Changing lifestyle= more cooking interest? for losing weight

[shootingstar]

I do get semi-jokes from co-workers over the years about my weight (skinny) and meals (hardly eats lunches), etc. I just don't bother listening to the stuff. But other than that, I've never been in social circles where we were critiqued for our at the table food choices. Often we're too busy catching up on news/life in conversation.

Did I come from a family that did occasionally judge food choices amongst ourselves? You bet. How else does a child at home, learn about nutrition, good food choices,etc.? We weren't punished. We were just limited to certain sweets, etc. ..for special occasions. It wasn't a big deal. And that's the best way for children to learn..... richer, sweeter, fattier foods were just enjoyed occasonally..without making such a big deal of it.

As for people who have admirably lost weight or maintained healthy weight or doing everything they can to reach a healthier weight, even though one may still hate cooking, I dare say that at least one has to have some interest /awareness of what type of foods are healthier than others --in general. That was part of my original comment at start of thread.

In the past I used to enjoy preparing an interesting dish, a dessert for workplace potluck luncheon. Maybe it's because I've worked for several different employers that my sense of bonding isn't quite there any more. So I bring in an pkg. of interesting crackers. Last time I made a stir-fried squash for a workplace potluck and told everyone there was no sugar in it. I said this because some squash dishes tend to use sugar. But anyway....only one third of it was eaten. Shrug. Probably if I brought a sun-dried tomato and mushroom couscous, it'll still get the same level of interest. I guess people tend to like "familiar" foods which I still haven't really figured out for a group of 14 people, of which some people do have exploratory palates. In this area, I tend to overestimate people's capacity to try "new", "unfamiliar" dishes.

At home, the only dessert I make is a fresh fruit focaccia. I eat whatever desserts outside of home. I used to enjoy making a cake, brownies several times per year for special occasions. But I've become lazy. Dearie gladly loves making the chocolate ganache, his fresh fruit compotes, etc.