THE BENEFITS OF COOKING AS A HOBBY
All treats in this article (the benefits of cooking as a hobby), were made solely by me the solo traveller; CoraDexplorer. 🙂
THE BENEFITS OF COOKING AS A HOBBY
What do you do when your number one hobby becomes null and void due to the Covid-19 pandemic? If you are like me, you will move on to plan B or your second favourite hobby. What’s mine? Cooking, of course! From travelling to cooking, is now my current plan B tagline and go-to comfort. Read on and discover some of the benefits of cooking as a hobby, especially during COVID-19.
Some people have many hobbies and are adjusting quite smoothly during this COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding, many are now searching to find a hobby that will keep them involved, active, and fulfilled at the same time.
The Nutribullet 900w is a versatile addition to your kitchen. It is not only perfect for smoothies but grinds seeds like Chia seeds and Flaxseeds as well as coffee beans etc. to powder. Chopping, grinding, pureeing can be achieved in seconds.
It’s a definite must-have in the kitchen.
The benefits of cooking as a hobby
With the curtailment of socializing and social activities, what are you going to do? Are you going to sit behind the computer or look at the television all day and night?
A hobby where you sit for long hours is detrimental to your health. Immobility is very unhealthy and equates to smoking a pack of cigarettes per day.
I would recommend cooking as a hobby, especially now where you have less money and must consume healthier meals. While I cannot travel at this time, I am now enjoying my time in the kitchen cooking various dishes, coupled with flower pot gardening.
Many travellers like myself, who are unable to travel are learning to cook or experimenting with new dishes. All this is taking place because;
- Cooking is an activity that brings comfort to their taste buds and spirit.
- Many of their favourite restaurants are closed or don’t allow dine-in.
- They are quarantined and or hesitant to expose themselves in public to the coronavirus.
The Lodge pre-seasoned cookware lasts for generations. Meals cooked in these utensils adds nutrients (iron) into your meals.
7 REASONS WHY COOKING IS AN EXCELLENT HOBBY
I am here to inspire and motivate you, to give cooking a try because it has many benefits attached to it. Maybe you don’t know how to cook, but with some motivation and trial and error, you can learn. That is how I learned to cook, and might I add, still learning and experimenting (photos in this article are my cooking skills on display).
So, now is the perfect time to remain active and to eat healthily. Cooking is a hobby which offers you both options simultaneously. Therefore, you will actively control what you eat and weigh.
For those who are still not convinced of the benefits of cooking as a hobby, here are seven reasons why it is quite excellent and beneficial.
The Hamilton Beach Home maker not only knead and bake breads but also cakes, just add ingredients and walla..hot bread!) .
Additionally, it can knead dough without baking, if it is your preference. The bread maker can be used to make jams and jellies as well.
1. Reduces your Food Bill
Cooking for yourself and or your family decreases your food bill drastically. Technically, you are paying yourself to cook (when you don’t purchase meals) and can stretch ingredients even further. Refrain from purchasing pre-cooked, pre-seasoned meats, vegetables, canned goods, etc. Instead, buy fresh and clean/season/cook for yourself. Therefore, this way, your meals are fresher with no added preservatives, and of course, cheaper, so your money stretches further.
Remember, cooking takes a bit of work in the kitchen but if you enjoy the process it will not feel like work at all. Furthermore, hard work does not kill, but laziness, inactivity, and unhealthy diets do.
The extra money saved can be spent on your passion or your other hobbies (in my case travel). That is why this point is my no.1 favourite of the seven of the benefits of cooking as a hobby. See my article (how to save money to travel), in my view, cooking is one of the biggest money savers.
2. Healthier Eating
Healthy eating includes healthy and hygienic food preparations, as well as what you put in your mouths. Some people see the word healthy and think of “green bush” and high fiber foods only. Unlike what some may envision, healthy eating isn’t or doesn’t mean boring or bland foods.
Eating healthy can be as simple as eating lower caloric foods. Therefore, the use of healthy fats, less salt, sugar, creams in your meal preparations forms part of healthy cooking.
When you cook at home, you control what goes into your meals and can use herbs and spices instead of fats to enhance the taste or your food. Remember, diabetes, hypertension, and other lifestyle diseases are all affected by what you eat. During this pandemic, it is even more important what you eat and do with regards to your health (see the do’s and don’ts during the pandemic).
Healthy cooking includes the utensils you use to cook in as well. Avoid using Teflon-coated and aluminium pots and pans because they have harmful chemicals and leach metals into your foods. Consequently, these can lead to a long list of health complications. Some of the safest pots/utensils to use are cast iron and ceramic cookware.
Research has also shown that people who cook at least five times a week live longer by at least ten years.
Cuisinart Ceramic cooking utensils are the best on the market. This is because they do not leach dangerous metals in your food.
Ceramic cookware are the no.1 safest and healthiest cooking utensils on the market.
3. You are in Control
Cooking at home not only gives you control over the overall price of your meals but what you eat as well. If you are diabetic or hypertensive, you can control your starches, sugar, salt, etc. that you add to your food. Additionally, it gives you choices and control over the quality and quantity of the ingredients (like, halal, organic, no MSG, etc.).
You also control the calories and portions you cook and eat, so there aren’t any wastage and or overeating. Whereas, eating out at some restaurants that offer buffet-style services can encourage you to overeat.
4. Cooking is Therapeutic
Cooking is truly a therapeutic hobby. All senses are fully alive with the taste and smell of your meals. Your mindset is improved while focusing on what you are preparing. What do you achieve? Your mind is off stress-related matters, and your mood is improved. Especially when everything like tastes and quality come together nicely, and you achieve perfection.
Home-cooked meals are therapeutic to the mind, palate, and stomach as well. You acquire a feel-good and satisfying feeling when you enjoy a delicious and satisfying home-cooked meal.
There are some people who, if they don’t eat at least one meal at home, don’t feel as if they have eaten for the day. It matters not what they may have eaten at a restaurant. They MUST eat at home as well. Without a doubt, home is where the heart and stomach are!
The Ultrean Air Fryer, 12.5 Quart Air Fryer Oven, Toaster Oven with 8 Touch Screen preset.
This multi-functional Air fryer works as a convection oven, air fryer, rotisserie, and a dehydrator. It cooks, bake and reheats.
It’s a must in every kitchen for healthier oil-free cooking.
5. Boost your Relationships at Home
Whether you are a couple or family, big or small, cooking and sharing your experience in the kitchen with family members is priceless time. Cooking as a couple can encourage bonding, sharing, cooperation, and or reconnection on a different level.
Studies show that couples who cook and experiment with new things like recipes are more engaged and connected in their relationships.
Families with children teach them not only cooking skills, but the children will open up and share their feelings and thoughts more easily when in a casual setting. It is also noticeable that children who are involved in food preparations tend to be less picky and or opposed to healthy food like fruits and vegetables.
Besides, families who cook together generally enjoy enhanced time together and better communication and cooperation skills. It can build a stronger connection and appreciation of the meal and the time spent together.
The Lodge pre-seasoned cookware lasts for generations. Meals cooked in these utensils adds nutrients (iron) into your meals.
6. Potential Entrepreneur
Cooking boosts your confidence and can lead to entrepreneurialism. If you are good at cooking, then you can take it further and start a profitable business from it. You can start on a smaller scale with friends, family, and neighbours, especially if your product is excellent. I can give an example/story of where I could have gone this way.
A few years ago, I made a beverage as my personal treat, which I called Cory’s Crème. It tasted somewhat like Baileys Irish Crème. Friends I shared it with were so in love with it, some offered to pay me more than the price of a Baileys for a bottle. It’s something I didn’t take seriously but could have pursued it. In addition to this, my Guava Cheese.
Those who have tasted it said it’s much better than what’s on the market. Altogether, if I wanted to get into the food business, I think I may have some potential and skills to do so.
So, get some honest feedback from those close to you as to how good you are at what you do, then decide if you want to go this way.
MUST HAVE ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR ALL TRAVELLERS
These are my essentials and gadgets I can never do without for a smooth and stress-free vacation. All are available on Amazon for direct links to the products and information and suggested uses .
For MUST-READ BOOKS Think and Grow Rich is an excellent book for those who are looking to improve their life and personally grow and develop. How to win friends and Influence people (#Ad) another self improvement and and social skills development read (excellent read …perfect for long airport layovers and during your flight) or during your free time. CLICK HERE for the entire list of travel essentials and uses/descriptions
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7. Food and Health Safety
Food safety means healthier food preparations. When you cook at home, you control the cleanliness, food safety guidelines, and hygienic practices. Beware, food poisoning is real. Salmonella and E.coli are lurking everywhere, and now the added risk of COVID-19 from utensils, interactions, etc. For this reason, there is no safer place to be or eat than from your home.
There is peace of mind knowing your food and the surroundings it was prepared is clean and safe. Risking your health currently during this pandemic or any other time is unwise. Undoubtedly, the best solution is to prepare your meals at home safely and hygienically.
The Hamilton Beach Home maker not only knead and bake breads but also cakes, just add ingredients and walla..hot bread!) .
It can also knead just dough only without baking, it that your wish. The Hamilton bread maker can be used to make jams and jellies as well.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR KITCHEN-TIME FEEL LIKE LESS OF A CHORE?
For some people, cooking is tedious. According to your mood or how tiring your day might have been, it can sometimes feel like a chore. Here are some tips to make your time spent in the kitchen more enjoyable and feel less like a chore.
- Plan your meals. Do not wait until you are ready to cook to then open the refrigerator or cupboard, wondering what items are inside or what you should cook. Have an idea of what you will like to cook and eat in advance, so this way, you are mentally and physically prepared.
- Prep in your free time. That could be as simple as pre-seasoning meats, chopping/grinding the ingredients you will need to cook later or the following day.
- Keep your kitchen clutter-free and well organised. Clutter in any room is depressing. Keep your cupboard and refrigerator neatly packed and well organised. This way, items therein can be found/retrieve quickly.
The Nutribullet 900 w is a versatile addition to your kitchen. It is not only perfect for smoothies but grinds seeds like Chia seeds and Flaxseeds as well as coffee beans etc. to powder. Chopping, grinding, pureeing can be achieved in seconds.
It’s a definite must-have in the kitchen.
- Bring entertainment into the kitchen. This is my favourite tip and makes time in the kitchen relaxing and enjoyable. For those who like music, television, or a talk-radio, be sure to introduce this to your kitchen space. Many people feel they are missing out on their favourite television show or their radio talk program when they are in the kitchen. So why not make your cooking time engaging, fun, and enjoyable by placing a television or radio in the kitchen.
- Keep potted herbs/plants in your kitchen. They will bring life and a bit of the outdoors inside. It keeps the kitchen fresh and airy.
- Invest in the right Gadgets and Appliances. Having the right kitchen aids cut manual labour, cooking, and preparation time in the kitchen by as much as half. Appliances speed up food preparations, and some even cook and bake on their own. With some Appliances, you add the ingredients and walk away, and in a couple of hours, a meal is ready
Therefore, an Investment in the right kitchen gadgets and appliances will surely make your life easier.
Conclusion
Cooking is a therapy for the mind, body, and gastronomy. If you cook with love and especially when you are in a happy mood, your meals always taste so much better. Whatever your hobby might be, one thing for sure is we all need to eat. The benefits of cooking as a hobby is rewarding for sure. Without a doubt, excellent food lifts the spirit and even better if you are the chef.
So, hone in what little kitchen skills you already have and improve on them. Buy the right appliances that will make your life in the kitchen easier and healthier when cooking. I use the appliances advertised in this article and endorse them as my kitchen-helpers and must-haves in your kitchen. All available on (#Ad) Amazon.
In conclusion, you can see from the 7 points above, the benefits of cooking as a hobby offers many health and financial benefits to you and your family. From travelling to cooking, could be your tagline as well, or in reversed order (due to monies saved from cooking), so happy cooking.
If you are curious as to how to make any of my treats in this article, send me an email or leave a comment, and I may share my recipes. Please share this article if you found it helpful.
The Ultrean Air Fryer, 12.5 Quart Air Fryer Oven, Toaster Oven with 8 Touch Screen preset.
This multi-functional Air fryer works as a convection oven, air fryer, rotisserie, and a dehydrator. It cooks, bake and reheats.
It’s a must in every kitchen for healthier oil-free cooking.
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