Romanticize Cooking!

If cooking is something that you dread, this blog post is for YOU! Sometimes, it really helps to romanticize the process of cooking and take a couple more steps to make it just a little more enjoyable. In one of my recent posts, I talked about steps to make it more pleasant in a way that is easier and less stressful, but this time I would love to focus on fun things to add to your cooking process. Sometimes going the extra mile to enhance the overall vibes is so worth it!

Here are just a handful of tips & happy practices to add to your process:

1. Create a cooking playlist! One of my favorite ways to make cooking more enjoyable is to have a unique, curated playlist just for cooking. You can even make a few playlists for different meal vibes—  whether its piano/instrumental for late night dinners, fun, upbeat music for cooking with friends, or even playing Italian music for pasta night!
2. Make & drink a fun beverage while cooking! From yummy, fancy cocktails to something as simple as strawberry lemonade, you can’t go wrong with having a delicious bevy to drink throughout the process.
3. Add a garnish to your final product! This always makes me feel like I am a professional cook— you can add fresh parsley to roasted potatoes, olive oil and flaky salt on sliced baguettes, or a quick lemon squeeze on freshly cooked salmon. You’re options are truly endless!
4. Light candles when cooking at night! Mood lighting can completely transform your cooking experience (especially with music playing in the background) and can create such a peaceful environment. I even recommend only using lamps/soft lighting sources over turning on overhead lighting as this will help make it feel more calming.
5. Cook with the people you love! I truly can’t emphasize this enough. Whether its your best friends, your significant other, a family member, or a classmate, cooking with people can help relieve so much stress and responsibility. It is also just a lot of fun to hang and catch up with your people while working with your hands. You also get to enjoy the final product together after—  its a win win!
6. Give your food a photo/video moment! You can give your dishes a photo shoot or create a reel/tiktok that highlights your masterpiece. Making creative content with your food can give you more confidence in the cooking itself and will also inspire others when sharing it!
7. Turn on a movie or tv show while cooking! A movie & cooking is a simple yet powerful duo that can truly change the game for you. Treat yourself to some tv time to make the process go by faster— I highly recommend chick flicks or rom-coms for the ultimate vibe!
8. Dress up! Whether you are alone or with friends, you can make it fun by dressing in one of your favorite outfits. This can include your new favorite set, your comfiest pj’s, or your go-to dinner outfit that you always feel your best in. This one may be silly, but it can really add a fun feel to your cooking process!
9. Pretend you are on a cooking show! This one is a goofy one, but kind of a lot of fun. Narrate your cooking process either out loud or in your head to glamorize each step!
10. Buy or prepare an appetizer! I’m usually hungry while cooking and end up eating most of my meal before even putting it on a plate, so preparing an appetizer to munch on is the move. You can do chips & salsa, bread & butter, or even go the extra mile and make a corn dip in advance. You won’t regret it!
11. Wear an apron! Another simple idea, but this can make cooking feel a little more special, especially if its a fun pattern or color!
12. Use fun dishware and utensils! It is always fun to spice things up— and it doesn’t have to be expensive! You can easily thrift some fun plates, bowls, and mugs to add pops of color to your dishes. Or even buy fun plastic plates and paper napkins at the dollar store!
13. Use re-usable grocery bags! Sometimes I find that having a routine with certain practices can bring me a lot of joy, such as using fun grocery bags every time that I shop! Consistency in small things like that can sometime make a huge difference. I highly recommend baggu bags!
14. Use tablecloths! This can truly elevate your dining experience when you have a curated set up for your meal— this can help motivate you through your cooking process knowing you have a sweet setup all ready for you!
15. Make a menu! This is especially fun when hosting people, but it is even a unique way to celebrate solo cooking as well. You can simply draw it out on paper or even make a menu graphic on Canva!
16. Add flowers everywhere! I will always and forever believe that flowers can elevate any experience, but especially in the kitchen. The bright colors can bring so much joy and brightness to your cooking process!
17. Have a playlist for the drive to the store! Similar to the cooking playlists, it can be fun to get into the cooking spirit by starting on your way to the grocery store. Or even have a set  podcast that you listen to while driving AND shopping in the store!
18. Facetime friends & family! Chatting with your loved ones over the phone can really help pass the time, especially when cooking is something you dread. I highly recommend downloading Marco Polo, a video chatting app that makes face to face communication over the phone so easy!
19. Make tea! This is especially sweet in the morning as you are waking up or as you wind down at night. If I was a tea person, I would do this everyday (it’s such vibe!)
20. Make your own cookbook! Be proud of the things you make— document you favorite recipe and meal ideas so that you can always have inspiration on hand!

I know some of these practices & simple changes might sound excessive, but sometimes we need a little bit of motivation to get us through the everyday task of cooking! Try them out! Let me know if you have any recommendations using the Share Your Ideas! form!