Don’t have time to cook?

Is it a goal of yours to cook more? But, can’t seem to find the time? As I started working on this post today, I stared at my computer screen, thinking about why I choose to cook. Why do I choose to make time, to look through cookbooks, magazines, pick recipes, shop for the ingredients, and actually make the meal?

For me it’s part of my personality. I’m into learning & mastery. What I mean is that I derive a great amount of satisfaction when I learn something, do that thing, and then get  to teach it. Back when I graduated from college, I spent a lot of time researching careers. I read books like “What Color is Your Parachute?” and brainstormed with my dad about my options. All the tests I took came up with learning and teaching as the ingredients for what makes me happy in a career. I think thats why I’ve really taken to cooking. I love to learn, read the recipes, cook & practice the recipes, take notes and then share it with you, my clients and community.

But enough about me, lets talk about you. Why do you want to cook? It’s important to ask yourself this question. It’ll help you stay committed to cooking if you know the answer and feel connected to it.

Do you want to be healthier or slimmer? Do you have food sensitivities that prevent you from eating out? Do you want your kids and family to eat healthier?  There is no “right or wrong” answer. All that matters is that you know whats true for you.

Here are some tips I’ve found that have helped me to cook on a regular basis:

1. Plan time each week to choose recipes & write out a grocery list.  You could do this more or less frequently, but weekly works well for me. I take about an hour on Thursday afternoon to look through cookbooks, check my cupboards, fridge, freezer and then make a list. I pick no more than 2-3 recipes for a week and may plan a staple like, quinoa, brown rice, oats, grilled fish. We usually shop Thursday nights. The stores are mellow and quiet, plus I don’t feel like I’m wasting a “day” off when we shop in the evening. I have a client that does all her planning, shopping and cooking on a Sunday with her daughter. Find a way that works for you and commit to it.
2. Plan certain times on certain days for “cooking”. I almost always cook Sunday’s and Tuesday’s. I make 1 or 2 recipes each day and prepare my snacks for the week. These are days that I’m home and have the energy and time to cook. I love having the PBS Create channel on TV when I cook. It’s inspiring to have Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, Martha Stewart and more in the background. I always learn something new. BTW: I never cook recipes on Monday’s, Wednesday’s, or Thursday’s, I’m out late these nights and it’s not do-able. Sometimes, I’ll cook on a Friday or Saturday, but it just depends. Know yourself, know how tired you are on certain days and choose wisely. You can always change it if it doesn’t work. (See #3).
3. Be Flexible.  Life changed recently, so I adjusted how I thought about food & cooking. I shifted away from recipes into what I call cooking basics. Instead of a recipe from a book, I’d plan to buy salmon, veggies and cook them up with lemon & herbs. Basic, easy, fast. I lived this way for almost 2 months. I ate lots of lunch meat, tuna, baby carrots, etc. Basic. Still healthy, but less time and energy. Point being, when life is busy, adjust your expectations. This was not a time period when I had the time or energy to cook complicated things. If I hadn’t adjusted my expectations, it could have set me up for failure, disappointment in myself and potential weight gain.