Is COVID 19 the new Freshman 15?
Comments Off on Is COVID 19 the new Freshman 15?Does everyone remember “Freshman 15” ? … those 15 (or more) pounds many students put on in first year university or college – because you were eating and drinking differently than when you lived at home. There was cafeteria food or you were making your own on a very limited budget (lots of pasta, not lots of fresh fruits and veggies). More likely it was from the beer or mixed drink consumption – way back in the middle ages we could use our residence meal cards for “gasp” alcohol. Note: back in the middle ages many first years were 19 or about to turn 19 years old.
So fast forward to 2020 and COVID 19 and sheltering in place. Are you eating differently than normal? I would suggest you are. There was a stat I saw on CBC news recently that said junk food consumption was up 67% for example – wowza
But what if this goes on for a long time (hopefully it won’t, but what if it does?)
Are you binging on more than Netflix? Will you still be able to wear button pants?
For people sheltering in place with a family – a disproportionate number of women are picking up meal prep for the family with the kitchen open 24/7 while working from home and juggling video conference schedules. They will be helping their school-aged kids with online lessons and concurrently doing childcare for the babies and toddlers, hopefully in tandem with their partner if there is a partner.
Some may be ordering food for delivery or pick up, but in trying to keep the times you go to the grocery store to a minimum, it may mean A LOT of food coming into your house at once – and if there are teenage kids or bored adults – that 2 weeks’ worth of food may be gone a lot faster than that.
So – what to do?
Number 1 – be kind to yourself! These are unprecedented times so there is no road map!
Number 2 – when you are on an airplane the flight attendant asks you to put your mask on first and then put it on your children. The same applies here in terms of making sure you are able to take care of others because you have taken of yourself. So, carve out a little time for meditation or light exercise or just a quiet moment
Number 3 – Be mindful. Are you eating because you are hungry or because you are bored or ?
Number 4 – Try some new recipes. Get your spouse and your kids involved. Maybe your friend just invited you to an online Recipe Exchange. Make a comprehensive list before you venture out to the grocery store. Try to be flexible if you can’t find everything (see earlier entry re unprecedented times)
Number 5 – There will be an after Covid 19. I hope you will have a new appreciation of a hug, your freedom to move around, the value of time – unscheduled time – for reflecting, thinking, imagining.
Inspired by the beets I found in our freezer (see my last blog!) which made a great side for:
Oktoberfest in April
- Roughly chop ½ large sweet onion. Sauté in 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Add turkey sausages to pan. Brown on all sides.
- Cut up and add an apple that has been languishing in your crisper (or use a new one lol)
- Add ½ jar of sauerkraut (or to taste)
- Let cook in pan until sausage is cooked thru and apples are soft.
- Stir in a big dollop of grainy mustard
- Serve hot over bed of rice.
Enjoy! and Be well!