{"id":1261,"date":"2017-07-27T16:10:26","date_gmt":"2017-07-27T20:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.agooddish.com\/?p=1261"},"modified":"2017-07-27T19:13:19","modified_gmt":"2017-07-27T23:13:19","slug":"dont-feel-like-cooking-do-it-anyway-just-keep-it-simple","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.agooddish.com\/?p=1261","title":{"rendered":"Don’t Feel Like Cooking? Do It Anyway – Just Keep It Simple"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Cabbage and carrot salad with cilantro and pumpkin seeds<\/span>
Stoneware plate by Maishe Dickman<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cooking has finally become a choice. There is so much prepared food available that we can simply buy or order meals instead cooking. Sometimes that is fine. In fact, sometimes it is the solution. Fish sticks and potato puffs with a bag of frozen vegetables, pizza or Chinese to-go can make a busy week so much easier. But eating that way often gets tired and boring. And too much of it, with too much salt and flour and bad oil and sugar, can leave us feeling lousy both emotionally and physically.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the New York Times<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>this week, Sam Sifton wrote about cooking something rather than ordering in as a way to feel a little happier. I am with him. I am all for occasional take out meals and understand the need to grab and go from time to time. But, as Sifton points out, “whatever you put together will be palliative”. The smallest effort of making an omelet or saut\u00e9ing some vegetables or smashing some avocado into a basic guacamole will be more meditative and healthier than anything you could pick up pre-made. You and the people you cook for will feel the love.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Easy guacamole<\/span>
Porcelain bowl by Larry Bush<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Historically, cooking took lots of time. It still can. But we can choose to cook more simply and efficiently and still come up with satisfying and nourishing meals. We can even use some convenience food as a base to make preparing a meal easier. Sometimes just thinking of what to make is the obstacle to cooking. It is summer and you probably don’t want to turn on your oven. Below are some of my go-to, easy to prepare hot weather suppers. You know them so this list is just meant as a reminder. If you have a grill, fire it up! If you stock a few canned (or glassed) things, eggs, seeds and nuts, you will always have meal fixings. Just add some fresh vegetables and you’ll have food on the table in minutes. Just make that small effort. You’ll feel better.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Chiogga Beets simply boiled and sliced<\/span>
Plate by Mary Barringer<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

EASY PEASY MEALS<\/span><\/p>\n