How to Enjoy Cooking & Make It More Fun

Need tips on how to enjoy cooking? I’m a holistic nutritionist so it makes sense I would want to encourage everyone to get in the kitchen. This is true whether you’re a good cook, a bad cook, an inexperienced cook, a bored cook or any kind of cook at all. It’s important to get in the kitchen and cook—even when you don’t feel like it.

I really believe that it is through sharpening our cooking skills that we develop more consistent, healthier habits for ourselves.

It’s not through restrictive dieting, packaged shakes or other convenience “health” products.

By the way, if you really don’t want to cook—call me and I’ll be happy to cook something nutritious and delicious for you. There’s always room at my table for you!

Unfortunately, sometimes we need to motivate ourselves to get cooking.

Here are 6 tips on how to enjoy cooking, even when you don’t feel like it.

1. Clean your fridge, top to bottom.

I encourage you to do this every single week. It helps cut down on food waste by reminding you of the foods you already have. It also keeps all of your food organized, within reach, prepped (hopefully) and ready to go. It also reminds you which foods you really need to use up this week.

Since a good part of my diet hangs out in the fridge, I can’t go more than a week without organizing/cleaning the fridge. I recommend physically taking absolutely everything out of the fridge.

You’ll start with a blank slate and then you can decide what stays and what goes. Be ruthless. Don’t keep anything because it cost a lot if you know you won’t eat it. Donate it to a neighbour, a friend or the food bank before it spoils.

Check every expiry date and toss anything that is expired. Toss anything that is expired or that looks like it’s been around since Christmas. Leave no spill or crumb uncleaned.

When you put your still-fresh foods back in the fridge, group like items together. Put greens, fruit, salad vegetables, other vegetables, etc. together.

If you have an excess of a particular vegetable, prep it for tonight’s dinner or freeze it. This helps reduce food spoilage and food waste.

2. Clean your kitchen, top to bottom.

Scrub it well. If you don’t have time to wash all the dishes before you begin, pile them neatly in a corner. Then scrub down every counter top. (I know how it is: I love to cook but I hate to clean).

Your surfaces will be clean so you’ll have the space to start working. As you may be able to tell, I’m one of those people who can’t stand cooking in a messy kitchen. I need a lot of space, clean and clear surfaces, all dishes washed and put away.

Looking for more kitchen hacks? Here are some unusual and effective kitchen cleaning tips.

3. Re-claim your counter space.

A lot of random “stuff” tends to wind up in the kitchen. Most people would be hard to motivate to cook in a small or cluttered kitchen.

There’s not a heck of a lot you can do for a small kitchen besides de-clutter.

So, is there any equipment like a coffee maker, a mixer or a dehydrator that is taking up valuable countertop real estate?

If you don’t use it every day, consider moving it to a cupboard or nearby space until you actually need it.

This will free up space on your countertop. You’ll have more room to move about (aka have fun, enjoy the process and if you’re me, make a mess).

So far we’ve learned that we need to put in some elbow grease so we don’t have to eat out.

Let’s carry on…

Your info is safe with me. I will guard it with my life and promise no spam, ever. I genuinely hate it as much as you do!

4. Treat yourself to a new kitchen tool or gadget.

Here’s another idea on how to enjoy cooking more: consider treating yourself to a new kitchen tool or gadget.

Something that will have you excited to get back in the kitchen. A new knife or cutting board always works for me!

Even a knife sharpener is a treat because there is nothing safer than a sharp knife. Seriously, dull knives are my pet peeve: don’t use them. They are far more dangerous than a knife that is ready to go the job.

5. Shop your own pantry.

I’m always amazed at the foods I unexpectedly find in my own pantry when I’m scrambling to think of something to cook. A new type of “pasta”, a new grain like amaranth or Cavena Nuda, a new bean like my recently discovered black beluga lentils. Shop your pantry and you might be inspired to cook with whatever treasures you find!

Shopping your own pantry is one of my best tips to help make cooking more fun.

6. Spend 10 minutes drooling over thumbing through your favourite healthy cookbook.

I don’t know about you, but looking at stunning photographs of food always motivates me to get back in the kitchen. Pick out one or two recipes to make.

Even if you don’t have time to make them now, they will be on your mind later in the week when you do have time.

And a bonus… Put on a pretty apron! Hey, it always works for me. 🙂

What are your best tips on how to enjoy cooking?

Life is a plate… eat up!

Ashleigh