If you are sick of cooking, we’ve got you covered with today’s show. Since March, I’ve been cooking up a storm, and I’ve only been out to eat twice, which is a big deal for me. Maybe quarantine cooking has you frustrated, uninspired, and tired of planning yet another family meal. This episode will give you lots of delicious, healthy ways to get quick, effortless meals on your family’s table night after night and day after day.
Joining me on today’s show are Jessica Jones and Wendy Lopez, fellow dietitians and founders of Food Heaven, an online resource for inclusive and accessible wellness. They also host the popular Food Heaven podcast, named by iTunes as a New & Noteworthy Podcast in 2016. Jess and Wendy are the co-authors of 28-Day Plant-Powered Health Reboot. They write a monthly food and nutrition column for Self magazine, and their Instagram page is a must-follow. Together, we’ve got mealtime hacks and speedy recipes designed to get you in and out of the kitchen quickly and without a single ounce of stress. You don’t want to miss Wendy’s “Avocado Tale of Woe;” I’m still laughing at her crazy story that explains why avocados are NOT her favorite food.
Show Highlights:
- Get to know Jessica and Wendy, how their brand was born, and their podcast that focuses on healthy and sustainable strategies for living
- The reality of cooking in quarantine, then and now
- Best throw-together meals to use leftover vegetables, fresh vegetables, canned beans, etc.: quesadillas, pitas, salads
- Jessica’s favorite three-ingredient meals: pasta, marinara sauce, and cashews; frozen burrito (Trader Joe’s), avocado, and baby carrots; rice, black beans, and salsa
- Liz’s new four-ingredient favorite filling for tacos: chipotle salsa, ground beef, black beans, and shredded cheese
- The best prep ahead meals are one-pot/pan meals like soups, stews, and casseroles; Jessica’s favorite go-to site is Pinch of Yum for balanced, flavorful, and simple meal ideas
- Foods that are easy to prep ahead and freeze for later use: hard cheeses, tofu, pizza dough, and sauces like pesto and sofrito
- Why the neighborhood food swap is perfect for quarantine and the best practices to follow to stay safe
- A great idea to prepare and share with neighbors: stir fry with tofu, peppers, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and soy sauce
- Why pre-made meals can preserve your mental sanity, make life easier and less stressful, and still be nutritious and delicious
- Jessica’s meal kit experience takeaways, including why she loves the many options and how she found favorites like ramen noodle stir-fry and sloppy joe varieties
- Mental health hacks to keep from stressing out about preparing meals
- Final words of advice: “Take it one day--or one hour--at a time. Don’t pressure yourself to keep going when you need a break. Don’t try to be perfect.”
Resources:
Recipes and topics discussed on the show:
No-Knead Focaccia from Basically: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/focaccia-pizza
No-Knead bread - Mark Bittman: https://www.markbittman.com/recipes-1/no-knead-bread
3 Ingredient Creamy Tomato Shells from Pinch of Yum: https://pinchofyum.com/creamy-tomato-shells
Self Magazine articles from Wendy and Jess:
- 5 Ways to Make Sure You Eat When You're Sick of Cooking and Burned Out By Daily Life: https://www.self.com/story/food-tips-burned-out
- 9 Quick Meals I’m Throwing Together Lately Because Cooking During the Pandemic Is a Scam. 3 Ingredient Meals: https://www.self.com/story/quick-meals
Food Prep show episode with Toby Amidor, MS, RDN:
https://www.lizshealthytable.com/2018/01/24/meal-prep-magic-with-toby-amidor-ms-rd/
Want to learn more about Eritrean cuisine? Read about it here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eritrean_cuisine
Almond Brownies from King Arthur:
https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/almond-flour-brownies-recipe
Crispy Pan Pizza from King Arthur:
https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/crispy-cheesy-pan-pizza-recipe
Find Wendy and Jess on the web:
https://foodheavenmadeeasy.com/
Food Heaven Podcast: https://foodheavenmadeeasy.com/podcast/
Food Heaven on Social Media:
28-Day Plant-Powered Health Reboot by Jessica Jones and Wendy Lopez
