This deep into Winnipeg’s winters, I typically go into what I call “hibernation mode.” I don’t really have the motivation to leave home for anything other than work. The prospect of waiting for a bus in the bitter cold to maintain something of a social life often seems less appealing than staying in with a book, a movie or just an unnecessary weekend nap.

But this year in particular, I’m having a hard time motivating myself to do one specific, important task: cooking.

Maybe it’s a lingering effect from the early days of the pandemic, when food and grocery delivery became such a necessity. But 2023 is marked by an almost daily battle within my own psyche: “Should I spend 45 minutes making a chickpea curry or red beans and rice? Or should I just get delivery?”

Food delivery is expensive. But we also live in a city full of delicious restaurants, many of which are just a few clicks away on Skip the Dishes or DoorDash. Working at The Uniter doesn’t help either. Editing this issue, reading about Hoagie Boyz and skimming through photos of their wares, I became unable to think of anything other than a delicious Italian submarine sandwich.

Winnipeg is a great food city. Its many independent restaurants deserve our patronage. My pantry, however, deserves my attention. This week, grab a delicious meal at a local restaurant. That way, I won’t have to.

Published in Volume 77, Number 20 of The Uniter (March 2, 2023)