The recipes, tips, and tricks found on these pages are born out of a love for making life and food simple, fun, and at times a little quirky.
Hi. my name is Gigi Verrey and I grew up watching my father, born in Lausanne, Switzerland, whip up French-inspired cuisine with fresh vegetables, dressings, and sauces. My mother was born and raised in Cold Springs, Kentucky on a farm, and she served up hearty meals like collard greens, pork chops, and biscuits. My parents’ cooking styles instilled in me the desire to go with the flow and to try different food combinations without hesitation.
I was born with a limb difference in my left hand that made certain tasks a challenge, but you can see I still enjoy all the gardening and cooking I want and so can you! I like to say “if I can do it with one hand, you can do it with two!” That’s why I try to keep the things I share very simple so anyone can learn and adapt them for themselves. Whether your challenge is a disability, a health limitation, or just plain life being overwhelming or exhausting, I hope to get you out in your garden, or enjoying time in your kitchen with these quick, fun ideas!
These days I use fresh vegetables whenever possible, but I am not opposed to using canned beans and frozen corn in a pinch! There are no rules here, just suggestions! If you try something and find a new hack! Please share with me on my Instagram by tagging @verysmartideas
It is my goal to use the fewest ingredients and cut out as many unnecessary steps as possible to create simple, healthy, great tasting dishes for you to try, and explain gardening tips I find helpful to get even the beginners growing fresh things as it can be so rewarding and calming. I also try to share home and entertaining tips that can be done without a big budget. I guess you can say I’m working to bring sanity and simplicity back into life and into homes!
The recipes, tips, and tricks found on these pages are born out of a love for making life and food simple, fun, and at times a little quirky.
Hi. my name is Gigi Verrey and I grew up watching my father, born in Lausanne, Switzerland, whip up French-inspired cuisine with fresh vegetables, dressings, and sauces. My mother was born and raised in Cold Springs, Kentucky on a farm, and she served up hearty meals like collard greens, pork chops, and biscuits. My parents’ cooking styles instilled in me the desire to go with the flow and to try different food combinations without hesitation.
I was born with a limb difference in my left hand that made certain tasks a challenge, but you can see I still enjoy all the gardening and cooking I want and so can you! I like to say “if I can do it with one hand, you can do it with two!” That’s why I try to keep the things I share very simple so anyone can learn and adapt them for themselves. Whether your challenge is a disability, a health limitation, or just plain life being overwhelming or exhausting, I hope to get you out in your garden, or enjoying time in your kitchen with these quick, fun ideas!
These days I use fresh vegetables whenever possible, but I am not opposed to using canned beans and frozen corn in a pinch! There are no rules here, just suggestions! If you try something and find a new hack! Please share with me on my Instagram by tagging @verysmartideas.
It is my goal to use the fewest ingredients and cut out as many unnecessary steps as possible to create simple, healthy, great tasting dishes for you to try, and explain gardening tips I find helpful to get even the beginners growing fresh things as it can be so rewarding and calming. I also try to share home and entertaining tips that can be done without a big budget. I guess you can say I’m working to bring sanity and simplicity back into life and into homes!
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Did you know that I wrote a cookbook? It was called “OK, So I Got Fat”. And the tagline was “bringing sanity back into the kitchen”, which is what I talk about on my website. In the book, I discussed the merits of eating organic and eating lots of beans and legumes . It was designed to help the reader make several meals over the weekend to enjoy all week long. Most of the ingredients were organic and many of the recipes could be made vegetarian or with meat added. I was blessed to make appearances in magazines and on television. This photo Was taken while on set at Chicago’s WGN The Morning Show with Dina Bair. The book was way ahead of its time and as a consequence is no longer in circulation however it is still available on Kindle! I’ve been approached to rewrite it and add photographs. It’s a project I am considering….🤔 #verysmartideas #aboutgigi #cookbook #organic #actorslife
Please join us for our second and the series of all things limb difference where tomorrow night, Thursday at 7 PM central time we will be discussing the very real overuse syndrome. We will answer questions and share knowledge and experience. We hope you can join us. Click the link on my bio above to be reminded of the event. #limbdifferent #limbdifferencecommunity #limbdifference #amputee #amputeelife #aboutgigi #luckyfinproject #awareness #posture
In the spirit of limb difference awareness month and hump day, I offer this
no-recipe-recipe for “one handed”chopped egg salad🧡🥚🥬
#limbdifferent #limbdifferencecommunity #limbdifference #amputee #amputeelife #aboutgigi #humpday
As limb difference awareness month comes to an end, my dedication to helping people with upper limb differences, hack the world, will not stop! As always let me know if you’d like to see something…a way to tackle a task…how to cook something…I’m here for you❤️❌❌❌ ~Gigi
#limbdifferent #limbdifferencecommunity #limbdifference #amputee #amputeelife #aboutgigi #lucky_fin_project
By now 99.9% of us with an upper limb difference have figured out how to zip our coats and jackets. This video is for the parents of little ones with upper limb differences. This simple little tip will help them learn to zip their coats and jackets-fast. Please share with parents of small children, who might find this tip useful❤️❌❌🙏🏻
#limbdifferenceawareness #limbdifferent #limbdifferencecommunity #limbdifference #amputee #amputeelife #aboutgigi
If you’re not sure how to refer to someone’s limb difference-just ask them. It’s not rude, it is actually a very kind thing to do💕 if you agree, please 👍🏻 like, share, and follow along for more thoughts on living with one hand and and how to do every day tasks. #thoughtful #thoughtfulthursday
#limbdifferenceawareness #limbdifferenceawarenessmonth #luckyfinproject #luckyfin #amputee #amputeelife #aboutgigi
Please ask questions of those of us with differences. When you ask questions, it shows you care and it helps to normalize the differences we find in our world. Please share ❤️like 👍🏻 and comment if you agree❤️👍🏻🦾 #limbdifferenceawareness #limbdifferenceawarenessmonth #luckyfinproject #luckyfin #amputee #amputeelife #aboutgigi
I’m going to be doing a lot of cooking this weekend so I thought I’d share with you how I clean knives with my upper limb difference. I also think this would be very helpful for people with severe arthritis.
#limbdifferenceawareness #limbdifferencecommunity #representation #amputee #amputeegirl #aboutgigi #verysmartideas #arthritisawareness #kitchentips #luckyfinproject
Here is the best way I have found to bandage a wound with one hand. I hope you find this helpful. Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments on how you do every day tasks with an upper limb difference! #limbdifferenceawareness #limbdifferencecommunity #representation #amputee #amputeegirl #aboutgigi #verysmartideas
Here is a little bit about how I became interested in gardening and cooking. What brought about your zest for life? I would love to know your story, comment below! #limbdifferenceawarenessmonth #cookingathome #cookinglessons #aboutgigi #verysmartideas
I’ve always been curious to know what my son, Adam, thought of growing up with a mom with an upper limb difference. Here is a short interview I did with him. The thing Adam didn’t talk about is how empathetic a young man he was and still is today. Because it’s his nature, and because he grew up having to help me with various items around the house, he developed empathy for those around him. In middle school, Adam, helped a schoolmate by the name of Michael. According to Adam’s teacher, whenever Adam arrived at school at the same time as Michael, he would help Michael’s mom get Michael from the car to the school entrance. She said he was an incredibly kind and caring young man. I’m very proud of him and I’m sure those of you with limb differences who have children have many of the same stories. Please share in the comments. There’s so many good things that come from our differences.💙💙💕💕 #limbdifferenceawareness #limbdifferenceawarenessmonth #limbdifferencecommunity #aboutgigi
#verysmartideas #love #boymom
I often get the question what is one of the most difficult things for me to do with my limb difference. But need the sleeves of my blouses is definitely a challenge! #limbdifferenceawareness #limbdifferenceawarenessmonth #limbdifferencecommunity #aboutgigi #verysmartideas #lucky_fin_project
@reachcharity1 How I peel just about any vegetable – fast! I love this tip. I’ve shared it countless times on cooking demonstrations, and Zoom cooking shows and lessons, and thought I would take a minute to share it with you.❌❌🧡🧡. #limbdifferenceawarenessmonth #limbdifference #limbdifferencecommunity #vegetables #tips #aboutgigi #verysmartideas
This kitchen tip is so helpful. It gives one leverage as they pull the top off of the lid. Bonus: if you have trouble getting your finger under the lid, just pry it open with a butter knife. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to give you even more leverage to pull the top off. 🤯🧡🧡
#limbdifferencecommunity #LimbDifferenceawareness #verysmartideas #amputee #luckyfinsrock #lucky_fin_project #beautifullymade_comunity #aboutgigi #tiptuesday #limbdifferenceawarenessmonth
April is Limb Difference awareness month, an entire month where we get to celebrate our differences and have engaging conversations with our community. Lots of peeps out there saying that they forget they are disabled. I guess I can say this too but when I’m carrying way too many things, and drop something or break my favorite teacup, it’s a reminder of my missing five fingers on my left hand.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t feel sorry for myself, although I did as a little girl whilst first navigating with my difference, It’s a way of life for me and so many others.
There are a couple of paths you can choose. You can choose to be positive and optimistic and learn to allow your GENIUS to come out to play to create new ways to navigate life with one hand. Or you can choose to self-pity. Creativity and genius are a lot more fun 🤩!
For limb difference awareness month, I will be reposting videos and how to do every day tasks with a limb difference and sharing ideas on stories too
If you’re not following, please do for more tips on how to live life with a limb difference, easy, recipes, and things to do in your home and garden.
#limbdifferencecommunity #LimbDifferenceawarenessmonth #motivatonalmonday #verysmartideas #amputee #luckyfinsrock #lucky_fin_project #beautifullymade_comunity #aboutgigi
So this happened…Just when I think I’ve experienced everything with a limb difference….
#limbdifferencecommunity #limbdifference #representation #representationmatters #acting #chicagoactor #verysmartideas #aboutgigi
