Cooking has always seemed so daunting because the only way to learn is through experience. Trial and error is an inevitable part of the process, but screwing up a meal is disappointing, annoying, and a complete waste of time and ingredients!
No one really tells you where to start, but everyone expects you to automatically have the skill developed. You're handed a cookbook, pushed into a kitchen, and told "good luck!"
With the advice and encouragement of my coworkers, I've been able to successfully develop and prepare a weekly meal plan. It was sloppy at first, and wasted a lot of notebook paper, but I'm definitely getting the hang of it (and thanks to pinterest, my list is much cuter and more organized).Meal planning is time consuming and makes for an extra long trip to the grocery store (which I HATE), but it makes the time I do spend in the kitchen much less frustrating. It has also made shopping--and eating--more cost-effective. I'm sold on it!
Lucky for me, Josh isn't a picky eater, so he will eat pretty much anything I put in front of him without complaint. He's been very supportive as I try out different recipes (that sometimes turn out weird) and encourages me to keep trying new meals.
Like any rookie who cooks, I've been documenting some of the meals I make. You may see unappetizing, not-photogenic, poorly displayed food, but I see nine little victories. Each one has lead me to feel more confident in my abilities, and I am slowly beginning to enjoy cooking.
Here's to becoming less of a domestic disaster!
