TheraEx Staffing Solutions provided this article.
Being a travel nurse during the holidays can be a challenge. With the holidays fast approaching, many travel nurses won’t be able to join their families and loved ones on Thanksgiving or Christmas this year. The loneliness that one normally feels on a regular day somehow gets magnified on holidays if you’re not surrounded by those that make you feel like home.
Wherever you may find yourself as a travel nurse during the holidays, you want to make it feel like home or as close to home as possible. This holiday season, you’re probably thinking that the last thing you want to do is to spend time after a long shift stressing over what to cook. The holidays get crazy, and you need quick and easy meals to prepare after your shifts, so we put together this list of some delicious and easy meal ideas to help you out.
Simple holiday recipes for travel nurses:
Healthy Fall Salad
Gone are the days of bland and boring salads! This easy-to-make Autumn Apple Salad is loaded with lots of fresh and healthy ingredients while not skimping on any of the flavors. It comes together in less than 15 minutes and is the perfect way to start any holiday celebration.
Autumn Apple Salad (With A Maple Vinaigrette) – House of Yumm
Turkey & Stuffing
Short on time? This recipe allows you to enjoy eating turkey without spending hours basting and supervising it. Not only are these roll-ups tasty, but they are also easy to prepare. Pair with the below stuffing recipe (if you prefer homemade), and you’ll be in for a treat!
Turkey and Stuffing Roll-Ups – Life In The Lofthouse
A holiday staple and favorite of many, this Easy Sausage Stuffing recipe comes together quickly and with minimal steps.
Easy Sausage Stuffing – Primavera Kitchen
Mashed Potatoes
There’s almost nothing that the ever-so-glorious slow cooker can’t accomplish, and once you master the power of dumping your ingredients into it and walking away, you’ll never look back. These slow cooker mashed potatoes are the perfect holiday side with minimal effort required. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7-8 hours the night before, and you’ll be off work with a warm holiday meal waiting for you.
Creamy Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes – Café Delites
Rolls
These easy, fluffy, and rich dinner rolls are perfect for serving with your holiday meals. Ready in around 30 minutes, they are the perfect everyday dinner roll that can be made in a cinch. Brush with melted butter for an extra special treat!
30-Minute Dinner Rolls – Kylee Cooks
Mac and Cheese
Another fabulous dish made in the slow cooker, this mac and cheese is sure to be reminiscent of one of your childhood favorite comfort foods. Not only is it easy to prep in 10 minutes due to not needing to boil the noodles before slow cooking it, but it is creamy, tender, and absolutely delicious.
Easy Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese – Suburban Simplicity
Dessert
Everyone knows it’s a must to end every holiday celebration with a sweet and delicious treat. In less than 5 minutes, you can make a cake in a mug that will satisfy your sweet tooth without the hassle of having to wash what feels like a million dishes.
Snickerdoodle Mug Cake – Five Heart Home
Pumpkin Mug Cake – The Country Cook
As hard as it may seem, just remember that holidays are a time to celebrate, be thankful and cherish life’s little moments. Just because you’re on a travel assignment or working through the holiday doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun and eat delicious meals while making new cherished memories. We hope you found these simple holiday recipes helpful, do you have any simple holiday recipes as a travel nurse? Comment them below.
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