Forum Thermomix
Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: Cuilidh on February 09, 2012, 08:15:29 pm
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Here I am still dithering about electronic recipe books and am sorely tempted, but need that final nudge to push me in the right direction. I have read a lot on this forum and perhaps I just need someone to say "GET THIS ONE AND YOU WON'T REGRET IT!" but I am not sure that it is fair of me to ask that of any of you.
Evernote and Living Cookbook seem to be the most commonly used - are there any others that you would recommend?
I know a lot of you use Evernote and some use Living Cookbook so would like to compare the two. I like Living Cookbook because it gives you the nutritional breakdown of your recipe. Does Evernote do this?
I like Evernote because it's free and seems very popular, although Living cookbook seems to have had good reviews.
I believe Living Cookbook can only be used on one computer, if you use more than one computer you need to buy two copies, is that correct?
For users of electronic recipe books, are they worth the trouble and hassle of down loading recipes, are they really good or simply a convenient tool to have and use? I keep coming back to these programs because they appear to be a good alternative to hard copies of recipes but am wary of making the wrong choice because there is so much time involved in converting recipes from Word (and I have so little free time) that I would be really, really annoyed if I went to all that trouble only to find that it has been a waste of time and they are no better than a hard copy.
Sorry to ramble on, it all boils down to me being totally confused, wanting to be convinced that I am making the right decision and, therefore, I am bouncing around like a beach ball on drugs!!!
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I have both and use Evernote to download recipes off the forum and try the dish . When it gets the thumbs up from all members of the clan I ( at leisure ) move it to living cookbook since I like the way it lays out the recipe, nutritional ingredients etc. You can bind your favourites as a book if you desire.why don't you try the free trial version of LC and play around with it?
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I love LCB and you can copy and paste your word docs straight in to capture to add them to LCB. I took a day on the weekend when I purchased it and played around with the settings to get it exactly how I wanted it set out. I also removed all the recipes that came with it that I new I wouldn't use.
Yes you can only use it on one computer but if you buy another licence (as I inter to do) you can just export the data file and import it to your other computer...or as I do at the moment export it to my brother so he at least has some new recipes to try in his TMX :-)) :-))
The kids will get a copy when they FINALLY leave home with their TMX too and all the family favourites will be there.
If you have a play around with the free one, any work you do will be saved if you decide to buy, you just add your serial number to it. I think the only thing you can't do is change the layout on the trial version.
I really love the capture feature where it is just copy and paste, the highlight the relevant bits for each category. It is really quick once you have done a couple. ;)
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Hi Cuilidh, I have evernote and I must be doing something wrong. Whenever I add a recipe it cramps up the writing so much I have trouble following it. Following advice (sorry I can't remember who it was) I purchased Paprika Recipe manager.
I copy and paste onto it, and have been gradually adding to it. There is an upload function (which I will get my son to show me how to use), but I havent managed it yet.
I like how I can add one recipe to different catorgies so the recipes are easy to find - for instance a recipe may be catogrised as Thermomix, Dinner and Quirky Jo.
I am going to sync to my laptop now, so will have the recipes on two sites. Thanks for this post, it reminded me I need to do this
Elle
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I love Paprika too. It's such a simple straight forward program and the ipad app syncs to the laptop etc.
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Ohhh thanks Guilidh for this thread..... or perhaps not ;) this sounds like something that I might need to look into... :-\ I am forever copying and pasting recipes from all over the place and then I can never find them. I await with baited breah to read more and see what you finally decide on.... :)
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Evernote does not do nutrition it is not specific cookink software it is pretty much the same as Microsoft Onenote but syncs to different PC's.
I use 3, Mastercook, Evernote and now Advantage Cooking 2, I copy recipes from the net to using Evernote, very quick and very easy, if we like it, it gets transfered to Mastercook.
I recently bought Advantage Cooking it is for a different purpose its for bulk cooking and it great ( It imports from Mastercook so entry is easy ) The sole purpose for AC is that you plan a bulk cooking day and they way that the entries are put in the software you get a shopping list, recipe printout and check list for the day you prepare the meal and freeze ( will even tell you to "dice 6 cup onions " that you will use in all your pre work ) and then you can print out another shopping list for the day you serve. It will give you a check off list of what you have put in the freezer that also tells you beside every recipe what you need to serve. Its not pretty software but it works for what I want it for.
So they all have different purposes ( BTW AC I don't think does nutrition either ) both the specific cooking softwares take some initial set up but once done I can import recipes the text from Evernote to Mastercook and then the mastercook file to Advantage Cooking so its not too bad to keep them up to date. It would be perfect if one software did all I want but I have not yet found that, Both of my softwares can be used on multiple computers, I have them on my PC my laptop and my work PC.
All this works for me now....if I buy and ipad one day I will have to reassess it all, my Mastercook recipe file has more than 600 recipes in it so any software I use MUST be able in import from Mastercook.
For what its worth in Evernote I have my cookbooks set up like this , I have a notebook call Recipes and it has "stacked notebooks" inside it for Meat, Chicken , Bread etc so if you need to search for a recipe it becomes very quick.
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thanks cuilidh for asking these question
l have been wondreing the same myself
l have been reading all the threads and trying to work out myself which one to use myself
so l will be looking forward to reading everyones answers
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I think it is a matter of finding what suits you best. I still like the paper bit in a file. (it travels with me well too) I copy to Evernote, try the recipe and if it's a success print it for the file.
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I also use Paprika and love it. It is very simple and can automatically upload recipes from the Internet for you. You can add your own photos, include notes and nutritional information etc.
You can also email recipes directly from paprika.
I think it was only about $5 on the app store, evermore is free and LCB also has a free trial. Why don't you just check them all out and work out which one is best for you?
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you can email from LCB too - forgot to add that in
Of course what we have all forgotten is, it will depend entirely on what operating system you are using lol
I am on a MAC but run VM Fusion just so I can run LCB. I already had over 1000 recipes in there when I bought my MAC and when you export you don't get photo's and links so decided it was too much work and easier to just install VM fusion :D
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I think I should be OK with either evernote or LCB as I am on a PC and don't have an iphone (or an "i" anything, for that matter). Is paprika just an app as opposed to a program? I must google it and find out.
I think I may be leaning a little more to LCB but won't go any further now for 2 - 3 weeks as I am neck deep in organising a big conference in two weeks time followed the next weekend by an event that my DH and I are also heavily involved in. So, mid-March I MAY have some free time and will have a play with the trial version of LCB and also take a closer look at evernote. Hope everyone keeps posting and adding to this thread, though, to give me (and others) some more ideas.
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I keep all my recipes on onenote at the moment (have around 400 on there), if I got LCB would it be easy to transport them all in there? I like the idea of the nutitional breakdown as I'm just about to voyage into the world of weight watchers online... maybe I'll try the free trial too.
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Check out the FAQ area on the Living Cook Book site, you may get your answer there. I would be interested to hear how you get on with the trial version.
I'd love to get started now, but I know if I start I won't stop and I've still got too much organising to do so must keep myself in check.
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I don't think there's a way to 'automatically' put recipes from one note into Living Cookbook. For those with iphones or ipads One Note is a free app at the moment (well, it was when I got it a few weeks ago) and you can sync a folder on your PC with the app - may be helpful if you want to check a recipe when out shopping etc. One Note is part of the Microsoft Office Suite.
I use Living Cookbook and love it. I haven't really used evernote much so can't really compare though. With my LC at home I purchased two copies and have one on my PC and one on my notebook, but have the benefit of a networked hard drive so I can access one database from both computers (otherwise you end up with two different recipe books, or have to use a thumb drive or similar to 'transport' the database from computer to computer).
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Thanks for your comments, Bonsai. You have also inadvertently answered one of my thoughts re. access on two computers. If I was a blond I would call this a blond moment, but I'm not a blond so I'll have to admit to a senior moment ... my computers are also networked so I don't need to purchase two copies, I simply access via the network (you may have guessed I am a little techno challenged, I just don't think of things like this).
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I use "dropbox" and when I have backed up LCB I just drop the data file into dropbox and pick it up on my other computer then back that up - I think there would be many ways, that is how my brother set me up :D
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I just downloaded recipe book app, I am finding it really easy to use. I can add recipes straight from the net (just working on the forum now) and I can email and print the recipes easily. Also can categorize recipes to make it easy to find and add photos.
Does anyone else us Recipe Book?
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I just downloaded recipe book app, I am finding it really easy to use. I can add recipes straight from the net (just working on the forum now) and I can email and print the recipes easily. Also can categorize recipes to make it easy to find and add photos.
Does anyone else us Recipe Book?
Hi Dede.
I have been searching for a decent app. Is Recipe Book for iPad or Android?
I have a Xoom that runs on Android. DH gave it to me for my birthday and is a bit disappointed that I am not using it as much as he uses his.
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RosieB it's on my iPad, not sure if it's available in android sorry (don't know much about android)
The app is called 'My Recipe Book'.
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Thanks Dede.
I will see if there is a version for android. It has to be super easy for me to get my head around.
But most seem so simple they don't do what I want. :-))
I guess I am looking for one that will find and copy the recipe, and then go to the kitchen and make it. ;D
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How much was it please dede?
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I think it was $1.99 cookie, but not 100% sure
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I use Evernote for my recipe clippings - and I like it because it is where I store lots of other notes too. I did have a system where I had different apps for different uses and it got too chaotic. So now I just use different notebooks in Evernote. I have a 'recipe to try' notebook where I put new recipes - and them they get moved to 'rated recipes' where I will add my own notes and give them a mark out of 10. I also have an 'inspiration' notebook where I put images that I like - might be the way the food is presented - or great table setting ideas etc. I also have a notebook where I take note of dinners I've had - who came, what I cooked, what we drank (not quantities!) and a photo of the night. There are so many uses - I could go on and on. If you use Evernote you should try and get into the habit of tagging as this makes all your searches more productive. hope that helps!
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Bickie you sound far to organized. I have bits here and bits there. Is an organized mess though lol.
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I do sound it don't I? But I'm not! But I can multi - task!!! I am getting ready for work at the moment hair dryer in one hand, ipad in the other - surrounded by what my DH calls my 'piles' piles of cook books, children's paintings, the washing, papers - it is chaos! That's why I love Evernote I can clip and collect all sorts of stuff to my heart's content - and nobody trips over it!
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Does anyone else use Recipe Book?
I love paprika for recipes. Have tried a couple others, but am finding this the easiest to transfer recipes to, and very user friendly.
Evernote is fine, but you have to have the internet connected to use it, so because we drop out often, it's a bit of a pain.
Plus, you can't copy something from evernote, and paste it somewhere else >:(
I guess if you have it synced to your computer, it's not an issue then......but I haven't bothered yet.
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I'm using Evernote, Paprika and Dropbox for all my file sharing - allows me to use my ipad as my recipe book *grin*
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I downloaded My Recipe Book app. Now I have to figure how to use it. :P
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It's pretty easy cookie, and there is a help menu if you get stuck. So far I have only been getting recipes from the forum. I either add photos from the forum or google a picture. I have 60+ recipes so far.
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I use Paprika too. Very easy and user friendly on the iPad.
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LOL. I couldn't get the 'recipe book' to work and as I didn't want to pay before I could see its capabilities, and the free version did not allow importing recipes I gave up on it :(
But I was determined to not give up.. And it is raining again today so we are stuck inside.
So between my DH and myself and several hours I can now clip recipes with Evernote using my laptop and then sync them onto my Android tablet.
I can't get the tap screen of the tablet to clip. Big clumsy fingers I guess. :-))
But DH is happy now that I can finally use the tablet in the kitchen which is where he envisaged I would get the most use of it.
And I feel heaps less guilty that I wasn't using it after he gave it to me for my Birthday..
Pheww.. ;D ;D ;D
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Everone is happy.
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After dithering about this for a while, I took the plunge and have now got the free trial of Living Cookbook on my computer. I have had very little time to play with it so far and I think it will be some time before I can say I have conquered it.
Cutting and pasting recipes is a breeze and I find this very easy to use. This was one aspect that I was not sure about prior to getting the program - would I have to cut and paste everything from my collection of recipes in Word line by line ... what an nightmare of a job that would be. However, this isn't the case, you copy the entire recipe then paste it into the program, click a couple more options and it's all done. Very user friendly and very quick.
I am thinking of loads of questions now, though, i.e. can you have the same recipe listed twice - as an example, could I have hot cross buns under a heading like baking / cakes and another heading called Easter, without having to duplicate the recipe? I'm still finding my way around the correct phrasing to ask the Help function.
I am a bit disappointed with the nutritional information - but as I have only had the trial for a couple of days some of my problems are probably because I haven't quite figured out how to apply the information correctly ... I'm working on that.
So far, I'm liking LC, although with some reservations (undoubtedly due to the fact that I am not familiar with it yet). There are heaps of recipes that come with it, at least 90% are not relevant to our diet, but for others these would probably be a useful resource.
We'll see how things go as time goes by.
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Cullidh, I have LC and love it. I deleted all their recipes since I wanted this to be my recipe book. It takes only a min or two to transfer recipes. The nutrition info can be comprehensive or in summary form - your choice. Have a look at their video tutorials.I cannot see any reason why you cannot place recipes n two areas.
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You can place a recipe in two areas, but unfortunately you do need to duplicate the recipe - that would probably be the only thing that I wish I could change. It would be nice to have a recipe and two categories exactly like you say.
I too deleted all the recipes that came with it, knowing that I wouldn't use them (they are very americanised!!) and it took me a couple of weeks playing with it to get all the settings exactly how I wanted them. I would change things and then a couple of days later I would decide that I didn't really like it that way lol
I am really happy with how I have it set up now :)
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Hi Kathryn and Courton, I was hoping you two would respond! Thanks for yor words of wisdom. Like you, I will also delete most, if not all, of the recipes that come with the program.
... now to continue with my play time on LC!
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ENJOY :D :D
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When you want a recipe in two locations in Living Cookbook, right click on the recipe name in the list on the left side of the living cookbook page, choose copy recipe then go to the folder where you want the copy put, right click again and paste recipe.
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A blonde moment. Do I pay to download Living Cookbook twice. One for pc (recipes on word there) and one for iPad to transfer to? Sorry I have no idea on things like this.
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If you want to instal living cookbook on two computers you need two licenses (which they sell at lower cost than buying two 'separate' licenses). Their website has the details.
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Actually dizzy girl I don't think it will work on iPad. I use LC on my PC and email recipes to myself which I open on my iPad if I want to refer to them.
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I've had a look around the Living Cookbook forum and they are developing an app for iPhone/iPad but no ETA yet.
One user suggested exporting recipe files from LC then uploading to the iPad using paprika : (I'm quoting them now)
Export and save your .mx2 file to your desktop or other easy-to-find place. Plug your iPad (or iPhone), with the USB cord, into your PC. That should bring iTunes up (if not, open iTunes). In the left column of iTunes, select your iPad (or iPhone). On the top of the right column, you'll see "Summary," "Info," "Apps," etc. Choose Apps. On the far right of the screen, you'll see a scroll bar -- use it to scroll down to "File Sharing." The File Sharing section is divided into 2 parts: Apps & Documents. Click on Paprika in the Apps column. Click the "Add..." button (under "Paprika Documents") and navigate to your .mx2 file. That puts the file onto your iDevice.
Now open Paprika on your iDevice. In the menu bar at the top left, click on the Settings icon (looks like a gear). Tap on Import Recipes >. Your exported .mx2 file should show up under "Please select a recipe file to import:". Tap on it, then click "Import."
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You can export/import your recipes quite easily but you won't get your pictures and links to export :'( :'( :'( That is why I have stuck with LCB and run fusion on my Macbook.
I had over 1000 recipes in LCB when I purchased my MAC and wasn't going to go back and try to add all the pics and links (and I think it may be notes as well)
I am happy doing it this way for me, but will be glad to see an app - WOO HOO!!
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Perhaps paprika is the way to go for my iPad. May have to go thru my saved recipes on pc and then find them on forum and copy into paprika.
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You could print recipes as PDFs and then use storage such as dropbox to import them into your iPad (or via iTunes)
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Sounds difficult bonsai, I am not good at these things
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DG I've been using Evernote because dumbos like me can do it. I put any recipes onto Evernote on the PC and it synchs with the ipad so then I have it there for cooking.
I understand your feelings for the ipad. We found it amazing in Singapore.
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Cookie, you are more clever than I. I have no idea how to sync the Ipad to the Pc :-[
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We're both clever DG. It does it all by itself. Or at least I think it does. Mine just comes up on the PC 'synchronisation complete' and then later when I look at the ipad it has the recipes on there too. You just need evernote on both ipad and PC.
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Well, after my period of time with the trial version of Living Cookbook I think I will just stay with the system I have got - cut and paste everything into Word, it seems to work best for me.
I quite liked LC and it was pretty easy to work with, but I think what really irritated me is editing recipes. I found it really annoying that I couldn't easily get to the first character on the ingredient line. I was able to edit the quantities and volume or weights easily, but when I moved into the ingredient field my insertion point always went to the end of the ingredient line and it was such a hassle to get back to the beginning of that field. A small problem, I know, but irritating enough to put me off the program.
I was never able to satisfy myself that the nutrirional information was correct either, and that was one area that I was particularly keen to try.
Having said that, so many people like LC and I wouldn't want to put any others off checking it out, it just wasn't the one for me.
I haven't looked at Evernote at this stage, I guess I am so discouraged with LC and basically happy with the way I record recipes just now anyway that I'll stick with the status quo for the time being and perhaps look into this again at some point in the future.
Thanks to you all for your comments over this thread, it's good to get all your views.
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I love dropbox. I have it on my 4 computers.
Robyn
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Hmm I wonder what was happening there Marina, it's not a problem that I have had with LCB. Such a shame for you but a blessing you were working with the trial version :)
I love dropbox too Robyn, I have it on what ever I can put it on lol :D
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I have Evernote now on my Laptop and Android Tablet.
I find it a lot easier to find, clip and edit on the laptop with the keyboard, and then just Synch with 'Handy Andy' who is my little recipe helper in the kitchen.