Finding the Single Rhythm of Life in the Kitchen
When you’re young, single and constantly on the move, it can be difficult to find the time to stop and smell the roses. Or, it can be difficult finding the single rhythm of life in the kitchen.
Hannah Clayton’s secret to staying grounded in the midst of her active, “go-getter” lifestyle is cooking meals at home. She knows the importance of finding the single rhythm of life in the kitchen.
“We live in a very fast-paced world and become disconnected”, she said, “so it’s really important to sit down for dinner, whether it’s by yourself or with others, so you can have that time to slow down.”
Staying Grounded in the Whirlwind of Life at the Table
Hannah, single, career-oriented and constantly-on-the-go, admits that she sometimes gets caught up in the hustle and bustle of our whirlwind society. Working in Advertising and Marketing, she says “my clients move very fast and constantly change, and they can change directions in a short amount of time”, and as a team leader, she adds “I have to make sure my team is all on the same page at all times”.
When she’s not on the clock, she’s still moving. She said, “I like working out, cooking, doing film photography, and spending time outdoors with my dog”.
At the end of the day, though, she breaks away from the mainstream and makes a meal to center herself.
“‘Dinner time is an essential part to my day that I put a lot of thought into everyday,” she reflected, continuing with “it’s taken me a few years to find my rhythm and to find time to do it. But I love it and honestly, I almost never skip it.”
Simplicity is the Key to Success in the Kitchen
Hannah’s key to success in the kitchen is simple: simplicity.
“It doesn’t have to be extravagant, fancy or the most creative dish”, she said, adding “as long as you understand and have the basic ingredients in your kitchen, you can create so many dishes”.
One of her favorite foods to prove this philosophy through is salad. She declared “I’m a sucker for salads. They are so simple and easy to make.” She described a recent creation, “Mixed greens, blackened chicken, blueberries, stringed carrots, pumpkin seeds, onions, chunks of mozzarella with a simple olive oil and lemon dressing, and it was amazing”.
Finding What Works for You
One of the best ways that she knows how to keep it simple in the kitchen is a tip that she learned from Chef Sandra: finding those basic, essential ingredients that she mentioned before. She said, “My biggest takeaway from her is that all you need are some basic and simple ingredients”, adding, “I asked her what hers were, and they inspired me to find my mine”.
She elaborated, “Because I’m so busy and on-the-go, that conversation inspired me to find my own, and, this rotation has changed the way I cook.” She discovered that enjoying a delicious home-cooked meal in the evening is the secret for finding the single rhythm of life in the kitchen.
Taking a Break at the Table Is A Good Thing for the Single Lifestyle
Hannah believes that knowing how to cook is crucial for many reasons.
She says, “I think that cooking for yourself has so many benefits and it motivates me to make time for it. The reward of cooking for yourself is your tasty creation that costs way less than eating out. Cooking is an important skill for everyone to know and learn. It forces us to slow down a little bit.”
Hannah knows the important of finding the single rhythm of life in the kitchen.