I'm stocked up, now what do I cook?
Your freezer and pantry are full in anticipation of spending time at home, now are you wondering what to cook? Here are some ideas to help!
This is an important time to think and eat healthy, and since you might not be able to run to the store to get a few things, you may need to be creative in accomplishing this healthy goal during these times! The importance of a healthy body and immune system to fight off disease is a priority, so eating foods that supplement your immune system can be helpful.
NATURAL FOODS THAT SUPPLEMENT YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM AND BOOST YOUR DETOX -
Eat at least one cup of these vegetables per day - broccoli, kale, collards, brussels sprouts, cauliflower. They may have to be frozen or canned vegetables for now if you can’t get fresh, but take what you can get.
If you make juice, green smoothies, or herbal teas, these are some good items to add for your immune system - garlic, celery, cilantro, parsley, ginger, cinnamon bark, burdock root
Add organic eggs to your daily meals
Berries and citrus fruits contain bioflavonoids to boost your health
Add in Curcuminoids (turmeric and curry) for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action
Bone broth - stock up or see the recipe below if you now have some extra time to make your own
Avoid processed sugar, it suppresses your immune system
Vitamin C supplements
We may be used to purchasing fresh meat, vegetables, and fruit for our daily meals, but now we stand amidst our full pantry and freezer 😳. So now what do I cook?? Here’s a list of healthy ideas to use the food you have stocked up on -
CROCK POT SOUP -
All those vegetables you just stocked up on, fresh, frozen, or canned, can go in the crock pot, with or without any meat! The addition of fresh herbs will add flavor that all of the family will enjoy, and a full pot might last you a few days!
INSTANT POT BONE BROTH -
Or if you don’t have an instant pot this can be done in the crock pot! Add the leftover bones from your meals, vegetables such as carrots and onions and cook for 40 minutes in the instant pot or all day in the crock pot. You can save your meat bones in a storage bag in the freezer until the bag is full, then it is time to make stock! Add some seasonings and drink to your health. Here is a link for complete instructions - Instant Pot Bone Broth
TUNA SALAD -
At a loss for lunch? Here’s a great tuna salad recipe that uses olive oil, balsamic, and dijon as a base rather than mayonnaise, then add in whatever other goodies you like! Bread is just the vessel, it isn’t necessary, so just eat the whole bowl! Or serve with crackers, on top of tomato, cucumber rounds, or avocado. Tuna Salad Recipe
QUINOA SALAD -
Quinoa Salad could be the answer to every emergency 😆. It is so versatile and can be combined with many different vegetables, meats, and seasonings to provide the flavor you are looking for on any given day. Start with 2 cups of cooked Quinoa, add in your leftover roasted veggies, chicken, dressings, nuts, etc. Quinoa itself adds a bit of protein to your meal, so if you have stocked up on this grain (or if you haven’t, run and get some!), take a look at these recipe ideas and pick one to try today.
Mexican Quinoa Salad - Add bell pepper, onion, cilantro, walnuts, beans, garlic, jalapeno, and a dressing mix of olive oil, lime juice, cumin, and chili powder.
Pesto Quinoa Salad - Add walnuts, cherry tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, olives, and use the pesto as a dressing, include additional olive oil if needed for a smoother consistency.
Caprese Quinoa Salad - Usually made from fresh garden tomatoes, but you might need to used canned tomatoes this week! Add tomatoes, olives, basil leaves, mozzarella, sunflower seeds, and walnuts. Make a dressing of light olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.
Thai Quinoa Salad - Add thin sliced cabbage, chopped cilantro, shredded carrot, chopped cucumber, celery, green onion, sesame seeds and/or sunflower seeds. Make a dressing of crushed garlic clove, light olive oil, sesame oil, rice vinegar, salt and pepper.
CROCK POT CHILI - Whatever meat you have stocked up on - ground beef, pork, or even no meat at all - add that to a crock pot full of tomatoes, whatever vegetables you have on hand, beans (optional), and seasonings of chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, garlic, and basil.
These are just a few ideas to help you get started. Be creative, maybe dig out those old cookbooks you haven’t had time to look at in years, and strive to eat healthy ingredients to strengthen your mind, body, and immune system. Be safe and be well.