Tips for simplifying cooking

[EcstaticMarmalade]

I’m looking for ways to make cooking a bit easier. I have a chronic illness which means I tire easily.

In the past I used to batch cook things a lot to make things simpler, but I find that too tiring now. I can and do often cook double portions, either the full meal or one element to use the next day, but I have tried and failed repeatedly to do much more than that.

I also have autoimmune conditions which are partly managed through diet. That’s fairly complicated but in essence, no gluten, no dairy, no eggs, no red meat, no tomatoes and no onions/garlic as can trigger a flare. This means I can’t easily rely on prepared foods or get a meal kit subscription.

So lately I’ve getting into a bit of a rut based round toasties or something stir fried with rice (either packet or in rice cooker).

Any ideas?

I am so glad that this thread has helped you!

@EcstaticMarmalade I’m glad it’s been a positive experience overall, despite some of us really grappling with the breadth of the food restrictions!

I’m also coming to terms with limitations and finding the breadth of implications a bit tough. My retirement, when I get there, won’t look like I had hoped. It’s been an extra wrench on top of adjusting to a different present.

However, back to food! Could you live with a little chaos for a week? If you get your favourite allowable Ingredients out on the work surface, take a photo of perishables and leave the cupboard safe ones out- you’ll see at a glance what’s available to you.

I find the mind fog trying and can’t remember what I can make.

If I had an array of fish sauce, rice wine, ginger, lemongrass, rice noodles and water chestnuts out, I’d be pretty darn inspired!

Laksa is a favourite here- coconut curry on udon noodles.

Also, convenience wise- a bag of cooked shredded chicken in the freezer is handy. I often buy the Tesco frozen cooked chopped chicken so I can throw a handful in.

I’ve also found rice freezes well- though you need to shake it as it cools and freezes. DS loves rice so I always do loads and freeze the excess. Basmati, that is. I don’t know if other kinds work.

OP there is a lot of loss associated with this kind of thing and a natural process to feel grief for the things that you could once do or expected to be able to do.

The number of restrictions on what ingredients you can use and how you can cook them is really high and most of us would find it very hard. It's also a creative challenge to embrace which seems to be how you are approaching it.

Go gently with yourself. I have some health issues myself and have accessed psychological support (ie a therapist) to help me process the emotional side. Maybe this is something that might also help you.

So I found this on TikTok and made a comment which the creator responded very positively to. She has MCAS and can only eat two foods. Amazing creativity.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeafQueT/