We all know homemade tastes better than store bought - but I have to agree that store bought is often easier. We all have those items that we buy, that in actuality we should be making at home.
I know - we just don't have the time.
This is something that I am working harder at.
We grow gardens and can and freeze our goodies because it tastes so much better than the stuff from the store. It saves us money too.
Here are some things to think about.
1. Homemade food is just better for you. You know what is in it, that it's fresher, there are no preservatives or chemicals from the packaging, and no hidden stuff.
2. It just tastes better. I don't really care what you make - it will be better made from scratch. You can make things richer, sweeter, chocolatier, more wholesome, less salty, etc. You make it the exact way you and your family like it.
3. Scratch seems to cost less. Prepared foods cost more as you are paying for packaging, advertising, utilities and pay of employees, shipping, and who knows what else. Food made from scratch comes from a lot of raw ingredients. Granted there are still things you have to buy - flour, sugar, some spices, meat in many cases, etc., but it still works out cheaper and less packaging.
4. Scratch food eliminates unnecessary packaging. How many wrappers, boxes, and containers do you throw away every week? I am hoping to eliminate more and more packaging each week.
5. Scratch food will make you think differently about food. After you start making more from scratch, you will realize the flavors are so much better, and odds are you will start feeling better. You won't be putting all the nasty chemicals in your body, and I bet you may even lose weight.
The next time you eat something that you created - then taste store bought - I bet you taste a huge difference!
I have always made much of our food from scratch, but there are still so many things I want to try. I haven't baked bread in ages - that is something I want to get back to. I would love to make my own pasta!
We love homemade pizza, cookies and candies, stews, soups, you name it.
What do you make from scratch that most people buy at the store?
We all need new ideas - as winter is the best time to try making foods from scratch. Homemade is comfort food in my book.
I believe we all need to shift the way we look at food, ourselves, and our world.
We need to get back to basics.
MAKE IT BETTER!!
I make bread, sandwich buns, freezer biscuits, taco seasoning, pasta sauce.....
ReplyDeleteThere are a few prepared foods we have been enjoying- Tyson crispy chicken strips and I've bought several packs of Aldi cookies because they are so cheap.
But most foods here are homemade, just like at your home, 😄
Love to hear it Rhonda. I do like breaded chicken tenders from Aldi freezer dept. I could make them healthier - I just don't know if they would be as good!! LOL
DeleteAll that flavor comes from all those things we can't pronounce! Scary.
I make my own biscuits too. I am anxious to try bread again.
Have a good one!
Hi Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteI always get excited when I see a new post from you my friend. :) I make most of our breads, pancakes, waffles and biscuits from scratch but I will fully admit to making cookies from a mix because I do find them really cheap and it makes it fast and easy but still much cheaper than buying premade packaged cookies. Most of the soups we eat are homemade, except for clam chowder. I really like Progresso's clam chowder and stock up on it when it is on sale. Most of the meals I make are from scratch also but I will fall back on some premade things when life is hectic or I don't feel well.
Be blessed!
Debbie, I agree that it is always nice to have some pre-packaged things to fall back on in a time of rush! I do to - but try to do homemade as much as possible.
DeleteThey do make it handy to have cookie mixes that are so cheap!
have a wonderful day.
I almost always get sick when I eat prepared food, especially from a fast food restaurant. I am also extremely sensitive to gluten. I agree wholeheartedly that making my own is a huge blessing to me. I do buy prepared items with wheat in them on occasion, though, for the rest of the family as having wheat flour in the house causes me grief. Sometimes my kids accidentally sift it on things and then I get sick from the cross contamination. So, it's more expensive to buy those things, but worth it to not get sick for 3 days, which is what happened the last time I had wheat flour in the house. Making my own gluten-free baked goods saves me a bundle.
ReplyDeleteBecky, thanks for writing. You are a perfect example of how homemade can make your health better.
DeleteI am sorry you have such an intolerance to gluten. I know several people that get sick from it. I am thankful I don't have that problem.
Your health is more important than convenience.
Take care and have a great day.
IF only I started practicing use of tools like the bread machine, I could eat better than store bought, $1 loaf of white bread. I do my cakes homemade, but brownie mixes are easier and inexpensive. I guess if I thought about it...probably 75% of what I make is homemade...this includes meals and baking...the other 25% is because I am TIRED! but if I could be at home all day, I would do almost all my eating from homemade food!
ReplyDeleteWe make our own tomato juice. One year we were able to make over 25 gallons of juice. Yes, my husband and family love tomato juice! I've gotten into making my own vanilla extract and herb seasoning blends. I love my herb garden and it sure is fresher and cheaper than buying the 2 oz. jars at the store! Also making my own taco seasoning mixes, etc. Most baking and cooking is made from scratch. I also freeze and can much of our garden produce. Even with what we're doing, I still feel the need for improvement!
ReplyDeleteOh Chris, I salivate at the thought of homemade tomato juices! I like to add celery and onion and all to mine to make a V-8 substitute.
DeleteKris - wow you do great. I love homemade tomato juice. I love a glass with a little dill pickle juice added!
DeleteFresh herbs are so much better home grown. They are so expensive at the store and who knows what you are actually getting.
It sounds like you are doing an excellent job. We all need to work harder at it - but it sure all helps.
have a great day.
When we get in our house I plan to make my bread again, make biscuits, I can tomato juice and we usually buy apple to can or freeze applesauce. I have some homade mixes in jars like taco sauce and there are just so many things one can make. I do think once in awhile store bought is cheaper but not healthier. I don't make everything from scratch though. Nancy
ReplyDeleteSounds like you do a lot, and plan to do more.
DeleteYou are right, sometimes (espec. when on sale), things can be cheaper store bought. But we all know they contain all sorts of preservatives and such.
Have a good day.