Written, Illustrated and Photographed by Caitlin Quinn, Edited by Lucinda Parfett, Food by Adam Lau
There’s nothing worse than standing staring into the fridge, seeing your “newly clicked” shopping in front of you and having no idea what to eat. If you have been around online disability and chronic illness communities then you will be familiar with Christine Miserandino’s metaphor for energy for people with a chronic illness the spoon theory but here's a brief summary just incase! Every day you wake up with ten spoons, these spoons represent the energy to get you through the day. Take one off if you’re in pain, one off if you didn’t sleep well, now you have eight spoons to spend until you wake up next morning. You know you really want to call your friend on Messenger because you’ve set up a shielding catch up, and you need to take a shower- you reckon those will take three spoons each. Then you remember you haven’t eaten anything yet, so what can you make or find to eat with only two spoons? Well here are some suggestions…
Ginger Protein Balls
Description
One of my all-time favourite throw together energy boosters: These filling, sweet and sticky these no-cook protein balls are out of the cupboard and into your mouth in less than five minutes. If you’re lacking in spoons and need a quick snack, or if you’re in the mood to prep some food to stick in the freezer for later then why not try out the following recipe:
Ingredients
Oats
A handful of chia seeds
1 teaspoon of syrup
Margarine, coconut oil, the fat of your choice!
Ground ginger
Method
Mix all together with a wooden spoon
Squish them into balls
Put them in the fridge for a few minutes, or the freezer if you want to save them. Eat.
Fancy SMASH
Description You might be sceptical about this one, but give it a go. Smash, or any instant mashed potato is an underrated filler, create the easiest side dish ever or stick it in a bowl with your favourite greens and proteins. The bicarbonate of soda and margarine really make the difference, giving you a creamy texture. If you’re feeling really fancy you can squirt it through a piping bag to create the little swirls you see in the picture!
Ingredients
A pinch of bicarbonate of soda
A teaspoon of margarine
30g Smash powder per person
150ml boiling water per person
Method
Put your Smash powder into a heat proof bowl or jug. Add a pinch of bicarbonate of soda and a teaspoon pull of margarine. Pour in your boiling water, add it a little at a time and mix until it’s the consistency you like. Scoop it out onto your plate as a side dish, or stick a spoon right into the bowl for a quick snack. You can mix in any protein you like, some easy frozen greens cooked in the microwave or a bit of cheese if that fits your diet.
Jelly Cubes
Description
If you’ve ever been in a sports competition, there’s a fair bet that you’ve eaten a packet of jelly cubes! These make the perfect “in your pocket” pick me up. Keeping a packet on your bedside table for when you feel your sugar dropping could be a good shout too.
Ingredients
Packet of jelly cubes.
Method
Rip off a cube of jelly or two.
Eat them.
Spinach Cubes
Description An excellent dose of iron, and easy to chuck into any dish to add some green. Particularly convenient are the little frozen cubes because you get way more for your money and they keep in the freezer. Ingredients
Frozen spinach cubes
Method
Put water in a bowl, stick your spinach cube in it, microwave for a few minutes.
Drain
Add your spinach to anything you like, for example as a green topper to the grain bowl below.
Grain Bowl
Description
Get some fibre in your life without having to stay by the stove for twenty minutes. This grain bowl is perfect for a low spoon day when you need a proper meal and adding a few small embellishments makes it feel like you’ve whipped up a multi-part recipe.
Ingredients
Microwave grains
Handful of frozen peas
Tablespoon of hot water
Method Open up your microwave grains. Drop a handful of frozen peas into the packet, for an optional bit of opulence, add a tablespoon of margarine and spices or herbs of your choice. Run the tap till it’s hot or boil a kettle and add in about a tablespoon of hot water. Follow the microwave time on the side of the packet. Pour into your bowl and eat!
Fresh Ready Meal Pot
Description
Another option for a whole meal, you can get ready meals. If you have a bit of a search you can find pots with fresh ingredients you can cook in the microwave or on the hob, and ones like the Bol option here have pots can be recycled or reused. A slightly pricier, but fresh, version of our grain bowl above. There are different options for dietary requirements and budgets, so find what suits you!
Ingredients
A ready meal pot with fresh ingredients!
Method
Open the lid and put it back on loosely Heat for 2 minutes in microwave
Stir
Heat for another minute
Leave to rest
Remove lid and enjoy!
Are you going to give any of these a try? Let us know using the #LowSpoonFood and @ us on the socials to share your Low Spoon Food go-tos!
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