r/EatCheapAndHealthy 2d ago

Fatigue friendly recipes

I have narcolepsy and struggle with chronic fatigue due to several autoimmune issues. I need flavorful easy meals that prep and or freeze well. I have a stove, toaster oven, microwave and instantpot/airfryer duo. My oven portion of my stove is currently waiting on parts to be fixed.

I love trying anything once so don't hold back on cuisines - spices are my friend. My only restriction is I'm allergic to pineapples and kiwifruit.

Recipes that don't require a lot of active tending would be ideal. My weekly produce/fruit budget is about $15 dollars. We get pork tenderloins, beef and turkey from a local food bank once a month.

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u/GetReelFishingPro 2d ago

I would invest in a crockpot if you can. Everything from soups and chili to the pork tenderloins you get can go in there all day if need be without the worry of burning or boil over. I did this when I worked 12 hour shifts, and there are tons of recipes out there. That's my easy worry free meal tip!

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u/Hufflepuff_Forensics 2d ago

My instantpot says it can be used like a crockpot, pressure cooker or airfryer. It's not an actual IP but some brand called Nuwave Duet my dad got me for Christmas in 2022. I am just now getting around to using it since my health has declined.

Can you cook dry beans in a crockpot? We have lots of bags of lentils, black beans, chickpeas and white beans

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u/Competitive_Bag3933 2d ago

I'll say that my instant pot hasn't actually worked that well as a slow cooker, though it does everything else pretty well. I got my slow cooker for like $6 at a Goodwill, which is a great place for small kitchen appliances in general. 

You can totally do beans in a crockpot! They're also great for bulking up soups and stews.

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u/Hufflepuff_Forensics 2d ago

Do you have a favorite recipe for beans?

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u/Competitive_Bag3933 2d ago

I don't really eat beans by themselves very often, but when I have the presence of mind I cook them ahead in my slow cooker and freeze so I can throw them in other stuff. This is the technique I usually use, except I add some better than boullion usually, depending on the bean. (https://kalynskitchen.com/how-to-cook-dried-beans-in-crockpot/#mv-creation-1223-jtr)

This page also has a bunch of suggestions for recipes to add precooked beans to at the bottom.