Embed from Getty Images
—
Men can wear an apron-like garment while grilling, or perhaps while welding. Or so often goes the dogma. Or, if you’re a “real man,” you should perform even these activities without one.
It’s not the level of safety that is of concern. No. It’s the ironically pointed detail to fashion.
This counter-intuitive obsession with looks, from men who supposedly eschew these kinds of cares, is self-defeating. It permeates their lives, and ultimately, it undermines their happiness.
I suggest putting your ego aside to don an apron. The one that specifically belongs to the cook of your home kitchen.
For the men in relationships who don’t cook at home (and I know there are a lot of you), there may be a few reasons. You may genuinely dislike cooking, while your partner genuinely likes it. You may be unwilling to try, fail, and learn. You may simply be lazy.
And while being too lazy to cook has its own set of problems, a more systemic source of trouble may be linked to your identity and the way you view your place in society. I know because that’s how I was raised. My mom cooked. My dad did not. That, I’ll argue, is a mistake for 3 important reasons.
1) Redefine your relationship
There are real reasons why gender roles in the kitchen developed. Men traditionally went to work, while women stayed home to care for the children and the house.
For some, that setup still works beautifully.
But the majority of us live in a very different society than our parents did. My mom cooked in the kitchen; my dad cooked on the grill. That’s how I started my own home operation as well.
I realized, though, that cooking in the kitchen was occupying over 90% of food prep responsibilities. Although my wife never said anything, I felt a little guilty.
I started my quest to help simply by chopping vegetables—the muscle behind her brains. Even that proved to be a big help for her. And trust me, it was appreciated.< But I was quietly studying her techniques.
If I found myself home before her, I’d hurry to get dinner started or even finish before her arrival. Soon I started tackling new culinary challenges on my own. What started as a way to give my hard-working wife a rest from time to time, turned out to be helping myself too.
2) Improve your physical health
Our diets are now the greatest source of disease in our lives. But going on a diet rarely works. Changing to a healthy diet requires a lifestyle change. And learning to cook is a sure-fire shortcut to making that happen. Cooking home-cooked meals routinely improves health outcomes in large nutrition studies, primarily by making you more mindful of the foods you are putting into your body.
Personally, learning to cook gave me an appreciation for ingredients and technique.
Not only does my waistline stay in check, but my nutritional health has surely improved. Those who cook, by and large, seek real foods packed with real nutritional value. Now I’m at the farmer’s market every week, seeking fresh fruits and vegetables. I never realized how much better fresh food tasted until I tried them.
Chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, and many cancers are caused in large part due to poor dietary practices. But they don’t develop overnight. It’s never too late to start correcting bad eating habits.
After seven years, my switch to cooking and healthy eating has been one of the best lifestyle decision I’ve ever made for my health. And the benefits extended beyond just the physical.
3) Improve your mental health
Time is our most precious resource. Sure, money is important. But once your day is gone, it’s gone forever. Living in the moment crops up as advice, again and again, from ancient sage to modern study, as the best way to live happily.
The greatest gift I feel I’ve garnered from learning to cook was time. Time with my wife as we prepare a meal together. Time in the moment, focused on the task at hand with the smell of sauteed onion and garlic wafting upwards. Time away from the distracting glow of televisions and smartphones.
Opportunities to slow down can feel rare. Some like to run. Some meditate.
Try donning an apron. Getting out of your comfort zone to reassess your personal identity may just be the ticket you could use for self-improvement.
Sign up today for insider access to early product promotions to help you master your diet once and for all. Follow Intake on Facebook and >Twitter.
__
Photo credit: Getty Images