“Everything happens in the kitchen. Life happens in the kitchen.” – Andrew Zimmern
A kitchen is somewhat of a sacred space if you think about it. The heart of the home as many would say. It is a space of creativity, creation, fun, conversation and life! I am sure I am not alone in saying that many memorable moments occur and life lessons are gained in the kitchen and so, I decided to jump on board one of the prompts from my 10th issue of The Weekly which I publish every Monday. It is a compilation of Lifestyle Lounge post suggestions and inspirations. This particular prompt was titled ”Lessons I learned from…” and for me, it’s going to be all about my kitchen! Below is a snap shot of the prompt.
“For every minute spent organising, an hour is earned.” - Benjamin Franklin
A sink full of hot soapy water is always the first step. As someone who cooks daily and is also mother to an eleven year old boy – I know well how quickly the dishes can pile up. I have never owned a dish washer… I am the dish washer, lol! The first thing I do before starting anything else in the kitchen is to run a sink of hot, soapy water. This allows me to clean as I go along and just makes intermittent cleanliness a lot easier as I switch from working with one ingredient to the next.
I somewhat associate that practice with life. Being organised or doing things in an orderly fashion makes everything easier and allows for a streamline process of, well… anything really – from beginning to end – in short, it lightens the load. Ever watched someone with a really messy desk try to find that piece of paper from three days ago? It is almost always a whole lot of fumbling and moaning… what it also is - is a waste of time. When things in your life are organised and maintained in that manner it affords you more time, gives you a clearer head and a lighter spirit.
”Identify your problems, but give your power and energy to solutions.” – Anonymous
Things go wrong when preparing meals in a kitchen… this is simply unavoidable. You may have the very best intentions for a specific recipe and an incredibly vivid image in mind as to the end result, but that is not always how it pans out and short of throwing the towel in, you have to learn to think on your feet, improvise and move onward to the finish line. Life is no different really. Problems come our way. We are faced with countless challenges from the time we are born to the moment we depart.
The growth of our characters is founded upon these trials and how we conduct ourselves through them. When you have already invested time and money into buying ingredients and working with them it would be rather foolish to give up on it all half way through. Cooking, as with life is a creative journey… there is room for artistic license and in the expression and exploration of such solutions are found.
”If you never try, you will never know what you are capable of.” – John Barrow
Speaking about creative license… it is not only solutions which are found but confidence which is grown. There is another quote that goes something along the lines of “If nothing changes, nothing changes.” – I have always loved that one. I know households which literally have specific meals set out for specific days of the week and these stay the same for years on end. I could not think of anything more boring! I also know of people who simply throw their hands in the air and say “I can’t cook”. Everybody can cook… you just need to be willing to try, explore, experiment… and yes – fail sometimes.
One of the things I love the most about working with food in my kitchen is trying out new things - Combining unusual ingredients, testing out different ways of plating or methods of cooking. Sure my mom taught me some of the basics when it came to cooking, but most of what I know has been self-taught through exploration and self-education. The same principle applies to our lives, careers and so forth. If you are never willing to take a chance and step outside of your comfort zone – you will never learn anything new, nor will you advance to the next level of “self”.
“Mediocrity’s easy, the good things take time, the great need commitment.” — Bob Seger
I am sure many of you will have seen the quote “good food takes time” hung on a restaurant wall or perhaps even printed in a menu. Well it is true. Creating something brilliant from scratch requires diligence, patience, enthusiasm and perseverance. From the prep work, through to the process and then the final product – each step along the way requires your full presence if you want it to be a success - When you don’t pay attention to the grill… things burn and when you rush things, mistakes happen.
Nature by default and on all fronts never acts in haste. The same should be applied to our lives and all our endeavours. When you go the extra mile and exercise patience for the time in which it takes to get there, you are pretty much guaranteed the rewards of your efforts… even if only partly. There is great satisfaction to be obtained through assiduous efforts.
There’ll be two dates on your tombstone and all your friends will read ’em but all that’s gonna matter is that little dash between ’em. - Kevin Welch
You cannot work with food in a kitchen as often as I do and limit yourself. You have to embrace it all, use it – appreciate it, change it up and enjoy the process along the way. Society and media have bred so much fear into all of us regarding the food we eat. One day something is a “super food” and the next it is killing us. People literally walk around fearful of food today, when in essence the food is not the problem… our inability to do things in balance is. We will live on take out or pre-prepped deli meals and then complain about our health issues… but would we be willing to change those habits? In most cases, the answer is no.
Everything in life is supposed to be an experience and food is no exception. Eating a plate of fries every single day for five years is not the same thing as enjoying a side of home-made deliciously garlic buttered baby potatoes with your dinner. The one is almost an act of gluttony and the other an experience worth savouring. At the end of the day if people did things in moderation then they would not have to count calories… they would simply be able to enjoy the experience of life.
“In the childhood memories of every good cook, there’s a large kitchen, a warm stove, a simmering pot and a mom.” – Barbara Costikyan
From a little girl my mom and I spent time together in the kitchen. I would observe as she effortlessly "whipped up" the most amazing of meals from practically nothing for four kids, her husband and herself. My mom was a true artist, right to her core and I am so very grateful that my introduction and appreciation for food was ignited by someone like her.
I have learned much in my kitchen over the years and continue to learn. I cherish it - even on the days when I don't really feel like it. Much like the lessons which come from working in a kitchen... it is also a therapy and source of wisdom all on it's own.
❤❤❤
Until next time...
Much Love from Cape Town, South Africa xxx
Jaynielea
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