The Cheat Sheet:
I stick with things that I can finish making or prepping in less than 15 minutes because of my legs. Sometimes I'll work on things throughout the day. Getting one thing started and then coming back to it. I avoid recipes that require me to stand at the stove for long periods of time without a break. For me it takes a budget of 40-60 dollars a week in food. I buy local when I can and seasonal.
These are food ideas meant to save you time but still eat healthy. My time on my feet has to be utilized well, so I work on getting the best I can as quickly as I can.
-Fruit and nuts on hand. Apples and oranges that are already washed, container of nuts where I sit and reach easily.
-Sweet potatoes. 2-3 at a time, cooked and put in foil.
-Frozen fruits. If I run out of fresh fruit, I usually have a bag of fruit in the freezer. It's my emergency backup.
-Easy Salad components. Spinach/romaine, olives, olive oil, fruits, onions, lemon or balsamic, cucumbers, nuts, etc.
-For full vegans: Spices. As many as possible especially if you go vegan. Loosing fat and protein components make it much harder to make things tasty. Also, avocado and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
-Tofu/Veggies. In case I'm running short on protein. It'll store a couple weeks and can be mixed with one of those precut veggies from the freezer aisle.
-Extra virgin olive oil. I use it for salads and cooking. Keeping the heat medium to low, usually for steaming.
-Flaxseed (ground) is another protein option. Stick it in a blender with frozen strawberries, a little soymilk and voila.
-Lentils are a good bean option. They don't have to be presoaked and cook in about 30 minutes. Otherwise, the frozen beans tend to be an easier option than presoaking fresh beans.
-Have a little more energy? Make a green drink in a juicer. Juicers do require a bit more cleanup. I do a kale, cucumber, ginger, green apple drink on occassion. When I need to really power through some greens. The green apple cuts the grassy taste, but green drinks might not be for those with weak stomachs.
-Green tea. Hot and cold. Though I like a cup of hot tea when my muscles are achy. The tea always makes me feel better. Couldn't live without a tea infuser cup -> Tea Tumbler.
I'm far to wobbly to bring hot tea across the house without something spill proof.
-Wine. Red wine will help inflammation in moderation. Moderation is key, more than 2 servings can have the opposite effect and spike the inflammatory process. They also make a spill proof wine glass -> Wine Tumbler
-Wine. Red wine will help inflammation in moderation. Moderation is key, more than 2 servings can have the opposite effect and spike the inflammatory process. They also make a spill proof wine glass -> Wine Tumbler
-Dinner basics: Soups such as seafood soups or veggie soups. Roasted vegetables. Stir frys.
Once I week I try to cook something nice that'll last a day or two. I found this recipe for Butternut squash soup. This week I went to the farmer's market and grabbed two butternut squash, fresh cilantro, fresh garlic, avocado. I have both canned and fresh black beans, but I'm just going to use the canned. I'm going to make my own veggie stock for the soup and work on that today. Each week I try to do something different. Some of my recipes: Personal Recipes.
Cooking Supples:
Must haves:
-A stainless steel wok-type pot. I have a rounded large pot that's good for stir frys and soups and most everything in between. Pretty much the only pot I use.
-Cookie sheet (for roasting vegetables and sweet potatoes).
-Aluminum foil (easy clean up and storage of roasted items).
-Knife set
-Cutting board and collapsible colander
-Some storage items
-Good mixing bowls
Nice to haves:
-Juicer
-Blender
-Rice cooker
-Immersion blender
-Fruit bowl
-Apple corer
-Mornings: Fresh fruits. Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries. Whatever can be shoved into a bowl and eaten without stress. I also have a cup of coffee with soymilk. My fiance helps with both breakfast and coffee. My stiffness is worse in the morning, so I have to get some ibuprofen and fruit down to function or I wouldn't get out of bed at all.
-Lunch: I usually have something pre-prepared. Again, fairly stiff at lunch time so I manage to pull off a salad or sweet potatoes or leftovers.
-Afternoon: Fruit, green drinks, green tea. Spend more time doing physical things on my feet during this time.
-Dinner: This is usually when I cook. I cook enough for leftovers and plan 2 days in advance.
-Speaking of stiffness and pain. Fruits and vegetables contain natural painkillers. Another important reason to eat them, even aside from the fact they are protective from cancer, tumors, disease and nutrient deficiency.
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