On Cooking

Since trading in cafeteria cuisine for whatever I can whip up, I have taken a great liking to the art of cooking. I never thought that this chore could be quite so enjoyable! Recently, I was reading one of my old issues of Real Simple (great magazine!...and not many annoying ads!) I came across an article entitled "10 Things Cooking has Taught me About Life." I really enjoyed reading the author's list about things she has learned from cooking and it made me think about the lessons that I myself have come to learn.

Here is her list, and then I added a few of my own!
1. Small gestures can make a big difference
2. Cheap thrills are closer than you think (she encourages readers to grow some of their own food, which I can't wait to do someday!)
3. Control is overrated (I've learned that having others help you is much more important than having it done your way)
4. Sing if you must, but stop thinking so much (it's just like singing in the shower, and it really helps me to enjoy cooking!)
5. There are always second chances (this is huge for me! the good thing about cooking for just myself is that nobody has to know if it turns out bad!)
6. Substance beats style every time (amen sister! I would take a good old hamburger over tiny pretentious portions any day!)
7. We all have what it takes to create something (this is the great thing about cooking...whether it's mac and cheese or filet mignon...it's still cooking, and you still get to eat the final product!)
8. Communicate, any way you can (she shares the story of how cooking with her family allowed for conversation about challenging stuff)
9. your instinct may be the best, but it's your's
10. Less really more (this may be my favorite point because somedays there is just nothing better than a grilled cheese and tomato soup, or a good old PB & J...extra crunchy on the PB of course!)

Now it's my turn:
11. Cooking=total stress reliever! This may be the opposite of some people, but for now in my life, I look forward to cooking after a long day...really takes my mind off of the busyness of life.
12. It really is more blessed to give than receive I totally agree with this when it comes to food...I have found that cooking for others is a great way for me to show how much I care about them! Hopefully they see this as a blessing!
13. Wonderful bonding One of my favorite parts about living in a house of girls this year has been the time spent together in the kitchen. I love sharing recipes and creations with them, and I love it when they share theirs with me!
14. Great excuse to shop If you know me at all, you know I love shopping, pretty much any kind! Since I have gotten into cooking, I have really come to appreciate the wonderfulness that is William Sonoma, Pier One, etc. Sometimes I just like looking at pretty dishes or cool appliances or even mixing bowls...don't judge!

So that's my list, hope you enjoyed it!