By Lisa Manterfield
Here’s how I know I was supposed to have kids:
I am totally unable to cook for only two people.
Even though I was one person for a long time and my family has been two for over a decade, I still cook for a family of five. There are always leftovers in my fridge and I often turn the remnants of one meal into something different.
Maybe it’s because I grew up in a family of five and learned to cook for five that I can’t seem to downsize my portions. Or maybe there’s just a part of me that’s pure old-fashioned mother and wants to feed everyone. “Eat, eat! How are you going to grow big if you don’t eat?”
Well, Mr. Fab and I are growing big on my cooking, and now that my mother is visiting, I’ll be fattening her up to.
Do you have a maternal instinct that you can’t seem to shake off?
Yes, I always seem to be feeding people, too. It is one of life’s pleasures for me… Unfortunately, I like food too much myself. :/
I do the same with cooking, I usually take leftovers to work for lunch. I love cooking and baking and am always taking in treats to work because I’ll eat all of it if I leave it at home.
I don’t tend to have problems cooking savoury meals for two but I really love baking and I tend to bake enough for a family of four but usually I am the only one who ends up eating it as hubby doesn’t really eat sweet things.
Whenever I go out with friends, I’m the one who “mothers” everyone else. I usually am the one who organizes the outing and then makes sure everyone is having fun or had enough to eat or is looking after themselves if they are a bit sick. If they aren’t feeling well, I will usually have some sort of remedy with me whether it’s peppermint tea for their unsettled stomach or panadol for their headache. I honestly can’t help it and often don’t even realise I’m mothering people.
I want to sew stuff for everyone. and mend holes. and here let me fix that. and I am glad my sister had kids I can make quilts for.
This is a problem for me, but it is also a problem for my mother who was so used to cooking for a group, that when it just became her and my dad, she now has the same problem. Part of the issue is you might really be craving Grandma’s lasagna, but it is really hard to make that for two – yes you can tweak it or freeze it, but it is just not the same.
This is a bigger issue with the fall/winter meals. Over the last several years, during daylight savings, we make shared meals. I will make the lasagna and give half to my mom and dad. She in turn will make beef stew and give it to me and my husband. This could be done with anyone obviously. But in addition to the fact that I get to eat what I am craving, during that time of year, I am in the mood to spend more time cooking, especially on weekends or if the weather is bad and I do not worry about it going to waste. AND it gives me a night off cooking during the middle of the week when I am tired after work. Win-win. Try it – if not family, then a friend or neighbor in a similar situation.
What a brilliant idea.
I can’t cook just for two either! I find I can’t cook just half a carrot or half a parsnip or kumara, and the supermarket packs of meat are always too much for just two. I’m so glad to hear it’s not just me.
I love baking. I can’t bake (though I do occasionally) just for us, as if it’s there we’ll eat it, and that isn’t a good option! If I had kids, they’d get it in their lunches or for afternoon tea. Fortunately, tonight I’m meeting up with some friends for a chat, so I get to do baking this afternoon.
I go into strong protection mode for my husband whenever he is feeling under the weather or has had an especially stressful work week. That’s my maternal instinct working for me. I remind him to rest, to exercise, to eat healthy. I see it as a good thing. My nurturing side is coming out and is expressed in a loving way.
Yes, this. I love cooking and baking and always make a lot. I love to feed people. It bothers me when married parents seen to think I don’t know how to nourish because I’m single and childless. Or that you can only learn that when you marry and then have kids. It’s silly
We recently starting using Blue Apron with a plan that sends the exact amount of ingredients to cook three meals for two people each week. We started it because we eat out entirely too frequently, mostly because we just don’t plan ahead as we should on most weeks. So far I am loving the service because it allows us to learn how to cook and enjoy new things. Also, because you only get the amount of ingredients you need, you don’t for instance have to go out and buy an entire bottle of some spice you may only use a half a teaspoon of once. We keep the meal cards too so we can always purchase the same ingredients and repeat making a meal on our own if we choose.
I am so truly happy that something like this is an option for only two people. If you are a single, two servings is still fine, you just have six meals, two of each, instead of three.
Yes I too have a maternal thing I do. Mine is constantly hugging or kissing my bf or dogs lol! They probably think I’m nuts!