cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/2969622
I used to love to cook, and as time passes more and more I have become SUPER adverse to it and I have no idea why. Even the idea of say, making oatmeal on the stove or a pack of instant Ramen is too much for me. I do plan on trying to make myself do it and try to form a habit of it but for now I’ve only been buying pre made/take out food and it’s super expensive. How do yall hack this so that you buy groceries you’ll actually eat??
Some info:
I don’t have a microwave
I’m not super food restrictive
I’m a brat and only like fresh veggies (not precut or frozen), usually organic
I try to avoid preservatives but I do like chicken nuggies/tots/frozen pizzas, but I really want to try and stick to a healthier veg filled diet
An example of something that isn’t overwhelming for me to make are protein shakes: put powder, kefir, water, PB&J in a jar, shake it, drink it.
Any advice is super appreciated 🙏
I feel you. There would be times when I would prefer ordering a delivery to serving a plate of food I have already cooked.
Been struggling with eating disorder for the past few years, and the last year I have been trying (without success) to keep a healthy diet. Ordering delivery online is the biggest issue for me.
Buying groceries that I know I am going to throw has helped a lot. The shame of throwing rotten veggies has motivated me many a time to start cooking whatever is left before it’s rotten, I view it as trigger to cook. Also, not having groceries can be a barrier to cooking.
I have trouble accounting for all the effort required to prepare a dish. Tasks like washing the dishes, buying groceries, cutting vegetable, etc take time and energy. If I don’t plan for those, I will get tired at some point and completely give up cooking.
When everything seems too hard, I try to do something small. Usually, this is washing a couple of spoons or glasses. Sometimes this is enough to trigger my fixation and get buttload of work done. Because, this is not consistent my trick is doing often with zero expectations so I don’t get discouraged.
Now, I am trying to constantly build excitement for cooking. It’s a new experiment, but the idea is that if I have triggers around me that will remind me I want to cook, it make it easier for me to cook. I have installed a mirror on my living room (I don’t like my shape right now, and that feels motivating somehow), and next I will pick some posters to hang around the house.
Thanks for the question, I hope I am able help even the tiniest bit.
Thanks for the thoughtful response, I appreciate it! Yeah I think having to do the entire process in one go can be so draining towards the end; chopping, prepping, washing dishes as I go, sauteeing, draining, MORE dishes, clean up, more cleaning, put away, more dishes…ugh just thinking about it kills me lol. I’ve been wasting veggies and such big time but it hasn’t motivated me! It sucks because I hate to waste things but I just see them in the fridge and I KNOW it’s gonna go bad…but I say “eh”.
I like the triggers idea, though. Just gotta figure out what would work for me
Depending on how averse you are to repetition, you could just cook enough of the same thing for a whole week and keep the portions in the fridge.
I get bored kind of easily depending on the food. Batch cooking and meal prepping are things I really want to do, though. Like having one or two Sundays a month where I just go crazy and drink beers and cook all day actually sounds fun…but then it’s the prep part (figuring out freezable recipes, buying the right amount of ingredients, making sure I have the right kind and amount of tupperware).
At this point though even cooking one meal feels off the table, it’s wild. I’m hoping that the extreme aversion will just be a phase cuz I do love eating lol
Dinner tonight was one of my favorite meals, BFMC. Bread, fruit, meat, cheese. A loaf of fresh bread, a hunk of tasty cheese, a little bit of cured meat like salami, and some fruit. If you want to get fancy you can add some nuts and olives.
I like soups/broth. I put a bit of stock in, soy sauce, and then anything I please. Only takes one pot, set, cook and eat.
If I’m feeling indulgent I’ll have rice to go with it. If I’m feeling healthy, I’ll buy firm tofu and put a bit in too. Tofu also helps reduce post-lunch carb-induced food comas
I made this for dinner:
Chicken breasts from a precooked rotisserie, basil Napolitano pre made sauce, ricotta, blanched long stem broccoli, grated carrots
All heated together on the pan for 15mins and served with rotini pasta. Total cooking time 15 mins.