How to eat healthy when physically distancing

During times of uncertainty, it feels overwhelming to go about our normal routines, let alone adapt to the ever-changing environment and necessary habits during this COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re feeling drained and losing the motivation to stay healthy, we’re right there with you. Here’s how we are tackling thorny issues, such as how to cook healthy food and stay safe at crowded supermarkets.

Please leave a comment to share your tips.

UPDATES: (April 3, 2020) Switched from social distancing to physical distancing. The Foodist Kitchen’s course is no longer available for free. (September 21, 2020) Changed our grocery shopping habits based on the CDC guidelines.

Does your face start to itch the moment you step into a grocery store?

This problem and many others, like how to hoard food without screwing your neighbors over too much, are novel questions we haven’t grappled with before and feel inappropriate to discuss. Well, no such restrictions exist here at Garlic Delight. And while we are panicked about COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) and observing strict self-quarantining measures, we’re also trying to maintain a physically and mentally healthy lifestyle.

I almost didn’t write this post because there are already too many coronavirus articles on the Internet and too many PR-sounding, robotic emails from companies telling me how they’re handling the pandemic. But then I noted that I got a lot of relief from discussing very serious questions with friends, like “how do I buy food safely?” and “what are you baking to cheer up?” or “are you buying VTI right now?”.

So I want to continue the discussion with you, dear Garlic Delighters, with tips on how to survive and thrive during these uncertain times whether it’s about food (how to cook when access to ingredients is limited), loneliness (that was me when I herniated my disc and was stuck in bed for 1 to 2 years), or how to work from home (been doing it for years).

Please add your comments to share your tips on how to shop, cook, and dodge passersby on the sidewalk when they walk within 6 feet of you.

CAUTION: You already know I’m not in the healthcare field. So none of this advice is medical information. You should consult the CDC’s website and your healthcare professionals if you have medical questions or feel symptoms and need medical attention.

How do I keep buying the food I normally buy?

Buy it from your local grocery stores which are staying open because they are considered essential businesses. The U.S. supply chain is a miracle. Somehow, the supply chain still runs at full force, stocking the empty shelves within hours to days (at the worst-case scenario).

If you’re not finding the food items that you normally buy at your local supermarket, consider a supermarket farther away. Look into alternative or unconventional grocery stores, including the following:

• CSAs: Some deliver to your front door or have convenient pickup locations
• Farm stands
• Cafes/restaurants: My friend’s local donut shop is turning into a grocery and produce distribution store
• “Ethnic” grocery stores: Asian grocery stores are a great source of beans, rice, and soy sauce which are cheap, shelf-stable ingredients.
• Target: Target offers free delivery if you purchase over $35 of goods. Target sells grocery items and household staples like toothpaste.

Many restaurants remain open even if they are only doing delivery and takeout service.

RELATED: How to make your groceries last a month or longer with tips on storage.

How do I avoid crowded supermarkets?

Here are the CDC tips for grocery shopping, running essential errands, and delivery/takeout.

• Grocery delivery services
• Curbside pickup: I discovered our Safeway allows you to purchase items online and pick them up in-store.
• Visit local smaller corner stores: Your local fruit shop or butchery is probably less crowded because they don’t carry household items. Plus, supporting local businesses is awesome right now, if you can.
• Visit “rural” grocery stores: I discovered the grocery store in “rural” Boulder still has flour and yeast thanks to my neighbors on Nextdoor. It’s an extra 15 minutes drive from downtown.
• Go during off-peak hours: When we called Whole Foods, the customer service desk told us to come from 11 am to 3 pm on a weekday.
• Call ahead: We call before leaving home to ask if there is a line outside waiting to get in. You should also ask when the restricted times are so you don’t show up when the store is only open to seniors and those who are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
• Check Google: Google tells you the time when high-traffic stores like Whole Foods and Costco have the most people.
• Buy more food when you’re at the store: If you’re buying enough for 1-2 weeks, then you can go less frequently. But avoid hoarding so your neighbors can get food too.
• Avoid tiny stores if it looks like they’re not practicing social distancing: Yeah, I know this one is controversial. We want to support local businesses too. But we avoid going to stores that are smaller in square footage and where people tend to be packed more closely because the store isn’t enforcing social distancing.
• Ask neighbors for help: My neighbors on Nextdoor tipped me off to the Lucky’s that still has yeast. Try texting your neighbors to see if they’ve spotted elusive ingredients on supermarket shelves.

How do I protect myself at the supermarket?

According to the CDC, COVID-19 spreads via respiratory droplets. Person-to-person contact appears to be the most common and efficient way for the virus to spread. Therefore, the most important factor is to keep a distance at the grocery store and avoid touching your face while in the store.

I found the following advice helpful in deciding how to protect Alex while he is shopping at the grocery store.

• NPR on social distancing
• NPR grocery shopping tips & FAQ
• Vox’s guide on grocery shopping

CAUTION: Again, we’re not epidemiologists so follow the CDC’s advice first!!! We’re simply explaining what we’re doing but it doesn’t mean it is the best thing for you.

Preparing to go shopping

• Carefully curate a shopping list: We don’t want to loiter. Having a shopping list that is organized by sections of the grocery store makes shopping more efficient (household items like dish detergent and trash bags are listed next to each other whereas fruits and vegetables are together). Our shopping list →
• Create a list based on general categories rather than precise items: While I like to put items like avocados and ginger on the shopping list, I know that we can’t afford to be picky. So if the precise item is missing, Alex knows to buy any fresh fruits and vegetables that he can find. Same with canned foods and noodles. Maybe there’s no ramen, but you can buy pasta.
• Keep at least 6 feet of distance in the store: We park further away if necessary and line up at least 6 feet away from the nearest person if possible.

While shopping

• Avoid touching our faces: No matter how bad it itches. And it will itch like crazy. (There’s conflicting information on wearing masks so we’re still evaluating it.)
• Buy what we need and don’t hoard: We buy as many fresh fruits and vegetables as we can. We buy shelf-stable foods that we know we will eat. Never eaten canned sardines before? I’m not sure now is the time to start. Everything we buy, we know we will eat eventually anyway and I’ll find a way to cook it.
• Keep physical distance: Stay at least 6 feet/2 m away from all people if possible.

How do I order less takeout food?

Learn to cook more at home 🙂

The rest of this post is all about how to get started, as painlessly as possible.

What if I don’t have the equipment to cook food?

Here’s the basic equipment I use to cook:

• Essential
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Frying pan
  • Saucepan
  • Spatula
• Optional
  • Tongs
  • Fine-tooth grater, a.k.a. zester or Microplane if using the brand name
  • Big soup pot
  • Scissors
  • Slotted spoon
  • Ladle
  • Can opener

With about a dozen items of equipment (and bowls, plates, cups, of course), you can make most of the recipes I detail on Garlic Delight. Luckily, most cans these days are designed with a self-opening lid 😉

If you want to be successful at cooking, then these extra items are helpful:

• Colander
• Oven thermometer
• Meat thermometer
• Baking sheets
• Kitchen scale

How do I eat healthier?

If you’re on a restaurant food diet or a company food meal plan for lunch and dinner, you aren’t used to making food for yourself.

Start by eating frozen meals and make a salad to go with it. Or order takeout meals and food delivery from healthier restaurants. My friends are eating more salads, grain bowls, Chinese food (veggie stir fries and vegetable stews).

Then consider learning to cook one meal a week. Start small and simple. Don’t overwhelm yourself.

Try techniques like boiling, pan frying, and baking because they’re easy and less complex than stir frying and braising. Gradually increase complexity if you decide you like cooking.

How do I get inspiration for what to cook?

This is the perennial problem most home cooks have. Check out this guide on where to find cooking inspiration.

Where do I find good recipes?

I ranted about how to find a good recipe with key criteria to keep an eye out for (e.g. missing ingredients, reviews, precision).

How do I start cooking for the first time as an adult?

Many of my friends get fed at work because they work for fancy tech companies. They have colleagues who are learning how to cook for the first time because many knowledge workers are lucky enough to be able to work from home. But this means no lunch and dinner ready to eat.

There are so many free resources to teach you how to cook as a beginner. Run a quick Google search and you’ll find videos and websites from the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Bon Appetit, New York Times, and Youtube stars. The Foodist Kitchen is offering its cooking course for free with the promo code covid. (Update: the Foodist Kitchen course is available for sale.)

Pick a personality or an outlet who doesn’t irritate you and try a few of the techniques they teach.

If you need more help or advice, email me and I can teach you to cook: anna@garlicdelight.com.

Here are some simple, almost-no cook recipes you can start with.

And simple drinks you can make at home.

What food should I cook while stuck at home that I normally wouldn’t have time for?

If you have plenty of time and want to tackle a complex dish that you typically wouldn’t have space in your life to try, check out these recipes:

What recipes can I make to feel happier?

Here are my favorite foods that never fail to cheer me up or provide a sense of comfort:

Plus, any noodle dish on this planet. Seriously, I’m at the point of eating plain noodles with butter, salt, and chili sauce on them.

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Our food shopping list

In addition to following the CDC’s recommendation for social distancing when we go shopping, here is our shopping list so you can see what we’re buying:

• Tofu
• Ground meat (bison, beef)
• Cured meat (prosciutto, sausage)
• Seafood (smoked salmon, shrimp, frozen fish)
• Cheese (mozzarella, raclette, goat, mont d’or, reblochon, comté, gruyère, morbier, brie)
• Vegetables (green beans, broccoli, romaine lettuce, potato, bell peppers, carrots)
• Fruits (avocado, cherries, apples, mandarins, oranges, lemons)
• Aromatics (ginger, onion, garlic, green onions)
• Frozen vegetables
• Frozen fruits
• Ready-made frozen foods (wontons)
• Eggs
• Milk
• Heavy whipping cream
• Butter
• Yogurt
• Broth (bone broth, chicken, vegetable)
• Canned food (canned tomatoes, spam, sardines)
• Shelf-stable staples (flour, olive oil, canola oil, salt, noodles, beans, popcorn kernels)
• Soy milk
• Snacks (beef jerky, macadamia nuts, dried mango)
• Coffee
• Oatmeal
• Protein bars
• Chocolate
• Vanilla

I found this Vox article very helpful for modifying my typical shopping list to include a few preparedness items I forgot to buy like acetaminophen/paracetamol. I also added a few luxuries that I normally wouldn’t buy to boost my morale. These include prosciutto, dried mango, vanilla (Alex puts it in his milk), and heavy whipping cream.

TIP: We’re noticing ginger and a few other spices are not available. I’m wondering if it’s because a lot of the ginger supply comes from China and many countries are temporarily limiting or shutting down exports. I freeze ginger and grate it very finely. This stretches the little ginger I have left. I’ll switch to onions and garlic soon once I run out of ginger. Powdered ginger is an option but not for stir frying. Garlic powder tastes almost as good as fresh garlic, except not recommended for stir frying.

What we are doing for cooking

Here are our go-to dishes that I routinely make because they’re “template” recipes that allow easy substitution. They also require less mental energy to make than tackling a brand new recipe where I need to learn the ins and outs.

• Hamburgers with caramelized onions and ketchup/tomato sauce.
• Vegetables with chopped up hot dogs
• Spruced up pasta sauce with sausage
• Braised lamb, chuck, tofu, and chicken wings
• Thai curry
• Hoki filets from New Zealand cooked in butter
• Baked salmon with lemon slices
• Fried eggs with gruyère (like a lazy version of raclette)
• Stir fries
• Noodles (pasta, Korean sweet potatoes noodles, Chinese rice noodles, mung bean glass noodles, Nongshim Shin ramen, Mamas, Indomie Mi Goreng, Maggie’s…and then once I got desperate, I went to Top Ramen, Maruchan)
• Oatmeal
• Crustless quiche lorraine

I urge you to find your go-to dishes that don’t require extra learning so you can cook without stressing out, which inevitably happens when you’re learning a new recipe.

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Staying mentally healthy

I’m so blessed I’m not on the frontlines as healthcare workers and grocery store clerks are. Thank you all being society’s heroes by keeping us alive.

A huge part of feeling motivated to cook and eat healthfully is having the mental energy to do these tasks.

The anxiety and uncertainty around COVID-19 zaps my mental energy, making it hard to focus on work, go outside for exercise, and even keep up producing new and fresh articles on Garlic Delight. We’re taking action to fix this.

How do I protect my mental energy?

We did a “staycation” last weekend. It was 2 calm days of hanging out in pajamas, eating whatever I want, watching Rick and Morty. I made a marbled chocolate cheesecake, which was the highlight of the weekend. This staycation might not sound like much but the absence of news gave me a huge mental lift.

Back to reality now, I make my bed every morning because any semblance of routine helps me feel more in control.

Working from home advice

Michelle at Money Hungry has great financial advice and helpful context for thinking about the pandemic. Melissa at Imagination Soup has advice on activities to go with kids, some of which are exciting pastimes for adults too. Hopefully these resources help you if you’re worried about work during these times.

NPR’s Life Kit has great advice on how to work from home and generally surviving social distancing.

Since I began working from home in 2015, I write a weekly report where I record my top 3 goals for the week, the things I accomplished that week, and my top 3 goals for next week. This report is helpful for personal accountability and, frankly, helps others learn what I’m up to and get credit for the work I do.

Nick at Macheesmo shared that Prof. Laurie Santos has a course called The Science of Well-Being from Yale that you can take for free. You can also check out her podcast The Happiness Lab.

The book that has given me the most solace is a little-known book called The Great Depression: A Diary by Benjamin Roth. This first-hand experience of living through the Great Depression helps me understand how it feels to live with uncertainty everyday while the stock market bounces like a yo-yo and there is mass unemployment.

Another big help for preserving mental energy has been to stop reading news headlines and refreshing the news app on my phone and computer.

Where we get our news from today

Alex has mostly restricted himself to reading Wikipedia and looking at the coronavirus global cases map visualization by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) after becoming anxious and twitchy from checking Google News headlines every 15 minutes.

I like to listen to podcasts for my news updates. NPR’s Coronavirus Daily, Planet Money, Politics Podcast, KCRW’s Left Right and Center, Vox’s The Weeds, and many more. We’re trying to focus on hard news and not on opinion pieces, which can be stressful and filled with misinformation.

Humor is also helping. The late show hosts like Stephen Colbert (or Colb-Air) and Trevor Noah are filming monologues from home, and the uplifting laughs combined with informative updates make a big difference. Alex introduced me to Jesse Appell today, and it’s incredible plus hilarious.

What we are doing for entertainment

NPR links to free things that weren’t free before coronavirus.

I’m listening to upbeat music. I haven’t broken out the Christmas playlist yet…but I’m close. Here are free music resources as well as (new to me) artists and songs that I’m discovering for the first time. They provide a cheerful lift:

• Buddy Holly: Anything from Buddy Holly is awesome and happy, especially Everyday
• John Oates: I’m enjoying his Arkansas album
• NPR’s All Songs Considered
• NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts

What we are doing for exercise

• Walking outdoors
• Biking outdoors
• Our YMCA has free Youtube videos with workouts. I imagine a quick search will surface plenty of workouts you can follow along at home
• The custom workouts that my physical therapist designed for me

What we are doing for social connection

• Calling friends!
• Talking to family
• Joining virtual meetups

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