For folks who aren't used to spending hours every day thinking of new ideas for dinner (
) the sight of a full spice rack can intimidate.
I have an entire three-shelf cupboard full of spices and herbs, yet I really only use a small handful of them on a very regular basis. You can do a lot with salt, pepper, parsley, and garlic. I would say that those are necessary, at a minimum.
Once you gain some comfort with "spicing up" your creations, branch out a bit. Oregano, basil and dill are terrific flavor enhancers for eggs and veggie dishes. Lemon pepper perks up a steak or roast beef quite a lot. Dried savory is terrific on eggs, a couple good pinches in your omelette will astonish you. Paprika and cayenne for those times when bland just won't do.
Above all, don't be afraid to experiment! The worst that can happen? One meal doesn't work out. Happens to all of us, one time or another. That's when you decide "OK, scrambled eggs for dinner!"
When it
does work out; when you've rolled up your sleeves and fired your imagination, and are rewarded with empty plates and full tummies, then you'll find out why so many folks love discovering cooking. I'm teaching my kids to cook, and watching their faces come alive when they turn out the sauce for dinner, or just being able to help when I ask "can you make the salad for dinner?" is so much fun.
Don't be afraid of longer recipes. Start with smaller ones. There are a lot of good contributions right
here on this board. And don't be afraid to ask! Each and every idea in the recipe threads was put there by someone like you, another forum user who wanted to share.
Above all, enjoy! If we make this WOE fun and tasty, it's not a "diet" that we'll one day retreat from, but a real lifestyle change that'll stick. Have fun with it!