Cat, if I understand your situation correctly, you want to live as far away from the causes of greed and sensuality as possible. I understand, but as Sir Lal and Yash explained, there is nothing wrong with earning money and cooking for yourself. Many great lay disciples of Lord Buddha were millionaires (today they would have billions!). Of course, they had more than the minimum. However, they managed to attain the sotāpanna stage and other stages while retaining their fortunes. Lord Buddha’s father, King Suddhodana became an anagami and continued to fulfill his duty as a monarch.
So there is nothing wrong with money and food. What is bad is acting with ignorance (believing that food will give us happiness), greed (wanting to have all the food for yourself), and anger (eating to alleviate sadness). The same thing applies to money and the other 3 necessities (clothes, houses and medicine).
You seem inclined towards a life of total renunciation. I suggest only one thing to you, my friend, go and live in the company of the Noble Maha Sangha of Jethavaranama monastery. You have two choices there: either you train for two years to become a monk, or you stay as an anagarika with 10 precepts. The monastery will help you with the visa etc. Don’t wait, my friend; follow your desire to live the Dhamma fully. If you are interested, I can put you in contact with Sir Harsha, who is the layman responsible for organizing meetings with Bhikkhus. Ask advice from the venerable bhikkhus of the monastery and make a decision on what you want to do my friend.
