Bringing More Magic and Joy to Your Kitchen
Do you enjoy being in the kitchen and cooking? Does the thought of standing over the stove or baking a cake make you smile? Or do you find it boring? A chore? Perhaps overwhelming?
I personally love being in the kitchen but I completely understand that isn't the case for everyone (after all, one of the many wonderful things about the world is that we’re all incredibly different and different things bring us joy!). But I figure that eating is something that we all need to do, so why not bring a little more magic to your experience of it? If I can help you bring even just a little bit more fun and joy into your kitchen and cooking experience, I'll be one happy lady! Perhaps you’d like to rekindle the love for cooking that you once had, or perhaps you never quite found that love and are still hoping to find it...either way, I have some wonderful ideas for you. Here’s are five ways to bring more joy and magic to your kitchen.
Play music
Put on some of your favourite tunes while you’re cooking. Maybe some relaxing music that makes you feel calm, some classics so that you can get your groove on while you’re cooking away, some upbeat melodies to lift your mood, or whatever you feel like! Music can be such a beautiful way to bring magic and joy to any situation.
Get nostalgic
Make something from your childhood that you loved - maybe your grandmas muffin recipe, that dinner dish your dad would cook on Sunday nights, that awesome cake you had on your 8th birthday, or even your favourite sandwich combo for school lunches (Vegemite and butter sandwiches yessss!).
Engage all your senses
Sure, you use your sight and taste when cooking and eating. But have you thought much about engaging your other senses? We’ve already discussed playing music above, or perhaps you’d like to pay attention to the sounds that happen when you’re cooking (like the sizzle of something in the pan or the gentle boil of the kettle). Also notice all of the awesome smells that foods create! And my personal favourite - get in there and use your hands to notice all of the awesome textures of food. This is such a great way to really engage with the cooking experience. For example, if you’re mixing something in a bowl, use your hands instead of a spoon; enjoy the feeling of making patties with your bare hands; feel the warmth of a freshly baked muffin; notice the different textures as you toss a salad.
Cradle cookbooks
There’s something about actually flicking through a cookbook with your hands that just can’t be compared to looking up recipes on Google or using your Kindle. I love the tangible aspect...flipping through and looking at the photos, dog earring recipes you like the look of, using your finger to follow the recipe or ingredient list, writing notes down and adaptions you make. Pull out some of your favourite cookbooks that might be hiding in your cupboard or on your bookshel. If you don’t have any you’re drawn to, buy yourself a new or second hand one (there are some awesome finds at places like Vinnies and second hand book shops!).
Take pleasure in your serving ware
Ahh one of my greatest loves is lovely serving ware. They can instantly make any meal feel so special and magical. Take your average piece of toast for example, pop it on a lovely plate and it makes the whole eating experience so much more special. My personal biggest love is pottery - I’ve slowly been building my collection of plates, bowls, mugs and tumblers over the past few years. You can purchase lovely pieces on Etsy, which means you’re supporting local artists too. If you’re lucky you can even find some lovely pieces in op shops.
A final few ideas
Other tips to make your kitchen experience fun and magical include putting photos on your fridge, popping some indoor plants around your kitchen, or perhaps growing some herbs on your windowsill. Do whatever will make you feel more comfortable and happy in your kitchen!
