Meals without cooking/blending? Help!

xidejungle

Hey guys! So I have a question and for would be eternally grateful for any advice, suggestions or tips! I posted this in another section but I'm not sure if it really belongs there or here honestly so I thought I would give both a try. So sorry if this isn't the right place! Now on to the actual topic:

My husband and I are recovering addicts (over 8 months clean) and are living in a couples shelter as a result of our addiction. This severely affects the way we eat and makes it so much harder to be healthy. The shelter serves 3 meals a day but more often than not, they are disgusting. Now, we do have our own room and own mini fridge so we do have our own foods such as oatmeal, cereal, granola bars, fruits, sometimes veggies and honestly, that's pretty much it. A lot of times we buy just what we're gonna have for the day because we are short on space with just a mini fridge.

We aren't allowed to cook which absolutely kills! So that by itself eliminates so many good, healthy meals. We also cannot have blenders (bye, bye homemade smoothies), hot pots, coffee machines (so depressing but I do buy coffee every morning outside but can't bring it in because we aren't allowed to bring in unopened bottles or fountain drinks! Insanity! They're so afraid that people will drink alcohol but they do it anyways, duh!) and we also cannot bring in cans, tins or glass bottles and like I said just a second ago, we also cannot bring in unopened bottles, fountain drinks, coffee, shakes or smoothies. So as you can imagine, it's tough to eat right, lose weight and enjoy your meals without spending a shitton of money that we don't have or else we wouldn't be living in a shelter.

So the question is: do you know of any good meals or foods that we can eat without cooking or blending? We can microwave but it is a bit of a hassle but I would definitely be willing of course.

We do have oatmeal, fruits, fruit salads, veggies, granola, but aside from a that, I'm honestly as a loss. I just don't know what else to make or have that isn't 1,000 calories per bite haha.

Thanks in advance!

CattOfTheGarage

I take it slow cookers aren't allowed? They'd be my solution of choice (or a multicooker, but slow cookers are cheaper) - but you mention "hot pots" being banned so I guess that includes slow cookers?

If a microwave is really your only option, there are actually a lot of recipes you can make in that, it's not my specialist subject but I'm sure there are blogs devoted to microwave cookery out there.

Also if you have boiling water you can make things like noodles and couscous,also basic soup with a stock cube and some finely chopped veg like peppers, carrots etc.

I'm going to have a think about this and will come back to you. It's a tough one.

CattOfTheGarage

You can certainly do baked potatoes in the microwave, and those make a good basis for a healthy meal - even just basic toppings like cheese and tuna are good, but you could also heat things like canned chilli or curry in the microwave to put on them.

CattOfTheGarage

Sorry, just noticed the no cans rule. This is really tough!

JaydedMiss

CattOfTheGarage wrote: »

Sorry, just noticed the no cans rule. This is really tough!

Surely you could go to dollar store grab some cheap containers to open anything in a can before you get home? Never said anything about food in containers not being allowed? maybe? Goodluck XD

GottaBurnEmAll

Cottage cheese with microwaved veggies?

H_Ock12

Maybe packs of sandwich meat and cheese, precooked chicken you could add to a salad, a rotisserie chicken from a local grocery store deli. Tuna in packets, instead of cans. Precooked boiled eggs. Heat in Bag veggies with rice from the frozen section. Precooked sausage patties, bacon, or burgers are things you could microwave.

lynn_glenmont

It seems like you have breakfast, snacks, and sides reasonably covered from your current list ("oatmeal, fruits, fruit salads, veggies, granola"). It seems to me like your biggest issue is proteins, which most people tend to get from foods they have to cook.

Canned Fish (tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel) can be eaten cold from the can the pouch and are good sources of protein, and if you buy small enough cans that the two of you can finish in one meal, you won't need to refrigerate leftovers. Mixing with mayo and chopped veggies like onion, celery, or bell pepper and making a sandwich is one way to go, although you could also stuff the seafood mix into a tomato or avocado half.

Lean deli/luncheon meats (turkey, ham, chicken) require refrigeration but no cooking. I often just eat them plain, but you can make a sandwich if you like. (Secret tip: commercial mayo and mustard do not require refrigeration for safety, assuming you only stick clean utensils in the jar to avoid cross-contamination -- refrigeration is for "best taste.")

Hummus (you can make your own with canned garbanzos and tahini, and mash by hand with a fork or potato masher for a slightly chunky version, but you can also buy it in refrigerated containers if you can make space in the mini fridge) -- you can either use it as a dip for veggies or spread it on regular bread, pita or other flat breads/bread thins, or crackers.

Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are good protein sources that don't require cooking, but will take some space in your mini fridge.

You can buy pre-boiled, shelled eggs in many grocery stores. I haven't tried them as I have a stove-top, and frankly don't find the convenience worth the cost, nor do I personally find them appetizing, but they keep selling them, so presumably some people find them worth it.

Also, for variety, you could try nut butters in pouches, greek yogurt (more concentrated protein per volume than traditional yogurt, so better for your mini fridge situation), or protein powders (or dried egg, powdered milk, or dried whey in pouches for baking as mix-ins for your oatmeal.


Edited because I missed the no-cans rule.

rosebarnalice

I applaud you for facing your addictions and trying to make healthy food choices! Canned veggies, bagged salad mixes, and whole fruits and veggies might help --particularly those that can be stored at room temperature like apples, oranges, and cherry tomatoes.

But I would also encourage you to give yourselves permission to focus on one thing at a time. Give yourself some time to "normalize" being clean and sober. It's ok to give yourself some slack in other areas and make that your focus right now. You CAN have a substance-free life; you WILL have a life after the shelter; you WILL have more than a minifridge again . . . . but the key to all of that is to first be in a place where clean and sober is normal. The rest will come. Give yourself time and permission to heal!

markrgeary1

I don't have anything to add(other folks mentioned). Congratulations on being sober, eight months is great. It's a long road but so worth it! You've probably seen what he!! is like, it keeps getting better all the time!

Duchy82

You can get hot cooked chicken from the supermarket and make a lovely salad to go with that. Most root vegetables are fine out of the fridge too and can be microwaved instead of boiled also good with that hot cooked chicken.

Buy tubs/cartons of soup to warm in the microwave and add some nice bread and butter. Butter doesn't need to be refrigerated.

A jacked potato from the microwave add baked beans or sour cream or cheese. Baked beans do come in plastic containers now (at least heinz do a plastic container).

Sandwiches of course, add deli meat and salad. I do a mean sandwich with coleslaw, beef from the deli, lettuce, cucumber, tomato and bell pepper it becomes a doorstop of a sandwich but is so good!

You can even do sponge cakes in the microwave it's more dense than from the oven but tastes pretty good, you may want to have a look online for microwave recipes I'm pretty sure there are quite a few options I'm just not that familiar with them.

CattOfTheGarage

Rotisserie chicken and salad is an excellent idea, and since you have a mini fridge you can keep the leftovers for sandwiches the next day. You could make that a weekly thing. With soup and baked potatoes, maybe noodles and couscous, that's at least a starting point for a healthy and affordable weekly menu, with lots of salad and raw veg to accompany.

If you want to take the raw edge off of things like peppers, carrots, green beans, try putting them in a bowl with boiling water and soaking for 2 or 3 minutes, this is called blanching and it makes them a little softer and better tasting (also more brightly coloured, which is nice) - they are still raw but a little nicer to eat and not completely cold.

It might be too much of a challenge, at least at first, to actually lose weight, but if you aim to maintain for now then that will leave you some room to try different things and see what works for you.

StellaNova72

Wal-Mart has some great premade salads and sandwhiches and you can get a plate of hot cold food with some healthy options.
Also if you can microwave there are some frozen dinners that are healthy with natural ingredients.
Sounds like you are doing great, fresh fruits like apples and cuties require no refrigeration.
Nuts are healthy if eaten in moderation which is hard for me. Also avocados can ripen and have good fats.
What about some protein bars? Good for snacks and carnation instant breakfast to go with your fruit or oatmeal.
Good Luck!

hablondi

I don't have any advice, but I just wanted to say congratulations for getting clean. My father was an addict. It eventually killed him. I know how difficult your journey has been and I applaud you for the effort that it took to get where you are and wish you all the best in the future.

CattOfTheGarage

I came across this article and thought you might find some of the ideas helpful, especially the one about cooking in a food flask:

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/how-to-cook-without-a-kitchen-produce-a-hot-meal-every-night-with-only-a-kettle-and-a-thermos-flask-a6747291.html?amp?client=ms-opera-mobile

My word, that's a long url

CajunCher2005

Microwaves can cook just about anything you want (except toast), and usually with less hassle than conventional ovens or pots and pans. Example - Rice: Two parts water, one part rice. Cook at 50% power for 17 minutes. Fruits and vegetables can be eaten raw. Or perhaps you should volunteer to help out with cooking the meals the shelter provides to make better meals.

courtneyfabulous

I like the Fage brand individually portioned Greek yogurt that comes with fruit to mix in (peach, blueberry, and strawberry are the best flavors). Maybe you can have that for a good low calorie protein source and sweet treat?

Raw veggies that come pre-cut and a container of hummus?

For fast food chipotle is pretty healthy if you do burrito bowls.

Sushi is also pretty healthy, some grocery stores sell it in the prepared foods section so that's cheaper than going to a restaurant for it

They sell frozen pre cooked rice that can be microwaved for a quick side- no rice cooker needed. It comes in a box but inside that the rice is in smaller plastic pouches, so if you remove the pouches they might fit in the freezer part of your mini fridge- or just refrigerate them and eat within a few days.

Seasoned ready to eat tuna comes in foil pouches, that might be good on crackers or with your salad. Look where they sell the canned tuna, it's in the same section.

Beef or turkey jerkey

Dried fruit

Apples, bananas, tangerines

Bagged popcorn or pop chips

Dried seaweed snacks

Canned soups (surely you're allowed soup and a can opener??)

Potatoes! They store well at room temperature in a cupboard and you can cook them in the microwave in 6 to 7 minutes- just microwave the whole potato (no need to poke it or cut it first) on a plate on high for 3 minutes, then flip over and do another 3 minutes. Use a fork or knife to pierce it in the middle and check for doneness- if the knife goes all the way through easily it's done, if it gets stuck or feels hard inside microwave for another minute or 2. Red potatoes only take about 4 minutes total, sweet potatoes sometimes take a little longer.

Cottage cheese is high in protein but low in calories- it's good on top of your microwaved potato or some rice cakes.

kshama2001

CajunCher2005 wrote: »

Microwaves can cook just about anything you want (except toast), and usually with less hassle than conventional ovens or pots and pans. Example - Rice: Two parts water, one part rice. Cook at 50% power for 17 minutes. Fruits and vegetables can be eaten raw. Or perhaps you should volunteer to help out with cooking the meals the shelter provides to make better meals.

Yes, I would totally volunteer in the kitchen if this were me. I've received a lot of enjoyment from volunteer work over the years.

@xidejungle - can you describe the food that is available to you at those three meals you get at the shelter? Sometimes there are ways to tweak what's available to make it fit better into your goals.

Also, when I was in Boot Camp I found the food disgusting but I survived it and lost 20 or so pounds