In times of instability, I pay attention to what fuel I'm putting in my body because I know it effects my mood, emotions and overall energy. For the past few weeks, I have noticed my body craves more soups and fats and is less hungry for a full, balanced meal (ie meat, veggies, carb). I have lost my appetite for salads and instead yearn for something warm and smoothing. I think some of these cravings are natural due to the winter weather; however, the instability of our government has me also searching for comfort and stability within myself. Instead of overeating on heavy carbs or overly-processed sugars to numb my emotions and feel even worse, I am flexing my mindfulness muscles and serving myself nutrients and comfort my body craves. I want to help heal, hug and support myself compassionately through this trying time rather than fill myself with fuel that makes me feel worse.
Here are a few recipes I have whipped up in the kitchen that I want to share with you—with the hope they inspire you to be mindfully taking care of yourself form the inside out. Try them out and let me know how they make you feel!
Do you have any other, comforting healthy recipes you want to share? Feel free to pass them along in the comments below!
Lentil Sweet Potato Soup
So delicious, nutritious and satisfying! I could have this soup every week and never get sick of its taste and texture.
Ingredients:
- 3 small/medium sweet potatoes chopped into 1/4 inch chunks
- 2 large carrots chopped into 1/4 inch chunks
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 32 oz. vegetable stock
- 1.5 cups dried lentils (any variety will do); make sure to rinse first
- 3 garlic cloves, diced into small pieces
- 1-2 inches of raw ginger, chopped into small pieces
- 1-2 tbsp. curry powder
- Salt/pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp. Olive oil
Directions:
Prepare all of your ingredients by washing and cutting all vegetables, garlic, and ginger.
1. In a big pot, place on medium heat and add olive oil, then chopped onions. Cook the onions until soft and translucent (~3min)
2. Add the garlic, wait a couple of minutes
3. Next, add carrots for a few minutes
4. Then add sweet potatoes
5. Season with salt and pepper
6. Add the vegetable stock and turn the stovetop to medium/high until the soup boils
7. Throw in the raw ginger and, if you like garlic, you can add extra, whole garlic cloves
8. Once the soup boils, add washed lentils and curry powder and place a lid on the pot to let the soup simmer on medium for 20-30min
9. The soup will be ready when the lentils completely cook. They should feel soft to touch.
Keep leftovers stored in a glass container in the fridge for future lunches and dinners for the week.
Magical Toast
Remember eating cinnamon sugar toast when you where a kid? It was one of my favorite weekend treats growing up. Since I can’t stomach adding raw sugar onto any of my foods, I love to create a slightly healthier twist on one of my favorite childhood snacks.
Ingredients:
Directions:
1. Toast bread in a toaster until desired crunchiness
2. Slab 1 tbsp. (or more) of butter evenly on the toast
3. Let the butter melt and then enjoy every sweet and savory bite!
The sweet bread with the rich, fresh and salty taste of the butter is the best combination and super comforting for breakfast. The fat helps keep me full longer and the sweet taste tickles my taste buds.
Leek & Carrot soup
This broth helps open my lungs, my nasal passageways and feels like I am fueling my body with liquid love.
Ingredients:
- 2 large leeks chopped from the white tips to the bottom of the darker green
- 2 large carrots cut into 1/4 inch pieces
- 32 oz. vegetable stock
- 1 tsp. turmeric
- 3 garlic cloves, sliced
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
Directions:
1. Wash and chop all vegetables
2. In a pot, heat olive oil on medium then add leeks and cook until they are translucent.
3. Add the garlic and cook until soft
4. Add carrots into the mixture
5. Add salt & pepper and let these flavors cook for 5 minutes
6. Add the vegetables stock followed by turmeric and more salt & pepper if needed
7. Cover the pot and let the soup reach a boil. Once the soup boils, keep it on a simmer until carrots are tender (~15min). The longer the soup simmers the more flavorful it will become, but it is ready to enjoy at any moment!
Steel Cut Banana Bread Oatmeal
I am not usually a huge fan of oatmeal, but this oatmeal makes me feel like I am giving myself a hug from the inside out.
Ingredients:
- Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal
- Fresh or frozen blueberries (if frozen, soak in warm water until they soften)
- 1 tsp. hemp seeds
- Cinnamon
- 1-2 tsp. maple syrup
- Chopped walnuts
- Chopped banana
Directions:
1. Cook oatmeal following directions on the package.
2. When oatmeal is almost ready, add banana into the mixture until is softens and starts to melt
3. When the oatmeal is at a desired consistency, transfer to a bowl and top with blueberries, hemp seeds, walnuts, cinnamon and maple syrup