The Measurement Method I Learned from Cooking That Helps Me Have an Awesome Weekend and Live By My Values

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Who taught you to cook? 

I learned from Pinterest.

I somehow made it to my late twenties not knowing how to produce any food other than stovetop mac and cheese, brownies, and, ok, I had one baked chicken recipe in my back pocket (spoiler: not a very good one). If you asked me to make you a meal it would be food out of boxes that came with three-step directions. 

Enter: Pinterest

All of a sudden I could just search for my favorite foods and create this whole list of recipes that came rife with photos of said dishes. And I began to learn that it wasn’t actually all that complicated. I just needed to know what the ingredients on the list were, how to get them, and then how to do whatever it was the instructions said to do in the recipe. And hey, if I didn’t know what it meant to “coarsely chop” or “finely mince” something I could take a quick jaunt over to YouTube and watch a how-to video that would teach me that very thing!

I started by only trying recipes that had “easy” in the title. Soon I learned the difference between roasting, sautéing, boiling, and broiling. The more I cooked, the more fun it was, the more confident I became, and the more creative I got with dishes. 

The big key for my confidence in the early days was measurement. I needed to know exactly how much oil or garlic or cumin to use. I needed tablespoons and measuring cups. I needed data and reassurance. 

Measuring gives me accurate information. It tells me if I’m on track or not. And it’s useful beyond just cooking. In fact, measurements make my world go round. 

I recently fleshed out the six elements of a rejuvenating, well-spent weekend for myself. I have it in my notes app on my phone and I check off the boxes on my list every weekend to see how I’m doing. If I make it to Sunday feeling depleted, there’s no way I’ve checked off all six of these boxes: 

My weekend checklist:

  • Time with the whole family

  • Time worshipping

  • Time to myself

  • Time one-on-one with Eloise

  • Time for my projects 

  • Time with JC 

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This applies to “normal” weekends where it’s just the three of us at home. I need to connect with my people, connect with God, and connect with myself. That’s pretty much what it comes down to. 

Tracking this data is profoundly helpful. Maybe there will be a time where I graduate past it, just like now I totally eyeball the garlic (and reader, trust me you can never have too much) but for now the measurement and data help me stay on target. By Sunday night I’m rested, rejuvenated, my family cup is full, and I feel at peace knowing I spent the weekend living by my values. This helps me feel ready to dive into the week ahead, whatever it holds.

What measurements do you have in your life that help you feel confident you’re moving in the right direction? 

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