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I like to keep things simple in the kitchen. I don't like a lot of appliances, gadgets or items that aren't multipurpose. Basically, I don't want to store and organize all of it! I like to knead dough by hand and roll out my own pie crusts. I don't have a stand mixer, a microwave, or a blender. I like to chop with a knife, mix with a whisk, and warm on the stove or in the oven.
We recently got rid of our 23 cubit ft fridge and downsized to one that's 9.5 cubit ft. We just got tired of looking at the big one. We're "purists" in the way we eat and minimalists in the way we live...at least, we try to be. We've been this way for so long that I can't even think of the things average Americans own. I like living simple.
I prepare all of our food from scratch and love every minute of it. You won't find frozen dinners in our freezer or boxes of mac & cheese in the cabinet. I think cooking from scratch is a lost art. I love rediscovering that art and plan to pass it on to our children.
I have learned a lot since we married in 2009 by paying attention to those who still cook. I've asked many questions to my husband's grandpa about how his wife used to do things. I read cookbooks like they are intriguing novels and soak up what I learn.
When we go to the grocery store, we read every label and only buy things with all natural ingredients. We have to order some food items because we can't find them in the store. We also order all natural things like soap, shampoo, tooth paste, deodorant, "colas", my makeup, etc. Some may think it's difficult to be this way but actually it's easy! It also makes our grocery store trips faster because we don't eat 99% of the things sold there anyhow. It makes food more fun when you know it's "guilt free"....meaning, it's all good for you! Because we eat this way, we quit reading fat/calorie content a looong time ago (not that the majority of our purchases even have that). We both stay fit and actually eat all the time.
When we go to the grocery store, we read every label and only buy things with all natural ingredients. We have to order some food items because we can't find them in the store. We also order all natural things like soap, shampoo, tooth paste, deodorant, "colas", my makeup, etc. Some may think it's difficult to be this way but actually it's easy! It also makes our grocery store trips faster because we don't eat 99% of the things sold there anyhow. It makes food more fun when you know it's "guilt free"....meaning, it's all good for you! Because we eat this way, we quit reading fat/calorie content a looong time ago (not that the majority of our purchases even have that). We both stay fit and actually eat all the time.
I love it when my husband comes home from work and says, "Wait. I know that smell." It could be an apple pie baking (his favorite!), meatloaf, fried potatoes (yes, I "fry" potatoes in the skillet), homemade biscuits.... I like to listen as he tries to name what it is he's smelling. It makes me feel good when I fill our house with savoring smells he can come home to. Old fashioned? Maybe. But homey.
I hope this blog will inspire you to get out of your comfort zone and into the kitchen if you don't already. It's very satisfying. If you already enjoy cooking from scratch, lets learn more together! I definitely don't know it all. There is so much to learn and I'm far from being an expert but I'll try just about anything!
-Lindsey
