I learned how to eat // What I eat in a day

I recently had an epiphany about why I’ve never enjoyed cooking. I realized that it is directly tied to past experiences as a girl and young adult. I do not have many good memories that involve the kitchen, where cooking is usually enjoyed, so, naturally, I avoid the kitchen.

Is there opportunity to create new, good memories in my kitchen? Yes! So, that’s what I’m doing.

Focused effort on cooking and spending time in my peaceful kitchen brought about another realization.

Good Lord. Another one?

Yep.

Ready for it?  I never learned how to eat.

For my entire adult life, I’ve viewed eating as a hassle – just like sleep.

When I was a twenty something, I skipped meals and often ate terribly unhealthy fast food. When I became a thirty something, I forced myself to slightly better, except it really wasn’t better. I lived on peanut butter sandwiches and expensive frozen dinners marketed as healthy, which really are not that healthy. Just because it’s in the healthy food section, doesn’t mean it’s healthy.  And just because you’re eating non-gigantic meals doesn’t mean it makes sense to then eat a ton of unhealthy snacks because you’re still hungry.

On the last several Sundays, I’ve been preparing my lunches and dinners for workweek. This was to challenge myself to cook (and enjoy it) and to have a healthier diet. All of that has worked out as expected. What I did not expect is the effect this would have on my energy, stress management and creativity.

It turns out that (duh), that my mid-afternoon inner meltdown that occurs is entirely avoidable. All these years, I’ve been hungry. Even when I ate whatever I’d thrown together, it wasn’t enough or it wasn’t enough of the right stuff. Therefore, the afternoons came along, bringing with it my enemy, anxiety. Low and behold, my ability to think creatively and manage stress nosedives.

Right away, I noticed that my energy levels, stress management abilities and creativity are much better!

I’ve. Actually. Been. Enjoying. Cooking.

My skills are improving but don’t think they’re anything close to yours.   

Today, my smoke detectors got a workout. I’m not so great with the stove, still.

Here are my favorite meal prep products  

Pyrex meal prep glass containers

Ninja blender

Crock-Pot Slow Cooker

Your only job in life is to take good care of you.

Jody Lamb is an author, blogger and adult child of an alcoholic on a journey to create an awesome grownup life. Visit JodyLamb.com. Twitter and Instagram: @JodyMLamb. YouTube: /JodyLamb. Facebook.com/JodyLambAuthor.   Subscribe for free access to my newsletter:

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