Cooking Away Your Worries: Stress-Reducing Recipes
Cooking Away Your Worries: Stress-Reducing Recipes
Stress is something that we all experience in our daily lives. Whether it be work, family, or personal responsibilities, it can be overwhelming and take a toll on our mental and physical health. But did you know that cooking can actually help reduce stress? That's right, by focusing on creating delicious and nourishing meals, we can help alleviate our worries and find some peace of mind. Here are some stress-reducing recipes that will not only fill your stomach, but also nourish your soul.
1. Slow-Cooked Chicken and Vegetable Soup
There's nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of soup on a cold and stressful day. Slow-cooking the chicken and vegetables allows the flavors to meld together and create a nourishing broth that will soothe your mind and body. Plus, the aroma of this soup cooking will instantly lift your mood and make your home feel cozy and inviting.
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 cups chicken broth
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup frozen peas
Salt and pepper to taste
Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Shred chicken before serving and enjoy a warm and nourishing bowl of soup to melt away your worries.
2. Baked Sweet Potatoes with Avocado and Chickpea Salad
This simple and flavorful dish is packed with healthy fats, protein, and complex carbohydrates to keep you feeling full and satisfied. Avocado is rich in potassium and vitamin B, which can help reduce stress and anxiety. Plus, the combination of flavors and textures in this dish is not only delicious, but also therapeutic for the mind and body.
4 medium sweet potatoes
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 avocado, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Juice of 1 lime
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 400°F. Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until tender. In a separate bowl, mix together chickpeas, avocado, bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Once sweet potatoes are done, cut them open and stuff with chickpea and avocado salad. Serve as a filling and stress-reducing meal.
3. One-Pan Salmon and Vegetable Bake
One of the best ways to reduce stress is by minimizing the number of dishes we have to clean up. This simple one-pan meal not only saves you time in the kitchen, but also provides a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids from the salmon, which have been linked to reducing stress and anxiety.
4 salmon fillets
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
1 zucchini, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 small red onion, sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, toss together asparagus, zucchini, bell pepper, onion, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Spread vegetables evenly on a baking sheet and place salmon fillets on top. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until vegetables are fork-tender and salmon is cooked through. Enjoy a flavorful and stress-free meal with minimal clean-up.
Final Thoughts
Cooking can be therapeutic and a great way to reduce stress. By using simple and nourishing recipes like these, we can find some peace of mind and nourish our bodies at