Wednesday, March 23, 2011

I Can't Cook, Therefore I Blog...

I am in a rut with cooking dinner -- or I should say my lack of cooking dinner. I wish I would have known that cooking would play a major role in my life when I ignored my mother's requests to join her in the kitchen to learn those "domestic" things. I would rather have been mowing the lawn or cleaning the pig pen, which is what I did, and now I am paying for it. I was a "cool girl" -- the outdoorsy, tom-boy type that surrounded me with a lot of guy friends and activities that were mostly outside. I didn't think that cooking would ever play a role in my life. What was I thinking? I thought I would be a mother someday, so why didn't I think cooking would come with it? I had a sign hanging in my kitchen after Russ and I got married that said, "I kiss better than I cook" -- not because I am a good kisser, but because I am a really bad cook and Russ knew that when he married me.

So, rather than cooking right now, I am blogging about my lack of desire to make anything edible. My boys will never say, "My mom is the best cook" the way my brothes did about my mom and how Russ talks about his mom. Sure, I can bake bread and cinnamon rolls, but as for day-to-day cooking, I am wothless. Plus, being seven months pregnant doesn't help my cause any. Nothing sounds good or really tastes good at this point. But, eating junk doesn't do much for me either. I am in a definite lose-lose situation.

I admire people who love to cook and spend hours in the kitchen, working to make a masterpiece that is inhaled in a matter of minutes, only to be left with a big mess. It doesn't really seem worth it to me. I guess that's why I don't really like Thanksgiving -- too much work for food that is just average. Why not save the hastle and just order a pizza?

I used to tell Russ that I wanted to take a cooking class, but am not sure knowing how to slice onions (that I don't like anyway) would help my desire to cook. Maybe I should just hire a cook -- that sounds like a better option to me.

I am a very picky eater, so when I find recipes that look good to me and take out the ingredients that I don't like, it tastes just like everything else. I am not adventurous at trying new things -- I stick to the things I know.

So, I guess I have wasted more time as I put off cooking dinner. Russ is going to shoot skeet after work and I have to have something on the table before he goes. I have two chicken breast thawed, a few cook books that I've looked through and put away, and several websites that I've scanned, and still nothing. I guess I am hoping for a miracle. Maybe dinner will magically make itself. Probably not, but here's to hoping!

10 comments:

Devin said...

Katrina,
I can totally identify with this. I struggle in the cooking department too. Mostly my struggle is the planning part. I dislike grocery shopping, so I try and plan our meals for an entire week and then shop once. But the planning... sometimes it's just too much to sit down with my cookbook, look through recipes, make a list of items I need to buy and items I already have and I know my time and energy is just going to be more limited once the baby comes.
I have several friends who are part of a cooking group where they are responsible for making a meal enough for every member of the group and putting it in a freezer container. Then the group gets together every two weeks to exchange meals so that every group member gets one of every meal. Maybe you can find some ladies in your ward interested in some thing like that. At least it would take the pressure off of you cooking every single night.

K said...

It is a sad fact that we must cook to live, well, I guess you could eat out but that would make you rich and fat most likely:) I must tell you it will get much worse because you have two boys that will love to eat! I have found that being a single Mom has put me in a position where I have to cook every single meal, every single day. No breaks and I really despise it as well.

I have found that the slow cooker is a big lifesaver for me on busy days or just when I'm exhausted. I also have mostly 20 minute or less meals. If you want some of my ideas I use you can email me. I'd be happy to share. Maybe one or two of them will end up working for you. Good luck.

Michelle said...

Sorry to hear you are struggling with this. I agree with both comments and think they'd be a great help for you. If I lived closer I'd bring over dinner for tonight.

Doug and Amanda said...

The things you learn after you lived with a person? I really don't remember you not liking to cook, but come to think of it I don't really remember you cooking either, I do however have very disinct images of you laces up your running shoes! Hope you came up with something to eat! Can't wait to see a pregnant picture of you.... hint hint

The Strawn Family said...

I can't cook either! In fact, I don't enjoy it...not one bit. Too bad we don't live closer and we could split the cost of a chef :)

heather said...

Right there with you Katrina! I hate meal-planning, grocery shopping and cooking! I feel like a failure in all things domestic!!!
I've got to figure something out soon- my kids can only take so much Ramen and Mac'n'cheese!
Good luck!

tori said...

I like to cook, I just don't like to do the dishes afterward. Garrik has realized that if he helps clean up afterward, he is more likely to have a meal waiting when he gets home the next day. I'm glad I'm living in this generation where more men help with all things domestic, I remind Garrik of that probably more than I should ;)

Juannaelmi said...

amen sister. I will go through phases where I am competent (not good or great) and then I just get bored and uninspired and then we are lucky to get sandwiches or cereal for dinner. I suppose though that my biggest life saving moment was when I realized that it doesn't have to be awesome full course meal every night. That took a lot of pressure off every night and so the nights when I can we have a great meal and the nights when I can't or don't want to we have an okay meal and we survive. Good luck to you. I would love to see your cute baby belly too :)

Logan and Traci Wood said...

Katrina--okay so I do love to cook! I have to admit that upfront. But I can identify with you...because after almost 11 years of cooking almost everyday at least 2 meals a day...I think I am done! I am going through many many moments of just wanting to throw in the towel because what once was a passion of mine has turned into more of a chore...especially when I get comments almost daily from Kelan saying, "I don't want this" while he hysterically cries. It is very draining and I would just rather call Logan lately and say Pick up a pizza on the way home!
So...right back at you lady...it isn't the funnest thing ever right now!

Shana said...

Hey Katrina, I remember when Kyler was born, you brought us dinner. You made Chicken Parmesan and it was SO yummy! I think it was Jensa Anderson's recipe. You've got skills!