…or How to Ditch Kitchen Burn out
A few times I year I go through what I like to call: The Cooking Rut. It almost always happens right after Christmas and then again right before summer, when we are finishing up school. I know it’s coming – and it used to bother me. But now I know how to ride it out, so I wanted to share with you three things that help me.
Before I go any further, let me encourage you to listen to that burn-out/rut feeling. It’s okay to have it. It doesn’t mean you’re a terrible homemaker and you’re failing. It just means you’re human and providing three meals a day can get old day after day after day after day. Give yourself some rest – maybe take a few weeks off from planning/cooking hard core. Two weeks is probably a good length. And then resume, with these tips.
1. Get a new kitchen/cooking tool.
Yes, I know a new gadget isn’t feasible for everyone, but it doesn’t have to be something super expensive. The idea of getting something NEW to play with can really create some excitement! It’s not boring any more because it’s new! Our Aldi is great at having fun little kitchen gadgets to try.
Grab a waffle iron, a new grill, an instant pot, an air fryer, a crock pot…something. And then go to town finding recipes for that!
2. Find new recipes.
I go through phases where each night, as we relax, I browse Pinterest for fun new recipes, and then I pin them for later. Having something trendy (hello TikTok pasta!) or new to you is fun too…
Basically, getting out of your rut requires some fun.
3. Try a new challenge or diet.
I’m not a huge fan of diets. I am a big fan of healthy ways of living. Some people call that a diet. Whatevs. But if you are in a rut and need to get out of it, do a fun challenge. Try Whole 30. Go Keto. Cook gluten free. Drink more water. Drink smoothies for breakfast for an entire month. Just change it up and learn something in the process.
Whatever floats your boat, within obvious reason, is fair game here. The goal is to bring energy and excitement back to that time in the kitchen. You’re never going to not need to eat, so you might as well find some fun ways to do it!
New things push us out of our ruts and comfort zones.
What’s something you’d add to help get us out of that dreaded kitchen cooking rut?
When I get in a rut with meal planning I go thru my cookbooks, saved recipes or menu plans that are provided by you or Jessica @Good Cheap Eats. I have Crock On and 4 of Jessica’s. I almost always find something in those and I’ll ask the guys what they want. Sometimes my husband will cook-he does catering and is a great cook!!
I only have to plan dinners-only cooking for 3 adults. Breakfast is on your own and the guys are at work for lunch. I pack my husbands lunch with leftovers and the kid does whatever.
I really REALLY love Jessica’s cookbooks!
I recently went thru a planning rut and found Groupons for Hello Fresh and other companies like it. I was able to stack coupons to get them very cheap. The groceries were delivered to my house sorted by each recipe. One week I was able to get 3 dinners for my family of 4 for $25. AND we had leftovers for lunches. Saved time shopping, found some new recipes the entire family likes and still stayed within budget!
I love a good Groupon!
What about a, “I’m so incredibly tired of washing pans and emptying the dishwasher and cleaning the kitchen?” rut? I love these tips, btw.
BAHAHAHAHAHA! Been there too – it’s paper plates for me during those season and insanely easy meals!
Whenever I’m in a cooking rut, I look for someone else’s complete weekly menu to follow (typically I look for one that has a grocery list too if I’m feeling especially unmotivated). That gives us some new recipes to try and it helps me not have to plan! This week we are trying the weekly menu from Skinnytaste. So far, so good! https://www.skinnytaste.com/7-day-healthy-meal-plan-april-19-25/
Good one too!