Skip to main content
Close Close

Congratulations
You're on the list.

Make sure to check your spam folder so that our emails are always delivered into your inbox.
xo, Kourt
Give your inbox
and your life

the Poosh it needs.
By clicking SIGN UP, you agree to receive emails from Poosh and agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Free Shipping on All Domestic Orders.
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
  • LIFE + STYLE
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
  • KKB
Poosh
  • instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
  • Shop
  • search
  • search
  • body
  • diy
  • fitness
  • Giving Back
  • health
  • mind
  • Relationships
  • Sexual Wellness
  • soul
7 Easy Biohacks You Can Start Doing Right Now
7 Easy Biohacks You Can Start Doing Right Now
Do Opposites Really Attract?
Do Opposites Really Attract?
The Self-Care Ritual That Actually Relieves my Pain
The Self-Care Ritual That Actually Relieves my Pain
Is Trauma Trapped in Your Body?
Is Trauma Trapped in Your Body?
How Arousal Mapping Can Awaken Your Desire
How Arousal Mapping Can Awaken Your Desire
A Workout for Your Follicular Phase
A Workout for Your Follicular Phase
  • Adulting
  • beauty
  • guides
  • Hacks
  • style
  • travel
Stylist Dani Michelle Shares Her Transitional Dressing Must-Haves
Stylist Dani Michelle Shares Her Transitional Dressing Must-Haves
Poosh Product Picks: Madeleine Rose
Poosh Product Picks: Madeleine Rose
Poosh Pause: My Bali Reset
Poosh Pause: My Bali Reset
How to Detect Narcissist Red Flags
How to Detect Narcissist Red Flags
I’m Getting Married in 8 Months—This Is My Expert-Approved Skin Treatment Schedule
I’m Getting Married in 8 Months—This Is My Expert-Approved Skin Treatment Schedule
How to Thrive, Not Just Survive
How to Thrive, Not Just Survive
  • decor
  • entertaining
  • kids
  • motherhood
  • Playlists
  • recipes
Khloé Kardashian’s Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Veggie Burrito Bowls
Khloé Kardashian’s Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Veggie Burrito Bowls
Hormone Healthy Raw Carrot Salad Recipe
Hormone Healthy Raw Carrot Salad Recipe
Must-Have Items New Moms Swear By
Must-Have Items New Moms Swear By
Vegan Armenian Lahmacun Recipe From Kourt’s Incredible Spread
Vegan Armenian Lahmacun Recipe From Kourt’s Incredible Spread
Kourt’s Favorite Cajun Kale Chips
Kourt’s Favorite Cajun Kale Chips
Under $50: Chic Bathroom Organization Accessories
Under $50: Chic Bathroom Organization Accessories
  • family
  • kourtney
Khloé Kardashian’s Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Veggie Burrito Bowls
Khloé Kardashian’s Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Veggie Burrito Bowls
Vegan Armenian Lahmacun Recipe From Kourt’s Incredible Spread
Vegan Armenian Lahmacun Recipe From Kourt’s Incredible Spread
Why Kourt Loves Seed Cycling
Why Kourt Loves Seed Cycling
Kourt’s Favorite Cajun Kale Chips
Kourt’s Favorite Cajun Kale Chips
3 Salads Kourt is Eating on Rotation Right Now
3 Salads Kourt is Eating on Rotation Right Now
Kourtney’s Wet Hair Look: The Breakdown
Kourtney’s Wet Hair Look: The Breakdown
What are you looking for?

Menu

  • Shop
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • body
    • diy
    • fitness
    • Giving Back
    • health
    • mind
    • Relationships
    • Sexual Wellness
    • soul
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
    • decor
    • entertaining
    • kids
    • motherhood
    • Playlists
    • recipes
  • KKB
    • family
    • kourtney
  • LIFE + STYLE
    • Adulting
    • beauty
    • guides
    • Hacks
    • style
    • travel
  • Newsletter
instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
recipes

EASY MEALS I Make When I’m Feeling  SAD

By Allie Flinn
share on pinterest share on facebook share on twitter Share on Flipboard share by email
 Photo credit @carla_ginola
@carla_ginola

In general, I am a depressed girlie. In winter, my serotonin well runs extra dry. Regular depression + seasonal affective disorder (SAD) + lack of executive function = a real struggle for me to do even the most basic things some days. 

Like, for instance, make dinner. 

SAD is a type of depression that occurs seasonally, most often in the winter, but it can occur in the warmer months as well. It typically makes people feel low energy and, yes, sad. 

For winter SAD, an additional symptom can be overeating and a craving for carbs. This makes it even harder to resist ordering something cheesy, carby, and fried at the end of the day instead of cooking. And some days I do.

And that’s okay! 

But I know I feel much better when I eat more veggies and less processed food (and don’t spend all my money on takeout). So I came up with a few incredibly easy, almost zero-effort meals that I can make that are comforting and healthy(ish). 

Basically, my strategy is to take the easiest thing on-hand to make and up the nutrient density by adding things like veggies, herbs, and seeds. 

I know, not exactly groundbreaking stuff. But having these easy go-to’s has been enormously helpful to me this winter. 

Last note—I use a lot of spinach. Spinach has a ton of nutrients and is easy to prepare, whether raw or cooked. This is key, because my brain doesn’t always make sense. Some days sauteing a bit of spinach is doable, and other days, it feels downright impossible. 

Allie’s SAD Beans and Rice

Recipe Type:Depression meal
Dietary Info:Gluten-free / Anxiety-free
Serving Size:1 serving
Total Time:Time? What is time? (JK probs 6 min.)

Ingredients:

Beans (I prefer black beans)
Pre-cooked rice (I keep packets in my pantry exactly for these moments, but if I’m not feeling bogged down by my existential despair, I may make it in a rice cooker.)
A few handfuls of spinach or other leafy greens
Shredded cheese (instantly adds comfort)
Fresh cilantro

Instructions:

1. Heat the beans and rice in whatever way is easiest (for me, it’s usually the microwave).
2. Put the spinach in a bowl. Top with beans and rice.
3. Garnish with cheese and fresh cilantro. 

*If I’m feeling fancy, I will add some salsa or taco sauce.

Pin Recipe
Print Recipe

Allie’s SAD Upgraded Instant Ramen

Recipe Type:Depression meal
Dietary Info:Vegetarian /
Serving Size:1 serving
Total Time:We're on robe time time now. But usually less than 10 min.

Ingredients:

Instant ramen (a few brands I like: Mike’s Mighty Good Ramen, Trader Joe’s, and immi) 
Garlic paste (to taste)
Spinach

Instructions:

1. Prepare ramen noodles according to package instructions. 
2. Stir in spinach, and allow to wilt. 
3. Transfer everything to a bowl, stir in garlic, and add any extra seasonings and toppings you have the energy for (pepper flakes, cilantro, soft-boiled egg, etc).

Pin Recipe
Print Recipe

Allie’s SAD Grazing Board

Recipe Type:Depression meal
Dietary Info:Vegetarian/ Stove-free
Total Time:A couple minutes, max.

Ingredients:

2 clementines
1-2 types of pre-sliced veggies
2 spoonfuls hummus (or whatever dip I have on-hand)
Snack cheese
Any other snack-y type foods on-hand that sound good

Instructions:

1. Put everything on a plate or cute serving board, so it feels like a meal instead of a mash-up of snacks.

Pin Recipe
Print Recipe

Up next, be the first to know our weekly content and sign up for our Poosh newsletter.

You may also like...

Go to article 5-Minute Breakfast Ideas
recipes

5-Minute Breakfast Ideas

Go to article Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Baked Oats
recipes

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Baked Oats

Related Articles

Goes to article Khloé Kardashian’s Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Veggie Burrito Bowls
recipes

Khloé Kardashian’s Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Veggie Burrito Bowls

Goes to article Hormone Healthy Raw Carrot Salad Recipe
recipes

Hormone Healthy Raw Carrot Salad Recipe

Goes to article Vegan Armenian Lahmacun Recipe From Kourt’s Incredible Spread
recipes

Vegan Armenian Lahmacun Recipe From Kourt’s Incredible Spread

Goes to article Kourt’s Favorite Cajun Kale Chips
recipes

Kourt’s Favorite Cajun Kale Chips

Goes to article Cupid’s Strawberries and Cream Hydrating Mocktail
recipes

Cupid’s Strawberries and Cream Hydrating Mocktail

Goes to article Easy and Healthy Super Bowl Snacks
recipes

Easy and Healthy Super Bowl Snacks

Goes to article Libido-Boosting and Skin-Glowing Smoothie
recipes

Libido-Boosting and Skin-Glowing Smoothie

Goes to article Surya Spa’s Ayurvedic Mung Bean Pancakes With Stewed Fruit
recipes

Surya Spa’s Ayurvedic Mung Bean Pancakes With Stewed Fruit

  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Accessibility

Keep in Touch

instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
Reviewed by Allyant for Accessibility
  • © poosh, llc
    All Rights Reserved