Cooking - A Resolution

Leaning into intention, renewal and tackling January

I started writing this just after hearing the news that the fireworks had been cancelled here in Edinburgh. The wind and rain had put paid to the revellers' plans of bringing in the new year on the street. It is such a shame for the tourists who frequent this city.

It didn’t stop the clock from turning as well as not stopping my boys from going to their respective evening entertainments, leaving the boss and me to catch up. We went to see Conclave at the cinema, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Bed early, I wanted to bring the new year in on my terms. Hoping I’d get a full night’s sleep with the knowledge that the sonic boom from the castle wouldn’t be happening. Someone up the street wasn’t having any of it though and they set their own ruckus off, at the turn of the bells.

It's dry now as I finalise this over a cup of coffee, a hint of blue sky. Which wasn’t the case this morning. Full-on torrential rain, and puddles the size of small ponds. Charged with the New Year spirit I went out in my size nine waders (trainers) and covered a slow steady 5k. A good feeling to kick the year off with.

January often arrives with the weight of resolutions and promises to get fit, lose weight, do better or eat healthier. For me, my belt notch is feeling a little tighter on those smart jeans. The habit of the odd bit of chocolate here and there has got out of hand. Having a full house and the feeling of a holiday, the lack of daylight exercise and routine has taken its toll!

I know from past experience I can't flick a switch and go cold turkey. The idea of going from zero to hero on the running and exercise front at this time of year, well it's not going to happen. Slow steady yards and do what you can do is the order of the day. It can feel bleak, with grey skies and a sense of deprivation lingering after the festive cheer. The lights in the windows disappear and with it discarded Christmas trees appear scattered on the streets waiting for collection. Why would anyone pick this time of year to cut out entire food groups, change habits and kick into resolutions?

Discarded Christmas Tree

So there is the old argument, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, and the 2nd best time is now. I'm a believer in needing to tap into the power of now. I have that feeling of seasonal renewal and with it the wish to make a change, be better and put a little hope into my stride. I'm a January baby, with a birthday to look forward to.

The hellebores have amazing buds and are starting to flower. The daffodils are stretching their necks. It won't be long before I get a bunch from the bucket at the supermarket. Perhaps the first sighting of snowdrops.

Hellebore

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Scanning my substack notes feed I came across

David McIlroy

’s personal resolutions:

• Read Every Day

• Write Every Day

• Exercise Every day

• Be Thankful Every Day.

They resonated with their simplicity and felt like a good fit from a substacker’s point of view. I'm also keen to use the word ‘intentional’ this year. Which goes alongside each of these. Then I would also add eat intentionally every day.

To that end, what if the only resolution we needed was to cook better? Be it learning to cook, learning about something new, perhaps cooking from the vegetables that we have in season, those items that are in abundance. Avoiding ultra-processed ready meals and just getting back to the basics.

Cooking is not just a practical skill; it’s a form of nourishment, creativity, and connection. This winter, instead of banning foods or counting calories, I'm wondering why not embark on a journey of renewal in the kitchen.

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Being intentional. Over the next few weeks I'm keen to get into a few better habits in the kitchen which I thought I'd share as I go.

Books for January

I got given a couple of books for Christmas: The Complete Book of French Cooking which is a mighty tome of knowledge and will take a year and then some to get through! Alongside this, Jay Rayner, Nights Out at Home which I didn't realise contains a whole bunch of recipes.

Then there is my back catalogue, I'm keen to dig deep into Bee Wilson's Secret of Cooking and have a re-run through Nigel's Kitchen diaries.

I plan to tackle the material as the home cook that I am, learning in public, starting with the basics and building confidence week by week. Creating my own cosy retreat from the January gloom, a chance to learn, create, and enjoy food that’s as good for the soul as it is for the body.

Because cooking isn’t about deprivation. It’s about renewal. And there’s no better time to begin than now!