I’ve spent the last few days thinking and praying about how I can use this blog for good in this crazy, crazy time. I want to offer a refuge from the constant stream of scary news, but also a relevant encouragement because for most of us, our hearts are troubled. At the same time, I want to stay true to what my blog is all about. So, what I’ve settled on is Quarantine Food!

My clinic is officially closed, and I’m off work too. Since we are home more, my husband and I have been cooking a lot because eating out isn’t an option. But our daily eats look a little different, as we’re trying to avoid grocery stores and shopping trips as much as possible. (#socialdistancing) Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing about our home cooked recipes with (mostly) shelf-stable goods, trying to make make meals that are both satisfying and nourishing. It can be difficult to cook when grocery shopping is limited, so I thought I’d share what we are doing for those who need inspiration!

Here’s a peak into our fridge/pantry for a glimpse of what we’re working with:

We also have green beans, cauliflower rice, a pizza, some ground beef, and ice cream in the freezer (unpictured). As you can see in the pictures, we stocked up on everything from canned tuna and beans to fun food, like chips and soda.

Quarantine Food, Part 1

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This is what we ate for dinner on Monday night, our very first #quarantinefood meal. Our fridge was full of leftover pot roast and corned beef. We were a bit tired of the carrots and potatoes, so we stir-fryed some of the beef with a red pepper and chipotle hot sauce, spread it between two corn tortillas with cheese, and topped it with ranch and more hot sauce (+ sauteed green beans on the side.) It was not very beautiful, but it tasted awesome.

Tuesday evening we finished off the pot roast, and poached some chicken in the sous vide. We used some of it to make this chicken salad, consisting of about 1 pound of chicken, 2 stalks of celery, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon dried parsley. It was delicious on toasted Ezekiel bread for lunch!

Breakfasts have been looking pretty regular: Ezekiel toast, oatmeal, fruit, etc. Lots of coffee. Wednesday morning was the last day my clinic was open. I woke up a little late and was rushed, so I blended a frozen banana with milk, chocolate protein powder, and peanut butter for a breakfast shake. It was delicious but didn’t have much staying power. I won’t be doing that again.

Dates with peanut butter are a morning staple for me. I usually need to leave at 6:30 am, and I am so not a morning person. I usually pack breakfast with me in my lunch box because I value the extra 20 minutes of sleep. But on mornings when I wake up ravenous, a date with peanut butter holds me over through my commute. Being home, this hasn’t been relevant anymore, but I’ve been enjoying the date + pb combo for an afternoon snack.

Another less-than-glamorous photo of the last of our corned beef and cabbage. We cooked the corned beef in our sous vide and it was the most delicious meat I’ve ever had in my life. Seriously. It was as smooth as butter, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. We bought a second one and are looking forward to enjoying it the same way.

And….another kind of food: soul food. Especially in this crazy time, clinging to my faith is of utmost importance. When the waves and storms come, you don’t jump out of the boat, it’s when you hold on even tighter.

A bible study habit I’ve been keeping for the past 7 years has been “a proverb a day.” The book of Proverbs has 31 chapters, and each month has that many days or fewer. On the first of the month, I read Proverbs chapter 1 in addition to my other bible study. Then, I read chapter two on the second day of the month, and so on and so forth. Just from doing this, I have a majority of the verses memorized without really even trying. The Holy Spirit has brought many of them to mind in critical times of my life, and I’m so grateful that I have these truths hidden away in my heart.

To close, here’s an encouragement from Proverbs 20:

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.

    How then can anyone understand their own way?

Proverbs 20:24

So many of my plans for the months of March and April have changed. I’ve been tempted to feel frustrated and upset, but this verse and others remind me that God is the one paving my path, leading the way in my life. He is working in yours, too!

How are you nourishing your body and soul in this season?