When we cook for ourselves we get to make things the most "selfish" way of all. Just the way we like it. Do you like your spaghetti noodles thick or thin, do you like shaped pasta instead, guess what?! you can have it exactly the way you want it when you make it yourself. Do you like your noodles al dente or perhaps a little softer, guess what?! you can cook them exactly the way you want them again. It is all about what YOU want, and how you want. There are restaurants that have made millions trying to make it exactly how you want it, but really you are the only person that can do that.
We can learn to really thrive as we are cooking for ourselves. We can learn to Eat to Live not just live to eat. We can buy beautiful, fresh seasonal ingredients, we can make things from scratch, we can not just put things in our body, but we can put the very best things into our bodies to make them healthy and happy and strong. Have you ever had beans made "from scratch", taken from dried beans, rinsed, soaked and cooked - oh My Goodness they are delicious! Or a fresh slice of warm homemade bread fresh from your very own oven. It doesn't get much better than that. How luxurious, how delightful, how indulgent, cooking for ourselves is something that we can have become a part of our lives that makes our lives something we enjoy living.
Do you have memories of a parent or grandparent humming in the kitchen while cooking something delicious. Did you have a special seat that you sat on while you talked to them and watched them at work? We can create those moment and memories for the people that we love. But we can also have those moments for Ourselves! Buy yourself a beautiful apron, put on some music that you like, put some comfortable shoes on or take your shoes off - what speaks relaxation to you. Snip the ends off those green beans or get your hands into some dough and let the sensual moment be a part of your day that makes you happy. Relax, take the pressure off yourself, you are doing this for yourself and people you love, let it be a moment of blissful joy.
You are taking care of the most important person in your life - You, and nourishing those you love the most both physically and emotionally. Family dinner does lots more than just feed bodies and family cooking does more than just make a meal. But do things your way, remember this is your show - the ultimate way you want things to be. If you want help, then get the kids and your spouse to help you, if you feel more relaxed doing it yourself and having some time to unwind do things that way. Let this be something that blesses your life instead of hinders it.
Take back your control and take back your mind from the advertisers and giant companies of the world - they don't have your best interest in mind. Cook a meal at home for yourself and the people that you love the most - make a memory, take a moment and take a look around and a deep breath - you are doing this! YOU are amazing!
