If you're a stay-at-home mother,
there must be a mountain of things to do on every day. For one, you have at
least one other person you are taking care of. In addition to that is the
abundance of house chores that greet you the moment you wake up.
Still, despite the busyness and
stress of being a mom, many little joys come with the job. One of them is being
in the loving company of your family. Another is the relaxing joy of
experimenting with new dishes in the kitchen.
When the pandemic struck, it
became all the more important to pay attention to the things you eat. The
immune system is tied to our diets, after all. Unfortunately,
it may also be draining your creative cooking juices.
One tip for moms who are stuck? Cook more eggplant dishes.
Why Eggplant, of All Things
There are so many other
ingredients to highlight, so why eggplant? Aside from the fact that the
vegetable is a delicious addition to a great variety of dishes, it also has a
number of great benefits for you and your family.
It is a versatile ingredient
Eggplant seems almost like a
magic vegetable because it works with everything. For breakfast, you can cook
it with egg as Tortang Talong and eat it with your favorite brand of fish sauce. You can even turn it into Adobo or
Ensalada for lunch or dinner.
Aside from the many dishes that
you can make with it, you can also use it as a meat substitute, believe it or not. It is not
just perfect for using in your pasta when you want to forego the meat. It also
makes for a good substitute for burger patties and bacon.
It is not just good for savory
dishes. Eggplant is a dessert ingredient, finding its way in cakes and donuts,
too. Then when turned into chips, it makes for a good snack.
You can easily grow it at home
Another great reason that
eggplant should be a kitchen staple is that you can easily plant its seeds and grow them in your own garden. That makes for
one less expense on your regular grocery runs.
Eggplants thrive in sunny
locations, as they grow best in warm soil. Give them enough space, too, as the
plants grow a little wide and tall. Grown eggplants tend to be pretty heavy, so
it will be best to tie the plants to something sturdy, such as a pole or
something similar.
Don't forget to harvest your
eggplants, too, when they are ripe. When you harvest them too early or too
late, they will taste bitter. You will know when an eggplant is ripe. Its skin
is glossy, and it has visible seeds that are not too dark or hard when cut
open.
It has impressive nutritional properties
Eggplant has an abundance of
health benefits that make it a great source of nutrients. It has a good mix of
vitamins C and K, potassium, protein, and even fiber. Eating eggplant also
keeps you safe from diseases, thanks to its antioxidant properties.
If you are working to lower your
blood sugar or lose a few pounds, eggplant is good to include in your diet
because it is high in fiber and low in calories. Fiber slows the rate at which
the body absorbs sugar, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
Cooking as a Form of Self-care
Even stay-at-home moms need
work-life balance, too. Your responsibilities may have increased during the
pandemic, especially with safety and sanitary concerns, but it is still
important to know your limits. When you need a hand, ask for assistance from
your family-your spouse and kids, or even your close friends.
As a mom, it often becomes
difficult to take some time to attend to your needs. Remember, moms, that
self-care is not a mere suggestion. It is a necessity to stay physically and
mentally healthy.
A study published in Frontiers
in Psychology showed that while cooking was first recognized as a necessary
activity during the COVD-19 pandemic, it has transformed into a leisurely
activity. Many people saw it as a source of enjoyment and stress relief. They
also found meaning in it because of how it helped them gain new skills and
knowledge.
More than simply cooking to get
it out of the way, the process of making food presents a wonderful opportunity
to rest and unwind. The next time you get your ingredients and tools ready,
take a bit more time to find pleasure in what you do.
**Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-ethnic-farmer-with-eggplants-in-box-on-plantation-5529949/
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