Do you ever feel like you don’t want to cook? Everyone has the odd day when they can’t be bothered. However, with depression, you may never have the motivation to cook. Although living off takeaways may be tempting, it clearly isn’t good for our bodies or mental health.
We’re going to explore 17 holistic tips, which are both practical and spiritual. This is because the Lord God cares about us and gives us strength through His Holy Spirit to accomplish whatever aligns with His will.
1. Pre-prepared frozen foods
You can find a large variety of pre-prepared vegetables in the freezer section of your local supermarket.
No longer limited to frozen peas, you can find sliced onions and garlic and sliced vegetables ready for the oven. You can buy frozen fish, which you can pop straight into the oven or microwave.
2. Pre-prepared fridge foods
These options are generally more expensive than the frozen options, but you can buy a wide range of pre-prepared vegetables, mashed potatoes, meatballs (just put in the oven) etc.
3. Choose ready meals wisely
Some ready meals are high in fat, salt and sugar, but not all of them. Some supermarkets sell options specifically branded as a healthier choice. Iceland sell Slimming World ready meals.
4. Design your own ready meal
Have a few quick meals up your sleeves – preferably made with store cupboard ingredients, so they are always ready to go.
For example:
Pasta in tomato sauce (bonus points if you can be bothered to chuck in some frozen veg!)
Couscous & falafel
Jacket potato & beans/cheese/tuna
Tinned soup and bread
5. Keep it simple
Search for ‘quick and easy recipes’ or ‘5 ingredient dinners’ and build up your list of low effort recipes.
6. Make it a competition
Set a timer and prepare as many healthy foods for your plate as you can in that time.
One of my favourite ways to do this is to make a pasta salad. I can only prepare things to go with it while the pasta is cooking. The moment the pasta is ready, I have to stop. You may be surprised by the amount you can do in 10 minutes.
7. Ask for help
God made us for community with one another, and there is something beautiful about seeing that lived out. So if you’re having a rough day/week/month or can see stress points coming up, put aside your pride and ask if someone can make a meal or two for you.
8. Change your thinking
Do any of the below sentences help your attitude? What could you tell yourself?
God has blessed me with a kitchen, fridge, knives, electricity etc. I get to use those
God has given me the ability to make food, so I’m going to use that gift
God has given me a family/friends to serve, so I will push on to show how I care for them
I don’t want to cook, but I can cook and I will cook
9. Take one step at a time
If cooking feels like too much effort, just do a step at a time…
Choose something you would make if you could be bothered to cook.
Put the ingredients on the worktop.
You’re practically halfway there now, so you may as well prepare the ingredients.
It’s not too hard to chuck everything in a pan/casserole dish, so you may as well do that.
… You’ll have a meal before you know it!
10. Cook things you really want to eat
If you have a craving for mac and cheese, don’t make a curry. Think about your end goal (of the food you want) and you’ll be more motivated to cook.
11. Cook in bulk
Yes, we’re back to the topic of ‘the freezer is my friend’. When you’re in a better place, bulk or batch cooking is an easy way to build up your ready to go freezer foods. If you freeze meat-free foods, you don’t have to be as worried about the defrosting process too.
12. Use kitchen appliances
I love using my slow cooker. The sense of satisfaction in knowing the evening meal is all sorted just after lunch is great.
I also have a rice cooker, which is brilliant for easing my anxiety about getting everything ready at the same time.
I know people who wouldn’t be without their food processor, instant pot or soup maker.
13. Don’t compare yourself to others
Your Instagram friend may have just posted a photo of their five-course extravaganza. But your beans on toast is an achievement for you. Besides, at the end of the day, everybody’s fed. Plus, you’re less likely to get indigestion!
14. Have a sense of humour
When my depression was severe, my basic memory and decision-making skills went out the window. So when you can’t remember why you diced an onion, why you’re holding the fridge door open or whether to use the red or yellow pepper, try laughing at yourself and not take yourself too seriously.
15. Set realistic expectations
You wouldn’t expect to run a marathon just after getting the cast removed from your broken foot. Likewise, don’t expect to be an extraordinary chef while you are mentally ill.
16. Pray
Pray for motivation and strength. God gives us the strength we need when we trust Him and ask him to help.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
17. Show yourself grace
Your plans don’t work out. Your healthy meal turned into a takeaway pizza. If you (and anyone you are responsible for) have eaten, then call it a success. Brush off the disappointment and have another go tomorrow.
Our value is not in our cooking prowess or organisation skills, but our value is in Christ, who loves us and died for us while we were still sinners.
What are some of your favourite meals for those can’t-be-bothered days? Let me know in the comments .
Dear pagesofhope.co.uk webmaster, Thanks for the comprehensive post!
You’re welcome! Thanks for the encouragement!