But there were no food stores in the town of Chewandswallow. They didn’t need any . . . The only thing that was really different about Chewandswallow was it’s weather. It came three times a day at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Everything that everyone ate came from the sky.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Gigi – What are you reading to her!?!?!

Me – What?

Gigi – Is that Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs? I LOVE that book! Haven’t seen it since you were little.

And then she promptly sat down beside us for storytime. That’s when I realized that EVERY mom (including my own) has probably fantasized about meals falling from the sky at one point or another. Even the most avid food enthusiast can just. get. tired. of. it.

For me, those slumps are usually due to stress. Like, ahem, waking up to assist my son every couple of hours because he keeps rolling over and getting stranded on his back like a turtle.

Busy schedules, illness and other interruptions make it really tempting to forego cooking, but those are the times when our bodies need a little homemade TLC the most! If you are in this season (I am!) here are some ideas for filling your belly without draining your wallet or your time.

Crockpot Chicken and Quinoa

A simple “set and forget ” crockpot recipe, this hearty stew is a protein powerhouse. Fatigue and stress often induce sugar cravings which tax the immune system and create more fatigue. Eating protein instead will help prevent that vicious cycle. In addition to the chicken, quinoa is a complete protein (meaning that it includes all nine essential amino acids), so you can get away with using less chicken if needed.

Another fatigue fighting benefit is that kitchen cleanup is quick and easy, too.

Visit Kimi over at The Nourishing Gourmet for the recipe

Black Bean and Egg Burritos

Perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner, this recipe is more like a list of suggestions than a step-by-step guide. Do you have leftover chicken, a dollop of sour cream or chives fresh from the garden? Throw them in! At just $.74 – $1.04 per serving (per Kimi), this recipe is already super cheap, but if you’re feeling creative this is a great way to get rid of leftovers, too!

Check out the recipe here

Kale and White Bean Soup

“This recipe for Kale and White Bean Soup saves me in every way it can: when I’m tired and can’t cook, when we have even less money to spend on food, when I want something warming and nourishing.” ~ Jenny at Nourished Kitchen

We double (or triple!!) the butter, but other than that this is a perfectly satisfying meal for next to nothing.

Check out the recipe at Nourished Kitchen

Do you have a recipe that should be featured in this  series??? If so, leave a comment with a link to your recipe or email me!