Some of my earliest + fondest memories are of meals from my childhood. From the rows and rows of home-grown vegetables in our back yard garden on Long Island to the fine China + silverware that my uncle trusted me to eat with even as a small toddler. Family dinners were an essential part of our lives from the kitchen to the table. In my grandmother’s kitchen I can remember standing on a chair to reach the counter so that I could get the best view of how she carefully mixed ingredients together. I effortlessly learned how to find happiness in the kitchen at a very young age.
Only recently did I realize that these experiences were a gift. That gift led me to become the conscientious cook that I am today. I love every moment I have in the kitchen. Moments that typically make their way to the top of my “grateful for” list.
Tara’s Tuesday Tips:
How To Find Happiness In The Kitchen
Finding something to be grateful for every day, big or small, is an essential pillar to health + longevity. Here at MyVegetarianFamily.com, I do my best to inspire health, one meal at a time. So, this week, my tips are dedicated to those that do not share my love for the kitchen, cringe at the thought of figuring out what’s for dinner, are frustrated with recipe failures + stress over their loved ones not enjoying what they prepare. To those that look at their kitchen as a get in and get out as quickly as possible kind of place and cannot even imagine using time in the kitchen to relax + be happy, this one is for you, fam.
Things That Make Me Happy In My Kitchen
Hopefully my list inspires you to find even one thing that can bring you joy in YOUR kitchen too.
- Fresh flowers
- Gadgets on gadgets on gadgets. Oh how much I love them.
- Sharp knives
- Music playing or the occasional podcast
- PEOPLE! People eating what I cook, cooking with me, sharing my kitchen happiness.
- Fresh fruits + vegetables
- Recipes that have been gifted to me from the people I love
- Fruit + vegetable wash (ha ha I know, weird one, but it just makes me feel better to have a soap dedicated to washing my produce)
- Anything that I cook that I actually grew in my own backyard!
- Sunlight through the windows lighting up the whole room
- The smell of fresh cut herbs
- Looking over and seeing my little labradoodle loving my kitchen as much as I do
- My camera
Tara’s Top 10 Tips For
Finding Happiness In Your Kitchen:
- Learn techniques, not recipes
- Be mindful of the textures, smells, and tastes of the ingredients
- Keep your knives sharp
- Keep your counters free of clutter
- Plate your food like you are going to photograph it
- Have some confidence! Self-criticism has no place in the kitchen.
- Play music
- Choose fresh foods over processed ones
- Eat a few more meals at home + track your savings, you will get hooked!
- Remind yourself that cooking is an expression of gratitude for the body we have been blessed with. Feed it well.
Culinary Therapy + Finding
Happiness In The Kitchen
I am well aware that happiness in the kitchen does not exactly strike a chord with a lot of people. To some, spending time in the kitchen can sound like an extremely daunting task. If that is you, I have news for you, you can’t completely avoid it. Nor should you! Especially if you are concerned with optimal health (physical, emotional, or financial!).
Enter culinary therapy. Yep, it is a real thing. Billions of loaves of banana bread baked in the beginning weeks of the pandemic lockdown should prove to you that the art of baking provides a sense of comfort.
Culinary therapy can help improve self-esteem, gives a sense of accomplishment, and has been found to decrease anxiety + depression. By engaging in something creative + inspiring, culinary therapy has been found to make people feel more grounded + happier.
Tara’s Tips On Culinary Therapy
- The repetitive motions of cooking are a form of meditation releasing dopamine.
- Creativity in any form leads to happiness.
- Making your own meals provides the feeling of control (highly lacking in people with depression).
- A recipe is like life. Break it down into smaller parts, tackle one section at a time, prepare for what you can, and use failures as opportunity for growth.
- Cooking is a form of self-care. Fresh ingredients + creativity + hard work = caring for yourself.
- Creating with food gives people an opportunity to share their talents with others.
- A sense of accomplishment + pride comes from cooking or baking for yourself or others.
- Focusing on the art and act of cooking helps you find meaning in the things you do versus just rifting through them.
- You have the right to be healthy + happy, cooking for yourself helps that become more attainable.
- There is power in keeping things simple but creating masterpieces with food can be even more empowering.
- Saving money by eating at home = less stress.
- Creating meals allows you to do something for others. Altruism + connection = happiness.
Food For Thought
Maybe you turn to baking when you are feeling down because the art of baking makes you feel better, not the sugar. Cooking is an expression of gratitude for the body we have been given for our time on this earth. Not into meditating? Try baking or cooking!
Some Other Tuesday Tips
To Help You Find Your Happy Place
Guide To Cooking Recipe-Free Meatless Meals
10 Things To Do On Weekends To Make Weeknight Cooking Easier
Your Health Goes Way Beyond Food
Hope this helps you find your happy place too. Stay healthy, fam.
All the best,
Tara 💚
⭐ Have you been able to find happiness in the kitchen? Leave a comment below! We love comments! ⭐
📸I love to see your creations! Follow me on Instagram @myvegetarianfamily and hashtag it #myvegetarianfamily
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