In sympathy for your loss. I lost my wife almost 6 years ago now and understand the grief and adjustment. One of the things that has confounded me is cooking for one. It is difficult to buy ingredients to cook for one and eating the same thing over and over is not what I have found desirable. People told me to cook and freeze but my freezer is not large and again there is the problem of repeating meals for as long as what you cook lasts. I find that as the cost of groceries has risen I can get meals at a local restaurant and have two meals from the amount of food, (only having to repeat the meal twice), for about the same cost as buying and cooking. And, for me, eating alone after 43+ years is a requirement and not particularly enjoyable. In time you will adjust and find a way that is manageable. And I still miss her a lot. (Here is something I do when I cook. You can purchase frozen veggies in larger bags that take about 3 minutes in the microwave to heat for one serving. Added to a piece of fish or other fresh meat and some rice or potatoes, (which you can get pre-cooked or frozen), and it will make a quick meal that is not all junk food).

I still don't cook. I don't eat much and it's not worth the trouble to make something and throw most of it out

I’m proud of you for trying to do some cooking for yourself. The past month has been hard on you, and so many people don’t take care of themselves after losing a partner. I think you trying to move forward on your own is to be commended. My husband was a fantastic cook, and did a lot of the cooking for us. I tried to cook things that he did, but they were just never the same. Keep those memories of her close and keep trying in the kitchen, you’ll get it!

Sorry for your loss. Been there, doing that. Keep trying, you will get better.

you seem to brush off her passing and focus on ham hocks.

i get a funny feeling reading this.