The coronavirus pandemic is completely changing the way we live. From entertainment and activities to grocery shopping, humankind has been forced to face new ways of living everyday life. Some of us are finding some extra time on our hands but now may not be the right time to take up that new hobby you’ve been thinking about but always too busy to launch…unless you’ve been wanting to expend some creativity in the kitchen.
If you are stuck at home (except to go to the grocery store) and you have time on your hands, there is no better time to jump into creating new delicious and nutritious meals for you and your family. Let’s face it, before quarantine, preparing meals was probably more of a chore than a hobby. Coming home from work each evening only to “figure out dinner” isn’t exactly appealing to most. There’s not a lot of time to get creative and try new things when you’ve got a hungry crowd ready for dinner the moment you walk in the door each evening.
But now, with maybe a more relaxed schedule is the perfect time to whip up some new creative concoctions for you and your crew. It’s also the perfect time to try new recipes, or even create new ones of your own. It is the perfect time to add new dishes to your food rotation and get out of the food rut of the “same ol’, same ol’”. Here’s how you can get started.
Start Here
“Where do I start?” you may be asking. Well the answer is anywhere. Cruise the internet for some new recipes that intrigue you or maybe even crack that old cookbook or two you have laying around. Find some recipes that you find appealing and get planning. Try to minimize baked goods when selecting new recipes. The reason for this is that the baking aisle tends to look a lot like the toilet paper aisle in that it has been wiped out. Some necessary ingredients for baked goods are really hard to find now since everyone seems to be baking! You’ll have better ingredient luck choosing recipes outside of baking.
Also, in a time of pandemic, immune system function is imperative. It is a good idea to select recipes that will support your immune system function rather than drag it down. Unfortunately, a lot of baking recipes use ingredients, such as sugar, that can hinder immune function, so even though they may be fun to bake and of course delicious, try to keep these recipes to a minimum.
Plan Ahead
After you have some ideas on which recipes you would like to create, take a look and see if there are any ingredients that can be swapped out for healthier choices. For example, if your selected recipe includes milk, think about replacing it with a homemade nut milk or coconut milk. Or can you swap the sugar for dates instead? How about sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes? One of my favorite things about trying a new recipe in the kitchen is taking it and making it my own by choosing ingredients that I know will support my health and wellness. Don’t be afraid to experiment! If it doesn’t turn out the way you had hoped the first time, you will still be a step closer to creating the perfect recipe of your own that you just may nail the very next batch.
Shop
Once you have your recipes selected, make a shopping list of the ingredients you will need including the quantity. This makes your shopping trip much easier and let’s face it, we could all use an easier grocery shopping trip these days. It’s also a good idea to jot down a few substitution ideas on your shopping list in case you find an empty space on the shelf for some ingredients on your list. This will help keep you from scrapping the recipe altogether if the store shelf is lacking that one seasoning you needed.
Magic in the Kitchen
Now that you have shopped for your ingredients, the fun can start and you can work your magic! To make things easier on yourself, it is a good idea to review the first recipe you are going to tackle and set out all of the ingredients needed in the quantity called for. That way, when you are going through the steps, it may be as simple as adding the specified ingredient. You will have already rummaged through your kitchen drawers for the ⅛ teaspoon. This also helps keep the process fun as you follow the recipe along. Before you know it, you will have a new delicious creation to spotlight and enjoy.
One of my favorite things about trying a new recipe is the outcome. There’s much to be proud of once you have taken whole foods ingredients and made them into something even better. Enjoy your new creation and make notes of how you think it turned out. Even when the outcome isn’t what was expected, it is no cause for frustration. A recipe gone wrong leaves room for improvement and personalization. A first time flop is really just an opportunity to make it better and make it your own according to your taste buds. This is what experimenting in the kitchen is all about.
#Happy WholeFooding
