Every adult needs to be able to cook for themselves. It’s a basic skill that comes in handy in various situations including pandemic isolation. It is difficult to maintain a healthy diet if you are constantly getting deliveries from fast food chains. Consider cooking for selfcare for your own wellbeing. This could also be a great grounding activity to achieve mindfulness since it engages all your senses. If you’re ready, then do the following steps to start cooking for selfcare:
Evaluate Your Nutritional Needs
Think about the ratio of macronutrients that could work best for you. We all need a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. However, some might need more protein if they are active in sports or lifting weights. Endurance athletes are often partial to fats as their main source of fuel for whole-day races. Carbohydrates can also be great fuel for athletes that focus on speed. Just be careful about getting too much or too little of each as these have their own consequences. You should also list down food that you are allergic to. You may also use this project to start eating more plant-based food or whatever your goals might be.
Assess Your Skill Level
You have to be realistic as to what you can cook particularly in the beginning. Some might have more skills than others after helping around in the kitchen when they were little. Others might not have had a chance to polish their skills but they know how to boil water, cook rice, and fry food. Everything can be improved with time but be gradual about progress to minimize frustrations and ensure good outcomes.
Look for Feasible Recipes
There is a ton of recipes online for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Find those that suit your budget, your time, and your skill level. Of course, you should also be curious about the dish so that you will be inspired to make it. Perhaps you’ve tried it before and now you want to see if you can replicate the experience. Aim for recipes with a few common ingredients for less stress.
Gather the Tools You Require
Chefs have developed intuition about how much they need of each ingredient over years of practice. Novices will have to depend on the exact measurement in recipes, as well as in measuring spoons and cups. If you don’t have these yet, then get them or borrow from a neighbor. You should also shop for the other tools you might require based on the recipes you have compiled.
Shop for the Ingredients
Go to the grocery and shop for the ingredients. Try to find the freshest items for the best taste. You might also go to the farmer’s markets if they are open and accessible in your area. Get commonly used items in bulk such as flavorings, herbs, and spices.
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