We use [like/hate/love doing something ] or [like/hate/love to do something ] (with no change of meaning) when the action referred to is somehow repeated or when we talk about something in general, e.g.
I love meeting people.
I love to meet people.
She hates flying.
She hates to fly.
But you should use:
1) like to do something = I feel it is a good thing to do, but I don't necessarily enjoy it, e.g.
'It's not my favourite job, but I like to clean the bathroom as often as possible.'
If you enjoy it then you say:
'I like cleaning the bathroom very much. It's really relaxing.'
2) like to do something = when we do something on a special occasion
'When I travel to work by train I like to read a book.' = (I don't travel by train very often)
If you always travel to work by train then you say:
'I like reading a book while travelling to work.'
3) like doing something = when we refer to a situation that is still true
I like being a student. (=I am a student - I like it)
Lee lives in Boston. He likes living there. = (She likes living in Boston - she lives there and she likes it)
Tom is a lorry driver. He likes driving big cars. = (He always drives lorries)
Sally likes to ride to work on a motorbike, but she usually drives her car. = (She doesn't often ride her motorbike)
As for 'a lot of' - it is used with both uncountable and countable plural nouns, e.g.
a lot of chickens
a lot of white meat
a lot of banknotes
a lot of money