The meals I put on the table, the ones that are the most satisfying to me, are the ones that mess up the kitchen the most. I like to decorate plates and make garnishes, and I'll add an extra side dish to round out the colors on the table.  Am I crazy?  Maybe (ok, probably).  Am I happy?  Well, neuroscientist and psychologist Kelly Lambert suggests that all this work adds to my sense of well-being.

Depressingly Easy, an article in the August/September Scientific America Mind (by the aforementioned Dr. Lambert) discusses how manual tasks benefit mental health.  The brain, apparently, is programmed to be pleasured by the results of manual labor.  Our predecessors suffered less depression than people today because they couldn't just zap dinner in the microwave, pop dirty clothes in the washer, etc., etc. Today?  Many of us feel happier about giving gifts that we have hand-made rather than the ones plucked off the shelf and wrapped by the customer service clerk.  And honestly, what kid isn't thrilled to tote in homemade cupcakes to share with the class?   Granted, I might not be happier if I had to beat clothes against a rock...

Planning meals to cook is simply planning for your good mental health.  But don't be selfish.  Allow your family to clean up, after all, that manual labor is good for them!