As our daily lives get busier and our schedules fill up, it leaves less time for us to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Too many people don't cook, for they see it as being a monstrous task of preparing, cooking, eating and the subsequent clean up.

It doesn't have to be hard work.

I'm all for healthy, quick and easy cooking that tastes good and isn't filled with preservatives, fats and chemicals. Beijing is the perfect place to take time out of your busy schedule and learn how to make some of those favorite dishes that you miss from back home.

After a busy day of work, commuting, going to the gym, meeting friends and daily chores, the last thing I feel like doing is cooking a long and complicated meal.

Something that takes ten minutes and tastes like heaven is what I'm after.

Snacking is supposed to be bad for you, but that all depends on what you snack on. Below you'll find three recipes for simple snacks that anyone can try and enjoy. The ingredients can be easily found in Beijing and can be altered to suit your likes and dislikes.

There are no measurements, either. It's all about making things to suit your own taste, so just go for it. After trying these, go ahead and try to tell me that cooking is too much hard work.

Enjoy!

GARLIC MUSHROOMS ON TOAST

•  Any kind of bread you like for toasting; my personal favorite is French stick
• Selection of mushrooms that you enjoy
• Several garlic cloves peeled and chopped
• Butter
• Salt and pepper

1.) Wash and slice mushrooms into thin slices. I prefer bite sized chunks, similar in size to thick cut fries.

2.) Slice bread and toast it, either under a hot grill or in a toaster.

3.) As the bread toasts, heat the butter in pan and add the chopped garlic.

4.) Throw in the sliced mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes -- or until they soften -- and shine with buttery coating. Leave on a low heat.

Arrange the toasted bread onto a large serving plate and then pour the garlicky, buttery mushroom mix over the bread and spread out evenly. Enjoy!

CHEESY SCRAMBLED EGGS

• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 4 eggs
• Grated cheese
• Salt and pepper
• Worcestershire sauce (optional)

1.) Wash and chop onion into small cubes.

2.) Crack eggs into a bowl; beat with a fork.

3.) Add salt, pepper and continue to beat.

4.) Throw in the chopped onions and mix through.

5.) Add grated cheese and gently mix through.

6.) Heat a small pan and add oil; pour in the eggy mixture and stir continuously until eggs thicken.

7.) Add more salt and pepper and a splash of Worcestershire sauce.

Once the eggs are cooked, serve on a plate. Personally, I enjoy serving with toast or just some crusty bread.

BRUSCHETTA

• Handful of cherry tomatoes
• French stick bread
• 3-4 cloves minced garlic
• Sprinkle of fresh or dried basil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

1.) Slice bread.

2.) Drizzle with olive oil and toast.

3.) Chop tomatoes and garlic into small pieces and place in a bowl.

4.) Season with basil, salt, pepper and lemon juice; sprinkle with olive oil.

Place toasted bread on a serving plate and top with tomato mixture. Eat immediately after preparation, for the tomato mixture can make the toast soggy.

These are all easy, tasty and all very, very addictive. Get snacking and get hooked!