Next time you step in the kitchen try out The Chipotle Method Photo: Matt H-B
If you’re just getting started in the kitchen (cough cough, like me), setting out to cook a really good meal is intimidating. It’s hard to know just where to start, especially with plant-based meals. Most of the time its easiest to throw together whatever is left in the fridge, toss it in a pan, and call it a meal. The grocery store is overwhelming unless you’re following a specific recipe or two, and frequently you just end up grabbing whatever looks good off the shelf. The Chipotle Method created by Matt Jager for “Don’t Lose the Cow” adds a bit of structure to your meal planning, and it helps you incorporate more diversity into your meals in a formulaic manner. (Check out the infographic and the links below to see the full explanation of the method)
To help implement the method, Jager recommends keeping key basics like tortillas, beans, salad mix, and quinoa on hand. Having these staples consistently stocked in the pantry will give you a variety of options for any meal you’d want to make. Make sure to replenish your favorites each time you make a trip to the market. With these around, you’re always capable of putting together a decent meal, even last-minute.
Another way to keep things interesting is to experiment with ingredients that spice up your meals. Try different sauces, spices, toppings, and oils. These add-ons are what make your meals something special. Also, experiment with what additions pair well with your favorite staples. Once you have a couple different flavorings that go with your staples, you can more easily begin to envision your meals ahead of time as one complete and cohesive masterpiece (well, at least edible). That’s half the battle, and it will make your meal prep more efficient and less time consuming.
The best part about the Chipotle Method is that it ensures you eat a well-balanced and satisfying meal. While this is enjoyable in itself, it also means you are properly fueling your body. Well-balanced meals give you the energy to do what you love longer, whether its hitting the slopes or paddling out for an early morning surf, and good quality fuel maximizes your performance while you’re out there.
Graphic: Pinterest/ No Meat Athlete.
This is just the first step of the full infographic explaining the method. To see the full graphic and learn more about The Chipotle Method visit www.nomeatathlete.com or www.dontlosethecow.com.
