Cook often, be happy and live long

Photo: Pixabay

Cooking and dining are fun ways to bring people together.

Every day, we are constantly being pushed and pulled by influences in our lives and all those influences change how our lives go and how long they last. The quality of life you have is not only about where in the world you live, but how you live.

For example, if you “super-size” your meals too often, it will shorten your life. If you eat lots of fresh veggies and whole grains, you will live longer. They tell us we need more exercise; don’t go to the drive-through, get out of your car and walk in!

Of course, the worst thing of all for shortening your life is stress. Studies show the only way you can undo the damage stress causes is to unwind. (Can’t you just imagine those two groups of lab rats in the studies – one group running through mazes non-stop, and the other group with their feet up, eating mini tubs of Hagen Daas!)

I have a confession to make - I often work late. My stress comes from work. The worst part is, working late means there is almost no time left to cook dinner and so my Hubbie cooks (or I eat leftovers or salad if he is not home). This week I am proud to say that although we ate a bit later, I have managed to cook not once but twice this week! I have not done some of the work I took home to do, but I accomplished something much bigger…. And I am rejuvenated and ready to take on the pile on my desk in the morning.

This past week has made me feel as though I have bumped into an old friend; it felt relaxing and comfortable to be chopping and stirring things. I missed the “therapy” of de-stressing with my kitchen gadgets and recipe books, and I plan to take up my old hobby again with renewed vigour. (Do I sound too much like a born-again Foodie? Well don’t worry, I’m not giving up on going out for donuts or lattes.)

I have a whole bookcase full of cookbooks I’ve collected over the years that will be my starting point for this new project. I am even planning to have people over, so that I can expand my field of guinea pigs. (It’s a win-win situation really – if the meals go well, I get praise from a bigger circle of friends; if I fail miserably, I can just move along to the next names on the list for the subsequent attempt.)

There is nothing like time around the dining room table to bring people down to earth and make them smile. Good food and good vibes are the best tonics for a long and happy life for everyone in the room.

That age-old concept of balancing the priorities in one’s life is one that never stops being important. I know not all my readers are as happy to cook as I am, but I hope you’ll find some way to enjoy more leisurely meals of food that was made with love.

If you want to see how your habits around food might affect you and where you’re at in your life span, check out a cool site that has some extensive research behind it, along with a fun quiz.

The Vitality Test may look like just a publicity stunt but it is based in statistics and algorithms. It offers some interesting options for you if you want to head towards a lifestyle that focuses on habits that could help you live a more fulfilling and therefore longer life. I always figure those things are worth trying out, just like a new recipe in the kitchen.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.