I love to cook, but planning menus and getting the ingredients together for a quick meal after work can be time-consuming. That's where my recipe-exchange "chain letter" comes in. It's made up of a group of friends who forward their favorite easy-to-make recipes to one another via e-mail. Since we all know one another's tastes and cooking ability, the recipes are simple enough for everyone.

I also keep a few cookbooks at the office and download recipes from the Internet to a folder on the computer. I can photocopy or print out the ingredients list while at work and then buy groceries during lunch or on the way home.

Katherine Fausset, 29, New York City