Personal Experience

I remember loving to cook when I was younger. I was a vegetarian for a long time, and when I wanted to go vegan, I realized that premade vegan crap was so awful. I didn’t want fucking lab-made garbage replacing dairy and meat in my diet. So, it was me and my kitchen, face to face. But there were obstacles, like knowing what the fuck to cook and making time for it. I loved food, big portions, and I’d like to say tasty as hell, but I love bland hahaha! Nonetheless, it felt like I was setting myself up for failure at first. I was thinking, I’m just taking a few things more out of the usual grocery.

Let me set the stage: Vancouver, where restaurant prices are through the roof. I was spending way too much money eating out because I thought, “Hey, I want fresh, fancy food.” Mostly sushi. Plus, I liked being served. What can I say? Laziness sometimes takes over me. But I couldn’t keep it up, so I decided to cook my meals. At first, it was hard to figure out recipes I liked. But I found a few go-tos, and slowly, I got into it.

Here’s the surprising part to me: cooking didn’t just help me save money, it became something I looked forward to. I started making food while chatting on the phone with my friend Sam. He was one of those people who could feed you and make you laugh at the same time, and it changed the whole vibe. Cooking felt less like a chore and more like a shared experience. When Sam wasn’t available, I’d blast music, chop veggies, and zone out, or in. Weirdly enough, I realized I liked it. Mindfulness, self-care, whatever you want to call it, it became that for me.

I stopped craving restaurant food. The taste of my own meals, simple, clean, and unpretentious, hit differently. I felt better in my body, like a switch flipped. Later, I started baking, experimenting with healthier ingredients. I’d bring my flaxseed muffins to work, and people loved them. Watching my coworkers devour healthier snacks made me feel like I was doing something good, not just for me, but for them too. But don’t get me wrong, I still missed going to the restaurant.

Cooking turned into an act of rebellion. I grew up with a mom who hated cooking and made sure we all knew it. She thought it was a waste of time, but I found it therapeutic. Cooking wasn’t a bother, it was grounding. Now, it’s just part of my life.

How to Keep It Up

Cooking consistently for 30 days might sound daunting, but it’s all about having a system that works for you. Here’s how:

• Use Your Planner Daily: Write down your cooking schedule. Seeing it on paper makes you more likely to stick with it.
• Start Small: If 30 days feels overwhelming, aim for 3-4 home-cooked meals a week and build from there.
• Plan Your Meals: Sit down with your planner and map out what you want to eat each week. Choose 2-3 base recipes you love and rotate them.
• Prep Ingredients in Advance: Wash and chop your veggies or cook grains in batches. Having the basics ready makes cooking after a long day way easier.
• Celebrate Wins: Cook one new recipe a week and write about it in your planner. Did it taste good? Did you screw it up? Either way, it’s progress.
• Cook with your friends: Invite people over or call someone while you cook. It makes the process more fun and less lonely.
• Double Up: Make bigger portions so you can pack leftovers for lunch. This saves time and keeps you on track.
• Experiment with Music or Podcasts: Turn your kitchen into a vibe. Good music or a solid podcast can make the process enjoyable.
• Keep Healthy Snacks Handy: If you bake or prep snacks, you’re less likely to reach for junk food when hunger strikes.

Abrasive Truth

Let’s cut the shit: “I don’t have time to cook” is a lazy bullshit excuse. You’ve got the same 24 hours as everyone else, so stop acting like you’re special. Cooking doesn’t have to be some Instagram-worthy masterpiece. It never is, never was, I’m looking at you 2012. It’s basic, chop some veggies, toss them in a pan, and stop whining. Don’t fool yourself with “it’s faster to eat out” garbage. You’ll sit at a restaurant for 30 minutes waiting for food, wasting cash while perfectly good ingredients rot in your fridge. That’s not just wasteful, it’s fucking stupid. Grow up, grab a knife, and get it done.

The Facts

• Improves Physical Health: Cooking at home is linked to healthier eating habits. A 2014 study in Public Health Nutrition found that people who cook more meals at home consume fewer calories, less sugar, and fewer processed foods. It also showed they have better overall diets compared to those who eat out frequently or rely on pre-packaged meals. (LINK)
• Boosts Mental Health and Confidence: Research published in the Journal of Positive Psychology (2016) shows that engaging in small creative activities—like cooking—enhances well-being and builds confidence. Cooking helps people feel more capable, which can extend into other areas of life. (LINK)
• Reduces Stress: According to a 2018 article in Mindfulness Journal, cooking has meditative qualities. The act of chopping, mixing, and focusing on a recipe promotes mindfulness, which is known to reduce stress and anxiety levels. (LINK)

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