Page 26 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • March 26, 2014 Meal ideas for those cooking for one or two Seniors face many changes as they move into their golden years. Many people choose to downsize their living spaces and vehicles, and others implement certain changes to improve their quality of life. Many seniors also scale back in the kitchen, where some must make changes due to medical conditions. While it seems like reducing food portions would be easy, those used to prepping meals for a large family may find it difficult. The following tips can It’s never too late to earn a diploma Receiving a diploma is something to take seriously, even for those students who are somewhat older than their fellow graduates. In 2003, Gustava Bennett Burrus graduated from Rich- mond High School outside of San Francisco, California, at the age of 97. Ruth Hayes Green graduated from the Adult High School of the Perth Amboy, New Jersey Adult Edu- cation Center in 2010 at age 98. In 2013, 106-year-old Fred Butler, a student at Beverly High School in Massachusetts, received his high school diploma. He broke the Guinness World Record for oldest graduate previously held by Allan Stewart of Australia, who received a Bachelor of Laws degree at age 91 from the University of New England, New South Wales, Australia. make meal preparation efficient and cost-effective. Divide and store. Supermarkets are increasingly offer- ing larger packages of food products and “family size” offerings to compete with warehouse clubs. Buying in bulk can help individuals save money, but it may not always be practical for people living alone or with just a spouse. If you must buy in bulk, invest in a food vacuum sealer or freezer storage bags. Immediately separate meats and poultry into smaller portions before storing them in the freezer. Other- wise, look for bulk items that are individually wrapped to maintain freshness. Many canned and jarred items can be covered and stored in the refrigerator after containers are opened. Plan meals that have similar ingredients. To reduce food waste, use leftovers to create casseroles or mix them in with new meals. Broiled or grilled chicken can be used to make soups, stir-fry dishes, fajitas, and sandwiches. The fewer ingredients you have to buy, the smaller the risk of spoilage. Cut recipes in half. Recipes can be cut down depending on how many mouths need to be fed. When baking, cut- ting back on proportions of ingredients can be a challenge. Search online for recipe-scaling programs that can make the work easier. Cook on the weekend. Use a weekend day to prepare food and package it into small containers in the refrigerator or freezer. Then the containers can be taken out as needed and heated quickly in the microwave for fast meals. Organize a meal-sharing club. Get together with a few friends who also have empty nests and split the cooking duties. If you are accustomed to cooking larger portion sizes, do so and then spread the wealth with others in the group. Then sit back and relax when it is your opportunity to have meals delivered to you.