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Cooking for One or Two: Scaling Down Recipes
Trivia: What major U.S. federal law, enacted in 1965, prohibits discrimination in voting based on race or color?
RetireHub
July 19, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Saturday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing smart tips on cooking for one or two: scaling down recipes, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
Top Deals From Around The Web
We find the best daily online deals so you don’t have to!
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What We’re Reading
Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.
 | By: Tess Rini She wasn’t looking for love. He wasn’t ready to trust. But one misstep in Positano changes everything. When Kate falls—into the arms of a mysterious billionaire—she’s swept into a summer of secrets, chemistry, and sunlit coastlines. But can she trust a man who’s hiding the truth behind his smile? |
On this day in 1848, more than 300 people gathered in Seneca Falls, New York, for the first-ever women’s rights convention. The event marked a dramatic turning point in American history, as organizers and attendees issued the “Declaration of Sentiments,” demanding equal social, civil, and religious rights for women. It was here that women's suffrage truly began to take root, laying the foundation for generations of activists to come. A powerful reminder that even the quietest moments can start a revolution.
Cooking for One or Two: Scaling Down Recipes Without Losing Flavor
Small portions, big satisfaction
Cooking for one or two can feel like a puzzle—most recipes seem built for a family of six, and leftovers can only go so far before you get tired of them. But with a little creativity and some simple strategies, preparing meals for a smaller household can become an enjoyable (and even empowering) part of your day.
One of the easiest ways to scale down recipes is to simply halve the ingredients. But it's not always that straightforward—certain items like eggs or spices require more finesse. If a recipe calls for one egg and you only need half, whisk it and use about two tablespoons. For seasoning, start with less than half and taste as you go. Small batch cooking is all about trusting your palate.
Investing in smaller cookware can also make a difference. An 8-inch skillet, a mini baking dish, or a small saucepan can help your portions cook more evenly and prevent waste. Plus, smaller pots and pans mean less cleanup—always a win.
Shopping smart helps too. Buy fresh produce in smaller quantities (or from salad bars), opt for frozen fruits and vegetables when appropriate, and explore your local grocery store's bulk section. That way, you can get exactly the amount you need without overbuying ingredients that might go bad.
Batch cooking and freezing is another smart tactic. Just because you’re cooking for one or two doesn't mean you have to start from scratch every night. Make a pot of soup or a tray of lasagna, portion it out, and freeze for later. You'll have a homemade meal ready to go whenever you need a break.
And don’t forget the joy of the single-serving meal! A personal quiche baked in a ramekin, a perfectly seared salmon fillet with roasted veggies, or a small batch of cookies that only make six instead of sixty—all satisfying, none overwhelming.
Cooking for a smaller household isn’t just about quantity—it’s about reclaiming the kitchen on your own terms. Whether you’re retired, widowed, living alone, or just in a household of two, you deserve meals that feel made just for you. With the right mindset and a few go-to tips, scaling down can open the door to fresher ingredients, less waste, and meals you actually look forward to.
🍽️ How often do you cook just for yourself or two people? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: How do you stay hydrated throughout the day?
Most respondents (over half!) say they sip water throughout the day without much effort—a great sign of healthy hydration habits. About 14% count tea, coffee, and soups toward their fluid intake, while others add a little flavor with lemon or fruit to make water more enjoyable. Interestingly, nearly 1 in 5 admit they probably don’t drink enough daily, highlighting that staying hydrated isn’t always top of mind. And while only a small percentage rely on electrolyte drinks or flavored options, there’s a growing interest in creative ways to make hydration more fun and consistent.
TOP COMMENTS
“I drink 16 ounces of water 4 times a day when I take fiber capsules which keep me from being prediabetic and help with constipation. I also drink coffee, caffeine free Diet Coke with meals and water to take medication a few times a day.”
“My doctors have been telling me for years to drink lots of water, and I do!”
“I have a insulated water bottle that I keep with me daily. I drink iced tea and green tea mix, lemonade and water at different times of the day. Having a drink prepared and ready helps to keep you hydrated.”
Cultivating the Mindset for a Dream Lifestyle After 60
Many of us reach a point in life where we crave something new—a pace, purpose, or passion that reflects who we’ve become. The key, it seems, isn’t just adding more to our days—but making space for what truly matters. At its heart, this transformation begins within: in the stories we tell ourselves about what’s possible and who we are.
Our mindset acts like a lens, shaping how we perceive change. A fixed mindset holds us back with thoughts like “it’s too late” or “I’ve always struggled.” But a growth mindset, much like a flourishing garden, is fertile ground for dreams. It’s built on curiosity, compassion, and the belief that we can learn, evolve, and make room for new possibilities—even in our 60s and beyond.
The first step? Become aware of your inner voice. Is it a critique, pointing out flaws and limitations? Or is it a gentle guide, encouraging you to explore new ideas and experiences? By nurturing that “voice of love,” we begin planting seeds of change—whether that means rediscovering old passions, embracing new hobbies, or stepping into different roles.
This approach isn’t about overnight transformation. It’s about small shifts—reframing setbacks as lessons, welcoming uncertainty, and letting go of what no longer serves us. It’s the act of clearing clutter, emotionally and physically, to create room for what truly enriches our lives.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Rage bait
Meaning: “Rage bait” refers to content—usually online—that’s intentionally designed to provoke anger, outrage, or emotional reactions, especially to drive clicks, shares, or engagement. It’s often used in political or cultural discussions, where headlines or posts are exaggerated or misleading to get people riled up, regardless of facts.
In a sentence: “I saw a headline claiming that holiday decorations were being banned, but it turned out to be pure rage bait—just another way they try to stir people up instead of bringing folks together.”
Good News of the Day
Ocelot and Opossum: An Unlikely Friendship in the Amazon
In a surprising discovery in Peru’s Manu National Park, researchers at the Cocha Cashu Biological Station captured footage of an ocelot and an opossum strolling side by side through the rainforest. Initially set up to study bird behavior, the trail cameras revealed this unexpected companionship. The two animals, typically predator and prey, moved together at a relaxed pace, suggesting a bond rather than a chase.
This behavior was not isolated. Similar interactions were observed across different regions of the Peruvian Amazon between 2019 and 2023. To delve deeper, scientists conducted an experiment using fabric strips infused with ocelot scent. Opossums showed a clear attraction to these strips, often sniffing, rubbing, or even biting them, while largely ignoring puma-scented strips.
Several theories have been proposed to explain this unusual relationship. One possibility is "chemical camouflage," where the opossum uses the ocelot's scent to hide from larger predators, and the ocelot benefits from the opossum's body odor to approach its prey unnoticed. Another theory suggests mutual protection from Amazonian pit vipers, to which opossums are immune. Additionally, it's speculated that opossums might lead ocelots to prey, allowing them to feed on leftovers.
This discovery challenges conventional predator-prey dynamics and highlights the complexity of interspecies relationships in the wild. It also underscores the importance of advanced research techniques, like night-time video technology, in uncovering the intricate behaviors of wildlife.
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RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
What landmark international agreement, adopted in 2015, aims to combat climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C? |
What major U.S. federal law, enacted in 1965, prohibits discrimination in voting based on race or color? |
The city of Detroit is famously associated with which genre of music, known for its Motown record label? |
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