Get back in the kitchen: eating homecooked meals is good for you, research says. Here are 3 ways to get newly inspired

Natural Health, June, 2008 by Elizabeth Casey

SOMEHOW, no matter how large the home, it seems every celebration winds up in the kitchen. Whether gathering around the hearth appeals to our primitive side or we just want the closest seat to the chips and salsa, there's something that draws us to this room. But the experience shouldn't be reserved for special occasions. Eating in is good for you, says a 2006 study funded by the National institutes of Health, which concluded that people consume fewer calories and less fat when eating at home. Another study, Project EAT (Eating Among Teens), that looks at the virtues of homecooked meals is finding that eating in improves family connections and communications.

Given those outcomes, why aren't more of us camped out in the kitchen? Because, says Robin Robertson, chef and coauthor of The Sacred Kitchen (New World Library, 1999), we believe preparing meals is an ordeal. Not so, she says, offering this plan for getting us back in there.

1. turn your kitchen into a haven

To transform an untidy mess into a cozy sanctuary, clear out any unnecessary junk (stacks of marl, unneeded appliances), then decorate with a few choice items such as pottery, photos, or anything that warms up the room.

2. meditate while you cook

Consider the time you spend in the kitchen active meditation. Let the steady rhythm of chopping vegetables or grating cheese (or even washing dishes) become your focal point as you relax into the space.

3. prepare simple meals

Set obtainable goals and choose recipes with basic ingredients. Keep your kitchen stocked with olive off, whole grains, and fresh veggies like broccoli and peppers, which can easily become a stir-fly. "In minutes, you have a nourishing meal for body and soul," says Robertson.

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