We all have those moments after watching a few too many episodes of Masterchef where we think we could create something absolutely fantastic and revolutionary in the kitchen. While this sometimes results in a spectacular mess, experimenting in the kitchen is one of the best things you can do for your physical and emotional health.
Firstly: when you\’re experimenting in the kitchen, you\’re doing real cooking. You aren\’t just eating prepackaged food or takeaways; you\’re mixing things together, trying to create. Real cooking using real food is the first step toward better health. Try including strange things in salad, seeing what foods are like if you lightly saute them (Jamie Oliver is a huge champion of cooked lettuce).
You\’re also likely to find out more about what you like, and what you don\’t; you\’ll try new spices and flavours, and perhaps stumble upon something you really like that\’s also great for you (try artichokes in a grilled sandwich, or chia seeds instead of sugar to thicken your jam).
Finally: just having a laugh and trying something new can do wonders for your mental health. Studies suggest that several short bursts of creative activity a week can help stave off mental illness; it\’s also a chance for families and friends to bond.