3 Easy and Healthy Meal Ideas for the Covid School Year

As we have all come to find out, working from home while also trying to homeschool or do “distance-learning” for your children can be pretty intense. The chaos of trying to find a new routine amongst an overload of technology and some cooped-up, depressed kids is far from fun. Add making meals on top of that equation and you are primed for a melt down. I’ve put together a few ideas for meals that are quick to make but don’t sacrifice on quality to help make things run a tiny bit smoother.

Frozen Meals

If you have time to meal prep at night or on weekends, making some frozen meals that are easy to throw in the crock pot or oven will be a sanity saver during the school days. Think fun and versatile recipes like hawaian chicken tacos or beef ragu with leftovers that can be made into different meals. One day it’s tacos, the next you can use it in enchiladas. One day you might eat ragu on top of pasta, the day after you can throw it on some bread with melty cheese or crispy onions for a fun twist. If you don’t have time for meal prepping or want to stock your freezer with store bought meals for nights when you can’t even, I suggest any meal from Yaya’s Garden. They have both vegan and vegetarian options, are gluten-free, and don’t use any additives or preservatives. Their Greek classics are flavorful, healthy, and best of all, made super quick!

Instant Pot

If you don’t yet own one of these beauties, run out right now and purchase one. Because it will save you so. Much. Time. Like when you actually meal prep and are feeling pretty good about the dinner situation until 3pm rolls around and you realize you haven’t even thawed it yet? That’s when you break out the instant pot. It has saved me so many times, and I promise it will save you too–perhaps when you are trying to convince your teenager that posting a screenshot of their face in a virtual live Biology class (and then scrolling Instagram) does not count as class participation. The Instant Pot can also be used as a crock pot and several other functions, but if you already have a crock pot I would absolutely utilize that too. Just make sure you set an alarm to throw your meal in during the morning.

Support Local Business

It’s 2020. You’ve earned that take out. In all seriousness, restaurants are truly struggling during the pandemic. Many have had to lay off a plethora of employees, while others have had to close down all together. You can feel good about making one day a week or month the day you don’t have to worry about cooking. It can even be a fun game where different family members get to pick the restaurant on alternating days. If you can afford it, support local businesses while also getting the grace of a pre-made meal.

We are all trying to do the best we can and stay healthy during this wild time. Don’t forget to allow yourself a good cry every now and then. Maybe pick up a new self care act like reading in a bubble bath or meditating. When it comes to meals, go for easy and nutritious food. No judgment here if your freezer is suddenly brimming with Yaya’s Garden and you are single handedly keeping the local smoothie shop afloat. Do what you gotta do to create your new normal.