Learning to cook from scratch is a skill, but one that is beneficial to learn. Home cooking can be fun and creative.
“You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces – just good food from fresh ingredients.” ~ Julia Child
Life is busy and sometimes convenience food is the easiest way to get food on the table for your family, but here are five benefits of cooking from scratch.
1. You Know What You Are Eating
You are in control of everything you eat. You can modify recipes for any specific food allergies or just to keep dyes, chemicals and preservatives out of your kitchen. Home cooked food is healthier for you and for your family.
2. Better Taste
Homemade food tastes better than convenience food. Food prepared at home is fresh and flavorful.
3. Saves You Money
Learning to cook from scratch will save you money at the grocery store. You will shop for ingredients that will be made into delicious meals instead of spending money on ready-made meals or takeout.
4. Connects You To The Seasons
Seasonal cooking lets you use fresh, delicious produce. During winter you may choose to eat soups and stews made with root vegetables, fresh fruits and vegetables in summer, squash, apples and broccoli in the fall. If you can, try to purchase produce from farmers’ markets and taste the difference between a fresh, in-season apple and one purchased from a grocery store. Another way to connect with your food is to grow a small vegetable or herb garden.
5. Brings Family Together
Cooking with your family is a great way to connect and spend time together. Making a meal from scratch is a simple way to teach your children about healthy eating habits and the value in enjoying a meal together. It also creates strong family bonds and happy memories.
Hi, Debbie. Yes, I cook from scratch almost exclusively. I have been doing so fir so long the habit is in grained. Thanks for having a passion to nourish your family.
So much healthier to cook from scratch because we know exactly what we are using for ingredients. Totally agree. Stopping by from Blog Fuel FB page. Have a great day!
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
I like cooking for scratch when possible too! I enjoy being able to see the salt and butter content, and being able to limit it!
Thanks for visiting Caitlin! It’s not something I’m able to do every day, but I’m striving towards eating healthier for myself and my family.
Just remember ladies, when we eat something that maybe isn’t the best for us, just make the next thing healthier!
Lynn @LynnAnnWareRN
Great idea Lynn!
I love cooking from scratch! Number 1 and 3 are especially why I do it as much as I can. A lot of the time, I find I have to buy some “convenience” ingredients just for time-saving, since I’m a busy mom of littles, but I cook from scratch as much as I”m able!
I love how made from scratch food tastes, however being a first time mom I am currently working to figure out a routine where this works everyday not just most days.
Good points… we cook mostly from scratch(for years) and yes, it does taste so much better. The taste of store-bought just doesn’t even taste good anymore. Desserts or other “goodies” tend to be made with shortening rather than the butter we use at home… bread conditioners and additives ruin the taste of bagged bread. We enjoy the food more… get more nutrients and after you do it for a while, you develop some shortcuts to make it faster. We do still buy the occasional pizzas however. 🙂
Treats are so much better made at home Joy! Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend.
There is such a difference. Now when I cook from a box mix it just tastes wrong. If I am going to enjoy the calories I want it to taste amazing! Found you on a blog party at Chic on a Shoestring Budget
laura
Thanks so much for visiting Laura. You’re so right on the calories. It has to be worth it! Have a wonderful weekend.
I love to cook but wouldn’t you know, I’m married to a guy who’d just as soon eat a can of Spaghettios and be done with it. It’s pretty hard to argue against quick and convenient dinners when we both work all day, but I do love to make something good on the weekends!
Whatever works for you both Georgia! I love to use my crockpot for days that are super busy or when I’m out all day. Have a wonderful weekend!
So true. I did cook a lot when all of the kids were young. Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
I cook from scratch a lot and these are all some of the reasons why! Thank you so much for sharing this lovely post with us at Hearth and Soul. Sharing on Twitter.
Thank you for reading April! Have a great week.
Looks like your readers mostly cook from scratch. I took sewing in high school home ec instead of cooking so I never really learned a lot. I have to have a recipe and I don’t bake much because I have to be gluten free and carbs in general make me sleepy. BUT my grandma made home made dumplings and pies every time we visited and that is a recipe that would spend the day doing and forget my gluten issue for one meal. I want to cook from scratch, it is my goal when we retire 🙂
I try to cook from scratch as much as I can! Thanks for sharing these great reasons at the Friday at the Fire Station Link-up!
Debbie,
I cook from scratch for special events or parties. I love to know no box was used in this wholesome food. My favorite is from chocolate cake with french vanilla cream frosting is my specialty. Thank you for sharing with TADA this week. I look forward to seeing what you stir up for Thursday this week.
Happy Creating,
Karen Marie
HI Debbie! I just wanted to let you know you will be the featured post on tomorrows Friday at the Fire Station link-up!
Thank you so much Jen! Have a wonderful weekend.