I just saw a commercial that said to “skip the dishes” and to order from the advertising company instead. Ironically, it came on right after I had just used Bartender’s Friend to make my pans look good as new and I was admiring their beautiful copper sheen. Now they are so pretty!! Hearing that commercial made me think, “Is there something wrong with me if I enjoy doing my dishes…if I get a certain satisfaction out of cooking a great, homemade meal?!” Call me crazy, but these are the thoughts that cross my mind when I do the dishes:
- I just cooked a meal at home, made with ingredients that I hand picked based on quality.
- I just COOKED a meal at HOME, made with ingredients that I HAND PICKED based on QUALITY.
Yes, I repeated myself intentionally! Maybe it’s because I place a lot of value and pride in that act of kindness for myself. Not only did I spend my very valuable and precious time cooking, but I spent my valuable and precious time cooking for something I am about to ingest.
I really, really feel there is some HUGE value in cooking for myself and the people I love. There is something to be said for quality and heart. There is something to be said for eating food that nourishes me, and those I love. Something that my body will use to feed my cells.
There is a saying that we are better nourished by food that is made with love. I don’t know if you believe that, but I certainly feel very “fed” by a meal I made myself or that my family made for me. It’s not just about calories in, calories out. Or protein, fats, and carbohydrates. When I eat a meal that is prepared by me or someone I love, I feel I am absorbing the energy of that effort, the person, and the love that went into making it.
I feel fully nourished. I feel satisfied. I feel connected.
So don’t skip the dishes. Instead, adopt a different perspective when doing the dishes. Remind yourself that it means you took the time, effort, and love to make something for you, and for your family, that feeds them. That’s no small thing, and it’s something we should be doing more often. Not letting someone else prepare or decide what goes into our food that goes into our bodies. Plus, doing the dishes requires a little physical effort which is another opportunity to move your body more!
I’m okay with doing the dishes because I know where my food came from and having dishes means I played a part in that. I know what went into preparing my meal. I know the time, effort, and love that went into feeding my body. And that makes me happy! That’s it! It makes me happy and that’s the most important thing. I’m nourished beyond the food!
Warmly,
Irene
