Cooking for one made healthful and easy: Designed for One
Happy September to you:) Fall is quickly approaching and I quite frankly am ready for it. It has been so hot in the South and I am in need for some Fall breezes. Along with it being the 1st day in September, it is also National Self-Care Month and taking care of your insides is one way to take care of yourself.
I have been told that I am pre-diabetic and have seen up close and personal, the effects that diabetes can have on the body. There are some delicious recipes out there, but none seemed as intriguing to me than these that I found in Designed For One.  Designed For One makes it easy for those who are single and enjoy treating themselves with awesome and easy to prepare recipes. Healthier meals, easy to make recipes, no unwanted leftovers. Who does not want that?
I was able to do a short interview with the Author, Nancy S. Hughes to find out the motivation behind the book.
SHORT BIO: Nancy S. Hughes is a bestselling author and leading food consultant. She has written 19 nationally-published cookbooks as well as developed recipes for 58 additional cookbooks with over 7,500 published recipes to her credit. Nancy has been honored to work with clients across the United States and Canada. She works with major corporations, health-focused organizations, magazines, and web-based clients including: American Heart Association,Cooking Light, Better Homes and Gardens, Betty Crocker, Del Monte Foods, Canola Council, National Processed Raspberry Council, Rice Federation, eMeals, and Nestlé.
–  You’ve written another book for the American Diabetes Association! Can you explain the motivation behind this book? It seemed to me that every time “I†cooked just for me, I’d try to keep it simple (I definitely didn’t want to go to too much trouble…that’s for sure), but it felt B-O-R-I-N-G …but if a person has diabetes, it’s very very important to eat healthy meals. That’s when I took a new approach in the kitchen and made it easy…for everyone. My editor loved the idea…wound me up and I hit the kitchen with tons of ideas to test out!
– Is this a diet plan? Not at all! It’s merely a way to help a single person to cook healthfully and stay on that healthy track with confidence because every single recipe meets the American Diabetes Association’s nutritional guidelines.
- What sparked the idea of a single serving cookbook? It dawned on me when I was walking up and down the bookstore aisles that there wasn’t much out there for single people with diabetes. People, especially those with diabetes, really need to have healthy meals, balanced meals…but affordable and not a lot of leftovers!!
– How many recipes does your book have? Are they all the same type of food? There are 120 recipes to enjoy for every night of the week! They cover all the categories from salads and sides to entrees and desserts! There are stovetop dishes, baked and roasted recipes plus hearty soups and main salads and sandwiches. Tons of variety in the ingredients, too, with a wide range of choices from Italian, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Thai to All American!
 I think that incorporating more of these recipes will be what I will be doing for National Self-Care Month.
What about you?Â
17 Comments
Krish
Good information..lovely insight through the interview .
Terri Beavers
I live alone and love the idea of design for one. I”ll have to check out this cookbook.
Ally
What a great cook book for those with high blood sugar. Hopefully you can reverse your pre-diabetes diagnosis.
Natalia
I’m single and that’s something just for me! Sometimes it’s not so easy to prepare a fancy meal just for yourself. I can’t wait to check this book out and to try some of these wonderful recipes! 🙂
Rosey
I always say it’s hard to find food for and cook for one. It’s not impossible of course, but everything comes in such large portions. I love that you are taking proactive measures in your food choices. Hurrah that you were warned and know about being pre-diabetic!
Kathleen
As a single person, cooking is a challenge. Often you find yourself eating the same thing for several meals in a row to avoid spoilage and eating valuable food. Being from a family of diabetics, I understand the importance of eating healthy. What a fantastic cook book for a single diabetic who no longer has to be stuck eating the same 5 boring meals a week.
What Corinne Did
OMG a single serving cookbook is such a brilliant idea! I always cook way too much food!
Scott Gombar
I have not had to cook for myself in over 10 years. My wife cooks for an army whether or it’s just us or her whole (very large) family. She also cooks for a week at a time so there is never a reason for me to go to the kitchen..her preference anyway. This is cool though and if I am ever in a position where I need to cook for one I have this to reference.
Monidipa Dutta
Single serving cookbook with healthy recipes is really good idea. Amazing post. Thanks for sharing.
Stephanie | Adventures in Aussieland
This sounds like a book I would enjoy! I always struggled cooking for one.
Kathy
This looks like a great cook book! Sometimes, all you want to do is to cook for yourself and it can be difficult at times when the recipe you want calls for 6 servings.
Dalene Ekirapa
I think I’d also do with more health recipes on my self-care month and cut on the too much junks I take. Eventually, good diet is proper for great health.
Sarah Fatima
I really enjoyed your Q&A session with the author. My mum is also a diabetic patient and this book seems helpful for not only diabetic patient but also for other people who want to stay healthy.
Ruth I
Sounds like a great book. 120 recipes? That’s really awesome. And to think that it has a wide range of choice.
Sandra Crespo
I did not know it was national self-care month I love it! This cookbook looks great!
Lavanda Michelle
Sounds like the perfect cookbook for my aunt who lives alone and suffers from diabetes. Thanks for sharing your insight.
Mommy Sigrid
Oh my gosh! This is a gem. Will share this to mother in law. Though her blood sugar is controlled, she is always looking out for her diet. Diabetes runs in her family, so she is being careful.