Greg: Cooking to Unwind
I cook a lot more than I used to and it’s become an important part of my daily routine – it’s a good way to wind down from an intense day. – Greg
Kitchen Hero Greg may have grown up in a culture that valued home cooking, but it was when he incorporated cooking into his daily life that he discovered many more benefits. Cooking his own meals allows Greg to save money, enjoy a variety of dishes, try new things (including baking!), and relax after a long day. Read more about Greg’s cooking journey in his Hero in the Kitchen story below.
Name: Greg L.
Age: 27
City, State: Denver, Colorado
I cook for: myself.
Outside of the kitchen I: climb mountains and design parks.
If I could have any superpower, it would be: time-travel, both to the past and to the future.
I cook because: I’m a tightwad, and it’s so much cheaper to cook your own meals than to eat out. Having a meal plan allows you to be more efficient in your grocery shopping and food expenditures in general by having a plan and limiting waste. The meal plan also provides for so much variety, which I wasn’t getting when I was “cooking by the seat of my pants” without a comprehensive plan.
Favorite Cook Smarts meal so far: Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken. So many great flavors in that dish.
HOW DID YOU LEARN TO COOK?
As a farm kid from Iowa, cooking is a very important part of the farming / rural culture. I learned a lot from my mom, but I wish I would have been a better student at a younger age than I was. Cook Smarts has helped to fill in the gaps in a big way.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST COOKING CHALLENGE?
Probably misreading a recipe, or getting in over my head, especially with baked goods. Baking at altitude has also thrown a curve-ball into the mix.
The meal plan also provides for so much variety, which I wasn’t getting when I was “cooking by the seat of my pants” without a comprehensive plan.
How has your cooking routine changed since starting Cook Smarts’ meal plans?
I cook a lot more than I used to and it’s become an important part of my daily routine – it’s a good way to wind down from an intense day.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROUDEST KITCHEN MOMENT.
This Thanksgiving when I attempted my Grandma’s recipe for homemade pie crust with my mother’s recipe for apple pie filling, and the pie turned out surprisingly fantastic.
WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR HEALTH AND SUCCESS IN THE KITCHEN?
Keep trying to get better. I’ve found cooking to be like many other tasks / hobbies / activities: repetition and practice are crucial.
Kudos to you, Greg, for continuously working on becoming a better cook and baker! You’re right – repetition and practice are crucial when it comes to cooking. Although, from the food photos you share with us, we can tell that you are already a pro! We’re happy to be a part of your cooking journey, and hopefully one day, we’ll be able to be the taste-testers on your baking journey . . . we can’t say no to homemade apple pie! 😉
To join Greg and cook meals like his favorite Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken, check out our meal plan service. You can get started for free!
