Like most of the country, the OOLA team has adjusted to working from home over the past three weeks. Our levels of sanity have varied, as have our coping mechanisms. We have looked to our writers and audience for inspiration on everything from how to entertain ourselves, what-to-watch, and even zoom-call wardrobe tips. This week, the realization we might be sheltering in place for a while has become a reality, so we wanted to share with our readers how team OOLA is adjusting to life at home.
Cooking new recipes, snacking, stress eating, bread baking, etc.: All of the above have become favorite activities during these uncertain times. Eating at home is the only truly safe option, so we are all getting reacquainted with our kitchen and tapping into our inner Martha Stewart (or in our minds, our inner Chrissy Teigen).
What We’re Eating
Erika: Anything and everything Alison Roman publishes on the New York Times cooking app. I am obsessed with this app, and with her recipes specifically. One of my favorites is her Spicy Noodle Soup with Mushrooms and Herbs, which has a short ingredient list and uses a lot of pantry staples I always have on hand. Another I would recommend is her recipe for Chicken and Dumplings, which is a project but makes a lot of leftovers for lunches throughout the week.
Ellen: I just made The Pioneer Woman’s Best.Lasagne.Ever and it was delicious! My whole family (kids included) loved it! We enjoyed it for a couple days after, and it was super delicious re-heated the next day as well.
Nicole: Quarantine life has been a mix of trying to stay healthy, eat well and do my home workouts – mixed with happy hours at noon, and binge eating Oreos. One of my favorite recipes I made this week was something I found during my countless hours of scrolling through Instagram and is from @thecastawaykitchen. The recipe is called Kitchen Sink Casserole and is Whole30 Approved. The cashew butter is delicious, pairs well with the other ingredients and has a comfort food feel. I even convinced my husband to try this by adding a bit of regular mashed potatoes to his portion. The best part – the recipe saves and freezes well!
Allison: Has anyone else been Quarantine Bartering with their friends that are amazing cooks? If not, I highly recommend it! Since my kitchen skillz generally stop at throwing a pork tenderloin in the air fryer or making mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot (10/10 recommend), I’d been sidewalk dropping (thoroughly sanitized) gym equipment to my friends in exchange for amazing homemade pasta sauce, lasagna, sea salt caramel brownies, and, finally, ground beef. Comfort food is REAL right now guys, along with a side of wine.
Laura: Bagel w/ Lox: Toasted bagel, cream cheese, smoked salmon, squeeze of lemon, chopped red onion, and dill. Viola!
Sydney: … Chocolate chip Pop-tarts. The recipe is ‘Went to Walmart, bought Pop-tarts’.
For more Quarantine Chronicles, check out the articles below:
- Quarantine Chronicles: Streaming In The Time Of Corona
- Quarantine Chronicles: Get Lost In A Book
- Quarantine Chronicles: Shower Optional
- Quarantine Chronicles: Our Makeup Staples
- Quarantine Chronicles: Our Anti-Aging Magic
- Quarantine Chronicles: No Need To Wash
- Quarantine Chronicles: Overnight Skincare
- Quarantine Chronicles: Skin Hydration Station
