luvkadcl

Before we had children we ate out more than we cooked at home. Now that we have 5 children I really love cooking at home. I love making healthy meals that they can enjoy. I love it when they can help me prepare a meal. It makes them feel so grown up and so proud of themselves. I want them to grow up knowing that they can cook and bake for themselves. It is certainly cheaper, better and healthier.

I am hearing that more people are ordering out and eating at home but cooking much less because of their busy schedules. What is it like in your house?

Thanks!
Cindy

Angela

The last time we ate out was in August. For our anniversary. And we even took the girls. The time before that was March my in-laws too us out for my daughter and my birthday (we are two days apart). That is it.

We order in (well, pick up take-out food) maybe once a month at most.

We always, always, ALWAYS sit down and eat dinner together. (okay, there is the rare time that one of us isn't home...) One of my 16 year old's friends thinks it is really cool that we do that. Apparently her mom is the only one who sits at the table. Everyone else eats in front of the TV or a computer .

__________________
Angela ~ Mom to two great girls (18 & 13) ~ Novice at many different crafts ~Master of none
~ But I have fun trying!!! ~

I'm also blogging about my crafting. I'd love to see you there. Please visit Crafty Distractions and say hello.

My daily project was completed on January 25, 2012, but you can still visit my blog The Daily Turtle if you would like to see my adventures making or photographing a turtle every day for a year.

mamakaty

More than we should, to be perfectly honest. My dh eats lunch out during the week almost every day (well, when he actually gets to eat lunch...). I will try to send leftovers, make sandwiches, even buy frozen meals and he just either won't eat them if he takes them, or "forgets" to take them. Frustrating as heck.

Not that school lunch really counts as eating out, but my oldest does take his lunch to school every day. He refuses to eat cafeteria food, and I don't blame him!!! I have no problem sending his lunch.

He also has after school activities every day of the week. So I have to plan meals that are quick and easy to fix after we get home, or something that's been cooking all day like a slow cooker meal. Whenever possible, we do sit down and eat as a family for supper. Sometimes dh is working late and gets left out of that, but when he's home we all eat together.

The weekends are a little different. We have a "tradition" of meeting my parents for breakfast every Saturday morning at a local cafe. That's the big splurge each week. It started probably 6 years ago? We're regulars, lol. The people that work there expect us, and will sometimes already have "our table" ready to go when we get there, lmao!!

There's also a local Mexican food restaurant that we go to maybe twice a month. They've watched my kids grow up! We've been going there since before dh and I were married.

I know that we could save money (and calories!) by not going out like we do, but it's a choice that we've made and luckily, we're able to fit it into the budget. Besides...when the baby (in the belly) needs nachos with extra jalapenos, who am I to say no?

Having said all that, I love to cook for my family. And I love having the kiddos help. I really love having my boys help, lol!! I want them to grow up knowing how to cook! My oldest has always loved watching the Food Network with me, heehee.

__________________


Sorry if I'm not online much...playing with the new baby has cut into my computer time!! If you need anything, please send me a PM and I will try to get back to you soon! Have a great crafty day!

luvkadcl

I am so happy to hear that because we always eat together too! I think it is so important. I also hear of many families who eat a different times and in front of the tv. We have movie night when we might eat during a movie. We make pizza and spread out towels and have snacks while we watch a movie. We all look forward to it and it's a lot of fun. LOST is back on next week. For sure that will be a big pizza party in the living room. I can't wait. I will have to come up with some LOST food ideas. We do that for survivor sometimes too!

Cindy
PS: I have a 16 year old daughter too

Charmedp3

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! THUD!!!! eat out whats THAT!!!! Elaine

luvkadcl

You have the perfect blend of everything. And it works for you so that is what matters. I love that you get to go with your parents once a week. That is so special, you are really lucky. My Mom is 3.5 hours away. A lot of dark back roads to and iffy weather so we don't go nearly as often as I would like. Your children are getting such a good message too. I am so happy for you all.

Cindy

We have pizzeria that knows us too. We don't go as often anymore(trying to cut back) but when we do go we are greeted like family. It's really nice. They will pack up home made bread for us when we leave. They have brought over a huge plate of vegetables and desserts. All for free. So we may have spent $$( we only go on pizza special night) but we got free food and were treated like family. All worth it.

luvkadcl

I know. We rarely do now, so when we do it is such a treat.

I live in SWNJ! I grew up going to Seaside and Midway beach. When I met my husband we started going to Long Beach Island. Now that we are SW we go with the family to Ocean City. Eating out during the summer on the boardwalk is Three Brothers Pizza, Lily's Fries and Dark Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons

Cindy

gma2rjc

We don't go out to eat very often. We use the gift certificates my customers give me at Christmas, but other than that, maybe 5 or 6 times a year.

I have 5 brothers and 1 sister. When we were little, my dad would say, "Do you guys want to go out to eat?" Of course we all said yes. He'd say, "Okay, go sit out at the picnic table....".

Barb

__________________
May your troubles be less.
May your blessings be more.
And may nothing but happiness
Come through your door.

PennyPinchingPixie

prolly more than we should....but sometimes with all the different schedules it's just the easiest thing to do...well that and if I don't cook or have easy make stuff in the house the whole bunch would just rather not eat....they don't like making their own meals LOL

Jrits

We eat out or order in probably once a week on average, trying to less b/c we want to eat healthy.