That might sound odd, given the number of years I've lurked here, but I
always took the view that I didn't much like cooking but I liked eating
well, and cooking my favourite foods was the best way to achieve that. I
also cooked to save money.

Well, I got home the other night with a bag of ingredients, and spent a
solid two anna half hours in the kitchen. These hours were necessary to
get tea cooked by a reasonable hour and the next day's lunch prepared, but
the point is that when I sat down at the end of it, I felt totally relaxed.
As opposed to times when I've spent an evening exercising or socialising or
doing laundry and then feel like I need to rest afterwards: The cooking
*was* the resting.

It was an epiphany.

K

I find it's very relaxing to me, too - when I had family here over Christmas
(exceptionally stressful), the kitchen was my refuge every evening.

- C.

--
CDC

If you're going through hell, keep going
- Winston Churchill
"Amarantha" > wrote in message
. 245.131...
> That might sound odd, given the number of years I've lurked here, but I
> always took the view that I didn't much like cooking but I liked eating
> well, and cooking my favourite foods was the best way to achieve that. I
> also cooked to save money.
>
> Well, I got home the other night with a bag of ingredients, and spent a
> solid two anna half hours in the kitchen. These hours were necessary to
> get tea cooked by a reasonable hour and the next day's lunch prepared, but
> the point is that when I sat down at the end of it, I felt totally
> relaxed.
> As opposed to times when I've spent an evening exercising or socialising
> or
> doing laundry and then feel like I need to rest afterwards: The cooking
> *was* the resting.
>
> It was an epiphany.
>
> K

Amarantha wrote:

> Well, I got home the other night with a bag of ingredients, and spent a
> solid two anna half hours in the kitchen. These hours were necessary to
> get tea cooked by a reasonable hour and the next day's lunch prepared, but
> the point is that when I sat down at the end of it, I felt totally relaxed.
> As opposed to times when I've spent an evening exercising or socialising or
> doing laundry and then feel like I need to rest afterwards: The cooking
> *was* the resting.
>
> It was an epiphany.

I feel that way frequently. The cutting, slicing, dicing is soothing and
I can either just enjoy my music playing or concentrate on something
while my hands work. I feel I am creating food, not just opening some
cans or packages and reheating someone else's food.
I find it the perfect time for kids to sit at the table and do homework
or art work, or even help prepare the food which of course teaches them
cooking skills, math skills, conversational skills, etc.
It certainly doesn't hurt that it is also cheaper and tastes better too.

On Mar 22, 7:40 pm, Goomba38 > wrote:
> Amarantha wrote:
> > Well, I got home the other night with a bag of ingredients, and spent a
> > solid two anna half hours in the kitchen. These hours were necessary to
> > get tea cooked by a reasonable hour and the next day's lunch prepared, but
> > the point is that when I sat down at the end of it, I felt totally relaxed.
> > As opposed to times when I've spent an evening exercising or socialising or
> > doing laundry and then feel like I need to rest afterwards: The cooking
> > *was* the resting.
>
> > It was an epiphany.
>
> I feel that way frequently. The cutting, slicing, dicing is soothing and
> I can either just enjoy my music playing or concentrate on something
> while my hands work. I feel I am creating food, not just opening some
> cans or packages and reheating someone else's food.
> I find it the perfect time for kids to sit at the table and do homework
> or art work, or even help prepare the food which of course teaches them
> cooking skills, math skills, conversational skills, etc.
> It certainly doesn't hurt that it is also cheaper and tastes better too.

I totally feel the same way. Whenever I am frustrated or upset, just
chopping ingredients is soothing.

Cooking Light - Cooking For Health - Cooking For You!
http://cooking4health.com

Amarantha > writes:

> These hours were necessary to get tea cooked by a reasonable hour
> and the next day's lunch prepared, but the point is that when I sat
> down at the end of it, I felt totally relaxed.

I'm the same way. Cooking is an essential chilling out period for
me. If I go too long without cooking, I start to go crazy and craving
it, even if I'm eating otherwise wonderful food. I may come back from
a business trip and spend three hours cooking dinner, because I need
the time to relax. Of course, the results help too!


--
Alan Shutko > - I am the rocks.
Yeah, maybe we ARE apathetic, but we Just Don't Care.