Cooking Zen

It's taken me 27 years to realize my cooking zen. I think part of my cooking anxieties come from feeling rushed, cluttered and inexperienced. And aside from the inexperience part, I have realized that I can control my cooking environment to make the process a lot less stressful.

First of all, I need solace. My best meals have come on weekends with Justin around to entertain the babe, or with Houston fully occupied in an episode of Super Why. I cannot cook with someone weaving cars between my legs, whining, or reaching for pots from the stove top.

Second of all, I need time. I cannot cook under pressure. Ever. I have to start dinner at 4 in order to have any sort of accuracy or creativity. I am too ADD to feel rushed.

Thirdly, I need peace. Wine + Music = peace. Lately, I've been simmering to Adele or Ingrid Michaelson.

We're waiting for this barbecue chicken recipe to come out of the oven now. Although disclaimer: Houston woke up from a nap mid-preparation, crying. So if some ingredient is missing and dinner turns out to be a wash, blame the mishap on my meditation interruption.

Are you an anxious cooker? Have you found your "zen"? What's your favorite cooking music? I need an expanded playlist... so leave suggestions below!