The Paraplegic Chef - Introduction - Quadriplegic & Paraplegic Spinal Cord Injuries

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#1 theparachef

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Posted 13 July 2009 - 01:52 PM

Hello, Everyone!

My name is Megan and I am new to this site. I've been a T-7 complete since November of 2007. I pride myself on having a great outlook on life and love meeting new people and spreading sci awareness. I joined this site not only to meet other great people through it, but to also share my passion for cooking. I was a chef before my accident, so when I was confined to a wheelchair, I could no longer work in the fast paced, small kitchen environment I was in before. That's when I decided I would combine my love for cooking with my love for helping others. I created a website in which I call myself "The Paraplegic Chef". I cooked fancy meals at the restaurant I was working at before, but the whole concept of "The Paraplegic Chef" is to motivate and inspire people who want to cook, but sometimes feel like they don't know how or where to start - especially in a wheelchair. My recipes are not geared towards anyone in particular. They are there for anyone who wants a nice easy recipe to try out. Most of my recipes are from my Mom's family cookbook, and some things are recipes I've found somewhere, or thought of myself. I would love for you to take the time to check it out, and if you know someone who might be interested, share it with them too! Thanks so much for reading, and I look forward to meeting you!

http://www.theparaplegicchef.com

This post has been edited by theparachef: 13 July 2009 - 01:53 PM

Megan
T-7 complete
"Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don't."
Pete Seeger

#2 wheelinPEACE

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Posted 13 July 2009 - 02:20 PM

HI Megan and welcome.

Life is a "barrel of monkeys"

#3 Yasko

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Posted 13 July 2009 - 02:39 PM

Welcome aboard Meg!

"Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too." - Voltaire
"If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for a reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed." - Albert Einstein

#4 chop-02

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Posted 13 July 2009 - 03:05 PM

GREAT storey Meg!!! You go girl..
CHOP

RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT.....
DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT COMES TO YOU..
GO GET IT,AND ROLL WITH IT..

#5 twisted_ophelia

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Posted 13 July 2009 - 03:33 PM

Uh oh, another chef... ChefZ has competition :icecream:

Welcome aboard! There is a good recipe thread over in the Cafe Apparelyzed forum!

This post has been edited by twisted_ophelia: 13 July 2009 - 03:34 PM

Mimi Machine! Extreme Sports and Spinal Cord Injury Blog - http://mimimachine.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/twisted_ophelia

#6 norma

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Posted 13 July 2009 - 03:57 PM

Welcome and thanks for sharing your journey so far... :icecream:

#7 fatdave

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Posted 13 July 2009 - 03:57 PM

Welcome!

Taking orders? I'm frickin starving!

Never explain--your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
Elbert Hubbard
US author (1856 - 1915)

#8 StillFingers

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Posted 13 July 2009 - 04:18 PM

Welcome aboard Megan, another chef :icecream:

My lady and I are not formally trained chefs, but we love to cook and mix it up a bit. We do our best to not repeat a meal, instead we turn to our spice/herb cabinet and the plethora of fresh produce here in southern california. Although I don't do much of the hot work, occasionally flipping something on the BBQ, I do as much of the shopping and prep work as I can; and I keep our garden full of fresh herbs and veggies. BTW, most of the dishes we cook are either vegetarian or seafood based and we love experimenting with dishes from around the world.

Your website is wonderful, lots of good information on cooking and SCI and the recipes I've read so far look delish. I read your article on knives, it's fantastic, a great introduction to what knife to use when/how.

As Mimi noted, there are some cooking topics in the Cafe, two for general cooking and one for baking. Hope to see you on the forum and in the chat room. This is an amazing website, lots of great information, support and people from around the world, hope you enjoy.

Jerry :mfromg:

Only after we have lost everything, are we free to do anything.
Shooting With Still Fingers - http://shootingwiths...s.blogspot.com/

#9 Abbey22

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Posted 13 July 2009 - 08:29 PM

Hey Megan

Maybe you can inspire me to cook again....my last attempt didn't end so well. Glad to have you!

#10 Texas Angel Ang

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Posted 13 July 2009 - 08:37 PM

Welcome aboard looking forward to reading more of your posts and going to check out your website!

"Become your own roll model, your wheelchair is just another accessory in life" Me

#11 ETW Grumpy

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Posted 14 July 2009 - 12:34 AM

Welcome and congratulations. Your attitude is great and your website is very good. This is a great place to meet folks and exchange info.

#12 wheeliebear75

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Posted 14 July 2009 - 05:51 AM

Hello & welcome. :yucky:

Aside from Chez there is also another member I recall having been a chef. :blushing02:

COOK OFF!

*Enjoy every sunset, but be grateful for every dawn.*
*Wheelchairs are made of a special ocular magnetic alloy......they're "eyeball magnets".*
*I USE a wheelchair, that does NOT make ME a wheelchair!*

#13 rn_boy777

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Posted 14 July 2009 - 06:55 AM

welcome!!!!

where theres a will theres a way!!!!!

#14 JesseB

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Posted 14 July 2009 - 07:08 AM

welcome meg

#15 Santa Cruz Soul Surfer (LRO)

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Posted 14 July 2009 - 07:19 AM

Hey Megan!....Nice to see we have another foodie, who is'nt afraid to break out the knives and keep cooking despite the minor roadblock!...Welcome to the site! :blushing02:

Myspace.com/SantaCruzSoulSurfer

#16 jules

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Posted 14 July 2009 - 07:42 AM

Welcome on board!!

#17 theparachef

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Posted 14 July 2009 - 11:52 AM

Thank you all for the welcomes!! I look forward to speaking with you all and hopefully motivating some to cook :wheelchair:

Rule 1: always ALWAYS keep a cutting board in your lap. at ALL times :bye:

Megan
T-7 complete
"Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don't."
Pete Seeger

#18 qbounce

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Posted 14 July 2009 - 05:42 PM

One of my favorite topics. There's a wine topic to join in here also.

Would love to hear your take on Boufe Bourguignon!

Welcome

When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained. - Mark Twain

#19 rue2you

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Posted 14 July 2009 - 05:46 PM

Hey!
Maybe you can help me a little. I am a mom of 5 wonderful kids and just about to have my 6th. I have always enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom and taking care of my precious family - I am truly living out my dream life. However, on March 12th life changed for me and I am now a L3 paraplegic. We have had a nanny come in to help us but I am really strugglinh emotionally watching someone else take care of my home. So, my spunky nature has come to the top, and I have learned to do many household things - they just take a lot longer to get them done. Cooking is one thing that I want my kids to remember was a good thing in our house - not that I am a great cook - I just want them to remember Mom's food - not a Nanny's 14th meal of spaghetti. So, do you have any tips on making your kitchen more accessible? Like, I can't reach the back of my stove to turn the burners on, I have trouble getting stuff in and out of the oven, if it is heavy I seem to spill it, or tip out of my chair as I lean forward to get it out. Anyway, any tips you could give for the kitchen would be appreciated!! Thank you!

"We cannot choose the road we are asked to travel, but we can choose to enjoy the ride!"
www.aliciareagan.com

#20 wheeliebear75

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Post icon Posted 14 July 2009 - 06:42 PM

rue2you, on Jul 14 2009, 05:46 PM, said:

Some of the greatest memories my teenage girls have are of us all cooking together. They did the stuff that I wasn't able to once they were big enough & had gotten to about 10-13 yrs old they started becoming quite the little pint size kitchen buffs. And some of the best memories of my son are of us coloring at the table & playing games together while his sisters & dad did the cooking.

I can only cook (or help cook) with the help of a cookbook and/or another adult.......but I get by with what I do (pretty much just helping but that is cuz of the brain injury & being legally blind to boot).

#21 theparachef

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Posted 15 July 2009 - 02:15 AM

rue2you, on Jul 14 2009, 01:46 PM, said:

Hey!
Maybe you can help me a little. I am a mom of 5 wonderful kids and just about to have my 6th. I have always enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom and taking care of my precious family - I am truly living out my dream life. However, on March 12th life changed for me and I am now a L3 paraplegic. We have had a nanny come in to help us but I am really struggling emotionally watching someone else take care of my home. So, my spunky nature has come to the top, and I have learned to do many household things - they just take a lot longer to get them done. Cooking is one thing that I want my kids to remember was a good thing in our house - not that I am a great cook - I just want them to remember Mom's food - not a Nanny's 14th meal of spaghetti. So, do you have any tips on making your kitchen more accessible? Like, I can't reach the back of my stove to turn the burners on, I have trouble getting stuff in and out of the oven, if it is heavy I seem to spill it, or tip out of my chair as I lean forward to get it out. Anyway, any tips you could give for the kitchen would be appreciated!! Thank you!

Hi Rue2you :nono:

I am so happy you wrote me. I am a t-7 so my balance is almost shot. Most of the time I am one handed and it does get tough sometimes but I always seem to find a way. When you want to turn your stove off and on try and find a pair of tongs or something long that will turn the knobs. Also, when pulling things out of the oven, position yourself next to the stove and pull the door all the way down. Pull the shelf out and slowly take whatever it is out of the oven. If you have a cutting board on your lap put the item there to sit for a hot second and then transfer whatever it is to the top of the stove.

I hope this has helped some and please feel free to PM me if you want me to send you pictures or demos of some sort. I would be more than happy to assist you or anyone!! Take care for now and look forward to speaking with you some more

Megan

http://theparaplegicchef.com

Megan
T-7 complete
"Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don't."
Pete Seeger

#22 alflyhigh

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Posted 15 July 2009 - 03:40 AM

Watts up. I like good bar-b-q. Is there spot open for quads?

#23 araitn

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Posted 15 July 2009 - 04:13 AM

Welcome Megan!

We're practically neighbors. I live about a hour from Asheville, just over the mountain in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Don't do much cooking, but nice website.

#24 theparachef

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Posted 15 July 2009 - 03:56 PM

araitn, on Jul 15 2009, 12:13 AM, said:

Welcome Megan!

We're practically neighbors. I live about a hour from Asheville, just over the mountain in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Don't do much cooking, but nice website.

Ah yes Johnson City. I attended Mars Hill College for two years and my freshman year...I went to the club up there many times. That's about all I can remember!

Megan
T-7 complete
"Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don't."
Pete Seeger

#25 KarenFerguson

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Posted 15 July 2009 - 06:24 PM

Welcome to the site and I love your website. I'll have to definitely try some of those recipes! :dancegirl:

Hubby's website: www.basketcasecomix.com
My Blog: www.inanemusings.wordpress.com

#26 maisy1996

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Posted 15 July 2009 - 06:57 PM

heya
welcome to the site(:

I am not who i was nor am i who i will become.

#27 kate42

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Posted 16 July 2009 - 07:29 AM

Welcome to the site! *waves*

#28 kgriggs75

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Posted 17 July 2009 - 03:36 AM

welcome to the site.

Some people under go corporate reorganizations some under go spiritual reorganizations. I However have undergone a reorganizations of the spine, not figuratively mind you though there has been a bit of that as well.

#29 theparachef

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Posted 23 July 2009 - 03:58 PM

I just put up a new recipe! The Paraplegic Chef

I also just started another website it is called More Than Wheelies! More Than Wheelies

It is a how-to tips and tricks for wheelchair users. Let me know what you think and I plan on adding a WHOLE bunch more videos!

Thanks

Megan

Megan
T-7 complete
"Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don't."
Pete Seeger