The One Where Cooking Isn’t My Thing

I’ll start with this: I don’t like cooking. I’m not good at it, I don’t enjoy it, and if I can avoid it, I absolutely will. Why? Honestly, I’m not entirely sure. Neither of my parents were big cooks, so it wasn’t something I grew up seeing much of at home. They divorced when I was 11, and while my mom cooked on weekends for us, it was usually something simple—but it was always tasty.

During my childhood, we helped out in the kitchen occasionally, but never with anything major. For example, I can prepare potatoes or pasta, but when it comes to meat? Not so much. And when I finally had the chance to cook on my own, I was too afraid of messing something up. (To be fair, that’s a feeling I have often - not just with cooking but with a lot of things.)

Speaking of meat: I don’t enjoy preparing it. The texture feels strange to me, and I never know what to do with it. Don’t get me wrong - I’m definitely not a vegetarian. But if there’s steak on the menu, someone else has to cook it for me.

Luckily for me, I married an amazing husband who not only cooks but loves cooking—and he’s incredible at it. His food is so good that I’ve started having trouble enjoying certain dishes outside our home because his versions are just better (like his homemade burgers). We’re at the point where he prepares all our meals himself, and we pack them in lunch boxes to take to work. And honestly? I love it. It saves us so much money!

So yeah - safe to say, I don’t cook. I don’t like it, and thanks to my husband, I don’t have to. But baking? That’s a different story. Baking is something I genuinely enjoy.

Even though I occasionally ask my husband for advice on recipes, I think I’m getting pretty good at it. By “good,” I mean that I can follow a recipe and usually end up with something delicious (though failures do happen from time to time). When things go wrong, they’re usually minor mistakes - and honestly, I think someone should film me messing up once in a while just so I can see that it’s not the end of the world!

I tend to stick to simple recipes most of the time, but lately, I've been branching out and trying new ones. My most recent experiment was apple muffins made with grated apples we had lying around—and they turned out great! They were a little too sweet for my taste (I’ll use less sugar next time), but still very tasty overall.

Now, I’m looking forward to trying another new recipe soon - it’s always exciting to see how things turn out!

Why Meal Prep is a Game-Changer

Let me tell you - meal prep has made my life so much easier. If you’re like me and don’t enjoy cooking, it’s a lifesaver. The idea is simple: prepare meals in advance so you can just grab, heat, and eat during the week.

Meal prep saves time - you cook once or twice a week instead of every day - and it’s a huge money-saver. Planning meals ahead means fewer takeouts and less wasted food. Plus, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with simple recipes like pasta salads, roasted veggies, or sandwiches. Even prepping just two or three meals can make a big difference.

Here are some tips to get started:

• Start small: Don’t overwhelm yourself by prepping for the entire week right away. Begin with just lunches or dinners for two or three days and build from there.
• Use good containers: Invest in sturdy, leak-proof containers that are microwave-safe and freezer-friendly. Bonus points if they’re stackable to save space in your fridge.
• Plan before shopping: Write down what meals you want to make and create a shopping list based on that. It’ll save time at the store and keep you from buying things you don’t need.
• Batch cook staples: Make large batches of basics like rice, quinoa, roasted veggies, or grilled chicken - they’re versatile and can be used in multiple meals.
• Prep snacks too: Cut up fruits, portion out nuts, or bake something like muffins for quick grab-and-go options during the week.
• Keep it simple: Stick to recipes you know and love at first. Once you’re comfortable, start experimenting with new dishes.
• Label everything: Write the date on your containers so you know how fresh your food is - and avoid playing “guess the mystery meal” later.

Meal prep has been a game-changer for us - it saves time, money, and stress during the week. And while I might not do most of the cooking (thank you, husband!), I love how organized it makes our lives feel. If you haven’t tried it yet, give it a go - you might just love it!