Yes, I cook while listening to Akon radio, how about you?

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Yes, I cook while listening to Akon radio, how about you?

January 10, 2011 by Sandra Guirguis

I am doing something scary in 2011, I am heading back into the kitchen. In a bid to become healthier, lose a bit of weight and save some money I am going to actually use my NYC kitchen, as a… wait for it… kitchen. This may sound strange to some, but many kitchens in Manhattan are rarely used for actual cooking. I have been to an apartment where the kitchen space is soo tiny that the occupant uses the kitchen as an extra closet. This is not a joke.

It is very hard to be motivated to actually make meals in New York City. There are too many options that easily let you avoid the kitchen entirely. Including an abundance of great restaurants offering take-out and delivery as well as a large selection of yummy prepared foods at all of the local grocery stores. Is it any wonder that the only items in one of my male friend’s fridge are limes, orange juice and vodka in the freezer?

I have decided that we are going to change our ways. We are going to try and limit our take-out and delivery habits. I am cracking open the cookbooks, well, using my ipad (let’s embrace technology) and am planning weekly menus. Yep, this is really happening. Last week we only ate out once, ironically, because we were stuck across town at the Container Store looking for ways to clean out and organize the pantry, and everyone was hungry (cranky) and needed food NOW!!

I am not going to pretend that this is going to be easy for me. I am not one who loves experimenting with cooking, I don’t even really like to cook. In fact, if I had millions and millions of dollars one of the first things I would spend it on would be a personal chef. The dreaded question for me (and every other mom or person in charge of the meals) is “What’s for dinner?”. I do not have that special flare where I can just “whip something up”. I need to follow a recipe, step by step. I need to lay out the ingredients, I need to plan ahead. Sometimes I actually have to call for back up (look up something on the internet). And, you should definitely not enter my kitchen mid-prep OR comment on the mess…

But hey, I am doing it! Why? Because it is healthier for me, the family, our budget. And… if I put on Akon radio (yes, AKON!) and dance around a bit (sorry people looking in from other apartments) creating something the family likes to eat, I feel a bit of joy and pride… just don’t tell anyone, okay?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Apartment Living, Cooking, Kitchen in NYC, NYC | 16 Comments

16 Responses

on January 10, 2011 at 12:13 PM | Reply Denise

Good for you Sandra,

I have a monthly meal plan I should send you.. You do your groceries on Sat or Sunday for the week and all the prep work (cleaning/ cutting vegetables, marinating) is done and you won’t believe the de-stressing you will have knowing when you are out-and-about during the day that dinner is just a heating/ panning away..

GOOD FOR YOU AND I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT..

Another trick while cooking – keep one side of the sink with hot soapy water and a drying rack – you will be able to wash and cook at the same time and you will see cleanup will just be the dinner plates 🙂

Love D
- on January 10, 2011 at 4:37 PM | Reply Sandra Guirguis
  
  AWESOME!! Thanks D! xo
  - on January 13, 2011 at 5:32 PM Kel
    
    Can i have that meal plan too, D???? : )
    
    You can do it Sandra!! It can be hard trying new things with the kidlets too, but you can do it – just get some easy previous favs in the rotation, and you will be all set…. This could even be the “taste test month“ so you get to know which meals are a hit, and which ones aren`t…. Make it a game for you and them!! Got to start somewhere!! And, even if you aim for just one extra cooked meal per week at first, and then graduate from there, you should feel successful!
    
    And I agree with the person who said have a snack in your purse – its the easiest way to avoid temptation while you are out and about until you get back home! You go girlie – and Akon too!!
    xoxo
on January 10, 2011 at 12:53 PM | Reply Krista

I have faith in you! You did it when you lived in Ottawa, where the take-out temptation did not exist. It’s all frame of mind, and I know what happens when you set your mind to something! Good luck honey.
- on January 10, 2011 at 4:37 PM | Reply Sandra Guirguis
  
  Thanks darling xoxo
on January 10, 2011 at 1:10 PM | Reply tiallarising

That’s great! Wow…I could not *imagine* our kitchen being used as an extra closet or going out to eat every week. My mom LOVES to cook and bake. Nice post!

-Tia

http://www.tiallarising.wordpress.com
- on January 10, 2011 at 4:38 PM | Reply Sandra Guirguis
  
  Thanks Tia!
on January 10, 2011 at 1:46 PM | Reply Jacqui

Go for it Sandra!

I understand how much easier it is said than done but you can do it!

I recruited help. There’s a lady up here in the Great White North name Sandy Richard who has a line of cookbooks and a great website for busy families trying to get family meals back on track. She offers help with meal planning, shopping, organization and, of course, yummy recipies. Her website is http://www.cookinfortherushed.com

Good luck and good cooking!
jacs
- on January 10, 2011 at 4:36 PM | Reply Sandra Guirguis
  
  Awesome, thanks for the link and support Jacs!!
on January 10, 2011 at 2:17 PM | Reply Zahara

Good for you. I wish I lived in NY, where eating take-out was more acceptable. I do it alot because often I’m feeding only myself or one other, and I’m a busy student and mom. I may soon have to cook in more, due to a declining income. Getting organized about it is the first step towards efficiency, getting someone else to do the dishes is nice, too! Good Luck.
Let me recommend “The Supper Book” by Marion Cunningham, wonderful easy recipes in a small tome.
on January 10, 2011 at 3:45 PM | Reply Nina

So what did you finally cook?
on January 10, 2011 at 7:02 PM | Reply Marlene

You can do it! Barb and I can help! In fact, you should come join my cooking website. We’re small, fun and friendly!
on January 10, 2011 at 7:43 PM | Reply Marie

Good for you! You can do this no problem!
on January 11, 2011 at 11:18 AM | Reply mylittleworld81

An idea is to have a protein bar and/or a piece of fruit to carry in one’s purse when hunger strikes. I’m not sure about a guy unless they carry a briefcase or something with them all the time.

I am glad for your attempt. Myself, I stick to similar foods so. An idea, I just pop a frozen fish into the toaster oven and steam green beans at the same time. While it’s cooking I can do something else. Half an hour later I come back and its ready. Just add a touch of olive oil or 2 tsp of margine and some nuts/cranberries and I’m done. Oh so tasty.

I will be going to NYC for the first time and wonder if you’d have any recomendation for a good place to have breakfast or dinner? I will only be going out to eat once. Thanks.
on January 11, 2011 at 2:52 PM | Reply Emjayandthem

good for you! I love to cook, but not so much during the week when I’m working. Sat/Sun are my cooking days .. I put my tunes on and get my groove going. I try to make one full meal for the weekend + a 2nd heading into the week. IE Pork loin on Sunday then Pork Fried Rice on Tuesday. I do 1 x time during the week but that’s “easy” foods like rotisserie chicken quesadillas. I refuse to cook Friday nights :). You will save money and I find I enjoy going out even more when I haven’t been in a while. By all means put your tunes on girl! 🙂
on January 12, 2011 at 6:17 AM | Reply Jaana

Hah-haa! I was laughing out loud here – I have somewhat the same goals here this year. Save money, lose weight and make healthy home-made food. Easier said than done.

I’m lucky since my daughter has promised to cook once a week, she’s fifteen and into cooking. And I’m also lucky since we have a decent kitchen, big enough to fit a table and to allow all sorts of “culinary experiments”. Sometimes my cookings are really so disastrous that they end up into the garbage because I simply can not make anyone eat those, not even myself. That’s way tv-dinners etc. are a life-saver.

Good luck!!