Quote Originally Posted by Crankin View Post
I am more like you, Shooting Star. Maybe, even more so. When I was single, I made myself a home cooked meal every night. Made a grocery list, shopped weekly, and cooked. I still went out to restaurants a lot, but no different than I do now. This was right at the time (the only time) I had to lose a significant amount of weight, and I am sure eating fresh, non prepared food helped. It's also when i started exercising. I can't imagine buying food every night, even healthy food from the natural foods grocer. My cupboard was stocked, and I often cooked for my friends, in my tiny studio apartment. When i wanted a really good meal, I drove to my parents' house, about 5 miles away! Food is such an integral part of my extended family, I can't imagine any other way. My brother, who is ten years younger and brought up in an entirely different environment is exactly the same. His cupboards look scarily like mine!
I don't shop every day. I just buy 1-2 times per week. For past few decades, I just cook using whole, fresh veggies, fresh meat (pretty rare that I buy frozen meat, but I take it home, cut it up and freeze meal size portions), etc. Really, cooking is like sleep-walking abit for me. It's semi-intuitive to throw meals together for myself, dearie or small group of family/friends. I don't even plan my meals much at all..I just buy what's on sale/in season and complement with other stuff.

In a way, it's like cycling: learn some good habits, good base dishes (like good base routes) and just go with the flow.

As for friend, I'm glad she is a naturally socialable person to do the golfing, etc. She knows my style of cooking because some of it reminds ....of her mother's style.

Here's my on-the-spot intuitive cooking for her and I a few days ago for supper: Japanese green tea noodles sautéed with tomatoes, canned clams, onions, garlic and basil. We had fresh corn on cob on the side. Then yogurt with fresh berries in season. We ate it all. And went out for cup of dark coffee at a café.