10 Tips for Cooking with Low Vision
1. If you purchase the same type of cake mix or any other product frequently take the time to write the package directions down in large print or record them with a portable tape recorder
2. Mark the controls on your oven with brightly colored paint or small strips of Velcro. This way you can tell what temperature is being used.
3. Sometimes it’s a lot more difficult to tell when cookies are brown or the rolls hit that perfect golden color. I find it easier to time things and they turn out nearly the same each time. Use a raised line timer found at Ann Morris /enterprises or a talking watch to determine just how long those cookies need to bake.
4. When measuring small amounts of liquids like vanilla or almond extract. Use an eye dropper they hold a teaspoon of liquid and it sure beats trying to hit a measuring spoon with an expensive and fragrant liquid. you can also use a medicine syringe found at your local drugstore for measuring larger amounts. Simply have someone pull the syringe out to the different levels and mark the plunger with a sharp knife. This will let you feel where �½ teaspoon or 1 Tablespoon is without pouring at all.
5. Listen to your food. I know this sounds a bit strange but if you pay close attention you will find out that a grilled cheese sounds different as it browns. The same goes for bacon and steak. It won’t take long to get the hang of it.
6. Arrange your kitchen cabinets so that you always keep the cans of carrots or peas in the same place this will make it easier to find what you need. If this is hard to do because someone is always moving things about try putting a rubber band on carrots and two on peas. You can also use a brightly colored sticker to identify different contents. It will be easy to work out your own code.
7. Add an extra light in your kitchen that is brighter then usual. .This will help with hard to read recipes and instructions.
8. Store your dry goods such as flour and sugar in different sized containers. It will make things much easier then trying to read the bag plus you can easily measure them with a scoop.
9. It sometimes helps to use a contrasting colored bowl with different food. For example: stir up a yellow cake batter in a dark blue bowl and brownies in a white bowl. The contrast will make things easier to see.
10. Use oven mitts that come further up your arm. This will keep you from accidentally bumping your arm on the oven Dorr. Be sure to keep handles on the stove top pointed in the same direction each time this makes it less likely to bump one accidentally.
The main point I want to stress here is that low vision shouldn’t stop you from doing the things you love. Enjoy cooking be safe and if things don’t turn out quite the way you think remember that everyone makes mistakes in the kitchen blind as well as sighted. I know because over the years I have lost most of my vision to Retinitis Pigmintosa, (a degenerative eye disease). I still enjoy cooking and look forward to this years Holiday baking.
