Friday, October 17, 2008

Why I don't cook...and other random food facts

Lately I've been trying to get at the root of why I don't cook. It's one of those things that you're just supposed to do. Everyone does it...it's like it's not really an option NOT to. Except for me. I usually choose NOT to.
My recent reflection on the topic has brought me to several conclusions:

1) It always tastes better when someone else makes it
2) If I didn't prepare it, I don't know how bad it is for me
3) Cooking takes time...something I don't have a lot of
4) When I make the time for it, I usually make a huge mess, and end up running to the store at least twice, usually three times because somehow I failed to bring my list with me AGAIN
5) Eating out is more fun

The problem for me is finding the right time to cook. Most normal people with normal jobs get home at 5 or 6, a logical time to prepare and eat dinner. I on the other hand get home at 8:00 or 8:30 most nights. The thought of preparing, cooking, eating and cleaning up a meal at that point is so unappealing.
I've tried the whole "prepare the meal before I leave and have Ben cook it while I'm on my way home" thing...and it works alright, but it's finding time BEFORE work that poses the challenge in this scenario. If I'm not working at BR, I'm mostly likely to be found cleaning the house, doing the laundry, working on YW stuff or running one of those million errands we all find we have to run.
The summer was great. I think I cooked everyday! That was back when I wasn't really working much.
Here's the bottom line...we make time for what's important to us. Cooking for me....at this point in my life....not that important. It's not that I don't like it, or I don't know how to do it, it's just not a priority.
That being said....I did cook two meals this week, and we've eaten leftovers the other two days, so I guess there is time, but I think that phase is over.
Maybe what I ought to do is find a happy medium between cooking everyday, and eating out everyday. Hmm...there's an idea.

Other food notes...

In case someone is worried that Ben has a neglectful wife who doesn't feed him...I do make him a lunch everyday!

My new favorite sandwich which Ive eaten almost everyday this week involves these five ingredients:
1)whole wheat bread
2)hummus
3) tomatoes
4) cucumber
5) turkey
You should try it....it is so yummy!

And finally, I've recently been reminded of my love for Jujyfruits. Thank goodness Mary introduced me to them at her Grandma's house way back when! Somehow I went my entire childhood without eating a single jujyfruit. They must not have them in Canada.

All this talk of food is making me hungry...

9 comments:

M said...

i wasn't worried...ben knows how to cook for himself. he makes a mean kraft mac & cheese.

Burke family said...

Do you have a crockpot? I have some great recipes that you literally just throw a few ingredients in whenever you have a sec in the morning and when you get home at night... voila - dinners ready! I'll send them to you if you want.

But you definitely better find time to whip up a pot of Witches Brew for Kunz - Halloween just wouldn't be the same without it. Just ask Ben if you need that recipe... he should still know it by heart - Alacazamacazoo! :)

Unknown said...

I hear you. I hated cooking when I was working. Now that I stay at home with Jay I like doing it a lot more. Especially now that we live in Spain because eating out just isn't an option. Enjoy the opportunity to eat out because I miss it! Your sandwich sounds good. I'll have to try it.

Erica said...

I know exactly how you feel! I was the same way when I was working because Ryan wouldn't get home until 8 or 9. It just wasn't worth the energy to try. I am going to try and be better now that I am home. You should get the Kraft magazine. You can get it free every month and they have really simple good meals that you can do in 30 min or less.

Becca said...

Thanks for this one. I could totally hear your voice in it and it made me miss you.

Ryan Smart said...

luckily ben isn't picky, all you need is the costco bag of pot stickers and he's good for six months. He also really likes those frozen burritos.

Here are things he doesn't like:
1.) Stringy Chicken Fish
2.) Cheese? (Is it the cheese? Is it the moldy cheese?)
3.) Ethan

Helena said...

That sandwich does sound yummy! We all love hummus.

I'm always happy when I don't have to cook! I like making a bit pot of something and having leftovers for a few days. Or two different pots of leftovers, so you can alternate, is even better.

Helena said...

Err... I mean a *big* pot of something, of course.

Mike and Kristin said...

I'm having kind of a similar problem. Mike has been getting home at the earliest eight and usually past nine or close to ten. Gretchen doesn't eat real food and my belly is huge and I don't feel like cooking. Needless to say dinner consist of apples, hot dogs a slice of cheese. I am so ashamed of myself!