Here's another story about myself that I need to change: I am not a good cook.
The more accurate story is: I don't enjoy cooking, and frequently choose to do any number of other things rather than cook.
During the time I was with
_storyteller_ and
uncrowned_king, my household enjoyed more nice, family-style meals than I've had since I left my parents' home.
_storyteller_ was a trained chef and had been in charge of supplies and meal planning for Air Force kitchens.
uncrowned_king wasn't as much of a cook, but loved the family-style meals and came to simply enjoy preparing and sharing them with me and my daughter. And their presence made cooking enjoyable.
_storyteller_ also showed me how simple and effective it is to plan meals.
Since they are no longer with me as partners, I've slid right back into my previous bachelor habits. I'm tired when I come home from work, and while I yearn for a nice meal with my daughter, cooking is the last thing I want to do. I buy meat that languishes in the meat drawer and forget to use it. I have eggs that I never cook for breakfast, even as I dream about
uncrowned_king's skillet breakfast. I keep falling back on grilled chicken and quesadillas instead of eating more healthy and balanced meals.
As I typed the above, I realized that I need to actively involve my daughter in meal planning and prep, not just inviting her to cook with me (which she enjoys). If she is involved in meal planning, she can do some of the prep work before I get home from work, so I don't have to start from zero.
Having a healthy, home-cooked, at-the-table dinner is so important to family togetherness, especially since my daughter is still in bed when I leave for work during the week, and of course we don't see each other at lunch. It's important for my morale as well.
The issue is prioritizing it and sticking to it -- not from a willed sense of duty, but from somehow finding the satisfaction and pleasure inherent in the process.
The more accurate story is: I don't enjoy cooking, and frequently choose to do any number of other things rather than cook.
During the time I was with
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Since they are no longer with me as partners, I've slid right back into my previous bachelor habits. I'm tired when I come home from work, and while I yearn for a nice meal with my daughter, cooking is the last thing I want to do. I buy meat that languishes in the meat drawer and forget to use it. I have eggs that I never cook for breakfast, even as I dream about
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As I typed the above, I realized that I need to actively involve my daughter in meal planning and prep, not just inviting her to cook with me (which she enjoys). If she is involved in meal planning, she can do some of the prep work before I get home from work, so I don't have to start from zero.
Having a healthy, home-cooked, at-the-table dinner is so important to family togetherness, especially since my daughter is still in bed when I leave for work during the week, and of course we don't see each other at lunch. It's important for my morale as well.
The issue is prioritizing it and sticking to it -- not from a willed sense of duty, but from somehow finding the satisfaction and pleasure inherent in the process.