You Deserve To Eat
the "no rules" mental health cookbook
Coming Soon!
Welcome
where everyone is welcome, no one is judged and you are free to be YOU.
to our community
You Deserve to Eat
This website is designed to keep you "in the know" about all things
, the cookbook.
ABOUT TAY
ABOUT ME
ABOUT ME
Hey there, I’m Taylor - Tay for short, and I started this cookbook at 22 years old, and in a psych hospital. I have been in and out of psych hospitals 5 times over the last 8 years. I am a queer person with a list of mental health issues that I have been struggling with for as long as I can remember. I am writing this cookbook to prove to myself, and hopefully others that we can struggle as people, and still persevere.
MY VALUES
MY VALUES
I am fueled by my passion for both the mental health and queer communities.
This community promotes inclusivity for all minorities be they BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodivergent, and other oppressed populations.
I value a safe, loving, and judgment free community.
MY MISSION
MY MISSION
Everyone has something going on; you are never alone. Show up as you are to find connection within yourself and our community.
Take what you need,
we never judge.
MY VISION
MY VISION
To create a safe and judgment free community through compassion and authenticity.
“I am indeed not a chef, just a person trying to make food not suck.”
-TAYLOR
The Cookbook
You Deserve to Eat Recipes
The idea for the cookbook came about in my
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP for short),
we were in one of our groups and we were talking
about how we were struggling to find the motivation
to cook. I shared one of my favorite recipes that I
had seen on Tik Tok (it is in here, don't worry). I told
them that I loved this recipe because it is quick, easy,
and takes little to no effort.
One of my friends in that group made it that night, and loved it. The next day I jokingly said to the group something along the lines of "why is there no depression cookbook?" and everyone including the therapist looked at me, agreed, and then said I should be the one to do it. So here I am, doing it - thanks to the endless support from the people I've met along the way.
I had never thought of making a cookbook before; but as a person who suffers with Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, an Eating Disorder and many other diagnoses, I was genuinely shocked that I have never seen a cookbook for people like us. My goal with this cookbook is to offer some recipes I have gathered from my childhood, my family, friends, social media, and other people who struggle with food/cooking as well. I have compiled all of these recipes for our community, the people who struggle to eat something ready-to-eat let alone find the motivation to cook.
I see you, I understand you, and you are not alone.
I tried to write this book as if I was talking myself through the recipe, with substitution/ additional ideas woven in. I did this because I know looking at recipes and being talked at can be daunting - I wanted this to be a more relaxed book. There are no "rules" to this book, use whatever clean dishes, appliances, and utensils you have. If you only have the pot you cooked it in, use it. There is no one way to eat, as long as you're eating something. If you're eating you're already winning. I offer substitutions for most of my recipes - but you can use whatever you want/ have. Whatever sounds good, or tastes good - that is perfectly okay.
Everyone has something going on; you are never alone. Show up as you are to find connection within yourself and our community. Take what you need, we never judge.
Finally, it would be wrong of me to write a mental health related book and not remind you that it is more than okay to ask for help. Therapists, psychiatrists, medication, psych hospitals - they are there to help. Please ask for help if you are suffering from a mental illness, professional help is there for a reason. There is no shame in needing help, you are so strong for it.
Favorite Recipe Sneak Peek
The Tomato Soup
Utensils
• a large pot + lid
• something to stir & serve with
• a clean bowl or mug & a spoon
Ingredients
• 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 1 bag of frozen meatballs
• 1 bag of frozen tortellini
• 1 bag of spinach
• Dash of heavy whipping cream
• Seasonings of choice
*NOTES: My favorite seasonings are garlic powder, crushed red pepper, Italian seasoning, and parsley flakes. Add HWC to your desired creaminess
Preparation
In your pot add crushed tomatoes, chicken broth and heavy whipping cream.
Put the stove on medium/high heat and let it come to a boil (if you have one, add a lid to prevent splatter).
Once boiling, add your seasonings, tortellini, meatballs and spinach. Simmer on medium heat for 10-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Preheat oven and make garlic bread, if you have the energy to do so.
Once spinach is wilted and ingredients are well blended, it's ready to eat!
*Remember to turn off your stove after use.
"This is the recipe that started the whole idea for this cookbook!"
-Taylor
The reminders from friends & family that have kept me going over the years:
Give yourself space for grace.
-my Nene
Every feeling is temporary, good and bad.
-Cara, my first Therapist
Get curious.
-Kaitlyn
“You cannot begin eating ‘healthy’ if you are not eating to begin with.
Be gentle with yourself.”
-Taylor
