The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home (part 2)
I have been spending a lot of time wondering how “kitchen as the heart of the home” will evolve with the upcoming hipster generation, many of whom report not knowing how or having the time to cook. Curious to know how this socially connected, fast moving generation will create a lifestyle that supports them in living a radiant life I spent some time with Hannah Milestone, a student at The University of Vermont in the nutrition and dietetics program.
Kim: Hannah, how do you find time to living your best most radiant life as a college student with so many demands on your time?
Hannah: I haven’t got this down to a science because nobody lives a perfect lifestyle, but there are things I do to maximize my “self” time while still meeting the demands of everyday life. I don’t have the ability to create more time in the day, so this means I need to make the most of the time that I have. A liberating feeling is to not take what free time I have for granted. This leads into the idea of “mindful living”. By being aware of how different things or activities make me feel, I’m able to make small changes within the time already allotted to those things or activities that have a positive effect on my overall life.
Kim: As a nutrition student what are your top 3 tips for optimal meals that are simple and satisfying?
Hannah: Meals don't need to be fancy to be good and nourishing! In 20 minutes you can have a meal that feeds your soul. The more you practice building your meals around your day and needs, the easier it becomes to pay closer attention to "what" you are putting in your body.
Sandwiches. When I ate in the dining hall, I make sandwiches because I can say “what” and “how much” goes on it. In my apartment I can buy the ingredients I want to use.
Breakfast in the dining hall often consisted of yogurt, fruit, granola, and sometimes a bagel. My go to is Greek yogurt with granola and a fruit smoothie. I buy bulk frozen fruit (mango/berries) so I don’t have to worry about things going bad before I get around to using them.
I try to make sure my plate holds a carbohydrate and a protein. I’m not a vegetarian, but I try to stick to vegetarian sources of protein in the dining hall because I like to know the source of the meat I eat. In my own kitchen, a carb (pasta/brown rice) with a protein (meat or not) is a go-to for me because I can make enough for leftovers and have lunch or dinner the following day.
Kim: Is there one kitchen tool that you cannot live without?
Hannah: My cookie sheet! Obviously being able to bake cookies is critical, but it serves many other functions from roasting veggies to baking bread, reheating foods, freezing prepped veggies, and making sheet pan meals.
Kim: Do you have any advice for college students who might not be quite ready to tackle cooking but want to create a meaningful living space?
Hannah: Building a healthy relationship with your kitchen, aside from the food in it, takes time! It is easy to get frustrated after burning your favorite meal or making a mess of the whole kitchen space. And, even if you don’t love to cook, your kitchen can still nourish you. Your kitchen can set the tone for the entire space you live in and can tell a story that represents what you stand for. Fill it with objects that inspire you and make you feel at ease in that space. Nourishment can come in many different forms. Start small. Add a quote to your kitchen that you love or bring in an object that has meaning for you. Something from nature is a nice reminder of how to best feed yourself even if you are not cooking.
Kim: Do you have a favorite recipe that you would like to share?
Hannah: I do. Overnight oats in 3 minutes. This is a super easy meal to have ready for you in the fridge in the morning when you have somewhere to be. I usually make this the night before my 9:40 class so I can grab a spoon and a banana and go. Not having to make breakfast gives me time in the morning to get my head around the day, especially on a busy day when I might not have much time to myself. I make a few at a time using glass jars. Here you go:
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup milk
1/4 plain greek yogurt
Dried fruit/chocolate chips
Options to add raspberry jam or peanut butter or BOTH!!
Mix and let sit overnight
Enjoy!
Hannah Milestone is a Junior at The University of Vermont in the Nutrition and Dietetics program and works as an intern with Nourish Radiance.