i knew someone was going to suggest to combine cooking and kids, which is why i added that parenthetical: spending time with my kids (means i do what they want)

i knew someone was going to suggest to combine cooking and kids, which is why i added that parenthetical: spending time with my kids (means i do what they want) which could be playing a game with them, or some other activity. but most certainly not forcing them to hang around in the kitchen with me (unless they want cook, but then it will take even longer). besides, if i do anything else while i am cooking then i am most likely going to burn the food. it just doesn't work that way. and no, i am not cooking fancy stuff. but i am using fresh ingredients which take more prep time and also require me to go shopping more often because you can't keep vegetables fresh for long. meat at least i can freeze.