{"id":957,"date":"2026-06-29T19:53:31","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T19:53:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/?p=957"},"modified":"2026-06-29T19:53:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T19:53:31","slug":"age-cooking-for-small-families-with-one-or-two-members","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-cooking-for-small-families-with-one-or-two-members\/","title":{"rendered":"AGE | Cooking for Small Families with One or Two Members"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"957\" class=\"elementor elementor-957\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03d2ca5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"03d2ca5\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38c9a6f elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"38c9a6f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">AGE | Cooking for Small Families with One or Two Members<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e96c89a elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e96c89a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Couple-cooking.png\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536 wp-image-984\" alt=\"Older Adult couple cooking a meal\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Couple-cooking.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Couple-cooking-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Couple-cooking-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Couple-cooking-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a09875 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7a09875\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c71d83 elementor-author-box--image-valign-middle elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"8c71d83\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/mindy-meuli-ms-rd-ld-cdces-uw-extension-educator-age-blog-author\/\" class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-3-Mindy-Meuli-1-300x300.png\" alt=\"Picture of Mindy Meuli, MS, RD \" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/mindy-meuli-ms-rd-ld-cdces-uw-extension-educator-age-blog-author\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-author-box__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMindy Meuli, MS, RD \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44309d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"44309d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-a3a363a elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/2026\/06\/29\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-calendar\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M12 192h424c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v260c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V204c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12zm436-44v-36c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48h-48V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H160V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v36c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12h424c6.6 0 12-5.4 12-12z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>June 29, 2026<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6a90e7 elementor-share-buttons--shape-rounded elementor-share-buttons--view-icon-text elementor-share-buttons--skin-gradient elementor-grid-0 elementor-share-buttons--color-official elementor-widget elementor-widget-share-buttons\" data-id=\"f6a90e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"share-buttons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_linkedin\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-linkedin\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLinkedIn\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_facebook\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span 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tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-envelope\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M502.3 190.8c3.9-3.1 9.7-.2 9.7 4.7V400c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V195.6c0-5 5.7-7.8 9.7-4.7 22.4 17.4 52.1 39.5 154.1 113.6 21.1 15.4 56.7 47.8 92.2 47.6 35.7.3 72-32.8 92.3-47.6 102-74.1 131.6-96.3 154-113.7zM256 320c23.2.4 56.6-29.2 73.4-41.4 132.7-96.3 142.8-104.7 173.4-128.7 5.8-4.5 9.2-11.5 9.2-18.9v-19c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v19c0 7.4 3.4 14.3 9.2 18.9 30.6 23.9 40.7 32.4 173.4 128.7 16.8 12.2 50.2 41.8 73.4 41.4z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_print\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on print\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-print\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M448 192V77.25c0-8.49-3.37-16.62-9.37-22.63L393.37 9.37c-6-6-14.14-9.37-22.63-9.37H96C78.33 0 64 14.33 64 32v160c-35.35 0-64 28.65-64 64v112c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h48v96c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h320c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-96h48c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16V256c0-35.35-28.65-64-64-64zm-64 256H128v-96h256v96zm0-224H128V64h192v48c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h48v96zm48 72c-13.25 0-24-10.75-24-24 0-13.26 10.75-24 24-24s24 10.74 24 24c0 13.25-10.75 24-24 24z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrint\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-628527a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"628527a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The secret to a quick meal is not how fast you can cook, but rather how you plan and organize. You can have a meal on the table in 15 minutes. The following suggestions can help:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ol><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keep meals simple<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Decide what to prepare in advance<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Thaw frozen food the night or the morning before in the refrigerator<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Prepare as much as you can ahead of time<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Slow cook meats in the over or crock pot<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Use planned overs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keep your kitchen clean with uncluttered work area<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ol><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is not a matter of time as much as a matter of planning\u00a0ahead\u00a0so you can enjoy an unhurried dinner. If you have meats thawed and ingredients on hand, most things can be tossed together\u00a0in\u00a0about the same time as it takes to order and wait for the food at a restaurant. Slow\u00a0cooking something\u00a0in the oven or crock pot is a hand\u00a0option\u00a0for making tasty food with little food preparation time.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Menu planning saves time and money. Find a time each week when you can think through meal ideas. Planning weekly meals allows for\u00a0good use\u00a0of leftovers and requires only one weekly trip to the grocery store. By\u00a0planning, you will\u00a0most likely eat\u00a0a wider\u00a0variety of food while limiting the number of trips to store while helping save you money.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Make a\u00a0list of about 20 dishes you can easily prepare. Keep the list on hand\u00a0when menu\u00a0planning and making your shopping list.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">By preparing your own meals, you can enjoy more nutritious foods than you get from fast food restaurants or frozen meals. You also choose what, when,\u00a0and where you eat. A good starting point is to see how much food is left in your refrigerator, freezer, and\u00a0panty\u00a0at the end of the week. Are you\u00a0purchasing\u00a0too many perishable foods? Is your freezer stocked with healthy individually portioned\u00a0dishes.\u00a0How much food do you\u00a0throw away\u00a0each week? Buying less food and shopping weekly can save money and time.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When menu planning is\u00a0mentioned, people often think of planning for a large family; however, it is just as important for one or two people. If you wait until late in the afternoon to figure out what is for dinner, chances are you will order pizza, go out to eat, or have another bowl of cereal.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Source:\u00a0Cent$ible\u00a0Nutrition Program Cooking for You or Two Cookbook, 2009 Ed.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06e73d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"06e73d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Older-Adult-cooking-with-iPad.png\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536 wp-image-990\" alt=\"Older Adult woman looks at a tablet reading a recipe\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Older-Adult-cooking-with-iPad.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Older-Adult-cooking-with-iPad-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Older-Adult-cooking-with-iPad-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Older-Adult-cooking-with-iPad-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fee9e51 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fee9e51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Foil Packet\u00a0Recipes<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Italian Chicken and Vegetables Packet<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00bd pound boneless, skinless chicken (or 2 chicken breast halves)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2\/3 cup Italian dressing<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">1 teaspoon dried basil<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2 cups frozen broccoli, cauliflower, and\/or carrots<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ol><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Tear off 2(12&#215;18 inch) sheets of aluminum foil. Center half of chicken on each sheet. Pour Italian dressing over chicken; sprinkle with basil. Arrange vegetables on top of chicken.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Wrap foil around mixture. Double fold the top and ends to seal, leaving room for heat circulation inside.<\/span><\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Place on a cookie sheet or grill grates. Bake 20 to 22 minutes in a 450-degree Fahrenheit oven or 12 to 14 minutes on a covered grill.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Carefully open packets and allow steam to escape. Open and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve hot whole-grain pasta or rice, if desired. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ol><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Serves\u00a02<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Vegetable Beef Packet<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2 medium potatoes, thinly sliced<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">4 large mushrooms, sliced<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2 large carrots, thinly sliced<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">1 medium onion, sliced<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00bc pound lean ground beef<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00bd cup of barbeque sauce<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ol><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In a bowl, mix vegetables together. Crumble beef over vegetables. Addbarbeque\u00a0sauce;\u00a0toss until well coated.\u00a0Tear off 2 (12&#215;18 inch) sheets of aluminum foil.\u00a0Spoon half of the mixture onto each\u00a0sheet\u00a0of foil.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Wrap foil securely around mixture.Doublefold the top and ends to seal, leaving room for\u00a0heat circulation inside.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Bake 20 minutes in a450-degreeFahrenheit\u00a0oven or grill 15 minutes on a covered medium high grill, turning packets over once\u00a0until vegetables are tender.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ol><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Serves 2\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5935adb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5935adb\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8286b15 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8286b15\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related Posts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c36f8c3 elementor-posts__hover-none elementor-grid-2 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"c36f8c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;cards_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:80,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:71,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:30,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_columns&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.cards\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-cards elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-969 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-nutrition tag-mindy-meuli\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-the-three-pillars-of-health-weight-maintenance\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/age-healthy-weight-maintenance-older-adults-nutrition-social-connection.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1058\" alt=\"Older adults and children sitting together at an outdoor table with food and drinks.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/age-healthy-weight-maintenance-older-adults-nutrition-social-connection.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/age-healthy-weight-maintenance-older-adults-nutrition-social-connection-300x90.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/age-healthy-weight-maintenance-older-adults-nutrition-social-connection-1024x307.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/age-healthy-weight-maintenance-older-adults-nutrition-social-connection-768x230.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-the-three-pillars-of-health-weight-maintenance\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | The Three Pillars of Healthy Weight Maintenance\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>A common misconception is that our metabolism takes a drastic dive for the worse as we age, but this isn\u2019t necessarily true. The real cause behind changes in weight maintenance is our bodies natural decrease in muscle mass starting at around age 30. Muscle burns more calories than fat, so as we lose muscle, we see a decline in metabolism. Other factors include hormonal shifts, such as those around menopause for women. These shifts can lead to changes in fat storage. Our appetite signals also become less reliable, which can cause difficulties in managing how much we eat.  <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-the-three-pillars-of-health-weight-maintenance\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | The Three Pillars of Healthy Weight Maintenance\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRespectful terms for aging\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-957 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-nutrition tag-mindy-meuli\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-cooking-for-small-families-with-one-or-two-members\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Couple-cooking.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-984\" alt=\"Older Adult couple cooking a meal\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Couple-cooking.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Couple-cooking-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Couple-cooking-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Couple-cooking-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-cooking-for-small-families-with-one-or-two-members\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | Cooking for Small Families with One or Two Members\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>.It is not a matter of time as much as a matter of planning ahead so you can enjoy an unhurried dinner. If you have meats thawed and ingredients on hand, most things can be tossed together in about the same time as it takes to order and wait for the food at a restaurant. Slow cooking something in the oven or crock pot is a hand option for making tasty food with little food preparation time. <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-cooking-for-small-families-with-one-or-two-members\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | Cooking for Small Families with One or Two Members\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRespectful terms for aging\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>.It is not a matter of time as much as a matter of planning ahead so you can enjoy an unhurried dinner. If you have meats thawed and ingredients on hand, most things can be tossed together in about the same time as it takes to order and wait for the food at a restaurant. Slow cooking something in the oven or crock pot is a hand option for making tasty food with little food preparation time. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":984,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,10],"tags":[16],"class_list":["post-957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-age-blog","category-nutrition","tag-mindy-meuli"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=957"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/957\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1031,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/957\/revisions\/1031"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/984"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}