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Friends, we are going through a time right now. All of us. I thought I might check in with you a little bit today. A Coronavirus pandemic chat. How are you? Have you lost your job? Wits? Home? A person? I want to know if you’re okay.
How I am doing right now
I am okay, but I feel very nervous. Actually, scared. We haven’t lost our jobs, so we are good on that. Our home is safe, and we have plenty of food. With all of that said, I have an autoimmune disease that is causing complications with the virus with people. I’m scared about that. It seems like we are okay, it seems like none of us have it. My husband is currently leaving the house once every 7 days for milk though…and I hold my breathe every time…for at least 5-6 days.
What I am doing to lower my anxiety
I am planting seeds in the garden and taking walks with my cat. It reminds me that life goes on and things still need to be done here on our farm. I’ve planted early Spring crops; potatoes, strawberries, and onions. Next weekend I’ll plant green beans, squash, tomatoes, and more. That will save trips to the store this summer and that makes me feel slightly in control. Only slightly though.
The orchard is blooming right now and that makes me hopeful that we will have fruit this summer. We bought this farm and have strived toward living a sustainable lifestyle for years…in anticipation of this moment in history. It feels scary but I am grateful we started this years ago.
I’m feeding the chickens and giving them lots of treats. I am grateful for the 6 eggs we get every day and that I can walk into my garden to get them rather than the grocery store.
Most of the day, I’ve been chasing the baby around. That doesn’t lower my anxiety but it takes my mind off things for the moment.
What I am cooking right now
I am using a lot of produce that needs to be cooked out of the refrigerator. Breakfast for the kids is a Nutrigrain bar, packet of oatmeal, or eggs over easy with toast. Eggs for my husband and I. I used to only eat egg whites but that seems like a waste now, so I just eat one egg. Sometimes, I make a family breakfast, like these Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins. They use pantry supplies and one apple, they are sugar free and low calorie which is a bonus right now.
Lunches have turned into whatever each of us has and likes. My husband likes ham sandwiches. The kids are eating boxed Mac and Cheese, I am eating whatever I can find but mostly vegetarian options. When I make family lunches they are always meatless like this yummy Instant Pot White Beans In Marinara Sauce. Even the kids loved this recipe. Or Vegetable Fried Rice at Home, that’s a favorite.
Dinner is always something decent, but honestly I don’t feel much like cooking. The other night at 8:00pm I dumped brown rice, chicken broth, frozen chicken thighs, and frozen broccoli into the Instant Pot and prayed. It was moment of exhaustion, a moment of not caring and just wanting to go to bed. I think my anxiety is exhausting me. Do you feel that way?
Shockingly, this chicken-dump-I-dont-care-meal was SO GOOD. I will post the recipe this week. It was the yummiest chicken and rice casserole you have ever had and that’s good news right now.
What I’m watching on TV during the Coronavirus pandemic
- Tiger King! OH EM GEE. Every five minutes this show on Netflix will have you saying “WHAT”?!?
- Ozark: Long awaited season three is here for me on Netflix
- Outlander: Still trying to catch up on the latest season of Outlander on Starz
- Hunters: Once I catch up on Ozark and Outlander this is our next choice on Amazon Prime.
How Can I Help You Right Now?
Let’s connect. Amy Cakes lives right here on the Internet and the Internet is still a safe place to be during the Coronavirus pandemic.
I excel at developing recipes and so that is my skill right now. I am good at cooking on a budget too. Can I put these skills together for you? Do you need budget friendly ideas to stretch your meals and your budget? Using what you have in your pantry? I can help you figure it out.
Leave a comment at the bottom of this post tell me what ingredients you have, tell me how much you can spend at the store and how many people you need to feed, I will help you put it together into meals.
Do you need to know where to start at the store? I wrote an article for this occasion Food To Stockpile In Your Pantry will get you started.
Need pantry recipe ideas? Read Staying In: Meal Ideas Using Food In Your Pantry
This Coronavirus pandemic chat gives you recipe ideas and gives me something to focus on and that helps both of us! Remember to leave your ingredients, budget, and number of people in the comments below!
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