Healthy Cooking for the Super Lazy: Recipe #1

How do cook?

So you finally decide to get off your couch and go to the gym, but when you're done, you're exhausted and all that's on your mind is food. You're really too tired and lazy at this point to cook anything substantial (so you think), but you'd rather not spend money on fast food because that kind of defeats the whole purpose of your exercise, no? You also live in a tiny studio apartment with poor ventilation, and would rather avoid anything messy, stinky, or difficult to clean up.

So if it wasn't clear already, the above situation is one of many challenges that I've faced since living on my own and having to feed myself. While I have yet to become a cooking expert (I still can't cook anything with poultry without irrationally obsessing over getting salmonella), I have found one go-to recipe that's super healthy and so easy you can use a microwave. Without further ado, I present

Nathan's Fantabulous and Quick Meal

Total time: approximately 20 minutes
Difficulty: elementary

You will need:

- 8oz fillet of trout or salmon

- 1/2 cup of rice (uncooked)

- Paprika, white pepper, and dill to taste
- Chili powder if you're feeling like a badass
- Optional lemon juice

Instructions:

1 - Add 0.5 cup of dry jasmine rice + 0.75 cup of water to a rice cooker. Cook it.

2 - Season your fish to taste. (Don't actually taste the raw fish, though. This isn't a sushi recipe.)

3 - Microwave fish for 3.5 minutes on high.

4 - Serve.

Voila

Now I know what you're saying - Fish? Microwave? Didn't you say you live in a tiny apartment with terrible ventilation? In my experience, I haven't had any odor issues with this meal - any smell typically dissipates quickly, and cleanup is pretty straightforward.

Bonus Recipe: Super Duper Kefir and Egg Whites Protein Drink

Total time: <5 minutes

Difficulty: If you can mix two ingredients in a cup, you can make this drink.

You will need:

- Kefir of your flavor choice (kefir is essentially yogurt in beverage form)

- Pasteurized egg whites

- Optional: cinnamon, to taste

Instructions:

1 - Add one part egg whites to cup.

2 - Add two parts kefir to cup.

3 - Whip it good.

4 - Add  optional cinnamon and enjoy.

Basic Nutrition Info
(Meal + protein drink)

Total Calories: 797
Carbs: 91g
Fat: 15g
Protein: 72g
Fiber: 0g
Sodium: 350mg
Cholesterol: 150mg

Enjoy!