I am a recovering restaurant eater. My problem stemmed from a lack of cooking skills (I'm a horrible cook) and a lack of time (I work every second I'm awake).
I expected the "normal" perks of eating at home like when I started eating at home as much as possible but I was surprised at the end results:
• save money on expensive eating out
• save time not waiting in lines
• eat healthier by knowing exactly what is going in your food
But I did not expect to actually save money on my grocery bill. After a few months of eating at home I tallied my receipts and I actually am saving money on my groceries compared to when I would eat out. These are the only explanations I can come up:
• I am more realistic about how much we really eat, I purchase accordingly, so there is less waste. I hate to throw out spoiled food.
• Planning our meals based on sales
• We're not eating as much, home cooked meals make us fuller?
Whatever the reason I'm enjoying the benefits and realizing I might not be the worst cook... I actually might be an okay one... not great but okay!
I'm curious are there any other cooks that might not be the best but are trying like me? Any secrets?
More reasons to eat at home...
March 5th, 2008 at 07:44 am
March 5th, 2008 at 08:24 am
1. Have a written list of about 15 or 20 quick, well-liked meals that you know by heart and can cook on regular busy days.
2. Make extra and freeze leftovers in portion-sized tupperware! I hardly ever spend money at lunchtime anymore. Make sure to label them so you can tell what they are.
3. Once a week or so, find a new exciting recipe to try out. This keeps your staple list from getting old, and sometimes you find a good recipe that becomes a regular.
March 5th, 2008 at 08:25 am
March 5th, 2008 at 08:28 am
March 5th, 2008 at 05:30 pm
http://www.foodnetwork.com/
http://www.copykat.com/
http://freezerchicks.blogspot.com/
I never thought I would say I enjoy cooking, but I am really starting to. It's hard because DH is a great cook and I felt a little intimidated at first, but now if I have a failure instead of giving up, I figure there is always another recipe to try!
March 5th, 2008 at 07:25 pm
My number 1 secret? The Kirkland Signature Organic No-Salt Seasoning from Costco. [It's an organic and tastier alternative to Mrs. Dash.] It makes EVERYTHING taste better. We use it on meat, veggies, eggs, in soups, anything.
Other must-haves are olive oil, fresh garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Take almost any dish and it can be improved with one or more of these 4 ingredients.
When I run out of ideas, I think: Rice w/ something (we use a rice cooker and usually have cooked rice on hand)? Pasta w/ something? Eggs? They are my fall backs.
My favorite cookbook author is probably Mark Bittman ( akaThe Minimalist). I also like Ina Garten (The Barefoot Contessa).
March 6th, 2008 at 07:43 am
scfr, you've never shared your #1 secret with me... did you? I'm hurt in a "I would need a back rub and a nice cook meal" sort of way. But I'll settle for finding out your secret indirectly. The power is mine! Hahaha!
March 6th, 2008 at 10:33 am