Another benefit of home cooking

[disneysteve]

I guess this shouldn't have surprised me but honestly it did.

My wife and I have always enjoyed cooking. We have also enjoyed dining out, though only at nicer restaurants, not typical chain restaurants and definitely not fast food joints.

In recent years, however, we haven't been doing nearly as much home cooking partly due to hectic schedules, partly due to the 3 of us having trouble agreeing on meals, etc. Since our daughter left for college at the end of August, DW and I have gotten back to cooking a lot more, pulling out old recipes and trying new ones.

The unexpected "benefit" we have found is that the few times we've gone out to eat during the past 7 weeks, we haven't really enjoyed it, even at places that we previously liked. The quality of food, the health issues, the cost, and especially the overall experience has just lost a lot of its appeal. We would much rather be at home preparing our own food fresh and hot and for a fraction of the price. I haven't sat down and attempted to figure out what we are saving in the process but I'm sure it is a significant amount - less dining out, less convenience food at home.

The challenge now will be what to do when our daughter comes home. She'll be back for 6 weeks in December and January so we're going to have to work on finding things we all like so that we don't fall into the previous habits during that time. The good thing is that I think being away has also helped DD change her habits a bit so that should help.

[snafu]

Is it possible you're worrying un-necessarily? DD will be so delighted to be home she'll find home made, fresh food totally wonderful. Eating is a total experience more than just items combined for nutrition. Meals are social events where everything plays a role, the sight, sounds, warm environment, family who love you...adventures to explain or listen

If DD has preferred vegetable or special products like tofu or Almond milk, you'll likely include them in the purchase plan.

[disneysteve]

Is it possible you're worrying un-necessarily? DD will be so delighted to be home she'll find home made, fresh food totally wonderful. Easting is a total experience more than just items combined for nutrition. Meals are social events where everything plays a role, the sight, sounds, warm environment, family who love you...adventures to explain or listen

If DD has preferred vegetable or special products like tofu or Almond milk, you'll likely include them in the purchase plan.

I do think it will be better when she is home than it was in the past. My schedule is lighter than it used to be. She'll be on break so no school schedule or stress to deal with. And we definitely include tofu. She's coming home this weekend and just asked me last night if we can do one dinner involving tofu. The other meal will be dad's homemade pizza which she loves and I know she misses.

[Like2Plan]

I remember when our DS came home from college, he had a list of favorite home cooked meals that he was craving. LOL. There were a couple of times he came home for a weekend, but we were on travel--so he cleaned out the freezer of leftovers. Before he left home he wasn't so keen on leftovers. I guess he didn't care for the food served at his college so even leftovers at home were a treat. DS never really cared to eat fast food.

[disneysteve]

I remember when our DS came home from college, he had a list of favorite home cooked meals that he was craving. LOL. There were a couple of times he came home for a weekend, but we were on travel--so he cleaned out the freezer of leftovers. Before he left home he wasn't so keen on leftovers. I guess he didn't care for the food served at his college so even leftovers at home were a treat. DS never really cared to eat fast food.

DW actually likes the food in the dining hall. The only complaint is that it has started getting repetitive, but the taste and quality are actually pretty good, unlike when I went to college and the food was horrid.

[marvholly]

Steve
From my experience of a college kid coming home on her first long vacation I think you are worried for NOTHING. You are NOT going to see her. She will be running around catching up w/friends and staying out VERY late. She will sleep in VERY late in the am and NOT be home for most meals. The only reason you will know she is home is the added laundry.

[Like2Plan]

... but the taste and quality are actually pretty good, unlike when I went to college and the food was horrid.

Your DD is very lucky. Still, I bet it is no comparison to the food you make at home.

[feh]

The unexpected "benefit" we have found is that the few times we've gone out to eat during the past 7 weeks, we haven't really enjoyed it, even at places that we previously liked. The quality of food, the health issues, the cost, and especially the overall experience has just lost a lot of its appeal. We would much rather be at home preparing our own food fresh and hot and for a fraction of the price. I haven't sat down and attempted to figure out what we are saving in the process but I'm sure it is a significant amount - less dining out, less convenience food at home.

Not to mention the health benefits of cooking at home.

The Time cover story a couple weeks ago was about the American diet. One of the major reasons for the obesity epidemic is less home cooking.

[rennigade]

Gotta love 1st world problems. Stressing about what to cook so everyone is happy.

Almost as bad as me having to be upgraded to an iphone 6 and for a couple days I didnt care that much for it because it was too big. Us poor Americans have it rough.

[disneysteve]

You are NOT going to see her. She will be running around catching up w/friends and staying out VERY late. She will sleep in VERY late in the am and NOT be home for most meals. The only reason you will know she is home is the added laundry.

Nah, that's not our kid. She will be with us 24/7. She's not a social butterfly, doesn't like to drive, doesn't really have any close friends. She virtually never goes out to eat without us.

Not to mention the health benefits of cooking at home.

The Time cover story a couple weeks ago was about the American diet. One of the major reasons for the obesity epidemic is less home cooking.

Absolutely. I thought that was a great article, though the fact that it would make the cover of TIME is depressing on its own. It's common sense that eating out every day isn't as good for you as cooking your own meals every day.

Gotta love 1st world problems. Stressing about what to cook so everyone is happy.

Almost as bad as me having to be upgraded to an iphone 6 and for a couple days I didnt care that much for it because it was too big. Us poor Americans have it rough.

For sure. We are very fortunate to have such insignificant problems to worry about.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

A benefit of cooking at home that I've never seen in writing before: The house smells good!

Once the house next to me was being renovated. The guy in there working every day spoke with us often at our front porches (conversation distance). He said, "Mmm, the smells that come out of your house!" and closed his eyes, smiling. I probably should have offered him something to eat.

Right now we have the floral smell of just-picked green beans awaiting the cook pot as well as a hot pot of soup featuring crushed fennel, green & red tomatoes, sweet peppers, black pepper, garlic, onions, chives, fermented green beans, and chicken broth.

[krantcents]

Although our children are grown and gone, they still love coming home or joining us for dinner. There are requests of course. Holidays are great times for food too. My wife is already planning Thanksgiving. We already know what our children want beside the obvious. Despite all that, it is much easier to plan for two though.

[naturesenergies112]

With our time being at a premium, preparing your own meals is often replaced with on the go meals at fast food or casual dining dining establishments. Not only are these choices usually more costly than eating at home, but also not figure friendly. You can drastically increase the health benefits by preparing home-cooked meals.

[budgetingtech]

Cooking at home has many advantages. I'm going to list few here.

• It is inexpensive
• no doubt it is good for health
• good activity to break the routine
• you will feel good when your family appreciate your cooked dishes

[97guns]

i only eat out maybe once or twice a month and its less than a handful of restaurants that we will go to, we prefer to cook at home as already cited but when i eat out im very concerned with cleanliness. there are lots of people in the food industry that get a kick out of sabotaging your food which could lead to serious health issues