cooking

• saving.  it started out as a way to save money.  i found i could do well even with just $25 of groceries a week.
• health.  restaurant food can often be too oily / salty and meat-focused.  i get a better balance by cooking at home.
• variety.  it's hard to sample lots of little things at restaurants.
• creating.  it's nice to create dishes (or entire meals) through my own efforts.  a mini project every day.
• meditating.  i really like having the kitchen to myself, turning up the music, chopping things up, and putting it all together. 
• puzzle.  i like figuring out how to repurpose leftovers or how to make new dishes from pantry items + the fewest number of new items.
• friends.  i like making things for friends and food is a great excuse to get together.