How Home-Cooking HEALS You

I know I am NOT alone in saying that a home-cooked meal just TASTES and FEELS better, not to mention, it SOOTHES the soul and NOURISHES the body on an entirely different level. It isn’t just the food itself though that is the true healer, but the ACT of making it. In fact, if you look up the word “nourishment,” “home-cooking” shows up as a synonym. THAT is how intertwined the two are, and ultimately it represents just how crucial of a role cooking plays in your day-to-day wellbeing.

HOME-COOKING is simply the act of preparing food for yourself and/or your loved ones, in the comfort of your own home. It is INTENTIONAL, it comes from the HEART and it provides SUSTENANCE to the mind, body and soul. It is an aspect of life that has the capability to nurture you both ON and OFF the plate. While the physical food ON the plate does matter, to a certain extent, it is the PROCESS of preparing and creating AUTHENTIC nourishment through your time, energy, effort, action and LOVE that make it a supreme act of self-care that can impact your health in exponential ways.

While most people understand and recognize home-cooking as a form of physical nourishment, they oftentimes OVERLOOK it as a significant source of EMOTIONAL and SPIRITUAL nourishment. This may sound cliché, but the real HEALING POWER comes from the addition of the ingredient LOVE. This is the MISSING PIECE in modern nutrition, and truly is the reason why the food you make at home is so different from the food you order at a restaurant. When you order food at a restaurant it typically comes from kitchens where the chefs are stressed out, over-worked, underpaid and lacking care, EVEN IF cooking is their passion — and this is even more so the case with fast-casual or fast-food restaurants, given the higher volume and lower quality of food being served.

Now, I realize that its not always the INTENTION to cook meals at home that can be difficult, but rather all of the recipe finding, planning, shopping and prepping that is involved that make it a staggering feat — not to mention the desire to cook something HEALTHY and with MINIMAL clean-up involved. Home-cooking, however, doesn’t have to be or feel overwhelming. By breaking it down into bite-sized pieces and putting a little bit of foresight into the process, you can set yourself up for success.

HOW to SUCCEED in the KITCHEN:

1. Read through the entire recipe BEFORE you begin, noting what equipment is needed

2. Be kind to yourself and maintain a BALANCE between trying new things and giving yourself permission to take it easy

3. Do any dishes that are in the sink or dirty BEFORE you start cooking

4. Prep the ingredients AHEAD of cooking

5. Cooking gets easier with time, and a recipe not turning out as expected is NOT a reflection of you

6. PREHEAT the oven as soon as you start cooking so you don’t waste time

7. Put a damp paper towel under your cutting board to SECURE it to the countertop

8. Place a mixing bowl near your work area to use as a waste bin for EASY CLEAN-UP

9. Use a BIGGER cutting board, mixing bowl, pot or pan than you think you need

The FOUNDATION to any cooking is the INGREDIENTS.

Some tips to remember when SHOPPING, COOKING and TASTING:

+ FRESH is best

+ LOCAL is even better — hello farmers markets!

+ ORGANIC is much better

+ CANNED & FROZEN are also okay — picked at peak-freshness, then canned or frozen

+ COMMERCIAL produce is okay — make sure to educate yourself on the dirty dozen list

+ Use a TIMER

+ Keep it SIMPLE — use 2-3, maybe 4-5 ingredients (depending on the meal)

+ Cook ONCE, eat TWICE — prep for grab & go options or make more than you need and store or freeze the extra portions (saves you time and effort, allowing you to be more present in life)

+ Mix-up your cooking STYLES & METHODS

+ Vary the FLAVORING — choose different spices, seasonings and condiments

+ EXPERIMENT — try out new recipes AND using new ingredients

+ MISTAKES are okay — gives you insight and information for how to not do something or how to improve something in the future (its a learning method and you GET to make it however YOU like it)

+ ASK others for HELP — more hands means lighter work and it helps to foster connection and encourage healthy habits (can turn it into a bonding activity with friends and family)

+ Don't eat foods you DISLIKE — but also consider bio-individuality while cooking for yourself and others (follow your intuition and honor your body’s needs, but also recognize that one size does not fit all)

+ ENJOY the ways you eat — notice the patterns you have developed over time (respect the fact that men, women and kids eat differently and that there can be varying customs or traditions around food/mealtime)

+ SKIP SELF-CRITICISM — there will always be room for improvement and development to take place, so, seek out resources, ask others for tips and DON’T point out your flaws or criticize your efforts (everyone has to start somewhere)

Home-cooking PROMOTES and FIGHTS for our own good health, as well as the health of our families, communities and environment. It is an act of self-love that has the capacity to HEAL yourself and those around you.

Keep in mind that it is important to ask yourself what home-cooking looks like to YOU. It can be as simple as apple slices and almond butter, or as complex as a 3-course meal. EVERYONE has the time for healthy, home-cooked meals. It is a SPECTRUM based on your unique preferences, desires, and skill-level.

Like everything health-related, it is about PROGRESS over perfection. Be open to the idea of experimentation and challenge yourself to try new foods or recipes, taking it day-by-day. If you tend to see it as a chore, try putting on some fun music or pouring yourself a glass of wine while you cook. Start to get comfortable in your kitchen and nourish your mind, body and soul with home-cooking and the love that it so abundantly provides. SHARE, EAT and ENJOY your food.

Xx, Leah Kutsch P.S. Keeping IIN Touch