3 ms·

We lived for a couple weeks in Nicaragua and we hired the sister of the guy who maintained the property to cook for us (an optional service we were quick to agr

We lived for a couple weeks in Nicaragua and we hired the sister of the guy who maintained the property to cook for us (an optional service we were quick to agree to). On the first day she cooked a big batch of black beans in a pot. She left the pot on the stove, and would briefly bring to a boil each morning and night, which eliminated the need for refrigeration. With each successive day she’d throw in a few things like green peppers, garlic, etc, and the beans also gradually broke down so the flavour just got better and better. So easy, so nutritious, super convenient…we in the developed world have forgotten so many techniques like this, to our detriment.

woleium 4y ago
One pot weekly cooking. This is how i lived as a student, using only a crock pot.
convolvatron 4y ago
very much so. i used to cook a couple times a week. big expensive protein. fancy sauces, a bottle of wine, and a nice salad. strangely, my gall bladder needed to be removed. while I was waiting for the surgery - it was brown rice and vegetables and maybe a little chicken. now its just brown rice (takes 30 minutes on an induction plate, edible for 48 hours), kimchi, and a little bit of this and that (tinned fish, fried egg, chicken) I haven't gotten bored of it after 2 years. takes me about 30 minutes a week for cooking and cleaning up. i'm much more fit and I just never have to worry about food anymore. in the US we're in some kind of highly inconvenient, expensive, and unhealthy minimum. fortunately it wont take much to bump us out into someplace more sane.
- bosie 4y ago
  I think I am misunderstanding something, how did you cut your cooking/cleaning up time down to 4 minutes a day? And, are you eating the same food every day now?
  - convolvatron 4y ago
    sorry, I just eat a little bit of something and cook rice once every 2 days. yes, I eat largely the same food every day. I assumed that would drive me insane, but I just don't mind it. started squeezing half an avocado into every bowl, and that has been a big upgrade.
    - lobocinza 4y ago
      If it isn't balanced it can lead to health issues on the long term.
      - copperx 4y ago
        Nutrient deficiencies are associated with a longer lifespan, so I'm not sure there's a real reason for concern.
        bosie 4y ago
        Do you mind providing a source for that as I cannot seem to find anything on a quick google search now? is it longer lifespan or equal quality of life + longer lifespan?
        lobocinza 4y ago
        Interesting, can you provide a source? I suspect you may be referring to calorie restricted and not nutrient deficient diets. The former may lead to a longer lifespan and a better health but the latter will lead to health issues or at least degrade your quality of life. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorie_restriction#Life_extension https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorie_restriction#Life_exten...
10u152 4y ago
Do you mean that it was always on ? To prevent bacteria you need to keep it above 65c or so to prevent bacteria. Heating it up once a day does kill bacteria but does not remove the toxic byproducts of bacteria which is what actually makes you sick.
- jandrewrogers 4y ago
  No, they bring it up to temperature once per day. This is common practice around the world and quite safe. Every time they heat the pot, it sterilizes it. It takes bacteria a significant time to recolonize a sterile pot, and it starts from a sterile state. As long as you re-sterilize (re-heat) it regularly, the bacteria won't have to time to colonize it in a meaningful way. The downsides of this practice are not safety but the texture of the food, since repeated heating over many days tends to break it down into mush. On the other hand, it is well-known to improve the flavor of some dishes.

woleium 4y ago

One pot weekly cooking. This is how i lived as a student, using only a crock pot.

convolvatron 4y ago

very much so. i used to cook a couple times a week. big expensive protein. fancy sauces, a bottle of wine, and a nice salad. strangely, my gall bladder needed to be removed. while I was waiting for the surgery - it was brown rice and vegetables and maybe a little chicken. now its just brown rice (takes 30 minutes on an induction plate, edible for 48 hours), kimchi, and a little bit of this and that (tinned fish, fried egg, chicken) I haven't gotten bored of it after 2 years. takes me about 30 minutes a week for cooking and cleaning up. i'm much more fit and I just never have to worry about food anymore. in the US we're in some kind of highly inconvenient, expensive, and unhealthy minimum. fortunately it wont take much to bump us out into someplace more sane.

bosie 4y ago
I think I am misunderstanding something, how did you cut your cooking/cleaning up time down to 4 minutes a day? And, are you eating the same food every day now?
- convolvatron 4y ago
  sorry, I just eat a little bit of something and cook rice once every 2 days. yes, I eat largely the same food every day. I assumed that would drive me insane, but I just don't mind it. started squeezing half an avocado into every bowl, and that has been a big upgrade.
  - lobocinza 4y ago
    If it isn't balanced it can lead to health issues on the long term.
    - copperx 4y ago
      Nutrient deficiencies are associated with a longer lifespan, so I'm not sure there's a real reason for concern.
      - bosie 4y ago
        Do you mind providing a source for that as I cannot seem to find anything on a quick google search now? is it longer lifespan or equal quality of life + longer lifespan?
      - lobocinza 4y ago
        Interesting, can you provide a source? I suspect you may be referring to calorie restricted and not nutrient deficient diets. The former may lead to a longer lifespan and a better health but the latter will lead to health issues or at least degrade your quality of life. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorie_restriction#Life_extension https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorie_restriction#Life_exten...

10u152 4y ago

Do you mean that it was always on ? To prevent bacteria you need to keep it above 65c or so to prevent bacteria. Heating it up once a day does kill bacteria but does not remove the toxic byproducts of bacteria which is what actually makes you sick.

jandrewrogers 4y ago
No, they bring it up to temperature once per day. This is common practice around the world and quite safe. Every time they heat the pot, it sterilizes it. It takes bacteria a significant time to recolonize a sterile pot, and it starts from a sterile state. As long as you re-sterilize (re-heat) it regularly, the bacteria won't have to time to colonize it in a meaningful way. The downsides of this practice are not safety but the texture of the food, since repeated heating over many days tends to break it down into mush. On the other hand, it is well-known to improve the flavor of some dishes.