpose. You missed my point. Yeah,
>>>> it gets the jar open, but...
>>>
>>> No, YOU missed the point. If we punctured the lid in order to break
>>> the seal we certainly would transfer the unused portion from the jar
>>> into another container. If you did it, it would merely be an excuse
>>> to throw out more food.
>>
>> I have never punctured a lid nor would I.
>
> Who cares? You brought it up. I have never had a need to puncture lids
> on glass jars to relieve pressure.
>
> I have no doubt if *you* ever found a reason to do it you'd throw out the
> remaining contents rather than put it in another container. It's your
> modus operandi for handling food.

I *wouldn't* find a reason to do it.