After a long day of work and the responsibilities of life, the last thing we want to do is come home, stand in the kitchen, and cook. Even though I enjoy cooking, I found myself dreading this task, forgetting the joy of creating a delicious meal, and viewing it as one more thing on the to-do list that I didn't have the energy for. If this sounds like you, stay with me to learn how I turned this dread into an activity that I now couldn't imagine being without!
My old ‘normal’ was a vicious cycle of feeling great on a Sunday, researching healthy recipes, preparing to commit to a week of healthy eating, meal prep, losing a stone by next week, and doing 10k steps every day. I'd start off great, but by Wednesday, I’d come home from work, exhausted and deflated because my overachieving self couldn’t stick to the plan. I'd order delivery for dinner, feel guilty for not cooking, and feel even more tired because I wasn’t getting the nourishment from good foods to support my hectic lifestyle. You know how it goes.
The point of the story is that when you step back and realistically look at your schedule, it’s not that you lack the drive and determination to do all the things you want – you most certainly do. What’s happening is that you’re trying to overachieve on a schedule that simply doesn’t allow for it. You can change this never-ending cycle, and it’s much easier than you think!
Food for Thought:
How is it that we avoid cooking on a weeknight yet manage to plan Christmas dinner for months? We even prep most of the dinner the night before! Why? So that we have more time to do the things we enjoy on Christmas day! In reality, Christmas dinner is no different from a normal dinner. It’s simply a roast with fancy and overpriced things. Now imagine harnessing all the things we love about Christmas and applying them to everyday life.
I asked everyone I saw for weeks, ‘What is your favourite thing about Christmas?’ and apart from thinking I’d finally lost my mind by asking this as we approached spring, they all picked out the same things they look forward to. Surprisingly, none of those joys were exclusive to Christmas. People loved and looked forward to:
Sitting around the table with family
The ‘festive’ food & drinks
The cosy feeling of watching a movie after dinner, feeling full and fulfilled
Why only give ourselves one day out of the year to feel this happy? I don’t accept that! I want a festive every day, a festive life, and here’s how I did it…
Making an Event out of a Chore:
Once I realised that I could have all the fun of Christmas anytime I wanted, the game changed. As I did my usual Sunday meal plan, I started looking at it in a new light. Once I had written my menu for the week, I began thinking about how I could bring joy into every evening. For the first time ever, I was excited for a week of cooking that I usually dreaded!
Chicken curry suddenly became Indian night, pasta transformed into an Italian theme, and burgers took us to an American diner – my dining table has literally become a passport to world cuisine. I can’t even begin to tell you how much it has changed not just my life but brought joy and connection to the whole household.
We went from feeling drained and exhausted to sitting together laughing and energised, all in the same time it would take me to cook any normal dinner.
So what changed? I barely have time to cook dinner, never mind set up a whole party! Here’s the thing, you don’t need to go to any extra lengths to make this happen. With just a few tweaks to things you’re probably doing anyway, you can transform the tone of the whole night.
Simple Changes that Make a World of Difference:
Set The Table: Everyone sets their table before a meal, but you can elevate this by lighting a few candles or putting the napkins into the glasses for a restaurant vibe. It looks fancy and takes an extra second of your time.
Set The Mood: Most of us watch TV while we eat, which is bad for our overall health. Instead, set the mood for your dinner by searching for some cozy backdrops on YouTube. Try ‘restaurant background music,’ ‘cozy fireplace,’ or even a backdrop that suits your theme for the night. This creates an amazing dinnertime atmosphere with just a flick of a channel.
You thought there would be another hefty to-do list, didn’t you? But no, that’s literally all it takes to transform each meal into a different vibe. All that’s left to do is sit down with your family, open the wine, and enjoy a delicious dinner while chatting about your day.
The Impact of Change:
Did you know that simply enjoying a nutritious meal with your family can be the perfect way to de-stress and unwind? I’m a big believer in speculating to accumulate, and in this case, the benefits to overall wellbeing for the whole family far outweigh the effort. Here are some key benefits to your overall health that you can expect:
Physical Benefits - Nourishment & Comfort: We all know the physical benefits of a good meal and how important it is to fuel our body with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to maintain our energy levels and overall health. Did you know that eating home-cooked food with family can stabilize our mood and reduce stress? We aren’t creating an extra chore; we are setting the boundary between work and home by enjoying some well-earned time with the people we love the most.
Emotional Benefits - Connection & Relaxation: Sharing a meal with loved ones strengthens our bonds and provides a sense of belonging and support. These feelings are often lacking when we rush around on a hectic schedule. The act of sitting down, chatting, and simply enjoying a meal is a form of relaxation, allowing us to unwind and disconnect from work-related stress.
Psychological Benefits - Mindfulness & Routine: Focusing on the flavours, textures, and aromas of the food helps you practice mindfulness, bringing you into the present moment and away from worries. Establishing a regular mealtime with family not only aids mindfulness but also creates a sense of routine and stability, which can be comforting and reduce anxiety.
Social Benefits - Conversation & Laughter: Engaging in light-hearted conversations and sharing stories about your day can be therapeutic, helping you process your thoughts and feelings. Often, sharing stories and chatting leads to much-needed laughter, which not only boosts your mood but also creates positive memories.
Overall Wellbeing - A Balanced Lifestyle & Support System: Combining good eating habits with quality family time contributes greatly to a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle. By spending more quality time, you create a more supportive family environment that encourages open conversation and provides a safe space to share any challenges you may be facing.
In short, enjoying a home-cooked, nutritious meal around the table with your family not only nourishes your body but also feeds your soul. It helps you feel more relaxed, supported, and rejuvenated. All the things we love about Christmas brought into everyday life.
Life is a mosaic of moments, each one contributing to the larger picture of our existence. Embrace the beauty of the everyday and find joy in the little things. Let these moments inspire you, ground you, and remind you of the wonder that life has to offer. In the end, it's not the grand events that define us, but the collection of simple, heartfelt experiences that truly shape our hearts and souls.
Let me know if you decide to elevate your dinner experiences, I'd love to hear what you do and discover new ideas!
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