J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Nov 8, 2022 11:52:03 GMT
If I make a baked potato for dinner then “I made dinner”. If I pick up a baked potato at Outback or McAllister’s then “I don’t cook”. I always said when my daughter left home I wouldn’t cook. But there are some things I make that I love that I can’t get out, so I still cook. But nothing like when she’s home. I don’t care much what I eat, but I do want it to be healthy. Eating every meal out is probably not going to be the healthiest. I also don’t love takeout other than pizza. By the time you get it home or get it delivered, it’s just not the same. I don’t love eating in restaurants either. I have other things I want to do with my time. I honestly would just rather not have to eat.
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luckyexwife
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,069
Jun 25, 2014 21:21:08 GMT
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Post by luckyexwife on Nov 8, 2022 12:04:51 GMT
A friend with an older house had her kitchen gutted and remodeled. It was beautiful. We had a gathering there almost a full year after the kitchen was completed. Someone turned the oven on to heat their appetizer back up and before long there was an awful smell as the kitchen filled with smoke. That’s when we discovered she had never even taken the packing materials out of the oven. A year later. Now that’s someone who clearly never cooks. My oven has been broken for 7 years and I haven’t bothered to replace it. Put me in her camp 🤣 Do you just use a microwave or other appliance to heat thing up? This is general 'you', but I thought if someone didn't like to cook, using the oven for frozen meals or pizza would be easy. This thread is fascinating for me.
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SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,741
Jun 25, 2014 19:55:12 GMT
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Nov 8, 2022 12:06:35 GMT
I can cook and did a lot when DH was alive. I have a hard time really cooking for just myself. It's been almost 4 years and I just can't seem to figure it out or want to figure it out. I had a friend in the "I don't cook" category. She hated everything to do with cooking. Cut to a bunch of kids and guess who cooks And she's really good at it too.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,891
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Nov 8, 2022 12:33:41 GMT
I'm the cook in our house and I like it - I'd like it more if someone else did the menu planning though. That drives me nuts.
But one of my daughters doesn't like to cook at all. Her fiance loves to cook and does all the cooking; she does the laundry. They've just divvied up what they prefer to do. I don't see how it's weird or "spoiled".
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iluvpink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,370
Location: Michigan
Jul 13, 2014 12:40:31 GMT
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Post by iluvpink on Nov 8, 2022 13:04:15 GMT
Well I don't cook *much* these days. DD is 22 and comes and goes, between work and staying at her boyfriend's she's not home for a meal much or grabs herself something easy like a bowl of cereal, or heating up a Lean Cuisine etc. If she's home for dinner and it's a night I am ACTUALLY cooking she will eat. But often dh and I just eat salads, rotisserie chicken etc. Or we order take out or go out. I'd say I actually COOK dinner once or twice a week max these days. And in the past when dd was younger, due to time/exhaustion/stress, my cooking was very simple stuff for the most part.
I do enjoy cooking when I have time and I do have more time these days. But for me part of the joy of cooking is doing it for others. And with dd rarely home and dh eating very low carb these days and being super picky on top of that, there isn't much joy in it now. The only thing I really actually cook is soups and if we have people over. I do LOVE to bake and we all love to eat it, but dh is trying to maintain his weight loss, I'm trying to lose a lot of weight and dd needs to also. So I gave up baking for the most part a few months ago. I really miss the process, but we just can't have it in the house. I'll bake a little for the holidays, but that's it.
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,987
Jun 25, 2014 23:13:23 GMT
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Post by Nanner on Nov 8, 2022 13:05:46 GMT
I hate cooking, but I can and do when I have to. In fact, I used to be a really good cook. I just don't like it. We order in, or throw together really simple meals. In the summer, DH barbeques a lot, although I do the prep work.
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StephDRebel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,692
Location: Ohio
Jul 5, 2014 1:53:49 GMT
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Post by StephDRebel on Nov 8, 2022 13:12:27 GMT
I can cook, I don't. Usually I have a protein shake in the morning or some fruit. If I want a hot breakfast I order it in. I don't usually remember to eat lunch but if I do it's fruit, cheese cubes, an uncrustable, or sometimes ill order somethong in and I doordash dinner, eat leftovers, or if I'm feeling crazy ill walk to a restaurant with a friend.
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Post by heckofagal on Nov 8, 2022 13:35:44 GMT
I really don't like to cook anymore. With DH working late shift he is seldom here, and I do have 2 grown daughters living at home but its hard to know who is home for dinner what nights. And when I do cook sometimes they don't want to eat what I cook. I've tried to get my daughters involved in the cooking but they are really not interested. We do some carry-out, or sometimes we will have a fend for yourself night where everyone is on their own to figure out what they are eating. Some nights I am happy with a bowl of cereal or an apple with cheese slices.
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Post by mom2rjcr on Nov 8, 2022 13:41:51 GMT
I don't cook. I can cook, I just hate doing it. I am very lucky that my husband loves to cook. When he's not home, I can cook for myself.
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Post by gracieplusthree on Nov 8, 2022 14:01:56 GMT
I rarely cook.. Couple times a month *maybe*. It's just me, I work 2 jobs the first being I watch my gbaby.
Dunkin coffee in morning, someone I get a doughnut or eat a freezer breakfast bowl.
I'll toss a hot pocket or frozen meal in microwave(I don't consider that cooking) baked potato, or heat up some of their leftovers or make a sandwich/cheese and crackers etc for lunch.
Dinner can be a variety of things since I work at a grocery store. I can get a sandwich or something from the deli, salad bar, chips etc..
On my days off(rarely from both jobs on same day), I rarely but sometimes cook. Or do a frozen pizza or other frozen quick thing, soup etc or do take out..
It just doesn't happen much now that my kids are grown and I'd just be cooking for me.
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Post by sabrinae on Nov 8, 2022 14:08:57 GMT
I know people who truly don’t cook. They eat take out, eat out, eat leftovers From the previous two. If they do eat at home it’s a bowl of cereal, cheese and crackers, fruit — usually precut from the store, toast or a sandwich.
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Post by workingclassdog on Nov 8, 2022 14:18:09 GMT
I don't say "I don't cook" but I hate cooking and avoid it as much as possible. hate hate hate it and as I grow older even more so.
It's just usually me and my 14 year old (my dh is always traveling).. so basically anything simple.. she might make her own (simple stuff like mac n cheese) and use the air fryer. Really same for me. Leftovers are great. Yes we grab to go sometimes. It can just be a cereal or similar night. A sprinkling of those ready made meals like roast or turkey meals from the deli.
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Post by paulao on Nov 8, 2022 14:22:04 GMT
My friend P doesn’t cook. Her husband makes all the meals. She said she used to cook but wasn’t good at it so her husband took over. I knew a woman who was incapable of cooking. She could not follow directions. She also could not follow directions for driving some place she hasn’t been before. If I told her “take a left at the McDonald’s” she would immediately freak out and claim she couldn’t figure out how to do that. She wasn’t stupid. I believe she was riddled with anxiety.
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,062
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Nov 8, 2022 14:31:51 GMT
I grew up with a mom who worked full time, had us three kids, and a dad who worked far away and worked nights. Saturdays were for grocery shopping once my dad woke up.
She'd go through the grocery ads, write her list and clip her coupons on Wednesdays.
She's 83 now and it's just her and dad at home. She has really slowed down on her cooking and I come over on Saturdays to help out and I always cook a big pot of soup or something they can eat leftovers off of for the coming week.
It is bizarre to me to open her kitchen cupboards and see her supplies dwindling. She just doesn't need them anymore but to open up that kitchen cupboard and not sees rows of cans and bottles of sauces etc is sad to me.
I realize I'm exactly like my mom and I keep enough food in the pantry/freezers so I can cook any dish I want at almost any time.
It's hard for me to imagine a life where you don't cook your own food. I think if I had a chef I'd love it, but my own cooking tastes better than almost anything I can buy eating out.
Interesting thread!
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Post by littlemama on Nov 8, 2022 14:50:45 GMT
If I didnt have to work, I would love cooking. As it is, it is something I do so we can eat. And any time I put a meal on the table, it is cooking, whether it is grilled cheese or a jarred pasta sauce or a full roast dinner. I prepared it, therefore I cooked it. DH can cook some things, but he doesnt like it, just as I dont like cleaning (but I like a clean house) Our division of labor is that I cook and he cleans the house and cleans up after meals. When we first married we tried splitting all chores and then we decided to play to our strengths. 😂
DS can cook, but lives at home and gets home from work later than the rest of us, so he doesnt have to.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,791
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 8, 2022 14:57:28 GMT
I'm like oh yvonne in that I like to cook, but I like what I cook better than most other options. My husband could say he doesn't cook, but he does help with the planning.
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Post by katiescarlett on Nov 8, 2022 15:12:56 GMT
I rarely cook. I can't remember the last time I prepared a meal. I work full time and DH is retired. So I eat out at lunch and I don't eat dinner. On the weekends, DH cooks or we go out to eat.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Nov 8, 2022 15:16:07 GMT
I cook, except for wkends. I do not cook. Most my friends, and family think that is odd, and wrong, but I think it's genius! I think I would enjoy cooking also if it hadn't been such a chore over the yrs. Esp working full time, having kids, getting home and making a meal. That's how pizza fridays started. I had the drudge of cooking, the trying to think of something to eat, of getting it done, the clean up and the prep. I can't even imagine not using an oven? that's my staple! I could probably go without my stove top longer then my oven. I have a co-worker that doesn't cook. She had a baby about 2 yrs ago, and I teased her that things would change. They would eat like veggies and dip, sandwiches, salad.
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Post by padresfan619 on Nov 8, 2022 15:17:11 GMT
My dad is definitely in the “I don’t cook” club. If it weren’t for my mom or brother, who are both fantastic cooks, he would survive on cheese, pretzels, Oscar Mayer salami, and popcorn shrimp. When I was a kid the extent of his cooking was heating up canned chili. He’s never had to cook so why start now?
On the other hand I love to cook, love trying new recipes, and having something I made filling the house with delicious smells.
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cynthia1218
Junior Member
Posts: 54
Feb 19, 2016 2:00:59 GMT
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Post by cynthia1218 on Nov 8, 2022 15:36:42 GMT
I don't cook. i either use a meal service or buy already made meals or frozen meals. i don't enjoy cooking. And it is a disaster when i do try. I am that person who has tried to cook but at the end say oops i forgot to add this so can this ingredient be added now. Or my meals ends up burned.
i probably would be better at it if I had the patience for it.
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Post by myshelly on Nov 8, 2022 15:36:51 GMT
When my dh travels (which he just restarted since covid, hallelujah! lol) I emphatically do not cook. He just got back from a two-week overseas trip and during that time I ate these for dinners: -- thawed stew and soup from the freezer -- oatmeal -- already-prepared stuffed peppers from Costco which I ate for three days and then froze the rest -- sandwiches -- eggs -- cheese and crackers, and fruit -- cottage cheese and grapes, which is my absolute favorite combo of all time -- one night I made pumpkin soup because dd was here -- etc. I don't consider things like oatmeal or eggs to be "cooking". Even the pumpkin soup was hardly cooking because all it was was broth, onions, seasonings, a can of pumpkin, and a can of coconut milk. I hate to cook. See, to me, the soup is not only cooking, it is high effort, intensive labor cooking. If I have to chop something up, especially an onion, then that’s a difficult meal.
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Post by myshelly on Nov 8, 2022 15:38:23 GMT
My oven has been broken for 7 years and I haven’t bothered to replace it. Put me in her camp 🤣 Do you just use a microwave or other appliance to heat thing up? This is general 'you', but I thought if someone didn't like to cook, using the oven for frozen meals or pizza would be easy. This thread is fascinating for me. I most often use the stove. We have a microwave, griddle, air fryer, and crock pots.
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Post by monklady123 on Nov 8, 2022 15:39:41 GMT
When my dh travels (which he just restarted since covid, hallelujah! lol) I emphatically do not cook. He just got back from a two-week overseas trip and during that time I ate these for dinners: -- thawed stew and soup from the freezer -- oatmeal -- already-prepared stuffed peppers from Costco which I ate for three days and then froze the rest -- sandwiches -- eggs -- cheese and crackers, and fruit -- cottage cheese and grapes, which is my absolute favorite combo of all time -- one night I made pumpkin soup because dd was here -- etc. I don't consider things like oatmeal or eggs to be "cooking". Even the pumpkin soup was hardly cooking because all it was was broth, onions, seasonings, a can of pumpkin, and a can of coconut milk. I hate to cook. See, to me, the soup is not only cooking, it is high effort, intensive labor cooking. If I have to chop something up, especially an onion, then that’s a difficult meal. I should have mentioned that I didn't chop the onion. I have this cute little chopper thing, manual. You pull the cord and it spins around kind of like a salad spinner does, except this spins sharp blades. Chops up an onion in about 20 seconds. Then just dump out the chopped onion, done. -- Also, someone told me we can actually buy frozen chopped onion but I've never looked for that. lol
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Post by myshelly on Nov 8, 2022 15:41:43 GMT
See, to me, the soup is not only cooking, it is high effort, intensive labor cooking. If I have to chop something up, especially an onion, then that’s a difficult meal. I should have mentioned that I didn't chop the onion. I have this cute little chopper thing, manual. You pull the cord and it spins around kind of like a salad spinner does, except this spins sharp blades. Chops up an onion in about 20 seconds. Then just dump out the chopped onion, done. -- Also, someone told me we can actually buy frozen chopped onion but I've never looked for that. lol If you bought a whole onion in the produce department and then used it to cook, that equals chopping, lol. Absolutely I consider that labor intensive. You had to pull out the chopper and now you have to clean all the parts. SO MUCH WORK. Yes, I have frozen chopped onion in my freezer right now.
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 5,972
Jun 19, 2022 16:48:04 GMT
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Post by pantsonfire on Nov 8, 2022 15:47:04 GMT
Friday is my no cook day. It is the one day of the week where everyone is on their own. I may toss together a salad or have left over soup. But I don't cook.
Having severe food allergies and a child with severe food allergies as well as a specific meal plan to adhere to, I have to cook.
Due to Celiac Disease and nut allergies, restaurants and fast food are a no go. In and Out is our only safe place and we get that 1x a month as a treat.
I have learned over the years how to cook more of xyz and turn it into left overs with a new twist. So that has helped.
But thankfully I enjoy cooking and baking. I love the challenge of taking a food item and making it safe for dd and I.
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Post by katlady on Nov 8, 2022 15:56:05 GMT
When my dh travels (which he just restarted since covid, hallelujah! lol) I emphatically do not cook. He just got back from a two-week overseas trip and during that time I ate these for dinners: -- thawed stew and soup from the freezer -- oatmeal -- already-prepared stuffed peppers from Costco which I ate for three days and then froze the rest -- sandwiches -- eggs -- cheese and crackers, and fruit -- cottage cheese and grapes, which is my absolute favorite combo of all time -- one night I made pumpkin soup because dd was here -- etc. I don't consider things like oatmeal or eggs to be "cooking". Even the pumpkin soup was hardly cooking because all it was was broth, onions, seasonings, a can of pumpkin, and a can of coconut milk. I hate to cook. See, to me, the soup is not only cooking, it is high effort, intensive labor cooking. If I have to chop something up, especially an onion, then that’s a difficult meal. I partly agree here. While I don’t consider it intensive labor, to me, it is cooking because you are mixing ingredients together. You are not just opening a can of soup and heating it up. I make a lot of stir fry dishes. Although it is just throwing veggies and meat in a pan, I consider that cooking and just as much work as your pumpkin soup.
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Post by hennybutton on Nov 8, 2022 15:57:46 GMT
For some lucky people, it means their spouse or partner does the cooking. My husband could easily say “I don’t cook.” He can put some meat on the grill but only if I prep it and give him specific instructions. It’s generally easier to do it myself. In return, I don’t do laundry. 😊 This is exactly how it is in my house. My husband can't (won't learn how to) cook. He does almost all the cleaning, except the kitchen, and I do the cooking, cleanup and grocery shopping. It's a fair trade off, but I would love to come home to a meal that's ready to eat once in a while.
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,390
Aug 16, 2014 23:15:53 GMT
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Post by peaname on Nov 8, 2022 16:44:06 GMT
I'm the cook in our house and I like it - I'd like it more if someone else did the menu planning though. That drives me nuts. But one of my daughters doesn't like to cook at all. Her fiance loves to cook and does all the cooking; she does the laundry. They've just divvied up what they prefer to do. I don't see how it's weird or "spoiled". I agree. My husband does outside chores and I do most of the cooking but no one would call him spoiled over it. The patriarchy!
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Post by disneypal on Nov 8, 2022 16:57:40 GMT
I just saw a thread where someone said, “I don’t cook.” And I wondered what that means. Surely most people are capable of putting together a meal even if they don’t enjoy it. It isn’t the same as, “I don’t drive” is it? If you frequently say I don’t cook and don’t mind my asking what do you typically eat? I do cook and enjoy it but my sister does not. Now, she will make chili once in a while, but that is about it. She mostly eats cereal, sandwiches, frozen dinners and take out.
If you look in her cupboards, all you will find is canned tuna, peanut butter, bread, crackers, microwave popcorn & cereal.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Nov 8, 2022 17:02:46 GMT
What it means to me is I won't routinely make a meal that requires multiple pans.I am not able to just "throw something together". If there is no recipe, I'm struggling.
It is not a priority to me to meal plan and have ingredients available for a week of meals.We eat a lot of chicken breast and salad and we eat out a lot. It isn't that I can't cook, I just don't enjoy it so it isn't a norm in our home. ^^^ THAT. I *can* do it, but I dislike it. Nothing grates on my nerves quite like getting home from work and having my DH say 'any thoughts for dinner?' Arrrgh!!! I don't understand how my mom did it all those years- she worked full time AND she cooked from scratch every dinner. For SIX of us. I don't mind "cooking" a meal if I have time but I can't function without recipes, and I can't think of ideas for 'meals' in total easily. I have tried to 'menu plan' two or three times- and it usually falls apart after about the second day. I can make sloppy joes, chili, meatloaf, etc. if I have the time and the recipe to follow, but typically what I make always starts out with cans, boxes, etc. in some fashion. I still remember telling my now-DH when I first invited him over, "I don't cook, but I can doctor up a mean frozen pizza!" lol! eta: I *like* to bake. But we don't need all the baked goods, so I don't do that, either. Strangely enough, though, I love to look at / read cookbooks, lol! Last night my dinner was cold cereal. And I'm fine with that. The extent of my DH's cooking ability is steaming hot dogs or making mac and cheese (from the blue box). He (seriously) didn't even know that you had to add a can of water to condensed soup; I had to tell him.
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