Today I went through my refrigerator and tossed out many food items – most unopened. I feel horrible, wasteful, and incredibly guilty. Here, I’ve spent my family’s money on groceries, that instead of providing meals and nourishment – they have been thrown away. On top of that, I’ve wasted precious resources - and not to mention that there are people who are starving! I feel like a failure. I set goals and they were far from reached. This seems to be a problem of mine. I can see how I want things, and at times I can get it pretty well planned – but I often times lack the execution of these goals. There are several issues that contribute to this poor trait, but mostly I just need practice and learning. I’ve only recently began my interest in cooking more substantial, hearty meals. I have turned out some delicious homemade food, but not consistently. When I do cook something, I am slow and it takes me much longer than the time given on the recipe. I realize this has a lot to do with my inexperience, but it can sure drag out the process and make for some later-than-planned meals.
Another aspect that I have issues with is not having an organized fridge/freezer. I’ll buy some meat for a meal I picked out and put it in the freezer if I’m not cooking it right away. Then, some time will pass and I’ll realize later that there is some meat in the freezer. Then I’m likely to toss it because I don’t know if it’s OK to eat anymore (better safe than sorry thinking). More often, I’m tossing out food that was partially used in some recipe, but wants you to use in 10 days – chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, basil, rosemary, cream cheese, juice, and other such items. This happens especially with produce. Fruit & vegetables are constantly going to mush in my fridge. It’s particularly hard for me – as far as planning goes – because my husband doesn’t have a 9 – 5 job. He owns his own construction business, so he gets home at varying times. This makes it difficult to know when to have the food ready. I also don’t seem to have a repertoire of go-to meals when dinner needs to be fairly simple.
I love food. Good food. Quality food. I love to read cookbooks and collect recipes. I love the thought of homeade meals. Cooking for my familiy. Gathering at the table. I love all the aspects of cooking, and I enjoy cooking itsself. So what is the hold up? Why do I continue to let myself down? I don’t know, this post seems to be tending towards rattling off some scatterbrained thoughts. I hope you’re getting a semi-clear picture of my roadblocks to consistent homemade meals. Please, offer up any advice that works for you – I really want to be successful at this. It’s important to me.
love it – I only hope he does! I think it’ll be all nice and warm for him. If he happens not to like it, he can just where it under a coat/jacket. I think it’s great!
