Dear FlyLady,

How do you develop the “habit” of cooking when you are a payroll FlyBaby with limited time and you don’t even know where to start to learn how to cook? It is so much easier to just pick up takeout on my way home and the thought of even trying to figure out what to cook and how to cook it is overwhelming. When I do try it often takes me much longer than it should because everything goes slower when you are in learning mode. Your system offers wonderful baby steps that have really worked for me to develop a habit of keeping my home clean and organized and free from CHAOS. What babysteps can I take to get to the point where I am cooking every night when I am starting from zero?”

Thank you for all you do for us! We love you and appreciate you!

-from Kerrie

Dear Kerrie,

I am so proud of you for all your work to get your home in order. As the layers of clutter start leaving your home; you begin to look for other ways to Finally Love Yourself. Feeding yourself well instead of grabbing take out is a next step.

Babysteps are the key just like you asked for in your question. I like the way you think. If you have no cooking skills, let me recommend my friend Leanne Ely’s book, Saving Dinner Basics. It teaches you cooking skills.

Another book I will recommend is one of my favorites that I have used most of my life, Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook. It is red plaid and most of us have been given a copy of this popular cookbook. These are simple basic recipes for most everything you could ever want to cook. Let me warn you; don’t go nuts. Please take babysteps.

Items you will need:

1. Sharp knife. Dull knives cut you! Just a simple paring knife.
2. Cutting board/acrylic. That can go in the dishwasher.
3. Skillet with a lid.
4. Vegetable peeler.
5. 2 Quart Saucepan with lid
6. 4 Quart Soup Pot/Pasta Pot
7. Salad bowl with resealable lid.

Tips to help you cook and clean:

1. Start with a sinkful of hot soapy water.
2. Never cook on high! or in a hurry.
3. Prepare one item at a time and put things away as you go.
4. Plan for Leftovers for Freezer Meals and Lunches.

My favorite tools to help you chop, cut, cook and store.

1. Kitchenaid Manual Chopper
2. Salad Chopper
3. Crock Pot
4. Storage Container for Leftovers
5. ZipLock Bags

Keep it Simple Sweetie

1. One pot meals: Pot Roast, Stew, Spaghetti Sauce
2. Simple meals; Meat, Salad, Vegetable, and Bread
3. Soup and Sandwiches

Tips for Crock Pot Cooking

1. Get things ready to go the night before.
2. In the morning; put in crockpot and turn on low.
3. Don’t be afraid to use it. It will save you money.
4. Make Personal TV Dinners with the Leftovers for Lunches
5. Pot Roasts are only as good as the gravy you put on it.

Please don’t be afraid to try to make a meal for yourself and your family. You may find that you feel better. Don’t start with 7 meals! Plan for only two or three meals. Make a grocery list from your plan.

You will need Salad fixings; Green leafy vegetables, carrots, cucumbers, any other veggie you like. Get some onions, small red potatoes, and a small cabbage. Then pick out some simple cuts of meat: Salmon, chicken breasts, chicken thighs, pork chops, and steak or hamburger.

Always start with a clean kitchen! It will make it easier for you!

FlyLady

Our Rubba Scrubba is the most versatile little tool you will ever use. We have not had a BOGO on it in several months. Now is your chance to stock up on them. Use a Sharpie to label them.

Check out the 101 Uses of this simple tool. Here are just a few.