In recent articles I suggested the advantages of being the chief cook and bottle washer of the house. My culinary experience started off as a necessity, if I didn’t cook, I didn’t eat!
It wandered deeper into other family aspects as I married and had children. The sharing of household duties with my busy, self-employed wife and spending some quality time with my daughter are just a few advantages of improving upon my cooking skills.
As time went on and I let my imagination set the menus, I found cooking a great way to leave my work at the door and unwind with something that I really began to enjoy. I found myself exploring different cook books, not just for the recipes but to find out what spices were used to enhance which foods, the “proper" wines for different dishes, and even some of the “out of the ordinary" kitchen gadgets. I’ve even sported some knowledge and amazed my kids with some memorized trivia I had read. Just imagine knowing something that your teenager didn’t! That doesn’t happen often.
I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I have spent the money I was saving for my new gun on a food processor. Being a gun enthusiast, that’s almost unspeakable, but low and behold, I have realized that a new hobby has inched its way into my lifestyle and it rivals my gun collecting. I know my wife will read this article and I want to make it perfectly clear that I want that new reloader and not pots and pans for Christmas.
I have probably been the world’s worst nutrition seeking person. I have always hated vegetables, never been fond of fruit, and loved the fat on a good steak. Being a couple of decades past twenty-five, it’s about time that I learned to eat a little healthier. My new hobby has me reading the label on foods before I buy them. It’s amazing the chemicals they put in what we eat. Now, if it has a chemical that I can’t pronounce, I don’t buy it. Just kidding, but I am much more aware of the ingredients in foods and have gotten very intolerant towards those that contain more chemical than food. I’m surprised that the FDA allows some of this stuff to be fit for human consumption. My new hobby has me preparing fruits and vegetables so I enjoy eating them and I’ve learned to cook them in a healthier manner also.
Everyone has to eat. It’s a basic of life and I knew almost nothing about it. With the knowledge I had, it’s a wonder I didn’t put myself in an early grave with my diet. There are so many facets to the culinary arena, cooking could never be a boring hobby, well, except for the clean-up and dishes. It’s a hobby that can be enjoyed no matter the weather, indoors or out, and can change and be adapted to all the seasons. The wife will never complain about the expense, everyone enjoys good food, I get to eat what I want, seasoned the way I like it, when I feel like eating it.
My new-found knowledge helps keep my family and I healthier. My interest in cooking has even sparked some interest from my children and I consciously involve them with the cooking, sharing what I have learned. Best of all, the family thinks
I have slaved over a hot stove when, in fact, it was a labor of love that I enjoyed. I’m racking up all those “good hubby" points, which, in my house, is always a plus. Cooking as a hobby,
it just don’t get any better than that. Gary and his wife, Judi, have co-authored the book, 7001 Forgotten Secrets of the Ages , due for release in mid October. To learn more, visit: http://www.7001forgottensecretsoftheages.com
