Graphic by Anjali Rao-Herel ‘22
By Woodlief McCabe ’23
Staff Writer
Staple Meal
If you’re living at home again, or even living in your own place off-campus, making sure you eat well and often may seem like an unattainable goal. There are plenty of ready-made single-serving meals out there that you can microwave or pour boiling water over — but you already knew that, you’re a college student.
These Troubling Times have thrown us unexpectedly from the coddling arms of the educational institution to the cold harsh world of Getting Groceries Every Week? Oh My God, When Does It End?
One of the best ways to survive is off of leftovers. What you’re going to want to do is make a large helping of a meal, preferably something simple that will last in the fridge. I make several cups of rice seasoned with lemon pepper and a little tomato paste for color and flavor. I heat up some beans, put it in a bowl with cheese, tomatoes, sour cream and avocado (if I just got paid). It’s filling, tasty and contains the major food groups. Once you’re done, put the rest in the fridge and all you have to do is heat it up when you’re hungry.
Keeping rice on hand is a lifesaver. If your vegetables are about to go bad, throw them in a stir fry with the rice and an egg, and boom! Fried rice. A pot of soup is also a great choice. Be sure to eat bread or rice with it to feel fancy and make the meal more substantial.
Bonus tip: dipping pretty much any toasted bread in olive oil will make you feel like you’re a European aristocrat and not someone sitting in their kitchen eating four slices of bread for dinner.
Go Find a Dog
“Go for a walk, get out in nature, go outside!” These are things we always hear when it comes to self-care. And while they are admittedly effective, motivation can be hard to come by. Sometimes it feels like wandering aimlessly outside doesn’t make sense, especially when there are plenty of things to do inside. Instead, make a partial plan. You can run an errand, or find a place to stop and make art, or take photos or eat lunch. If you’re stressed out, sometimes the solitude of just leaving your house spontaneously can really help get your head back on straight.
The other great thing about the outside is that there are dogs there.
Figure out where people in your area walk their dogs. You might live near a trail or a walking path. Parks are usually a great spot since you can stop and watch all the dogs come through the park. As long as you have a mask on, a good portion of people will let you pet their dogs or even throw a ball or frisbee for them. Make sure to always ask before you pet the dog, and hold out the back of your hand for them to sniff first.