I was going to have a picture of flowers.
I have been outside in the garden so much the last few days and have taken photos of the various flowers, but I have used them in the last two articles, so I thought I would give it a rest and let sleeping dogs lie. That idiomatic expression has nothing to do with anything related, but since there is a picture of our dog having a nap between my legs, it is close enough.
Since the weather is mostly sunny and warm today, we invited a friend couple around to grill some burgers with us, and eat on the terrace. It should be nice, as I am trying a slightly different burger recipe and will also try to make sangria for the first time. And yesterday, since we had a lot of cherry tomatoes that were softening, I made a tomato relish for the first time also, and at least I am going to spread that sucker onto my burger.
Smallsteps and I went to the shops earlier to get supplies and she was surprised at how expensive it all was for one meal. And yes, it is expensive, but considering there will be five of us eating, if we did it at even an average burger restaurant, it would cost fifty percent more, and there would be no leftovers. Doing it like this means that we will have various bits and pieces (not the meat) leftover to add to other meals in the future.
She has the habit of taking the receipt and reading it in the car, so this time I had her work out what was the most expensive things and what kinds of food they were. Other than the minced meat, she correctly identified that all of the packaged things were expensive and then we had a discussion about what kinds of foods they actually are in terms of health benefits. For instance, she has flavoured yoghurt for snacks, which have a fair bit of sugar in it - but for the same price as one tiny tub, she could eat half a kilo of apples. Or for the price of a couple tubs, she could have unflavoured yoghurt, some berries and some honey several times - which she also does and likes.
I have heard that in the US it is much cheaper to eat unhealthily, but I think in most of Europe, eating healthier is the cheaper option, but not the convenient option. So much of the food is pre-cooked and packaged now which saves time, but how much? Even going to a takeaway drive-thru takes time, so what would the difference actually be between getting takeaway or making a salad? Price-wise, the salad is much cheaper (here at least), and will actually take less time to prepare - but it has to be prepared.
People are lazy.
Anyway, I quite like eating home-made food and I am one of those sad people who think a home grilled burger is far better than one from a burger joint. Even homemade steaks are now better than many of the restaurant ones I have had the last couple years. So why go out?
Yes, there is the company aspect and for special occasions so no one has to prep or clean up, but overall, I am becoming less and less of a fan of eating food out, that I can make better at home. When it comes to ethnic food though with various Asian or Indian foods - I am happy for a decent takeaway place, because I can never get it even close.
Now though, it is time to prep the patties and get the sangria flowing!
Have a great Saturday.
Taraz
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I think that is not true that healthy food is more expensive than unhealthy food in America. The only two exceptions to this is:
But eating healthy food at home that you prepare is cheaper than unhealthy restaurants especially if you don't buy the most expensive meat or seafood. Cheap wild salmon in Seattle is excellent and can be bought at the store as low as $7 per pound.
All fruits and vegetables are cheap even organic, but you have to cook the meals yourself. Naturally it is easier to go out and buy a burger at burger king...
Ah, good to hear. I have heard different from multiple sources. But I think it really depends on what you are buying and what you are willing to cook. I am of the mind that a home-cooked meal doesn't have to taste like a restaurant most of the time. I keep it pretty simple and try to make sure there is more vegetables. Salmon is good here also, though I don't think it is cheap. Cheaper than steak though.
During my 18 years of age to 32 years, I ate outside food a lot, in fact, too much. My younger brother was the opposite, he always loves home food. After my 32, my tastebuds suddenly changed their habit and started loving home food more than the outside ones. I still eat outside food but rarely.
I think, some people are pre-programmed for the home food (my brother inherited it from my father, in a way you could say) and some people finally reach to that point where both their brain and belly start telling that them outside food is not that great for them and they ultimate turn into the sad people. Occasional outside food is okay I think though to celebrate time with your family/friends et cetera. Exact same vibes I am getting from you words.
I am happy for smallsteps, the way you are training her brain, habits and body is remarkable. You said correct in your comment to me, parenting isn't about convenience.
And for others, they are so addicted to the sugar and chemicals, that they can't quit. A lot of what we are fed, food and content, are addictive.
That's a good point and very true too.
While home cooked meals are healthier and more nourishing, ones eaten at restaurants and such, only have more delightful tastes, but that's only because of all the artificial seasonings poured into them.
Most people who consider it more convenient eating unhealthy foods than healthy, home-cooked ones, might consider it convenient now but will pay a stiff price in the long run, when all the health problems emerge.
I think it's better to stick to healthy meals and cooked by yourself, and endure all the inconveniences that come with it, should there be.
It'd save one a whole lot of trouble in the long run.
We are unfortunately not built this way. We don't look into the future and we are terrible at predicting how we will feel. I think it is because evolutionarily, we didn't have to and we couldn't store food or have it available. The last few thousand years and especially the last 100, this has changed. Now we are fat and sick on average.
Burgers are touchy for me because there are some places out there that make a really great burger. Most other stuff though I like better when I make it myself. I hope you have a great time. We are camping this weekend but it turned out to be cold and rainy.
There aren't many really great burger places here in my opinion, but I am not sure what really great is!
Was it a good trip nonetheless?
I like homemade burgers, if you can be bothered doing enough reverse engineering you can get them to the level of or better than the good burger places and in large enough to satisfy the constantly starving children for roughly the same amount of effort (I consider going out about the same amount of effort as doing the nonsense at home) and less money XD
Have fun at your get together :D
Me too! Time, dressing, parking - and then being disappointed by the service.
Oh you are so old 😂. But me too. I went to watch a movie with my wife, so in a certain moment of the movie I wished be at home with her. I love the cinema, but as you said, doing this things at home becomes a new hobby
And it feels more rewarding. Investing into ownership, rather than entertainment.
People are lazy..Damn true
I am a foodie person..but I love cooking. Cooking is my all time therapy. So i enjoy home made food more then Takeaways or deliveries....but still love them too..hahaha!
Is a foodie person someone who eats out a lot?
Even homemade steaks are now better than many of the restaurant ones I have had the last couple years. So why go out?Homemade food is better for health and in quality. I used to go for having burger every other night for almost of 6 months hardly made any miss, that causes me with Stomach pain after proper examination I found H-Pylori in Stomach (which is very harmful Bacteria for Stomach).
So, I quit fast food.
Fast food isn't great for the stomach for sure. I feel sick 15 minutes after eating it. I rarely eat any of it these days. Haven't for about 15 years.
I am on a long blog, where an gomna share what to eat and what to not. I will mention your this blog because I got inspired with it.
My eating out habits have decreased significantly this year. I believe that homemade food is healthier than fast food. It allows full control over ingredients and cooking methods. Also, homemade meals are typically prepared using fresh ingredients.
Have you noticed any changes in yourself?
Yeah, from being super slim to moderately slim, I love my figure now more than before. 🤣
I think healthier options can actually save us money in the long run.
And health.
Wish you an amazing BBQ and time with friends and family!
Thanks - it was great :)
Back then I used to think restaurants food is always the best,but with time I realize that homemade food is more natural, and it is usually made with real care, a well made home food can honestly beat many restaurants food any day.
What is restaurant culture like where you are?
Around here in my country, many people still enjoy homemade food more, but restaurants and local food spots are also popular.
HEALTHIER EATING SAVES US FROM A LOT
I agree with most of the comments here. Home-cooked meals are becoming a luxury everywhere now, not just because of ingredient costs, but because not everyone can afford the time it takes to prepare them. You're so lucky to still be able to sit and enjoy meals with friends and family. These are the weekend memories your kids will carry as they grow up. 💕 Cheers to the weekend.
It always makes me feel sick afterward. I don't mind the taste, but it isn't worth the feeling.
Thanks