Cooking for one feels like a chore for so many people. Of course, you have to eat, so you might as well add in some fun to make it something to look forward to!
I've found that cooking easily slips down the priority list in life. Work, family, and other obligations take over. And that's fine, those things have to happen. But cooking doesn't HAVE to happen.
You can fill up on snacks, grab something out, skip a meal (which, as a dietitian, I don't recommend), or do other things. Cooking doesn't have to happen in order to eat.
But here's the thing. Many people want to cook at home. We want to try recipes, make something tasty, and save money. If you want to cook more at home- you've got to make cooking for one fun! I'll show you how.
Here are some suggestions. I'll start with practical ways to make it easier (because, let's be honest, easier= more fun lots of the time). You can easily make things harder, but it takes effort to make it easier!
Here you go:
- Stock your pantry to have options. Here's how I suggest Stocking A Pantry (and fridge, freezer) for one person.
- Add in some time & effort saving hacks. Check out these Cooking for One Meal Prep Hacks.
- Build a Solo Cook Meal Plan. Here's how to Meal Plan for One.
- Turn on your favorite playlist (bonus points for one that gets you dancing!)
- Listen to a favorite podcast (I have a lot, also have a podcast on Cooking for One. Check it out!)
- Turn on a show or movie to watch to make cooking for one fun!
- Listen to a book. I don't think I'd recommend reading, but let me know if you can read & cook at the same time!
- Make new recipes
- Add a twist to a favorite recipe (like make some pickled onions to add to your favorite burrito!)
- Try a new cooking technique
- Tidy up while cooking for less clean-up afterward!
- Save time & effort by only scraping off plates/dishes that are going in the dishwasher (pros don't recommend rinsing them off before). Try it before saying your dishwasher can't handle it.
- Make a fun drink to enjoy while cooking
- Have a snack after work if you're often too hungry to spend time cooking
- Take shortcuts (like using frozen vegetables, buying prepped-ingredients, etc)
What do you think of this lists? Any work for you? Anything you'd add to the list? I wanna hear- share in the comments section.
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Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started.
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