SAVE BIG MONEY
My wife sometimes says to me, “Do you know how much you spend eating out? Of course, you don’t.” She was right. I had no clue what I spent let alone what we spent as a family. When she shared the number, I almost passed out. Maybe you can relate? On average, Americans spend 46% of their annual income on eating out not including the gas it takes to get
there (2017, Business Insider). This data reflects my life more than I’d like to admit. With a growing family of five, busy schedules and just plain ol’ laziness, it’s easier to go to the drive thru than cooking a healthy, affordable meal at home.
CONTROL YOUR WEIGHT & IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH
Eating out is expensive. not just in dollars but in calories too. Although the fast food options are delicious, we have no idea what ingredients went into your favorite dish. Even with a meal that seems small, it can often be calorie dense, giving you more energy than your body can use. Have you ever noticed you are more stuffed when dining out than when cooking at home? I used to go to the buffet, preparing all day to demolish the food and it never failed that I was defeated by the first plate. Stuffing my face to the point that I am walking like, The Penguin from The Batman Returns: The Penguins Plan. Cooking at home is a different story. You don’t have to worry about turning into a penguin because you know the ingredients you put in your meals, giving you more control over your health and weight.
PRACTICE YOUR COOKING SKILLS
Home cooking, the lost art has come back in style to inspire some very talented home cooks. Do you find yourself saying, “What if I can’t cook?” Hope is not lost. There are many ways to grow your culinary techniques. Even here in Omaha, there are classes that will give you the skills to work confidently in the kitchen and it might even inspire you towards your own food dreams. At No More Empty Pots, I participate in the 15-week Culinary Workforce Training Program where I continue to fill my culinary toolbox, giving me skills to not only cook better at home but to also pursue a career with food. Outside of the program, they also offer cooking demonstrations and nutrition education programs in the community. You can learn more about No More Empty Pots HERE.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4324″ img_size=”400 x 400″ css=”.vc_custom_1543273004729{padding-left: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1543273416559{padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_cta h2=”Want to hear more from Wes?” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Share in the Giving!” btn_color=”success” btn_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FNMEPDONATE|||”]Let us know what you’re interested in! Drop a comment on this post and share his writing on your social media.
Very good and helpful info. Maybe not new but definitely needs to be shared to remind us we can do better than what we’ve done. Growing up, my family couldn’t afford eating out. Sorry to say, my kids grew up eating out allot, weather wc could afford it our not.
I’d love to hear specifics quick and easy ways to cook at home to further encourage us as a society to turn this sinking ship around. Also reminders of the benefits of healthy foods and how they help out bodies.
Thanks Wes
Marcia!
Letting us know what you’d like to learn about. Continue to follow our blog but make sure to follow us on Facebook @nomoreemptypots and Instagram @nomoreMTpots for more information about healthy foods and living a healthy lifestyle!