By which I mean a way for a poor busy worker to keep eating through pottage.

Vaguely Ethiopian Stew

  • 1-2 bowls of water
  • 1-2 handfuls quinoa, millet, or barley
  • 4-5 shakes berebere seasoning
  • 1 BIG SCOOP of peanut butter
  • 2-4 shakes onion powder and or dried onion
  • 1 shake of nooch
  • 2-4 shakes of garlic salt or seasoned salt
  • 2-3 globs mango chutney or orange marmalade or apricot preserve
  • Hot pepper to taste

Vaguely Asian Lentil Soup (serves 4)

  • 1/2 instant pot of water
  • 4 handfuls red lentils
  • 2 globs gochujang
  • 1 glob better than bouillon
  • 1 substantial portion pickled ginger
  • 2-3 globs mango chutney or orange marmalade

Put all into the instant pot and pressure cook for 4 minutes.

Barley Slop

  • ~3 cups water
  • 1 hearty shake barley (1/3 of depth)
  • 1 handful red lentils
  • 2 shakes smoked paprika
  • 3 shakes garlic salt
  • 1 shake nooch
  • 1 shake lime salt

Put all into the instant pot and pressure cook for 20-25 minutes. Barley will be a bit chewy at 20 minutes which I like. Lentils disintegrate and thicken the broth.

All these meals take at most 4 minutes active time and are ready to eat within 30 minutes. Very filling and fairly healthy. All can be made with shelf stable jar goods for the most part. All meals can be improved with fresh or frozen greens. Hardy greens can be added at the start of cooking, and softer greens can be added after cooking.

  • QuietCupcake [any, they/them]
    ·
    10 hours ago

    it's been important to realize the impact that eating regularly has on my mood and having these stopgap foods has been instrumental.

    Absolutely. I suppose I shouldn't be, but I am still amazed sometimes at how big of an immediate difference healthy food has on mood and general sense of well being. We all know that not eating well has a major impact on long term health and that's easy to understand. But it makes such a huge difference in how I feel if I've been sporadically eating only cup'o'noodles for 3 days vs having a real prepared meal, even just simple lentils and quinoa with fresh vegetables each evening for 3 days. When it's the latter, there's a marked improvement to my lethargy and mental state.

    I hope it can be of help to you!

    It will for sure. I'm adding these to my small but growing repertoire of "throw together even when depressed" meals. It's very much needed and appreciated.

    It's also nice because you can make each one as a single serving in a small pot and just use that pot as your bowl to minimize the number of dishes involved.

    Yes. All of that is important when really depressed and having severe executive dysfunction:
    -Being able to quickly put something together without having to put any thought or focus on it.
    -knowing you'll have just enough and won't be letting prepared food (and therefore $) go to waste.
    -but also knowing there is still more there if you need it yet it won't go to waste either if you don't, since it's shelf stable.
    -Not having to worry about dealing with cleanup and dishes can be crucial.

    I got lucky that there's bulk bins at a store near me so I have been able to get small amounts of very different grains and pulses so I can have more variety.

    Same. I do get some food ordered in bulk online too. Getting things like grains (rice, quinoa, lentils, beans, etc.) dry in bulk has been a game changer though. So much healthier than processed foods and so so much cheaper.

    Thanks again and good luck with your home repairs comrade! vegan-v heart-sickle

    • bubbalu [they/them]
      ·
      2 hours ago

      Thank you! Reading this message in the morning reminded me to eat a quick breakfast.