By Brooke Rodgers – Certified Holistic Health Coach HCC, AADP
“This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook- try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!”
~Julia Childs
Every now and then it’s nice to be served a delicious, health-filled meal without putting a piece of effort in. Whether you are dining at a restaurant, grabbing something to go at a store, or at home, it’s nice to have it prepared already, right? Of course it is. But, let me tell you what we are missing and “lacking” today in society. We are bombarded by junk-filled fast food chains and “take out” or “delivery” living in a fast-paced society with busy schedules that discourages the time to cook natural food meals at home. At this point, some don’t really realize the health risks involved in this kind of lifestyle including what lies in the food beneath, how it was prepared, or how that chicken, cow, or fish was truly prepared, where it came from, and how it was raised–let alone the spike in our Sympathetic Nervous system which leaves us constantly stressed out. Some of us, (or shall I say, MOST of us) have lost the desire, or was never taught the ancient tradition and beautiful art of home cooking and “cooking” in general using WHOLE, REAL, FOOD. What I say to you is, “Quit your BITCHIN and get in the kitchen!” Here are my top 5 reasons why it’s important to strengthen your cooking muscles, get in the kitchen, and take a risk!
1. More Meaningful/Creates Value
Cooking is an art form and can be very relaxing. When you begin cooking at home using a wide array of “real” colorful foods and spices like different vegetables, nuts, fruits, beans, whole grains, different herbs, salt, pepper, turmeric, curry, fennel seed and quality animal products you begin to see the value, meaning, and relaxed efforts in the preparation, the relationship you have with food, along with enjoying the “end” result—while hopefully sharing it with your friends and family. Don’t worry. If what you prepare doesn’t turn out the way you had planned, just keep at it, and try again! Cooking can be made easy which is why keeping it “simple” at first is ideal. Take bigger risks as you gain more experience. Do you think “every” great chef in the world has made wondrous, savory, delicious meals without making a mistake? HA! I think not. It’s totally normal to make mistakes cooking for the first time. The key is to learn from it and move on. Practice, enjoy the moment, and find the meaning.
“You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces-just good food from fresh ingredients.” ~Julia Child
2. Get to Know Your Food, Farmers, and Community
Cooking at home basically forces you to go to the grocery store, your local farmer’s market, or begin to grow a garden of your own. Inquiring, researching, and seeking out where your food comes from and how it was raised and treated is essential when preparing your meals. It’s always good to buy 100% organic, pesticide/herbicide free hormone free, antibiotic free, and/or grass fed beef or poultry just to ensure the quality of your food the best way possible. Get connected and learn about farming methods, gardening strategies, and get to know your food!
3. Healthier for Consumption
When you get to know your food, where it comes from, how it was grown, and how it was raised and treated your knowledge behind what’s best for you and your family’s consumption increases. While on the go, or at a restaurant, we are not entirely sure of the cleanliness involved when the meal was prepared, or the “truth” behind where the meat, fish, or other ingredients came from and if it’s really safe to eat. Preparing and cooking meals at home promote a way for you to take responsibility and have a stronger sense of control over the cleanliness, quality, and choice over what you and your family eat. Remember: Your body is sacred and deserves top quality when it comes to the food you choose to eat!
4. Food Perception Changes!
When you begin to cook in the kitchen on a regular basis, your point of view on food, your experience with food, and your relationship with food may begin to change…for the better! It is no longer a fight or flight, desensitized response–eating or grabbing a meal from whatever fast food joint presents itself or whatever box filled with processed, refined junk sits in your pantry along with the ignorance that stands behind what you are actually eating. Your perception and understanding of the food you prepared and its temperament begins to grow, you may take the time to enjoy what you prepared, along with seeing the health benefits in doing so. Total food perception, health, and life makeover!
5. Food Factor Expert!
Cooking from home regularly can increase knowledge in all of the areas of food including vegetables, beans, fruits, nuts, complex carbohydrates, healthy oils to cook with, lean proteins/quality animal proteins, herbs, and spices! Learning more about the function and energetics of all of these food qualities is key, and even the pairing or combination of other herbs and spices in order to compliment the meal. You may not know a lot to start, but that’s okay! Your experience and knowledge will grow once you practice and keep at it!
So, next time you complain that you don’t want to cook, or say the ever so common comment, “I don’t cook!” Get your butt in the kitchen and COOK something! Don’t put that limitation on yourself. You know that when you feel lazy and don’t want to cook, it is the “perfect” time to do so. Get out of that ridiculous fast food, on the go, “pick up” and “already prepared” lifestyle, and prepare, engage, learn, and apply all of the amazing facts that go hand in hand in preparing your OWN home cooked meal. It is an investment in your health and your family’s health in the long run. It’s definitely worth it in the end.