Sustainable Food Teach-Out
Cook More
3 minutes
Why: Cooking at home gives you more control over the food you eat and buy. It means you can better control portions and waste. Plus, it’s usually cheaper to prepare food at home and it may allow you to buy more organic and local ingredients.
How: The truth is, everybody has a different reason that they find it hard to cook at home often. Think about what is your biggest barrier.
If you feel like you don’t have any ideas for meals: The internet is a massive cookbook. Start small by considering what types of recipes are most interesting for you to try first and getting yourself to try three new recipes. Is it important that they are fast? Try 30-minute recipe searches. Is it important that they be really easy? Try whole food beginner recipe searches. Is it important they store well for the week or serve a family? Look for weekly food prep guides. If you’re trying to buy food from a farmers’ market or CSA and are facing veggies that are new to you, you may get recipes recommended by the folks from the farm.
If you feel like you don’t have time to cook or shop: One way to help is to dedicate a part of one day to shopping and preparing food ahead of time. This preparation means it will take less time to decide what to eat, pick up groceries, and get food ready each day. We know it’s not easy to invest so much energy in something different, so start small. Can you get yourself to prep all your lunches for work for one week? Can you do four dinners at home when you used to do two?
If eating out is important to your social life: You don’t have to give up everything in order to make a change. Start smaller and think about if you can suggest your friends meet for coffee or a walk instead of a full meal out. If it’s a part of your professional work, can you limit your lunch meetings for two weeks a month? Can you meet over a lunch you brought from home? Know that each step you take is helpful!
If it’s something completely different: You’re the only one who knows the true barriers in your life to cooking more at home. Think creatively about where you can get resources for recipe ideas, fresh ingredients, a comfortable space, and time to cook.