I’m relieved to see this article.
I used to love cooking. But that changed over time with pandemic. I think a part of it is that now, I’m not at work trying to remember what’s in my kitchen. Looking at recipes isn’t a form of escapism when you don’t have a lot of alternatives about what you’re going to eat. And it’s no longer convenient to plan to drive by the grocery store on my way home from work when I’m not driving home from work any more.
Every piece of meal prep had begun to feel Like a chore, and each next step more difficult. Ok, sure. First I had to find recipes that looked interesting enough to cook. Then to put together a grocery list? And a monumental trip to the grocery store? All before dinner could even begin to be started let alone arrive on the table.
Since before I moved I have solved the problem by going back to a meal subscription service. (HelloFresh in this case.) it has really helped. I am still cooking — which I firmly believe should be how we consume at least approx 80% of our meals, in terms of being economic and healthy — but it is brainless now. I get to pick what looks good from a limited selection ahead of time; I pick meals that support my values (I try to go 50% vegetarian, for instance) and can stay within my caloric desires at the same time. 4 box kit meals = 8 Servings, do with $80 I pay for more than half my food every week. (I am a breakfast skipper.)
Last night I invented my first meal on my own in a long time. I had subscribed to another box — an ugly foods box. I’ll be honest, I think these months of meal box kits have also improved my own cooking in terms of figuring out a meal with multiple components and how to make it all ready about the same time, and considering sauces, seasoning and condiments more holistically and thoroughly than I would have before.
My kitchen mojo is coming back, just a teeny weeny bit. But right now I will take scraps of anything!