Jessica

I don’t know about you, but I’m hungrier than usual these days, to the point where Trader Joe’s snacks are an actual godsend. And no, I’m not saving lives on the front lines of the pandemic (though I’m grateful for everyone who is). I’m in my pajamas on Zoom.

How can I be so hungry even though I’m sitting around more than ever? Some research suggests that being more sedentary doesn’t necessarily result in a reduced appetite. After all, especially when you’re doing work, “sitting around” still requires thinking, concentration, focus, and just brain power in general, all of which require energy.

Homemade spice blends play a huge role in my cooking. I like to consider myself a flavor-first dietitian. My food has to be delicious first, and “good for me” second. If it doesn’t taste good, I won’t eat it. I don’t care what nutritional value it brings. The same goes for my clients. Nobody should have to eat lifeless boiled broccoli void of salt or seasoning. (Unless that’s your thing.)

The beauty of it is, in many cases, you can have your cake and eat it too. That is to say, flavor and flavonoids (the phytonutrients found in fruits and vegetables) don’t have to be mutually exclusive. One of my favorite cost-effective ways to amp up the flavor in any dish is through spices and seasonings. Case in point: Steel-cut oats can taste kind of meh on their own, but add a teaspoon of my pumpkin spice blend (below), and the flavor is enhanced tenfold.Ready to spice up your life? Click here to keep reading.

Before I get into the premade sauces and condiments I live by, let’s talk about the term life-changing for a sec. It’s an adjective that’s thrown around a lot but usually fails to live up to the hype. For example, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up? Actually life-changing. Sweet potato toast? Not so much.

If you’re into real life-changing, listen up. These seven flavor factors will actually change your life for the better. If you’ve read any of my work or follow me online (hi ??mom), you probably know that I’m the type of dietitian who thinks spending hours cooking in the kitchen (especially during a pandemic) is a literal scam. I like to eat, but I’m not into meals that take more than 30 minutes to prepare. That’s why I rely heavily on these flavor factors to do most of the work for me.

Here’s why you should too!

Click here to read the full article on SELF.com

I don’t know about you, but the coronavirus pandemic has got me wanting to cook less, not more. At this point, three-ingredient recipes are getting me through. Maybe it’s because it feels like I’ve been making breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day without a break. (I usually go out to eat two or three times per week or, at least, like, get a free meal at a mixer or something.) Maybe I’m less inspired to go grocery shopping when people are literally fighting for all-purpose flour in the baking aisle. Maybe I’m subconsciously stressing out over the man-made toilet paper crisis. (Really, America? Are we going there?)

In this particular moment, if I have to cook, my meals are going to be simple because I’m all about focusing on the least I can do. Today I bring you nine super-quick three-ingredient meal ideas for when you can’t even deal (which, lately, is every day for me). A couple of things you should note before getting started:

I was gracious enough to also make my husband a serving of each dish. Every time he sat down at the dining table, he said: “Yum,” “Wow,” or “That looks good,” and/or licked the plate clean. In other words, someone other than me has testified that these meals are real-deal delicious.

Since these meals are all simple A.F., there are no “formal” recipes or intricate instructions. It’s more throwing what you want together and having faith that it will turn out alright (which, I can assure you, it will).

Ready to add less stress to your life but still eat well? Here are a bunch of three-ingredient recipes I personally vouch for. Read our latest SELF article for 9 quick meals I’m throwing together during the pandemic.