I’ve started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here.
Today’s tip is to find a way to craft what you are doing to give it more meaning.
I do a lot, both at work and on the ranch. One of the things that I do regularly is cook dinner. While my kids can cook, they don’t do it much. My wife doesn’t like cooking at all, but I enjoy it. It’s a relaxing exercise for me most nights. Sometimes I need a break, but most times I enjoy it.
I am trying a variety of things since it’s one of the few places we can get some routine as a family. With kids in school (teaching or learning) and days full of similar activities, I’ve been trying to build some routine in cooking. A few things I’ve tried:
- mixing gluten free and non gluten free meals
- often having a veggie/fish main with a meat one
- doing some favorites everyone has enjoyed once or twice a week
- trying a new recipe at least once a week
With a mix of preferences and diets, it’s an interesting challenge. Often I combine some things and separate others. For example, I made spaghetti squash enchilada boats. My wife and son got plant based ground meat in theirs, while my daughter and I got chicken.
I’ve also added in some once a week baking. I’m not trying to gain weight, but a sweet treat is a nice thing periodically, so I’m doing a bit here and there.
A small thing, but it’s become more meaningful as our lives slowed down slightly and we’re all together.