I used to enjoy cooking all of those big elaborate meals. I still do from time to time but, I have learned how to prepare for it by doing things in advance and not all in one day! But when RA hit me in the beginning, I was ordering take out and fast food more than ever. Why? When you are in pain and swelling and experiencing fatigue, working, raising a family, once you get home you are done! You want pain meds and the bed. You have no more in you to give out. And the days when my rheumatoid was new and unfamiliar, I had no idea what was working for me and what was not. I couldn’t stand as long as I used to without swelling. I could not cook those time consuming meals without sitting down. It was rough in the beginning. Holding utensils to cut or stir would flare up my hands and wrists. Holding my old mixer was pure hell. I learned about ergonomic tools for the kitchen. I was gifted a mini standing mixer as a housewarming gift and a few years ago for Christmas, my brother gave me a hand mixer that was more ergonomic. Joy!!!

So, cooking like a warrior means using new tools and using old tools a different way. It means buying things pre-chopped. It means sacrificing pre-chopping things when you bring them home knowing that once you are done or before you are finished you may have swelling and pain. But it’s worth it because when you need it, it will be already chopped. I have learned how to blanch greens and other vegetables to freeze them.

Speaking of freezing, making big pots of soup and chilli on the stove or in a slow cooker/crockpot is your friend! You can also freeze the leftovers and store for months. These are easy to take out the freezer for lunch and add a salad, sandwich or grilled cheese.

Sheet pan meals and 30 minute meals are game changers for the RA Warrior. I like to get in there and get it done. Off my feet! Stir fry takes little time. I do resort to frozen bag meals or a frozen pizza for those days I don’t have it in me and I can not leave the house either. (Note to you: I am not a health nut. I am okay with the occasional unhealthy but at least I ate meals). I keep one of each on hand. Having food delivered is a last resort but, calling my brother to bring me something if my daughter is at work has been a thing I have had to do. If you get a call from me to bring food then you know it’s a horrible flare up.

I have also found healthier ways to bake using less sugar or substitute sweeteners (like apple sauce, yogurt, greek yogurt, honey) when I can. So, I don’t have to give up baking when I have the tools to help me.

Meal prepping is more than just for weight loss. It can help save time in the kitchen and less time on your feet, knees, and hips if you can make the sacrifice one day to do it. Meal prepping for lunch or breakfast really makes cooking less of a hassle. I watch so many shows with people that take a day to cook in batch and meal prep. You take away what works for you and leave the rest for the able bodied folks. (When I say “able bodied” I think of my elders saying that 😀 ).

~Nikki