Procrastination - Preparing food

[tertius]

I have this problem... haha

I'd start making food (i'm still at student level when it comes to that) and then I'd have something more important to do, like read that article about some random thing I found on digg, or respond to a forum post etc.

Then my food would burn (doesn't happen that often), or it would just not come out as good as it could have.

Should I stay at my food? Because my mind tells me, you can do something with this time, you are wasting time, time time time time time!

[tertius]

Also, I'm reading the same random stuff while eating. I don't want to be so rushed, as if I HAVE to get the latest info into my head.

[Ilya]

I use kitchen timer. Since I know routine for the food I cook, for me this is enough.

[awu]

Just look up at your food every few minutes. Remember that, as much as you might economize on time if you can do something else, it's a big waste of your time if your food doesn't turn out to your satisfaction, and you wind up eating something burnt, or worse, having to make something else from scratch. The slow moments while cooking can be used as a quiet, still time to reflect on life, or just to disengage and meditate.

[Lucas]

I find I enjoy my food more if I spend the time there. Plot it out so you are making something else while it cooks, or do the dishes you created while waiting.

[Alarin]

Should I stay at my food? Because my mind tells me, you can do something with this time, you are wasting time, time time time time time!

I would definately stay with the food, food that tastes good is all about attention to detail and that requires your physical presence It's also quite stressful for your mind to be half cooking and half doing other things, I bet you don't usually feel particularly relaxed after cooking and on top of that you're food doesn't turn out as well as it could have?

The only thing I tend to walk away from and use a timer with is baked dinners because they take a few hours and only need to be checked on occasionally. For everything else I stay with the food the whole time, but I never feel like I'm wasting time because there's so many other things to get done in the kitchen like putting away ingredients, wiping down benches and washing up the dishes I make. It's good because it means that by the time dinner is served I've already cleaned up all the mess and I get to enjoy my meal more, and then just do a few dishes afterwards.

I hope that helps

[rock1000]

Think about it. There was a time when I thought cooking is just a waste of time, and I could do better things. But that's not really true.

I think it is important that you only-eat while you are eating. Reminds me of covey's words: "People are so busy cutting down (trees with axe) that they don't take the time to sharpen their axe."