Saving Money on Food Costs Starts with Kids

Yes, believe it or not, it does start with the kids, at home. We live in a microwave, fast food, instant gratification society. Everybody wants it fast, now, quick, in a hurry. Whether it's food, information, material items or money, that is the society we live in. But your pocket and health don't have to suffer for it.

As you know, I teach cooking classes (mostly online and some live in person). The economy dictates that we can no longer afford to eat out all the time. I know as a Mom, the convenience is a tempting lure. You've put in long hours at the office and the last thing you want to do is stand in a kitchen slaving over a stove. But our mothers and grandmothers (in some cases) did it. What makes us exempt and worse, what are we teaching our children. The healthcare issue is on fire right now. People want the right to healthcare and to be as thin or fat as they want to be. Americans are the largest population of overweight people in the world. I attribute some of it to eating out so much.

But no worries. We can reverse this. We have to, as mothers, become a little more patient and try to fall back to the old days a bit. I'm not saying completely give up going out or cooking every day of the week. If you cook strategically, you can have home cooked, healthy nutritious meals for your family. Get the kids in on the act too. Most kids love going in the kitchen and helping out. I used to love going in the kitchen to watch my dad and grandfather cook. My son used to love watching me. If you get them involved early, they'll adopt healthy habits. For me, it was the curiosity of experimentation in the kitchen. I used to (and still love to) create things. I love breaking down a dish I've tasted to try and create my own version of it. Think of how much fun it'll be for your kids to express themselves with food. And if you play your cards right, they can eventually pick up some of the cooking duties for you!

Today I'll be demonstrating some cooking and baking recipes for my niece and young cousins. A kitchen full of preteen girls...not sure how I feel about that yet. But they asked me to teach them a few things and I'm honored to do so. I'll be back to report what we ended up making. Right now, I'm just excited that they are taking matters into their own hands and learning how to cook.

Til next time. Sphere: Related Content

We're In a Recession! Stay Home & Cook- Or Learn How

Yes, the dreaded "R" word. I am fighting this recession tooth and nail and refuse to give it any credence. But the fact of the matter is people are tightening their belts. That means less fast food and trip out for dinners, less eating out at lunch time, and much more people are staying in and cooking. Let's look at the facts.

-> People who bring lunch from home are more likely to eat healthier
-> People who bring their lunch from home save between $25-100 per week
-> People who cook dinner are more likely to have their family gather together to share the meal & quality time
-> People who cook at home are more likely to get creative and try new dishes

One of the main reasons people don't like to cook is because they feel that they can't come up with creative ways of preparing the same old meals. It's not hard to believe because as a woman who knows what it's liek to juggle school, work and family, at the end of the day you're tired! So the easy thing to do is throw something together quickly and be done with it. We have Food Network, websites with recipes, cooking magazines and cook books. Yet, many, especially Moms, are stumped over that age old question....What's for dinner?

Well I feel your pain! So I started thinking, what can I do to help Moms out there keep it exciting in the kitchen? Then it came to me. We have Food Network with shows where you can cook along side your host/hostess. But let's take it up a notch. Thyme Out for Mom will launch its new Online Cooking Classes where you can not only watch and cook along with your hostess, BUT it is fully interactive.

You can chat in real time with your instructor and classmates live and up to the minute. No having to record a show and pause so you don't miss anything crucial. No having to run to the internet to send an email question and wait for a response. Real time interaction and you get to learn some new meals! Each lesson comes with downloadable recipes for that lesson complete with ingredients and tools needed to attend the class. No finding the time to leave home to get to a class and lug around equipment or ingredients. Watch, learn, practice and interact in real time, from anywhere in the world. Take one or many, the choice is yours. If you have an internet connection, web camera and the desire to learn how to cook, this class is for you.

Are you interested? Well send an email to thymeoutformom@gmail.com for more information. The first class begins September 8th. Will you be there?

Til next time. Sphere: Related Content