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Fill in the blank. I would cook at home more if I had ___________.

a) More time.
b) A bigger kitchen.
c) Any idea what to cook or how.
d) All of the above.

I can’t help out with a) or b). Sorry. But I do have some ideas for c).

I’ve been in my kitchen quite a lot during these winter months, as cooking seems to be what I do when it’s cold. I also participated in the barre3 challenge, which helped keep me on track with whole foods and clean meals loaded with fiber, protein and healthy fats at a time when it’s tempting to laze around the house munching energy-zapping comfort foods. While cooking up batches of soups and roasting pan after pan of root vegetables, I made a mental list of things that inspired me to cook more and therefore, eat better. It’s a short, tidy list.

1. Parchment Paper
Yes, that’s right. A roll of paper that isn’t metallic and doesn’t cling to anything. I didn’t know what to do with parchment up until just a few years ago. Now I know. Use it to line baking sheets when roasting vegetables for easy clean up. Make an envelope for healthy cooking packets for fish or chicken (this method is called “en papillote” – it’s easy and so healthy). Use sheets of it to separate layers of homemade cookies, granola bars or other treats. Line the bottom of loaf pans with it for easy removal (see the method here).

2. Freezer and oven-safe glass storage containers
It’s only fun to make a giant pot of soup if you have a smart way to store it for later enjoyment. I like to freeze a quart for later and store another quart in the refrigerator for lunches. The glass storage containers can be put in the microwave and freeze well (just be sure to leave a little space at the top for expansion). You can even put the Pyrex kind in your oven. Don’t put them on the stove. I once experienced a frightening kitchen glass explosion when I left a Pyrex dish on a hot burner. I’m lucky to have my eyesight.

3. Fresh Inspiration
If you are like me, you need a constant stream of inspiration and new ideas. There are the blogs you regularly visit (thanks for being here!). The magazines. The cookbooks. An occasional meal out that makes you think you can come home and recreate it. But sometimes you just need something else. Meet the Super Food Cards. Don’t know how to use all those superbly healthy foods teeming with antioxidants and good-for-you stuff? Check out this neat-o cheat sheet of eight cards that acts like a cooking class, grouping foods by category. I’ve never seen anything quite like them. Local DC moms Casey and Katherine created these handy, waterproof cards to help you cook fresh healthy foods with ease. They offer the why and the how-to in addition to tips and recipes (more than 75 of them!).

I can’t give you more time or more space, but I can give away a set of Super Food Cards to keep fresh ideas and new skills in your corner. If you’d like your own set, just comment below and tell me a fun tip or trick you’ve discovered that makes cooking or clean up easier or more fun. I’ll use a random number generator to pick a winner in March!