Cooking! Make it fun!
Ok, yes…I do love cooking!…but I know it’s not for everyone…and truth…sometimes I even struggle with it!
I can get into a rut just like everyone else.
If you don’t love cooking, maybe I can help to make it more fun for you…with my best “fun” cooking tips for you!
- Check out new recipes.
Sometimes just seeing the beautiful food photos and reading the recipe can spark some inspiration and fun in your kitchen.
You can head to your local bookstore. Or look up your favourite nutritionists, chefs, bakers, and other online foodies. Maybe do a quick search on Google or Pinterest to see thousands of new ideas.
I post all my inspirations to Pinterest and Facebook – Follow me!
Perhaps you have some ingredients in your fridge that are just waiting to be eaten – this is what I often do… get creative with those veggies that you bought last week!
Pro Tip: Searching through recipes can be so fun and inspiring that you can also end up taking waaaay longer than planned. So, consider setting your timer when you start browsing or only search for a particular ingredient you want to use. The last thing you want is to take too much time looking, that you don’t leave enough time left for cooking.
- Make grocery shopping fun and inspiring.
When you’re at the grocery store, try something that you haven’t had in a while. Is there a seasonal fruit or vegetable you haven’t had for months? What about a childhood favourite? Did you come across something totally delicious at a restaurant or get-together lately?
Or, browse around the store looking for something you haven’t had before; something that is completely new to you. Be adventurous and fun. Then you can go to tip #1 to find new and inspiring recipes when you get home.
- Keep it simple!
Sometimes when I see a great food picture, I immediately get inspired to make it. But if I look at the ingredients or instructions and they’re too long so I stop. While there are times when I’m inspired and dive into a new great recipe; when I’m not all that inspired, I need to keep things simple.
A few ways to keep things simple are to:
- Search for recipes with 10 or fewer ingredients, and five or fewer instructions;
- Search for recipes that can be made in one pot or pan;
- Buy ingredients that are ready to cook with (pre-washed salad greens, diced squashes, frozen vegetables, etc.)
- Put on some music and invite someone to join you.
Do you have kids that need to learn the critical life skill of cooking? Perhaps your partner would love to join you? What about having a “cooking party” where everyone brings something and pitches in on the process?
- If none of the other tips works for you, invest in some kitchen swag!
Having proper kitchen tools makes cooking so much easier and faster. When’s the last time you sharpened your (or bought yourself a new) knife? Could dicing carrots with a dull knife be draining the fun from cooking? Or is blending a smoothie with a crummy blender, leaving it too chunky to enjoy, making you feel less excited to try new smoothie recipes? I know it does for me.
- If all else fails, invest in a meal planning service.
Ok…maybe not a ‘fun’ cooking tip, but a practical one! If you really struggle to find the time to research healthy recipes there is help! Meal plans provide a week (or more) of healthy breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks, full recipes and grocery lists. Most nutritionists will do this for you tailored to your health concerns, food allergies, likes and dislikes. Head over to my services page for more info or shoot me an email at michelle@healthybeet.ca
You know that cooking is key to healthy eating. And, yes, it does get boring from time to time.
Try one (or all) of my fun cooking tips to inspire you to get over to your kitchen and cook yourself some great dishes.
You already know your health will thank you.
Happy Cooking!
Recipe (simple and fun): One Skillet Frittata (Serves 4)
- 8 eggs
- ¼ cup almond milk, unsweetened (or full-fat plain yoghurt)
- 1 tsp olive oil, extra virgin
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 handful baby spinach
- 1 small zucchini, sliced into thin coins
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 handful cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 dash herbs and spice to taste (parsley, sage, paprika, turmeric, etc.)
- 1 dash salt and pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375F.
Whisk together eggs and almond milk.
Heat an ovenproof skillet (e.g. cast iron) on the stove with the olive oil.
To the hot skillet add garlic, spinach, and zucchini. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the zucchini starts to soften.
Add the tomatoes, herbs, spices, salt, and pepper.
Pour in the eggs.
Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, until eggs are set.
Serve & enjoy!
Tip: Substitute your veggies and use what you have on-hand. Try diced pepper instead of tomatoes, or chopped kale instead of spinach. Have fun with this!
Share this entry