Cooking for One • Easy Meals for One that Nourish You

Do you like to cook? Now that I’ve got the time I will happily make a yummy meal for me and my husband. But when I’m home on my own… honestly? Forget about it.

For years, when the kids were home and I was working,

cooking was another chore that was unappreciated. I used to swear that if I ever lived alone, I’d happily eat toast for every meal.

And the truth is… I could.

And I do ~ on the days I’m home alone, toast has been my go-to: quick, simple, comforting. And when I don’t feel that hungry, a piece of toast literally keeps the migraine at bay.

But my gut is not loving this new routine.

So I started researching small ways to keep my tummy happier — without turning cooking into a big production.

It was quite an insight actually.

I realised I’ve always made sure my family had nourishing, yummy meals for their growth, development, and well being… but I haven’t given myself that same care.

Now that I’m in my 50s, my body is changing again. Menopause (honestly… what a witch ~ and not a nice one) has brought its own growth, development and wellness issues. While my menopausal foggy brain enjoys the benefits of having toast for most meals. My menopausal body does not.

So here are a couple of gentle, realistic changes I’ve been making on the days I’m cooking just for me — in case they help you too. Let’s treat ourselves with the same love and care we’ve given everyone else in our life. What a revelation.

Here's whats been working for me lately.

Breakfast: Toast + Scrambled Eggs & Veg

I still have toast ~ just a smaller slice. Then I add:

* 2 eggs

* 1 cup of cooked veggies from the night before

* a small dob of butter

I scramble it all together, then add chopped parsley and seasoning at the end.

This actually makes two breakfasts for me. It’s filling, and I find I eat it slowly — which really suits an anxious, upset tummy.

I forgot to buy cucumber, so I added extra spinach

Lunch: Greek-ish Chickpea Salad (1 light main serve)

Ingredients

* ⅓ cup chickpeas (about 80 g drained)

* ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (about 8–10)

* ⅓ cup capsicum, diced

* 1 tbsp red onion, very thinly sliced (optional)

* ½ Lebanese cucumber

* 4 olives, sliced (optional)

* 20 g feta (about 1 heaped tbsp crumbled)

Dressing

* 2 tsp olive oil

* 2 tsp lemon juice

* a pinch of dried oregano

* pinch of salt + black pepper

(Or I use the last of a Greek salad dressing jar I have in the fridge ~ no shame in that!)

Quick method
:

Rinse chickpeas, toss everything together, and let it sit for 5 minutes.

This is scrumptious, and even if it does take a little longer to prepare than toast, I feel full and content... like I am fueling and caring for my body instead of depleting it.

So I am on a little mission to find more meals for one. I'll keep you updated. And if you have an easy meal you love, I would truly love to hear it.

Remember, let's treat ourselves as important as we've treated everyone else in our life,

Melissa