TO COOK… OR NOT TO COOK?
When I was married, I was expected to cook every night. For the last 15 years of our marriage, we worked together in a business that was open seven days a week. That meant preparing lunches as well as dinners. My husband was a Midwesterner and expected meat and potatoes, and I grew up with a mother who cooked meat, a starch, and at least two vegetables at every weeknight meal. I was a product of my conditioning.
After my divorce, I decided to take a break from cooking. The daily grind of cooking had been utterly draining and monotonous. The relentless routine of cooking every day had sucked the joy out of doing something that I had previously relished and in which I had taken pride. Except for a few special dishes, (like the cabbage soup mentioned in Cooking by Instinct to reset my metabolism) that after-divorce break has lasted to this day. While my ex loved leftovers, I don’t. Preparing ahead and freezing for future meals is futile; I always throw away at least 90%.
The Fantasy is Real
The fantasy of having a personal chef is real, but it’s obviously not realistic. However, there are a lot of options now, many of which sprang from the era of the pandemic. The new variety of choices, from meal delivery services to grocery store-prepared meals, provides a welcome respite from the daily cooking routine.
And So Are Today’s Choices
LOCAL SERVICES
Gone are the days when pizza reigned supreme as the sole delivery choice. With the wave of a smartphone, food delivery services like UberEats, GrubHub, and DoorDash will deliver feasts from your beloved chain restaurants or your local neighborhood diner. While a convenient choice, it may not be the best choice. Food from fast food chains and pizza places, which make up the main share of these deliveries, can be expensive and are usually not the most healthy of foods.
GROCERY STORES
Locally, Publix has become my go-to take-out place. I can choose from a variety of freshly made meals that I can just pop in the oven for 30-45 minutes. I can read the ingredients, see the portions, and know exactly what I’m getting. I also purchase their freshly made green salads, potato salads, chicken salads, etc., to either eat on their own or pair with brats, veggies, crackers, or other easily-prepped or no-prep items.
SUBSCRIPTION MEAL DELIVERY SERVICES
- Highest quality protein
- Globally inspired flavors
- No artificial flavors, dyes, MSG, soy, wheat, rye, barley, malt, triticale, brewers yeast, or processed vegetable oils
- Dedicated gluten-free
- Commitment-free plans
Factor –
- Designed with a mix of carbohydrates, protein, and fats for well-rounded nutrition
- Meals designed by credentialed nutrition experts
- Meal choices include Calorie Smart, Protein Plus, Flexitarian, Chef’s Choice, Keto, Vegan & Veggie
- Flexible weekly menus
- New chef-curated menu every week
- Meal plans include Protein+, Keto, Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Mediterranean Diet, and Bulk
- Over 100 meals to choose from each week
- Meals are made to order; deadline to skip, modify, or cancel is each Friday at 11:59 pm PT
Practical, Convenient, and Freeing
Embracing any of these modern solutions allows you to reclaim your time and energy while still enjoying nutritious meals without the hassle of constant cooking. It’s a practical approach, and there’s no shame in letting go of the traditional expectation of cooking every day. The most important thing is finding a balance that works for you and brings more joy and convenience to your life.
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