The Creative Kitchen: Find Joy in Cooking

At what point in the day do you or your family start asking the age-old question, “What’s for dinner?” 

A lot of folks look forward to meal-time and even daydream about their upcoming fare. (🖐️ Guilty.) But, when it comes to the act of cooking, many find it kind of cringey. It’s not uncommon to feel insecure, sloppy, or just plain bored in the kitchen. Even though we know the perks of cooking at home, it’s super easy to turn to dine-in, carryout, and fast-food options…even if they’re pricey or unhealthy. So, what can we do to dial down the temperature on this dilemma? It’s actually pretty simple.

Instead of viewing cooking at home as a chore, make it a creative outlet. Here are a few ideas to help flip your mindset and start enjoying your time in the most frequently used room of the house:

• Mix it up. Stop eating the same things on repeat! Unless you have strict dietary restrictions for health reasons, it’s pretty likely that your body will THRIVE if you mix up your diet. Eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods ensures you’re getting a proper mix of the vitamins and minerals your body craves. And, bonus,  it can help you maintain a healthy weight!
• Use recipes as inspiration, rather than strict guidelines. Don’t toss out a totally drool-worthy recipe just because you dislike one of the key ingredients! Turn to your old friend, Google, to search for alternative ingredients that better suit your palette. 
• Host a cooking competition in your own kitchen! Get family and friends involved in the fun so you don’t always have to cook alone! Introduce surprise ingredients, themes, or timed-events to liven things up!
• Play with your food. Let kids (and adults) have FUN with their meals. Ever notice how broccoli looks like little trees or how zucchini could make a perfect boat? Use your imagination and feel the enthusiasm grow for otherwise “plain-Jane” dishes. 

Need more ideas? Why not experiment with HOW you cook and eat? Explore different types of pots and pans or learn how to use chopsticks. The sky’s the limit! 

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