Life In Self Quarantine-Food And Nutrition
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Okay y'all, I am not gonna lie, but my heart skipped several beats when I read about Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath’s statement about a possibility of these 2 week-emergency school holidays turning into a yearlong holiday.
But with this nasty virus spreading like it is, it does seem likely that the ‘social distancing’ is going to last beyond a couple of weeks and for good reason.
Now, I was mentally prepared for two weeks of fun, sleeping in and entertainment, but looks like we will be rearranging our lives around school closures and local outbreak situations.
Nevertheless! We power on.
So, this week I will not be talking about what the COVID19 is, or how it spreads. There are many registered sources who can talk more accurately on the basics.
Instead, I will cover the "surviving at home during self-quarantine" aspect of it all. What can you, as a parent, do to ensure your family is as equipped as possible?
What Do We Do?
First and foremost is to build some immunity. At a time like this, you don’t want yourself or your children to become victims to the seasonal flu or allergies of any kind. Having to visit the emergency room right now would be a nightmare.
So, how do we improve immunity? Is there a pill I can pop and become immune to viruses and bacteria? Well, I wish there was.
There is no quick way towards it. But we have time, don’t we?
Find below three sure-shot ways to boost internal strength and protect your family from the COVID-19 and other illnesses.
Proper And Wholesome Nutrition
Why are my kids asking for food all the time ?! Is it just my kids or do yours also hunt for snacks the whole day?
This could be because of two reasons:
They aren't getting proper nutrition from the food they eat.
They just bored.
Ask yourself if your children are getting all the required macros in their daily meals. Make sure to include adequate amounts of fat, protein and fiber to your child's breakfast so they stay satiated for long.
Some healthy and filling options are: Nut/seed butter, chick peas, whole grains, cheese , eggs , fresh fruit and milk or milk substitutes.
Stay Away From Processed Foods
Proper and wholesome nutrition is the best way to arm your body from the inside, so it is fit to fend for itself. You will not get this from the highly processed canned and packaged foods that you've been hoarding from Walmart. Please folks! It is a temporary situation; we are not preparing for war. Stop stockpiling! Leave some for everyone else.
Processed foods not only rob you off real nutrition, they are also teeming with additives like artificial flavors, colors and preservatives. Not to mention added sugars. Young kids are especially sensitive to additives i.e. their little bodies react more severely to processed food.
A bowl of Kellogg's Frosties for breakfast on an empty stomach will only lead to little bodies and brains getting a dose of sugar first thing in the morning. What happens next, I think all of us would like to avoid!
What Do We Do?
Try your best to prepare home cooked meals that do not include foods with additives. Substitute canned chickpeas (how long do canned chickpeas last?) with a bag of dried chickpeas that you can soak overnight and cook the next morning.
Pancakes for breakfast? Blend some steel-cut oats (how long do oats last?) into flour, add eggs, baking powder, (how long does baking powder last?) buttermilk, and ripe mashed bananas and you have a perfectly unadulterated and nutritious morning meal!
Make Use Of Herbs And Spices
Traditional southern Tex-Mex cooking uses a generous amount of spices and herbs to make dishes heartier and more wholesome.
The typical Tex-Mex spice mix is a fine combo of spices that heal your body.
Cumin aids in digestion and improves your blood flow. Garlic is a powerful natural antihistamine. Ginger is magical for colds and tummy aches and it also helps counter nausea. Oregano fights off viruses and bacteria (AHA!) and eliminates free radicals.
Make your own Tex-Mex spice mix so you're sure about what is in there and how much. Add them to your stews, soups, tacos, and quesadillas for a restorative touch!
Golden Milk
My kids love Golden Milk. It’s plain milk added with a pinch of turmeric and black pepper powder. Turmeric is an anti-oxidant and the pepper helps activate the curcumin in the turmeric.
You can add some raw honey for sweetness. Golden milk is my go-to for treating colds, dry coughs, and allergies.
So these were my top tips to keep your family safe and healthy at home during this tough time. Share your tips in the comments below and stay tuned for my next piece , Life in Self-Quarantine; how to keep the kids busy!
