topic Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore? in Kitchen

Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Fri, 12 May 2023 18:58:11 GMT

I have cooked for over 54 years, I think I may be over it.

I used to enjoy it but in the last few years my old body, especially my back protests a lot. It does not like prolonged standing at all.

I do cook but the navigating with a cane or a walker in the kitchen has taken any enjoyment I had cooking and thrown it out the window.

So is cooking fun/pleasure or a chore for you?

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

deepwaterdotter — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:01:39 GMT

A pleasure. I view cooking as a hobby.

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

On It — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:05:33 GMT

I have entered the "chore" phase of life. I can do it, but I do not enjoy it.

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

cjm61 — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:05:49 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 What I love about cooking is the response from people that I prepare meals for. My cooking is probably slightly above average, but I know what my family likes and I enjoy cooking homemade dishes that people love. I also like experimenting with new recipes.

My number one problem, and my entire family will tell you, I always cook for an "army". I constantly have family laughing at the amount I make, I just never want anyone to leave hungry. Plus, everyone goes home with leftovers, hence the need for lots of Lock n Lock on hand.

My least favorite is the clean up. I usually use a lot of ingredients and have quite the mess.

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

NEvans2 — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:09:14 GMT

Definitely a chore. I've been cooking for 51 years and I'm sick of it! I use any excuse I can find not to cook. I'm sick of figuring out what to have. I'm running out of ideas. It's me, my husband and our 33 year old son. My husband will cook sometimes, but he's still working so I don't expect him to do it a lot. Our son is a very good cook but he almost never cooks. Right now I consider cooking a necessary evil. LOL

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

zitawins — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:18:31 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 It's a chore. A pain. I cooked for five children, my husband and myself for years. I would be happy to hire a chef if I could afford it. My daughter lives with me and we cobble meals together. I do occasionally make a pot roast or turkey for the extended family, but that's rare.

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

ninjawife — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:22:33 GMT

DH has worked from home since December 2016 so he handles most of the cooking which is fair b/c for the first 21 years of marriage I did most of the cooking. I am retiring on June 14 so DH and I will probably split the duties from then on.

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:23:05 GMT

When I worked, and everything in my body was good i.e. pain free, I did marathon cooking sessions on Sunday mornings. It made the first half of the upcoming work week easier. I baked a lot then too, much to my late DH's delight.

I just don't have the energy anymore.

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

Chessa35 — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:25:34 GMT

Some nights I try new recipies and enjoy it .

Other nights I say ," Let's eat out tonight "

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

JeanLouiseFinch — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:35:06 GMT

My cooking now is much simpler than it used to be, but I still enjoy it because I know what i make will feed us and fuel us, and taste good, all at the same time.

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

KathyM23 — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:42:02 GMT

Cooking has always been a chore for me. I do not like to cook and don't like to look at or mess with uncooked meat. Since retirement DH does all the cooking and has always done most of it. Before retirement we ate out most of the time.

This week to end the week we are going out with friends on Saturday, Friday (tonight) we are ordering a pizza and will take it to a nearby lake and watch the water birds. Thursday DH baked fish and steamed vegetables, Wednesday I had lunch out with a group from previous work and for supper had left over tuna noodle DH made on Tuesday. Monday we ate out at a local Steak House. Sunday we ate out at a buffet in the next town. So this week, DH only had to cook twice.

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

Effie54 — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:45:10 GMT

Cooking is a chore. Baking on the other hand is a joy.

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

RedTop — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:47:03 GMT

Cooking is definitely a chore that I do not enjoy, despite the fact I cook very simple, basic meals. Due to food allergies, I eat the same foods over and over; my husband is not an adventurous eater, and is satisfied with whatever I cook.

We are not big on fast food or restaurant take out meals, and have never been the people who rush to try out a new restaurant that has opened in this area. Restaurants open and close here without us even being aware of where they are.

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

pdlinda — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:50:00 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 I lost 100 lbs 16 yrs ago and have kept it off.

Since then I cook most everything from scratch so I know exactly what I'm eating and how much I'm eating.

I used to entertain so I'd cook for everybody else and separately for myself (or cook things for others that I would eat).

Since retiring and going through the 2+ yrs with the COVID situation (shortages of certain produce items/organic things I eat) I cook for myself each day, every day and look forward to it because if I don't have the foods I enjoy (with whatever's available)the way I enjoy it, the thought crosses my mind of possibly putting weight on again.

That's enough to convince me that whatever effort and expense I have to go through to eat right (for me) is worth it!

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

PA Mom-mom — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:52:21 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 It's both for me. I'm most in my element when I'm cooking. I've been cooking 3 meals a day for nearly 50 years. It's my art (along with gardening). But, I have to say, those large holiday dinners are really killing me lately. If I didn't have DH to set the table and do the dishes after the holiday meals, I couldn't do it.

And, when I say 3 meals a day, I mean, after the children left home, and DH and I were both working full time, I made at least 3 kinds of meals on Sunday to last us the whole week.

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

kaydee50 — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:55:40 GMT

Chore but fortunately DH does the majority of the cooking and food shopping.

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

PA Mom-mom — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:55:42 GMT

@cjm61 You nailed it! And, clean up is my least favorite as well. Fortunately, DH LOVES to clean. Very strange

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

Puppy Lips — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:56:39 GMT

Chore. Always has been. Always will be.

BUT, to clear an entire room of furniture, prep the walls, and put two coats of paint on it, well, that is something I really enjoy.

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

QVCkitty1 — Fri, 12 May 2023 20:02:08 GMT

I used to love it , but now it depends on the day. I go from trying new recipes to let's get something out of the freezer and nuke it.

Re: Cooking, A Pleasure or A Chore?

LindaSal — Fri, 12 May 2023 20:07:07 GMT

I really enjoy cooking most of the time but I will admit sometimes I just hit a wall and cannot seem to come up with another interesting dinner! Of course we have our favorites and luckily DH does step up once in awhile (mostly holidays) but I certainly do most of it.

We really got into it during Covid and surprisingly still stay home most of the time to make dinner. I do enjoy going out though and I feel at some point maybe we'll return to doing that more?? It'll be interesting to see what evolves.