First, let me apologize if this isn't in the right forum. I'm still new. :-)

I'd like to get a software program to help me get a handle on my recipes and at the same time make some of them a bit more healthy. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Bev

Hey BevT --- Welcome to the N'Hood!

I'm all for Master Cook and have it on all my computers!

Let us know what you select. And don't forget, we are still accepting recipes for the upcoming LivingAfterWLS cookbook -- would love to have you contribute. Contact me or celadon for submission details!

I am a bit obcessive about cooking software. I have them all, including Big Oven and Master Cook. I believe that for the money and the features, Master Cook is by far the best program out there. It is the easiest to learn and the easiest to add ingredients to so that you can get a true nutritional value for foods.

I have Big Oven and the Living Cookbook. I really like the Living Cookbook. I would have gotten Master Cook but I couldn't find it as a download and since I'm lazy that's my preferred method for installing software. The Living Cookbook is laid out kind of like windows explorer, imports a variety of recipes and ingredients. Big Oven just didn't feel customizable enough for me. I like the way that Living Cookbook is organized by cookbooks. I have built a low carb cookbook then make chapters for beef, pork, crockpot, protein drinks etc... The ingredients can also be customized with new sub categories. It will calculate the nutrition information for you and has a calendar to plan or track your meals with and will total the nutrition information.

Good morning jas! I have the Living Cookbook too and I do like it. For me, MC has the internet browser assistant that is easier to transfer recipes than the way it is done in the Living Cookbook but I do use it too. It is a good program.

Good morning Celadon, guess we are the early birds today. I admit I was dissapointed that the everylastrecipe website won't let me register so I could download recipes to import. It gets a bit tedious to enter them by hand sometimes. I wish master cook was a download but I think I'll go ahead and just order a copy. What the heck my puter could always use more software installed! Is the Master Cook layout similar to Living Cookbook? I really don't care for Big Oven at all other than it's ability to recommend substitutions for ingredients.

jas, it is a bit different but in my mind, it is easier. The layout is similar, you just have to learn how MC lists ingredients so you don't have to keep adding new ingredients. LC is the most like windows in format but I think it depends on what you need. I transfer a lot of recipes from the web and then use MC to change ingredients like crazy and then try the recipe. It also allows me to take those lovely pictures you see in the CK in my recipes that I post there. I agree with what you said about Big Oven. I don't use it often at all.

After just a bit more digging I found that you can purchase MasterCook as a download. Here is the link.
http://www.valusoft.com/DRHM/servlet/Contr...p;x=23&y=14

does this software let you add your own recipe, the kinds of ingredients, and then divide by serving size and tell you all nutritional info? I dont cook much but would like something that I can do this with...

It sure does. You can copy the recipe and leave the original intact and add whatever you like or just change the original if you don't want to copy it. You can also add ingredients so that the nutritional information is accurate and upload pictures for the recipes.

I know for sure that Living Cookbook does and I"m pretty sure master cook does. I just bought MC and am going to install it here in a second. Then I'll know more.

Thanks for the link jas. This must be new cause I have never seen it as an upload before. Great for those of us who are impatient!

I agree on the impatient, that's how I ended up with Living Cookbook first. I have installed MC and have exported my cookbook from LC to MC. I had to create my own categories since I like a bit more detail than just the standards but it was easy to figure out and I haven't needed the help file once. The ingredient list I like better so far in LC because they are organized by category but I have only been playing with MC for about 15 min so will know more later.

jas, it is just a matter of getting used to the way MC phrases things. If I could give you one really good tip, it is this: When you are looking to see if MC has an ingredient or if it doesn't recognize the way you typed that ingredient think of one word that describes that ingredient. For example, you want to use fat free milk and MC doesn't recognize this. Type in milk and a comma and the drop down menu will give it to you in the list. Took me forever to figure that one out!

Thank you for all the great information! I was leaning towards Master Cook and now I know that it will do what I want. I appreciate the tips and advice. I'm ready to download! :-)
Bev