"We Don't Have to Cook Anymore!"

Trust me, you really need to watch the video before you read on! - Karen

I get it. I'm not necessarily jumping up and down with joy when it's time to cook dinner. And on occassion, I look for an easy out like "Darn it! I didn't defrost the chicken. I guess we'll have to order pizza." Cooking can feel like a chore, but if my feelings about cooking stopped there, then I guess I'd be like the people in the commercial.

This commercial caught my attention the first time I saw it. I felt a kind of sadness about how thrilled these people were to never have to cook again. And using the phrase "have to cook" simply reinforces that "chore" mentality a lot us already have about cooking. But it goes deeper than that. Yes, we have to put in some time and effort to cook, but what do get out of it? This commercial suggests that cooking is all pain, and no gain. I am here to argue otherwise.

Hopefully, some of our own experiences inform the argument, but research does as well. To help us fight that "cooking is a chore" mentality, I'd like to compile a list of some possible and known benefits of cooking at home. Maybe you'll have your own to add!

• You get a tangible reward as a result of your efforts.

• Cooking helps nurture creativity and stimulates your brain in unique ways.

• When you cook your own food, you know exactly what's in it.

• People who cook at home usually have more varied and nutrient-dense diets.

• Cooking and sharing food are powerful ways to connect with others.

• When you cook your own food, you tend to eat it with more mindfulness and appreciation.

• Cooking may actually help relieve stress and anxiety (but only if it's not a "chore!")

• Learning to cook or mastering new cooking skills is a great confidence-booster.

• Cooking at home is typically less expensive than eating out.

• Being able to nourish your mind and body with food is a basic tenet of self-care.

No one is saying cooking should feel like a joy all the time. But we do ourselves a terrible disservice by focusing solely on the "transactional" part of cooking. If our minds are open to it, cooking can transcend the kitchen and be so much more.