Food!
Food is one of those annoying things that you can't do without but can take a huge amount of physical and mental resources to prepare. Chopping veg, opening packages, lifting pans can all be difficult or impossible if you have a physical impairment and mental health issues or fatigue can make the task of cooking a well balanced meal seem insurmountable.
Unfortunately, most of us don't get the help we need. Even those of us lucky (?) enough to qualify for care provision may find ourselves with such a small time frame for food preparation that our food choices become extremely limited. Here are a few things that I've found invaluable in my quest to eat as healthily as time and physical limitations will allow.
Firstly, meet my three friends.
Say hello to 1) George foreman
"Hello" (what? It looks like a mouth!)
2) The slow cooker
and 3) Microwave
And on to....
6) Quorn fillets
I'm a vegetarian but as these are low in fat, high in protein only around £2 a bag, I think they have their benefits for meat eaters too! Put them in the George Foreman grill with a little lemon juice and ginger or add pasta sauce afterwards. I sometimes just eat these first 3 items together as a meal when time is short. Well worth checking out the rest of the range too.
7) Beans, grains and pulses
10 food products this crip loves
Most of these products should be available in any bigger supermarket. Shop online!
Reach for store's plain, own brand. Comes in steam bags that you just put in the microwave. Watch out for the flavoured frozen and cupboard (e.g uncle bens) rice mixes as they are more likely to contain additives.
This comes in little pellets which you microwave. It sounds a bit gross but it's really alright. Great for satisfying a craving but not particularly healthy!
Great for adding a portion of veg to a meal. Shove straight in microwave. Also available in store's own brand.
4) Frozen preprepared vegetables
Again, these are available fresh but they tend to not be so good value. Most shops seem to have them but sainsburys and Ocado seem to be best. You can get individual veggies e.g butternut squash, spinach, broccoli, onion; but also casserole mixes, mushroom medleys, Mediterranean grilled veg and my favourite - the frozen stir fry mix You can also get frozen garlic and herbs.
4) Frozen preprepared vegetables
Again, these are available fresh but they tend to not be so good value. Most shops seem to have them but sainsburys and Ocado seem to be best. You can get individual veggies e.g butternut squash, spinach, broccoli, onion; but also casserole mixes, mushroom medleys, Mediterranean grilled veg and my favourite - the frozen stir fry mix You can also get frozen garlic and herbs.
5) Aunt bessie's frozen Finely chopped veg
Gets a special mention because it's so versatile. Add it in to curries, bolognese or just an omelette. Veggies with little work. Particularly useful if you don't actually like vegetables that much.
6) Quorn fillets
I'm a vegetarian but as these are low in fat, high in protein only around £2 a bag, I think they have their benefits for meat eaters too! Put them in the George Foreman grill with a little lemon juice and ginger or add pasta sauce afterwards. I sometimes just eat these first 3 items together as a meal when time is short. Well worth checking out the rest of the range too.
7) Beans, grains and pulses
Pour a tin or two of these, some frozen veg and sauce in to a slow cooker and you're away! Some are cheaper to buy in bags but be sure that you get ones that don't need soaking first
Personally I always have the following:
Tinned:
Tinned:
Butter beans
Kidney Beans
Cannellini beans
Borlotti beans
Borlotti beans
Chick peas
Bagged:
Green (puy) lentils
Orange (dahl) lentils
Pinto beans
Bulgar Wheat
Quinoa
Pearl Barley
8) Chilli beans (KTC are the cheapest but best brand in my opinion)
These get a special mention as they add so much flavour to casseroles. Try using them as a base for slow cooked chilli or make a basic sausage and bean casserole with:
1 tin chopped tomatoes
These get a special mention as they add so much flavour to casseroles. Try using them as a base for slow cooked chilli or make a basic sausage and bean casserole with:
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 tin chilli beans
handful of green lentils
handful of pearl barley
handful finely chopped veg
1 pack linda mcartney veggie sausages
Cook on low for around 6 hours and eat by itself or with rice.
9) Tinned tomatoes
Most people use these but did you know that you can get pre seasoned tins? Great for getting a quick meal that actually tastes of something.
Most people use these but did you know that you can get pre seasoned tins? Great for getting a quick meal that actually tastes of something.
Comes in a sachet which you then use to measure the milk out with. Lots of flavours available. Also works with soya/almond/rice milk etc
That's it for now folks but I hope this is of use to someone! Am hoping the links do work too! I'll probably post some of my own recipes at some point too.
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