If you’re intimidated to even step foot in the kitchen, this subject is going to be so relatable for you. However, even the most practiced cooks have lulls in the kitchen, and it’s totally normal. Energy and imagination towards what you do in the kitchen can ebb and flow, however there are some things you can do to get back into the groove again.
I am neither novice nor professional – just a self-taught wellness enthusiast who finds zen in the kitchen like no place else. But I do have times where I feel like I get stuck in a rut: I don’t know what to make, I don’t feel inspired, I don’t feel motivated. There are some tricks I use to get back into it, and that’s what I’m sharing with you today.
3 Ways to Get Inspired in the Kitchen
1 – Find a New Recipe that Excites You
When I need a boost to get my butt back in the kitchen, I scour the internet (or Instagram!) for an idea that appeals to me. I will check out websites I frequent for recipes, or see what I can find on Pinterest – I don’t have many recipe books on hand but if you do, blow the dust off of them and take a look! There may be a gem in there waiting to be discovered.
Sometimes finding a recipe that was totally someone else’s idea takes the weight off of you. It allows you to cook something you will love and enjoy, while alleviating the pressure of feeling like you need to be a creative genius and come up with something amazing on your own. Nonsense!
I do have a few “go-to’s” for recipes – here they are if you want to check them out…
Of course, we do have some recipes here as well… check out my most popular to date: Buffalo Chickpea Patties!
2 – Have a Friend Cook for You
We all have that one friend who’s cooking is way outta this world. Like any good friend, I’m sure they would be happy to share a meal with you – and if you sweet talk your way into it, maybe they will even make that meal for you.
In the kitchen, we so often get stuck in our own way of doing things. We have habits – we use the same methods, similar ingredients, the same blend of spices, and eventually it can be difficult to get outside of our own box.
That’s why I love seeing other people work their magic in the kitchen first hand. It shows me a different way of going about cooking. It invites in new ideas. It also saves me from cooking for a night, and I don’t mind that every now and then.
So have a friend cook for you. Ask them for their speciality, or their favourite dish. You could always offer them a hand, but let them take the wheel, and get a fresh perspective on a meal.
3 – Cook For Your Loved Ones
If you’re feeling bored in the kitchen, getting in there and making food for a bunch of people may not sound that appealing. However, when it’s cooking for people you love, the game changes.
That’s because food is love. It’s an expression of our affection for the people in our lives. When we cook for ourselves, sometimes it’s just about sustenance. When we cook for family or friends, it’s about joy. It’s about showing love and appreciation. It’s about company, and laughter.
Allowing yourself to channel those emotions into your dish (or dishes!) can be reinvigorating, and may be just what you need to feel inspired again. Not only will it be a refreshing way of motivating yourself, but your loved ones will have an amazing meal to look forward to.
I hope that these tips have helped you! Lulls and times of discouragement are normal, so don’t let it get you down. Try one of these tips, and you’ll be back with your apron on in no time.
Standing Strong Wellness 