Making cooking more fun to aid weight loss

If you don’t love cooking, maybe I can help to make it more fun for you? I know that sometimes I don't find cooking to be all that fun. I can get into the 'same old, same old' routine just like everyone else. So that's why I've listed my best "fun" cooking tips that help me.

Check out new recipes

Sometimes just seeing the beautiful food photos and reading the recipe can spark some inspiration and fun in your kitchen.

You can head to your local bookstore, or look up your favourite nutritionists, chefs, bakers, and other online foodies. Maybe do a quick search on Google or Pinterest to see thousands of new ideas. Perhaps you have some ingredients in your fridge that are just waiting to be eaten.

If you're looking for inspiration, check out my super easy, healthy and delicious Halloumi and Beans family recipe.

Pro Tip: Searching through recipes can be so fun and inspiring, and can also end up taking way longer than planned (I used to do this a lot). So, consider setting your timer when you start browsing. The last thing you want is to take too much time looking, that you don’t leave enough time for cooking.

Make grocery shopping fun and inspiring

When you’re at the grocery store, try something that you haven’t had in a while. Is there a seasonal fruit or vegetable you haven’t had for months? What about a childhood favourite? Did you come across something totally delicious at a restaurant or get-together lately?

Or, browse around the store looking for something you haven't had before; something that is completely new to you. Be adventurous and fun. Then you can go back to tip number one - to find new and inspiring recipes - when you get home.

Pro Tip: Please, please never shop hungry!

Keep it simple!

Sometimes when I see a great food picture, I immediately get inspired to make it. But if I look at the ingredients or instructions and they're too long, I stop. While there are times when I'm inspired and dive into a new great recipe, when I'm not all that inspired, I need to keep things simple.

A few ways to keep things simple are to:

• Search for recipes with 10 or fewer ingredients, and five or fewer instructions.
• Search for recipes that can be made in one pot or pan.
• Buy ingredients that are ready to cook with (pre-washed salad greens, diced squashes, frozen vegetables, etc.)
• Always have ‘backup’ meal ingredients in the house. Backup meals are you classic family favourites (spag bol, bangers and mash, stir-fry, etc.)

Put on some music and invite someone to join you

Do you have kids that need to learn the critical life skill of cooking? There's no better time to do this then this summer! Perhaps your partner would love to join you? What about having a “cooking party” where everyone brings something and cooks together?

Invest in some kitchen swag!

If none of the other tips work for you, simply having proper kitchen tools can make cooking so much easier and faster. When's the last time you sharpened your knife? Or bought yourself a new one?

Could dicing carrots with a dull knife be draining the fun from cooking? Or is blending a smoothie with a crummy blender, leaving it too chunky to enjoy, making you feel less excited to try new smoothie recipes? I know it does for me.

Conclusion

You know that cooking is the key to healthy eating. And, yes, it does get boring from time to time. Try one (or all) of my fun cooking tips to inspire you to get over to your kitchen and cook yourself some great dishes. You already know your health will thank you.