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Lockdown Learning: Quarantine Cuisine

Have you ever heard the saying, "Food heals the body and soul?" Well, it's never more accurate than in these trying times. We're surrounded by panic, turmoil, and fear in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. And what better solution to handle the tension it has brought on us than by busying ourselves in the kitchen?

Keeping ourselves engrossed with cooking hearty meals helps us feel satisfied and loosened up. Do not just take our word for it, though! Experts on nutrition and psychology have actually voiced out their results on this matter.

No wonder everyone on social networks enjoys cooking during these hard times!

However it's not just the cooking itself that matters. Healthy cooking is essential to maintaining our physical and psychological wellness. We know these are more vital than they've ever been.

If there's one thing the pandemic has taught us, it's how valuable and fragile our health is. It's a call for us to take much better care of our bodies for our wellness and for our loved ones' as well.

Now that we have all the time to prepare in your home, we can begin making healthier choices for our diets!

So prepare to dig in!

Top Tips

1. Meal preparation works

All the panic purchasing and long lines at the grocery store can make you feel lost when you shop. That's why it's an excellent idea to plan your meals for the week. Yes, this likewise includes your treats and desserts!

This way, you know what components to get, what to stockpile on, and what you do not require to purchase the moment. It helps you conserve up a great deal of cash and energy. Not to mention planning your meals can assist you make much healthier choices. You won't feel like grabbing the first thing you see on the shelves!

2. Frozen is fresher

As much as possible, get fresh produce from the market! But there may be times when it's difficult to go out and get them. Now you might reach for the canned veggies and preserved fruits instead, however take care! These have much more preservatives; plus, they tend to be higher in sugar and salt.

An excellent option is to get frozen fruits and veggies. They actually have the very same vitamins and nutrients as fresh ones! This is because they're frozen at the height of their freshness, keeping their health benefits secured for a long time.

3. Choose grains

We tend to use these staples for each meal, so it's an excellent concept to make much healthier choices when you're stockpiling on them. So you can opt for the whole-grain versions of these foods! For instance, brown rice and quinoa make good alternatives for white rice. Whole-wheat bread and pasta are delicious and fiber-packed substitutes to their routine counterparts.

4. Spice it up

All of us desire our dishes to taste fantastic, so we tend to add in a great deal of salt to our cooking. But this can boost the sodium content of your meal which makes it quite unhealthy. Plus, the majority of us have been taking in a lot of canned goods recently. This means we're most likely getting more than the suggested quantity of sodium.

5. Try fermented foods

Kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles, tempeh, and yogurt are amazing and delicious fermented foods! Not only do they last a long period of time, they're also incredibly healthy. This is since the process of fermentation takes out the natural health-boosting germs in foods.

Now, don't let the word "bacteria" scare you! Our gut in fact has excellent germs that are essential to absorbing nutrients. Fermented foods have loads of probiotics that allow great germs in our gut to thrive. They also assist eradicate bad germs! Studies have revealed they can increase our digestive health and even our body immune system. So next time you went for food shopping, think about getting a couple of containers of various cultured foods.

6. Get innovative

Curious about different meals and worldwide foods? Well, if you haven't had the time to experiment in the cooking area, now's your chance! Don't be afraid to make the most of the lockdown and try out something new. Swap out ingredients in familiar recipes or try your hand at global meals. Either way, exercise your imaginative muscles with a tasty variety of foods!

7. Cook in bulk

There might be days when you just don't feel like cooking. Or you might want to spend some more of your time pursuing other pastimes or interests. It's likewise simple to lack materials and have a tough time heading out to get fresh ones. In any case, it's a great idea to cook in big batches so you're sure to have meals ready to warm up and take pleasure in. Not to mention, it's a terrific way to save up!

Staples like oatmeal, red-sauce pasta, chili, casseroles, stir fry rice, and burger patties can last you a week! They're also simple to pair up with various sides so you don't get tired of eating them day after day.

8. Keep it basic

This idea is especially valuable if you're not a whiz in the cooking area. You might get overwhelmed with doing a lot of things at once. So it's a great idea to return to the fundamentals. Remember, less is more even when it comes to cooking! Included active ingredients exist to highlight the main ingredient of your dish, not subdue it.

9. Treat yourself

We're dealing with bumpy rides, so it's only natural to reach for our absolute favorite cozy comforts. And what's more soothing than hearty meals and sweet snack? So don't hesitate to let loose a little! Fulfill your cravings and settle in with your yummy favorites.

Plus, it's possible to stay in tip-top health while treating yourself! A couple of twists here and there on your favorite recipes can make all the big difference. We'll show you how with this coming list, so stay tuned!

Part I: Classic Favorites With A Healthy Twist

Now let's enter the first batch of recipes for our crash course. We'll begin with the essentials to help get you going!

• Avocado Toast With Egg

Start your morning right with a boost of energy! Avocado toast with eggs in 3 ways has the correct amount of fat, carbs, and protein to give you fuel for the day. Plus, it takes 7 fast minutes to produce those who aren't precisely morning individuals. You can also get innovative with several alternatives and spices (yes, even chili flakes)!

• Banana Oatmeal Pancakes

Is there anything more comforting than a stack of pancakes? It reminds us of much better times and easier pleasures. So enjoy this healthy take on the classic pancakes! It's sure to be a crowd-pleaser even amongst kids. They're fluffy and sweet, however absolutely gluten-free and flourless. Now you can have pancakes every morning!

• Velvety Spinach Mac N' Cheese

Easy to make with gooey cheesy goodness, Mac N' Cheese is a preferred for all ages! The thing is, boxed mac and cheese does not always produce the healthiest meal. For something basic and healthy, try this homemade variation with creamed spinach. You can even top it off with crunchy fried onions for an additional crunch!

• Cheesy Veggie Nuggets

Serve up these tacky carrots and broccoli nuggets in honey mustard or BBQ sauce and you'll seem like a child once again! If you're going for a softer texture that's closer to chicken breast nuggets, try making baked tacky tofu nuggets. Warning: these could get addicting!

• Chicken and Dumplings

Keep your stomach complete and your soul cared for with a hearty bowl of the ageless chicken and dumplings. Tarragon, black pepper, and thyme spice up the healthy version of this particular traditional meal. No need for unhealthy preservatives! Plus, you can make it in just 45 minutes and you'll have a tasty bowl all ready to warm you up.

• Great Ol' Pizza

Wish to take your healthy pizza varieties a step further? Go for a carb-free cauliflower crust instead of dough! Get the secret to avoiding soaked cauliflower crust and getting it perfect in 8 simple ways.

• Garlic Butter Salmon Zoodles

Say yes to zucchini pasta! Delight in completely carb-free goodness with zoodles. Now you may believe it's hopeless to try this if you do not have a spiralizer. But do not fret! There are 4 easy methods to make zoodles with kitchen area devices you already have at house.

• Healthy Wraps

If you wish to get some lean protein in, choose a quick chicken wrap or a tasty tuna wrap. If you wish to go all-out health nuts, do not hesitate to pick from the wide range of light and delish vegetable wraps.

• Steak Salad

Salads are the go-tos for any healthy meal. They're easy, easy, and very good for our health. Plus, there are numerous distinct methods to make them so you can mix up your daily meals.

But if you want a complete, hearty dinner without loading up on carbs, we suggest a protein-laden steak salad! Tasty steak strips and textured veggies with a thick velvety dressing make this a salad you'll look forward to eating!

• Turkey Burgers

We understand what you're thinking. Sure, turkey burgers are healthier than beef, but they constantly end up chewy and sawdust-dry. Well, we've found the answer! The trick's in the dish for the juiciest turkey burger you'll ever have. It's so basic, too! Serve it up with awesome healthy sides and you and your family will ignore fast food hamburgers in no time.