The truth is that lots of people don’t like cooking. We could even go so far as to say most people don’t like cooking. Ultimately, it’s just another decision to make. And there’s so much pressure around food! You feel like you have to be creative or unique at every meal – breakfast, lunch and dinner! – and that’s a lot of food to think creatively about.
I bet you think about planning a week of meals and just say, “Ugh!”
Of course, it doesn’t have to be like that. You know me – I’ve got a solution for everything!
Here are 5 simple ways to banish kitchen boredom
1. Let go of being perfect!
Listen, you’re a human being and you are doing the very best you can every day. It seems like food should be easy, but let’s be real: it isn’t. There’s a lot of things to think about and plan for. Doing those things becomes more complex when you’re learning or when you have to account for other people in your household.
2. Meal Plan and Prep
Did you laugh when you saw this one? I bet you did. I know, I’m a broken record. As I’ve shared before, creating a meal plan every week and prepping my food has been one of the most life-changing things I’ve ever done for myself. It changed everything – my energy level, my mood, my overall health, my connection with my partner.
It also took the “boring” our of my meals because I cut up my veggies and protein the week before. It means way less time waiting for one thing to be ready before cooking the next thing. You can go right from no food to fully-cooked, ready-to-eat, tasty meal in 10 minutes. That doesn’t sound very boring, now does it?
3. Theme Your Meals!
This is one of my favourites! There are so many different types of food in the world that it seems impossible to get bored. Even trying new twists on old favourites (like tacos!) spices things up in the meal-time department.
Try an Italian night with a Caesar and a new kind of noodle with your choice of sauces (pesto, marinara or alfredo). Add a bit of curry to your favourite meal (like this chicken pot pie or this coleslaw). Or you can even make your own salsa on Mexican night! (Check out my video below where I make salsa in five minutes!) //www.youtube.com/embed/XOo0bQnOqHs?start=27&wmode=opaque&enablejsapi=1
4. Share the Load
You might be the person in your house who is most often responsible for meal planning and preparation, but you don’t always have to be. Trust me, I know we get into mindless routines when we make dinner, but why not change it up? If you always make the sides get someone in your family to switch the main meal with you. Get everyone involved, you’ll notice that the time will fly, and you’ll have a much deeper connection with your food – and the people who made it!
5. Spread the Love
Sharing meals with people you love has been a part of our culture for a very long time. I say, don’t set fancy dinner dates to go out with people – even though that’s very nice sometimes — invite your friends and family over for a simple impromptu meal once a week! You can even make friends with a neighbour! An even better way to make it fun is to go potluck. That way you get to try lots of new things, too!
