When it comes down to feeding your body and mind, nothing is superior to preparing your food from scratch, with quality ingredients and served with love. If you have never experienced this phenomenon then try it out for 90 days and see how you feel. Come to that, see how your family feels as you work together in the kitchen to create a level of harmony and good health that is only possible when food is prepared in a loving manner, and eaten slowly with others. OK, so no excuses about time and schedules and…and…and. Instead let’s take a look at why preparing your food is a win-win situation for everyone.
1. Saves money
Packaged and prepared meals cost you considerably more than cooking with raw ingredients at home. Preparing meals at home can save you money. Chef Laura Stec, in her cookbook, Cool Cuisine, notes that just by bringing your home-cooked leftovers to work for lunch can save you a cool $100 each month. Other ways to save money include buying your food in bulk, using store coupons, eating more vegetarian meals, buying on sale and freezing for later use.
2. Saves time
In the time it takes to drive to a restaurant, place your order, wait for your order, return home and serve the meal, you could have made a three-course meal from scratch with time to sit and chew slowly. For those on a busy schedule, prepare half the week’s meals on a Sunday and the other half mid-week, which can allow time for relaxation or beneficial exercise.
3. Less salt and trans fats
Food producers and restaurant chefs use higher levels of salt and fat to make their products taste better to the consumer. Preparing meals at home allows you to control the amount of salt and oils you use in your recipes. This in turn reduces the possibility of weight gain and clogged arteries.
4. Balanced meals
Taking the time to plan your weekly menu not only helps to save time and money, but also provides a way to create meals with a balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat, plus all the essential vitamins and minerals needed for the adult and child’s body. When eating balanced meals your body feels satisfied, has fewer cravings and this in turn prevents late-night snacking.
67 comments
+ add your ownAll of the above are good reasons but sometimes I just need a break from cooking.
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Have to agree
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Certainly can't argue with cooking from scratch at home since one knows exactly where everything comes from.
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I'd estimate 98% of our meals are home-cooked from scratch. I love to cook, and to shop for the best local, organic produce I can find, and create great healthy and delicious meals. The whole process is one of the joys of my life, and has been most of my adult life.
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Thanks for this! My boyfriend and I are currently making an effort to eat at home a lot more often. We used to go out all the time.
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Thanks!
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Just the simple fact that preparing your own food, gives you complete control over your diet is all the reason I need. I don't like having to guess what ingredients are in my dinner. I'll take a home-cooked meal over a restaurant one any day!
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i love cooking and love to know every ingredient that is in my meals
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All good reasons to eat in. Thanks.
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THANKS REMINDS ME OF SUNDAY DINNERS!
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