I have been trying to cook more "from scratch" lately - and I have actually found that I enjoy cooking so much more than when I was making prepackaged meals.
It is a challenge I have issued to myself in order to save money and be healthier, but I have found the biggest reward of all is HOW GREAT EVERYTHING TASTES!!! Fresh and homemade beats out-of-a-can/box hands down, and is more fun.
A quick example: I made homemade pinto beans, you know, they start out dry and you have to cook them forever (old hat to many of you, but a first for me). All I added was the water and some salt, and they were so delicious! Better than any I have had out of a can or at a restaurant, my excitement about that has made cooking something that I truly enjoy now.
And planning ahead definitely helps, you might like
www.savingdinner.com - you can download sample menu plans and find free recipes (it's a partner site to
www.flylady.net).
Good luck!