Every college student knows the struggle of trying to juggle time, money, and energy. Cooking healthy meals in the midst of it all can be a challenge. So, the MyWellness program wants to bring you easy, affordable tips that you can incorporate into your time in the kitchen this week.
1. Cook soups, chilis, and curries
These kinds of one-pot, freezable meals are perfect for a student. If you use canned beans, simple veggies, and a few spices, these meals can last you throughout the week and take some stress out of the equation. Just come home and pop it in the microwave—no fuss! Try using coconut milk in a curry or putting some avocado on top for some extra taste.
2. Try to have one salad a day
Salads are a quick and easy base to get all your nutrients and vitamins. If you try this for a few weeks we promise you’ll start to miss your salad on the days you don’t make it. Try starting with spinach or lettuce, and add whatever you like: grated carrots, beets, dried cranberries, apples, peppers, maybe feta cheese or chicken if you’d like some protein. We’ll give you some easy dressings in tip 3.
3. Master a few sauces and dressings
If you have a simple, widely applicable dressing, you’ll be able to make a whole bunch of meals without starting from scratch. Try a simple vinaigrette: olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper—great on salads and bowls. Or a tahini dressing—a couple scoops of tahini paste, lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar), salt, and water. These will take your everyday dishes to the next level.
4. Don’t buy pre-made meals
If you only buy fresh and bulk ingredients, you won’t be tempted to grab something easy when you get home. Cooking dinner can be as easy as roasting some sweet potatoes (with olive oil and salt) and baking some chicken and broccoli. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but removing the temptation of convenience can help push you to get started.
5. Have fun and get creative
When you have an extra hour or so, look up a recipe on Pinterest and try something new. Everyone we talk to agrees that learning to cook isn’t complicated, and it’s actually fun. Try inviting some friends over for dinner—make spaghetti or a rice noodle bowl with tahini dressing and fresh veggies. Once you get started, you’ll wonder what you were so afraid of.
Let us know if you try any of this or if you want us to talk about something specific next time (related to health and mental health). Email Jordan at mywellnesscamosun@gmail.com with questions and comments.