The chair beside the stove

I moved a chair beside the stove this week. It is the old wooden one from the hallway that usually holds a tote bag and a sweater. Now it sits near the burners so I can rest while onions soften, milk122 kcal warms, or rice205 kcal returns to a simmer.

I used to treat sitting while cooking as a sign that the meal was already too much for me. So I stood through every step and used up my energy before the food was ready. By the time I sat down, eating felt like another chore.

The chair made the task easier to manage. Tonight I made a small pot of soup and sat during every waiting stretch. I rested my hands in my lap while the butter102 kcal melted. I read the back of the rice bag while the broth warmed. I watched steam gather on the lid while the soup thickened.

What I noticed

Cooking has more waiting than I used to admit. I had been spending that time standing and burning energy I needed later. Sitting did not make the soup cook slower. It left me steady enough to eat when it was done.

I ate from a mug at the counter because the table had mail on it. I added cream, grated cheese110 kcal, and a little olive oil119 kcal. I finished most of it while the pot was still warm.

The chair is staying. It is awkward when I open the lower drawer, and I tuck it in before bed, but I like having it in the kitchen. I can sit when I need to. Some nights that means I cook instead of closing the fridge and skipping dinner.