Men\'s Health Malaysia - Jun 2017

8 JUNE 2017

FROM THE EDITOR

Ten years ago, a critically acclaimed movie told

me “anyone can cook”. Ten days ago, a nationally

renowned chef told me “anyone can cook”. Ten

minutes ago, I stared at my lunch and wondered

if I’m defiling the word “cook”.

I’m kidding, I’m kidding.

Thanks to the “100 Days to Muscle” challenge –

which, as you read this, will be nearing its completion

• I’ve been cooking almost all of my meals for the
  past month. I haven’t been hospitalised with cholera
  (yet), so I’m declaring my “meal-prepping” thus far a
  roaring success. Of course, as soon as I say that, the
  cackling of my friends and colleagues, who’ve seen
  my tupperwares of food, fill the air.
  The thing is, my intentions with the word “cooking”
  do not – and probably will not – subscribe to the
  dogmas normally associated with it. Never once have
  I proclaimed that I’m a chef, nor have I ever set out to
  become one. My purpose when I restarted my cooking
  mechanisms, and now that I’m experimenting here and
  there, remain the same: cook food that will aid me in
  achieving my health, fitness and nutrition goals. Others
  choose to do so with dazzling flourishes of sensory

delights; I opt for a more straightforward,

if blasé, approach.

I’m not championing a complete abandonment

of taste for the sake of nutrition. I’m not even mad

that people keep LOL-ing at my lunches. What I am

advocating for is the same maxim I’ve preached all

this time: to grocery shop, cook and eat to the very

best of your abilities (and budget).

All the deadlifts, squats, bench presses, shoulder

presses and crunches in the world will be all for

naught if your diet is dirtier than a back-alley drain.

If there’s at least one thing that the #MH100Days

journey has revolutionised in me, it’s just how crucial

cooking your own meals is. Whether you keep it

simple or you cook up a storm, you’ll be doing yourself

• and your waistline – a world of wonders by eating
  what you’ve made with your own hands.
  Because if I can cook, anyone can cook – and so
  can you.

Eugene Phua

Editor

Men’s Health Malaysia @menshealthmy @menshealthmalaysia

Cook Up A Storm

PHOTOGRAPH

KAHMUN/MYTH STUDIO

GROOMING

KF BONG

8 JUNE 2017