How Cooking Can Relieve Stress

We all know the amounts of stress that come along with being a University student. Feeling pressured to get better grades, balancing school, work, a social life, and even ‘me’ time can be pretty overwhelming. Just know that we’ve all been there, and we all feel like that sometimes… it’s life. However, it is important, no matter how busy you get, to find something that makes you reconnect with yourself and relax your mind. Whether that be reading a book, painting, going to the gym or watching a movie, it can make you feel a lot better. As students and even young adults we tend to get so busy and overwhelmed that our stress levels and mental health takes a turn sometimes without us even realizing it. It should be made a priority by all of us to start making time for us and doing what we love to add fuel to our bodies and soothe our minds.  

I wanted to share with all of you what I do to help me relax, ease my stress,  and  most importantly- have fun. I cook! I thought I would share some of my favorite recipes I love to make when I am stressed out or overwhelmed. The next time you feel like your head will explode, try heading into the kitchen, putting on your favourite music, and just cooking.  

1. Tomato Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta 

When you’re in the mood for carbs, but you want to feel better about it, try this light lemon pasta that is quick and easy to make but your friends will think you are a master chef.  

Ingredients:

• ½ of a sweet onion  

• 2 or 3 garlic cloves  

• ½ of a sweet bell pepper  

• 2 or 3 handfuls of chopped spinach  

• 1 lemon  

• 2 Tablespoons of garlic butter or regular butter 

• 2 or 3 cups of penne noodles (depends on the amount of people you are feeding  

• ½ Jar of Tomato Sauce  

• ½ cup of 18% Cream 

• White wine  

• Parmigiana cheese 

• 10 peeled shrimp (frozen or fresh)  

Instructions 

1. Boil penne noodles in a pot of boiling water until noodles soften 

2. In another pan start the sauce by sautéing onions, garlic and sweet bell pepper in olive oil on medium heat for 3 minutes  

3. Then add tomato sauce and cream slowly once vegetables have softened and stir constantly  

4. Add ½ of a lemon, black pepper, garlic powder and a splash of white wine into the sauce and keep stirring 

5.  In another pan star cooking the shrimp by placing them in a pan with 1 tablespoon of garlic butter on medium heat  

6. Add other half of lemon, garlic powder, salt, pepper and a splash of white wine  

7. Let the shrimp simmer for 5 minutes until they are golden brown on the outside and white on the inside 

8. Add your penne noodles into the sauce, taste and add salt if needed  

9. Serve on a plate with shrimp on top and shredded parmigiana cheese 

10. Optional: Enjoy with a glass of white wine  

2. Lettuce Tacos  

This second recipe is for those of you who are still learning their way around the kitchen and need something easy to start it off. Here is ‘Mexican night’ with a healthy twist. Even though this dish does not involve a huge amount of cooking, it is still fun to make and even more fun to eat. Grab your roommates or your significant other and make this messy dish to relieve yourself from a busy day of studying.  

What you’ll need:  

• 1 head of iceberg lettuce  

• 1 package of Lean Ground Beef 

• ½ of a Yellow Onion  

• ½ of a Sweet Bell Pepper  

• Cheddar Cheese  

• Sour Cream  

• Salsa  

• Avocados  

• Corn 

• Chives  

• Beans of your choice 

Directions

1. Place olive oil in a large pan over medium heat  

2. Sauté the onions and peppers for 5 minutes, until the onions reach a golden-brown state and they have released their flavors    

3. Then add your ground beef into the pan and mix thoroughly  

4. Add desired spices… salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, taco seasoning   

5. Let the ground beef cook until all of the liquid has been dissolved in the pan  

6. While the beef is cooking prepare lettuce wraps, cook corn and cut avocado and chives  

7. Once ground beef is finished, start assembling your wrap with all the toppings and dig in!!  

8. Optional: Serve with chips and salsa on the side  

There you have it guys! Two easy recipes that can be made when you’re feeling overwhelmed or overworked. I promise you that if you make time for yourself during the day, even if it is just for 5 minutes, you will be able to feel better and control your stress. Happy Cooking!  

• cooking