Question about cooking when you have arthritis
 

Hi all.

This may sound like an unusual question but I am indeed sincere. I have osteoarthritis and here in NYC the weather is like zero lately.

I like to make meatballs. Well, sometimes, my hands don't work so good so if I put all the meatball mixure in a big bowl, like the chopped meat, the grated cheese, the egg beaters, the parsley, etc. etc. (you know, the stuff you make meatballs with), as of late I'm having trouble putting my hands and mixing up all the meatball stuff and making them into meatballs.

I tried using a good processor but I had to make so many batches.

Now here's my question for all you cooks out there.

Let's say I have 3 lbs of ground turkey and all the other stuff to make turkey meatballs, .,... if I can get my hands on a kitchen aid mixer (you know the ones that people make cakes and mix batter with, they come with the big hooks and the big bowls and cost a lot of money..... if I can get my hands on one of those, can I use it to make my meatball mixture?? Then I can get an ice cream scooper and make the meatballs. My problem is getting all the stuff mixed up properly.

The other day, my hands were so bad, I used a potato masher and it took me a long long time to mash every thing together. A lightbulb went off in my head. Why not get one of those big mixing tools (like from kitchen aide) and put all the mixture in the big bowl, (I have no idea if you use the kneading hooks or whatever) but I'm imagining it mixing all the chop meat and stuff and soon I'd have a complete bowl of meatball mixture.

Have any of you ever thought of this, done this, or am I wrong in thinking I can use this mixer to make up a batch of meatball mix (or even a meatloaf mixture)

Any thoughts will be welcome!!!
Thanks much.

Melody

a cheaper idea...
 

you know those pie dough mixers...you hold in your hand?
It should work for you.

This is one type... called a dough blender
http://www.kitchenniche.ca/kitchen-g...s-c-21_93.html

I have the pastry blender shown on this same page.

It might help to soak your hands first in warm water with epsom salts...
that would warm them up and help them be more flexible.

Very Good Mrs. D!!!
 

The dough blender looks a lot like my flat potato masher. It would probably do a better job because it would rock back and forth.

I looked up kitchen aide mixers and oh yeah, I've got $349.00 to fork over just to make a meatball mixture. I THINK NOT!!!!!

Ah, I can dream!!!

Anyway, we just came home from the spinal tap and he's doing great. Said he didn't feel a thing, just a little pinch. This guy is really god, this Dr. Mirchandani. He knows his LPs.

be well.

Melody

Your idea of the big kitchen aid mixers sounds like it would definitely work for you. Since they are so expensive, why not keep an eye open for one at second-hand stores, at Goodwill stores, or at yard sales when they finally start back up again? I'm assuming, of course, that NYC has yard sales. Do you even have yards? :D Thus speaks the country hick from Tennessee!!
I buy most of my goodies at places like that, and end up with things I could never afford otherwise.
Hugs,

turkey meatballs
 

:) I had a visual of your determination to make these meatballs for Rocky :) I dont have much advise for your poor hands but I was wondering what the medical world is doing for you--we seem to be sharing the same thing-kind regards, a turkey meatball lover :)

Bring up Freecycle for your area. Maybe someone there can help you out. It is a great thing a lady started. Instead of people throwing out unwanted things they advertise them on Freecycle and give them away to someone that can use them. Try this site. Its wonderful. Good Luck!

http://www.freecycle.org/display.php...n=US+Northeast

Hi,
The goodwill is a great suggestion frequently they have items that are new but sold to them from dept. stores like Target, mostly out of season items but not always and the prices can't be beat.
Also You might want to try eBay there are many new items below retail.Beware though items ending on the weekend are usually higher due to the amount of people shopping then.Late at night & during the week good buys can be found.Be sure to check seller feedback.And use paypal for safety.:)
Shopping on Ebay when I can't sleep keeps me from going stir crazy.
Denise:)

Zip Lock Bags
 

I realize this is an old thread, but I suppose cooking is pretty much a current problem for most of us. I just want to share a tip about mixing things. For me, it can be much easier to mix things (such as cookie dough or meat loaf) or crush things (such as crackers) if I put them in a ziplock bag. For mixing, you can just squeeze the bag. The bag also helps keep the cold off of your hands.

Ziplocks bags (I use a brand with the slider deal, it's easier to close-I think it's called OneZip) can also be used to break the work of a recipee into small steps. For example: Step 1: find all dry ingredients and place on counter. Step2: Measure out flour-put in bag and mark with permanent marker. Step 3:
Put rest of dry ingredients in bag & mark it. Step 4: Break eggs into separate bag and set in frig. etc. This way, the steps can be worked on over 2 days even and everything will stay sanitary.

Putting the yolks, mustard, mayonnaise, etc. in a bag to mix, and then cutting off a tip of the bottom corner and using it as a pastry bag is an easy way to make deviled eggs. You can even transport the eggs to a party or potluck and easily pipe the yolk mixture in the whites when you get there.

Another thing that helps: ask family member if they will put things back for you when you are done and check the item for doneness when timer goes off-bc by then, you might be in bed too exhausted to move-or crying in pain from cooking. Remember to ask the family to please bring you a serving when it is done. If you don't-it might not dawn on them that you will be too exhausted to get up and get your share.

Happy cooking! (and eating!)

Reply
 

Have you ever tried to pick up one of the large mixers? I have one and it is incredibly heavy. You would need to put it some place where you have access to it and the ability to use it without moving it.

I agree with the idea of the zip bags. I also purchased a smaller set of mixing, blending and food processing tools that come together. I find they are easy to use.

By the way, for people having these problems an occupational therapist can help you come up with solutions and train you on how to do things.

The sunbeam mixers with the dough hooks should work great for mixing the meatball mixture up.
lighter & cheaper than the kitchen aid.

quite a few in the thrift stores around here for 12 bucks or so depending on condition. and you can still buy bowls, dough hooks & beaters online for them if you need to.

The plastic zip bag is a good idea too, just put it all in there close it up and mush it together - or have Alan squeeze the bag for you to get it mixed.
The gallon size might work best.

If you use a freezer type bag you could do an extra large amount - use what you need for a meal and keep the extra in the freezer til next time.