Cooking mindset: 3 ways to cook with pleasure in mind.

Cook with pleasure? Food was the last thing on my mind last week.

Hit with endless bouts of nausea. The smell of food was too much to handle when walking past the bustling bars and restaurants of Palma, Mallorca.

Recently a good friend asked me to go on a last-minute trip, I didn’t hesitate for a second and within 12 hours I was on a plane to the Balearic island. My leopard print suitcase and I were about to embark on a new fun adventure. 

However, my luck dramatically changed after 36 hours when I was hit with one of the worst stomach bugs of my life. Honestly, I wanted to cry.

Luckily, I had spent the first day and a half doing what I love most. Embracing the food culture, experiencing different flavours and aromas, and enjoying familiar ingredients in exciting novel ways. 

And then it was all taken away from me and for the next 4 days, I was limited to sparkling water and sliced crusty white bread. I had to cancel all my dinner reservations. I couldn’t even stomach the smell. I felt so sad and felt bad for my friend who had to go out for dinner on her own.

See the real problem here was that food is my PLEASURE. My favourite form of self-care. And not to have that, had tainted my mood. I’m lucky to have been with such a good friend who understood, but I was miserable inside.

Food is what I always turn to first when I’m feeling flat. And no, I’m not talking about binging on take-aways or beige food. I mean, good, easy, feel good healthy cooking. Food that makes me feel good. Food that brightens up my day and gives me the energy to power me up.

However, I was so ill. I started to imagine what a life would look like without my edible joy. It was too sad to think about. 

Then it was time to go home. My parents picked me up from the airport and as soon as I got home,  I climbed the stairs and got straight into bed. I was so weak. I hadn’t eaten a proper meal in 4 days.

So when my mum walked into my bedroom with a plate of my favourite Colombian chicken, potato and rice, I wasn’t sure what my bodily response would be. I was scared that I wouldn’t experience that joy I usually get from eating food I love.

Sat up in bed, I collected a forkful of food and when I took that first bite, all those pleasurable feelings flooded my body and soul. With the delicious aroma, my taste buds were tantalised, a big food was embracing my soul.

OH, feel good food. How much I missed you. Not only was my body back on the mend but the dopamine and endorphins were lifting my mood. Food really is magic!!

Cooking with pleasure.

So let me ask you? Does your own food bring you pleasure? Or has home cooking become a life surviving skill?

Are you someone, who like me, loves food, and is able to recreate that pleasure regularly in your own kitchen or are you limiting yourself to food pleasure only once in a while? 

Has your cooking become so repetitive and bland that you have forgotten how to make yourself happy with good food?

Society has taught us that cooking is a life skill we should all have so that we can feed ourselves and our family but they forgot to teach us that it can also be the best form of self-care by bringing a smile to our face with a delicious meal made with love.

Some of us are so busy and tired that only feeding ourselves feels like all we can muster. However, enjoying food that makes you feel good can transform your day and mood. 

And let me clarify. to be able to cook the food you love is NOT A LUXURY. It’s not about money, time or energy. It’s about what you feel you deserve. You can even make a simple tomato sexy. It’s about making time to find out how.

We have to eat every day right? So why not make a dish that’s going to warm your soul, feed you with goodness, and pleasure you with flavours you love. We all deserve some edible deliciousness to brighten up our day. 

Here are 3 ways to create pleasure in your cooking when things feel flat.

Aim to try and eat one meal a day that will give you joy.

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. It can be perfect scrambled eggs for breakfast, a delicious sandwich for lunch or it can be a 20-minute pasta dish.  It doesn’t matter how you get there. It’s about how that food will make you feel during and after eating it..  

Make time to recreate your favourite dish.

Look up the recipe online, write down the list of ingredients, go shopping for what you need and create a relaxing fun kitchen environment to cook your meal in. And when you’re ready to eat it, try not to eat it in front of the TV or surround yourself with distractions. Focus on the love on your plate and embrace each mouthful. 

Cook with your favourite ingredients.

Pick one or two ingredients and google recipes with them. Select a recipe that catches your eye and cook a new dish with your favourite produce. Why not try a dish you have never had before to bring some culinary excitement into your life.

If you like this post, then you will enjoy HOW TO REFRESH YOUR COOKING MINDSET

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