Fast Food from Your Kitchen!

Back in January, I saw a Real Money segment on ABC about fast food and home cooked meals.

In a nutshell, they used a family of 4 with two working parents who spent around $300 a week on fast food because they just didn't have the time to cook at home and showed them not only how to save money, but actually how fast cooking at home can be.  The results?  The fast food meal cost $22 and took 31 minutes, whereas the home cooked meal cost $12 and took 22 minutes.  Impressive, right?  So, how did they do it?  ABC Real Money's tips included buying items from the grocery store that are in season, in addition to   

buying ingredients that are whole and you slice them up thinly.  Buying ingredients whole is cheaper than the pre-cut items and when you chop them up thinly, they cook faster.  A double plus!

They also suggested using fast cooking foods like grains and using fresh rather than frozen so you don't have the defrosting wait time.

All great ideas!  Love it!

Cooking at home is not only healthier but saves money too...sounds like there will be more time to celebrate the little things that make life sweet...don't ya think?
So what kinds of things did they cook?

How about your own stir fry instead of Chinese take out?

Eating Well has a simple Lemon Chicken Stir Fry filled with fresh veggies, lemon chicken and rice noodles or brown rice.  Healthy all done in less than 45 minutes.  Get the full recipe from the link.

Try Mango Tango Tacos from Crunch Time Food instead of Taco Bell.  Takes just under 30 minutes and tastes so fresh!  Of course it is healthy too!  Since it is in taco form, even the kiddos will like it!  Click on over with the link to find the recipe and you will also find some other healthy, quick and delicious meal ideas.

So the next time you think of grabbing dinner out, remember just how quickly you can whip something up at home.  You will save money and eat something more healthful!  

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine