I’ve compiled a list of 10 tips to help you enjoy cooking more because I think one of the hardest things about cutting out processed foods and switching to a whole foods diet is the fact that you have to spend more time in the kitchen.  Many people don’t have much extra time and simply don’t want to feel like they’re slaving away in the kitchen.

1. Good Music: While you’re in the kitchen whether you are cooking or cleaning turn up the tunes!  Music no matter what type, as long as you love it and it makes you feel good, can be a great motivator, it puts some pep in your step and helps to pass the time.

2. Books On Tape: You can also put a book on tape on your ipod, phone or cd player…am I the only one who still uses one? We have a cool speaker that we can hook up devices too or use through blue tooth and I will listen to books that the kids pick out from the library or books that are more for me whether they are about business, health, mindset, nutrition and all those other lovely topics I like to learn about!

3. Flowers: I LOVE having fresh flowers around, and this time of year there is always some type of wildflower in bloom.  I will frequently stop on the side of the road, pick some flowers and bring them home and put them in a mason jar on my table, stove or countertop.  Just having fresh flowers in your kitchen makes you feel happy.  Try it out:)

4. Comfortable Shoes: I understand some houses have a “no shoe” rule, and we used to, but since I spend time each day in my kitchen, which is a cold, hard, tile floor, comfy shoes are a must.  Anything from crocs, to sturdy flip flops or nice sneakers, these are my new favorites (I got them on sale). Having comfy feet helps you feel so much better after you’ve been standing making and cleaning up dinner.  It also helps your mood;)

5. Nifty Appliances: It helps SO much to invest in a few appliances that make your life easier.  I sold bread at our farmers market to save up the $400 for a Vitamix blender. It was the best purchase I’ve ever made! The next thing on my list is a Bosch mixer🙂  It could also be as simple as a slow cooker. These special appliances while sometimes pricey, save you time and help you eat healthier.  In the long run, they last and they are worth it.

6. Keep It Clean And Organized: Working in a messy dirty kitchen is the worst!  It’s hard on your mood and no one likes to put up with it.  Take time to organize your kitchen.  Store items where it makes the most sense.  If you use a certain utensil a lot keep it in an easy place to reach.  If you have 10 sets of measuring cups, maybe get rid of a few.  If you have a cupboard that’s hard to get to, leave it empty or only store stuff you need once a year, like the Christmas cookie cutters!  Keep your floors clean, your sink empty and your counters uncluttered and wiped off.  You’ll find it’s so much easier to want to spend time there.

7. Feed Your Spirituality: Similar to listening to music or books on tape you can listen to spiritual talks or scripture.  You might as well get an extra dose of God while you’re doing this labor of love for yourself and your family:) You might even find you look forward to cooking because of this sacred time.  Your children will have the chance to listen in and it will help create a more peaceful environment in your home.

8. Meditate: Yep, you read that right.  You CAN meditate standing up, moving, eyes open and doing really anything. You can meditate all.day.long.  Take long slow breaths in through your nose while filling up your tummy with air.  Hold it for a couple seconds and then let it out slowly and smoothly through your mouth.  Once you get the slow belly breathing down you can focus on a word or phrase.  It may be an attribute that you’d like to possess or something you’d like to see in your life, every time you breathe out slowly, repeat that word or phrase.  Your family might just notice you’re extremely calm every time you cook or clean the kitchen, no one even has to know you’ve been meditating the whole time;)

9. Involve The Kids: This one can be hard.  If they are old enough you can give kids an opportunity to help you plan, cook and clean up meals.  This helps teach them responsibility, helps them learn how to cook and gives them the opportunity to feel pride in helping create a beautiful dinner.  They also might be more apt to eat it as well.  This way you are multitasking, you can spend cherished time with the kiddos while getting food on the table, it’s a win-win.

10. Change Your Attitude: Lastly, but most importantly check your thoughts while you’re in the kitchen.  Are you thinking, “ugh my stove barely works, my floors are dirty, my family better eat this or else, or I hate cleaning pots and pans!”  That’s not going to do anyone any good.  Instead, think about cooking as a labor of love.  For yourself and for your family.  You love yourself (your family) therefore you want them to eat healthy foods and live a long, vibrant life.  Any time you spend in the kitchen making healthy food is well worth it as you will get that time back 10 fold as you avoid illness and have more energy to do things that are more fun than cooking:)

I hope you enjoyed these tips and try a few of them out!  How do you make cooking more pleasant?  Trust me, I know, it’s a battle, some days I love it, some days I’d rather just feed them cereal…and you know what, sometimes I DO! Don’t be too hard on yourself.  Share your tips with us below in the comments! :)Hannah