Each morning after my grandmother wakes up, she walks downstairs and sits in her chair. She turns on the TV and watches the same channel. From the “Pioneer Woman” to “Baked in Vermont,” my grandmother learns at least two new recipes each day, brought to her by the Food Network.

Being home for days on end can be monotonous and stressful as we engulf ourselves with the news and practice social distancing. Home cooking offers a delicious way to spice up your daily routine without leaving your home.

For some of us, we can turn to cookbooks and recipes that have been handed down from family members or gathered by our parents and loved ones. Cracking open one of these books can bring a sense of nostalgia. When I flip to the recipe for my mother’s fudge brownies, my mouth waters as I remember the rich chocolate taste melting on my tongue. For others, this may not be an option, but have no fear! The Food Network exists for this purpose. Gather the people in your home to take a break from the computer screens and start cooking!

Begin by taking a look at your pantry and making a list of the products that are in abundance. Next, decide whether you wish to cook or bake, and head over to foodnetwork.com. The first headline that a viewer will notice is that at Food Network, it’s “Baking Month,” a time where their chefs put out their best recipes for sweet treats of all kinds. A favorite in my house is “The Barefoot Contessa,” hosted by Ina Garten. Her cooking philosophy is “Back to Basics,” meaning that to be a good cook, one must have the basics down pat. Ina’s baked goods recipes are her strong suit. Bring yourself to the challenge, and bake something to honor Baking Month.

On the second half of the website’s home page, one can find “60+ Lighter, Brighter Meals.” In anticipation for the spring season and its warmer weather, the Food Network is actively working to publish fresh recipes that reflect the vibrant colors of spring through its ingredients. This is a great start to brighten up a gloomy day at home.

Note your experience level when picking a recipe, and do not set an unrealistic goal. Start with something simple, and throughout each day home, make it a little more challenging. The level of difficulty can be found in the top left corner of each recipe.

To journal this historic time off due to the Coronavirus, print out each recipe and store them in a binder for later. In a blank space on the recipe, write out your own review and include the good and bad of the process because maybe the frosting was great, but the cake itself was a little dry. This can be something fun to look back on and share with others later in life.

Take this time off to learn something new, and make the best of it.