Ingredients listed separately from directions, so when I read “Add the tomatoes and stir” I have to leave my place in the directions to find out how much tomatoes.
You're supposed to prepare your ingredients before you start cooking. Its called mise en place. There might not be be enough time to go dice 2 tomatoes before the pot starts to burn. But if you already have them in a bowl ready to go, you can just add them when the recipe says. This also helps with your next point about doing things simultaneously.
Like most things in life, a little bit of prep and planning beforehand can make a big difference.
Everywhere did until the early to mid 20th century. Exclusionary zoning was invented to keep the poor's in their place.