27 May 2020 
In the midst of our current situation, you may find yourself exploring new hobbies, expanding your creativity and discovering forms of self-care that fits you. Although cooking can be a dreadful chore for some, for others cooking is a means to help soothe stress, build self-esteem, and curb negative thinking by focusing the mind on following a recipe.
In a study published by the Journal of Positive Psychology, research found that a little creativity and creation in the kitchen contributed to an increased sense of happiness. The study suggests that people who frequently take on small, creative projects like baking or cooking report feeling more relaxed and happier in their everyday lives.
Psychologists believe that cooking fits a type of therapy known as “behavioral activation,” which means finding meaning in things you do rather than just drifting through them. Cooking helps people focus on a task, which can give them a sense of power and control that they might not otherwise feel. It also improves a sense of well-being as you feel a sense of accomplishment and pleasure once you see the end goal of the process – a delicious plate of food!
Today, we encourage you to roll up those sleeves and find a new recipe! Expand your cookbook by going online, finding an interesting recipe, and cooking something NEW! Here are two sites that have a ton of recipes and tips to help you get started!
Meet your new cooking coach! Tasty.com has over 4,000 Tasty recipes at your fingertips; an innovative Step-By-Step instruction mode; a ‘My Recipes’ page which serves as your very own mobile cookbook, and an incredible search tool that allows you to filter by any ingredients, cuisine, or social occasion!
Yummly.com is your smart cooking sidekick, offering personalized guidance every step of the way. From recipe recommendations just for you, to handy tools and helpful videos, Yummly has everything you need to improve life in the kitchen.
Happy Cooking!!
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