Why cook at home?
Why should we be getting in the kitchen?
Let me start by saying that I love going out to restaurants for the social aspect. It’s fun to look nice and be out and about with other people, especially after spending months stuck at home. But I try to limit going out to once a week at most. It doesn’t always happen because, well… life happens. But I also enjoy making my own food and eating in the comfort of my own home for several reasons.
I like to save money. Honestly, I’m super cheap and that’s just me, but even if you’re a big spender, eating at home can help keep a cushioned bank account for those other “treat yoself” moments. I can buy a week's worth of groceries with the amount of money it takes for hubs and I to go out to a decent restaurant. That’s the cost of living in a major city. But no matter where you live, I can say with certainty that your budget will thank you by snagging enough groceries to make several meals throughout the week.
My main concern however, is you never know what you’re eating unless you prepare it yourself. Most restaurants don’t use quality ingredients. I hate to say it, but it’s true. Since a restaurant is a business and their main goal is to make a profit, they don’t purchase organic and ethically sourced foods because they cost much more than conventional. Most food items are bought in bulk and kept in a large freezer for a week at a time, even produce. I’ve seen broccoli come out of individual sized bags and popped in the microwave as the method of preparation. Yuck.
Sure, you read the menu and it has a description of the items that come on the sandwich, but it doesn’t have a full ingredient breakdown. That can be a huge problem for anyone with an allergy or food sensitivity, or just wants to be conscious of what they’re putting into their bodies. You have NO idea how much salt, butter, and oil a chef uses to make a dish flavorful. You also don’t know how long any particular food has been sitting out unattended. Trust me, I’ve seen it more times than I’d like to admit. Take it from someone who has worked in restaurants for just shy of a decade. I have seen horror stories in some of the kitchens I’ve worked in.
When you take the time to make it, you’ll appreciate it more. There is an instant satisfaction to sitting down after spending some quality time in the kitchen and enjoying what you’ve put your hard work into. If cooking isn’t your favorite pastime, try having a loved one in the kitchen with you. Make it a date night with your significant other, or invite a couple friends over and make it a potluck. I love to cook but I get that it’s not everyone’s jam. The health and cost benefits of preparing your own food far outweigh the pleasantries of eating out. So make an event of it and see how much more you enjoy the process.
A few final tips to leave you with:
buy local
organic as much as you can afford
Buy in bulk
Frozen and canned save money and time
There's nothing wrong with off-brands
I encourage you to try a new recipe and invite someone to make it with you! Bon appetit!
