The Problem(s) with Cooking
- It takes too long
- I’m too busy with other things
- I never know what to make
- I’m always too exhausted to cook
- I never have the right ingredients
- Nobody likes what I make
- I don’t know how to cook
- It’s so stressful
After 30 years in the healthy eating field, I’ve probably heard every possible reason why we can’t make our daily meals. The list above is but a small sample.
It should be noted, of course, that we have the luxury of excusing our way out of everyday meal making: Unlike previous generations, there is a huge industrial food system that will prevent us from starving and make us not-hungry with manufactured not-foods.
Industrial foods certainly have a lot of appeal: Being cheap, addictively tasty and easy, they quickly dispense with the Problem(s) with Cooking listed above.
But there’s a big difference between feeling not-hungry because you’ve filled up on not-foods vs. being fed and nourished. Filling up on not-foods may indeed stop hunger feelings for a couple hours, but it does not supply each cell in our bodies with the nutrients needed to function properly.
That’s a big reason why 78% of those over age 55 have at least one chronic condition (arthritis, current asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or diabetes–which doesn’t even take into account dozens of other conditions like autoimmune disorders, joint pains and dementia.) 1.
There’s only one way to nourish every cell–and all the organs, tissues, muscles, immune and other systems in the body: Eating real whole foods like vegetables, fruits, meats and fish, nuts, good fats and whole grains straight from the earth.
Surely no one doubts the truth of that statement, but we don’t really want to believe it. In fact, we’d prefer to lock it in a closet because acknowledging its truth means that we have to cook! Real whole foods don’t come in ready-to-eat snack packs or microwaveable bowls. By definition, they come straight from the earth so we have to turn them into meals, i.e., we have to cook.
And that runs us smack dab into the Problem(s) with Cooking.
What a dilemma! Who doesn’t want the spectacular joy of good health and good energy, free of depressing diseases and conditions? But that joy doesn’t come free. It takes engagement, involvement and cooking–not just mindless munching out of a bag.
Is there any way to have convenience and ease + nourishing meals? Happily, the answer is Yes! That’s what my 5-week online series is all about:
How to Cook Healthy Meals . . . Without Really Cooking
Read more about it and, in the meantime, share your Problem(s) with Cooking in the comments below.
(1) https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/health_policy/adult_chronic_conditions.htm