Transitioning seasons and cooking challenges are discussed. Importance of brainless crowd pleasers and involving the whole family in cooking. Strategies for convenient and enjoyable cooking experience. Addressing issue of forgotten freezer items. Excitement about new cookbook release and using a meal matrix. Overcoming resistance to cook by starting small and exploring helpful cookbook.
When you don't want to cook, it's okay to give yourself permission to not cook.
Having a list of brainless crowd pleasers can be a game-changer when you don't want to cook.
Deep dives
Permission to Not Cook
When you don't want to cook, it's okay to give yourself permission to not cook. Takeout or simple meals like cereal are perfectly acceptable options. It's important to be kind to yourself and not beat yourself up for not wanting to cook. Remember, it doesn't mean you're doing something wrong. So, don't cook if you don't want to.
Brainless Crowd Pleasers
Having a list of brainless crowd pleasers, which are easy-to-make meals that everyone enjoys, can be a game-changer when you don't want to cook. These meals require little thought or effort and are essential to sustain your interest in cooking. Brainless crowd pleasers can be different for each person, but the key is to choose meals that are both easy to make and pleasing to your household.
Start Small and Use a Meal Matrix
When you don't want to cook, starting small can make a big difference. Just make one decision, whether it's to cook a simple side dish or to make an early batch of soup. Breaking tasks into smaller steps can help combat feelings of overwhelm. Additionally, using a meal matrix, where you assign specific types of meals to certain days of the week, reduces decision fatigue and makes meal planning easier.
Freezer Cooking and Future Planning
Freezer cooking and future planning can save you time and energy when you don't want to cook. Double batching recipes and freezing the extra portion with a designated date for when you'll eat it again ensures you don't forget about it in the freezer. Taking small steps like this can help you have a variety of meals prepared and ready to go, reducing the stress of cooking in the future.
It is likely a time of transition in your life. We are going into a new season, fall is coming, school has started, and all of this impacts our energy and schedules no matter what our lives look like and who, if anyone, lives with us in our homes.
But you know what doesn’t change? Dinner. Dinner does not change.
This week, I’m joined by the happiest cooking teacher on the internet, Bri McKoy, to talk about 10 things to do when you don’t want to cook.
Download a transcript of this episode. (Note: The interview portion of this episode is not transcribed, as per usual with Lazy Genius interview episodes. Thanks for understanding!)
This podcast is hosted by Kendra Adachi and executive produced by Kendra Adachi, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey.