My Culinary (He)Art
As a high school student, it can be hard to find time and motivation to cook meals often. When I do, I often get frustrated when something goes wrong or it doesn't taste as good as I was hoping. But I've made it a goal for the past few years to cook more for myself and my family, and I'm proud to report that progress has been made. Most mornings I make a point to cook some basic dish rather than just resort to granola bars and cereal like I did in middle school. And whether it's a banana peanut butter smoothie or a fried egg on toast, these small morning meals really have elevated my whole days. So, here are thoughts on why it's important for high schoolers to cook for themselves.
It helps us eat better
When I was in elementary school, I ate a Nutella sandwich about 3 days a week. The only thing I knew about nutrition was the standard calorie count, and I think this narrative applies to a lot of young people. I became anemic in 8th grade, and to this day I wonder if being more aware of how to develop a proper daily diet when I was a kid could have prevented this. After taking a culinary arts class in middle school, I became much more perceptive of what I was eating. Developing my cooking abilities was a great way to put my new knowledge into practice, and I started looking at healthy breakfast and lunch ideas and incorporating more fruits and vegetables into my diet.
2. Food helps us connect
Sharing meals has always been a primal way for human bonding. We allow ourselves to be vulnerable when we eat, which causes connections and relationships to deepen. Cooking for others is also one of the most beautiful forms of love out there, and feels deeply valued by both the chef and the recipient. Because food itself is the physical representation of affection, and many of our best memories are made with loved ones around the dinner table. That's why our holidays place so much emphasis of the meals; we feel closest with the people around us when food is involved. It's just a fact of life :)
3. It helps us develop good habits
For many college students, not being able to cook is ends up being a major downfall. Instant noodle consumption skyrockets because they just don't have any other options. But aside from just helping us healthy food, cooking itself is good for the soul. Food is soothing, and preparing food is very therapeutic. And by setting good habits in terms of meal preparation, we pave the way for other good habits. They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day; that's because it sets the tone for the rest of the day. If we eat cereal in a hoodie and sweatpants, we set a tone for a lazy, unhealthy day. But by taking the time to take care of ourselves with a good, full breakfast, we set the tone for a fulfilled and productive day.