Food Talk  Discussion Forum

I am married for 3 years & we live in the US. Since, both of us are working, it's hard for us to manage cooking, especially since I do not at all like to cook. We eat out a lot & it's expensive. Moreover, we get bored by same home food each day & like to eat out too. I don't know how to cut our expenses in eating out. I am curious to know, how often do people eat out & how to stop ourselves to eat out.

mbr101 replied. Hello Parul,

Many good points have been made but one thing that keeps me from eating out often is knowing or better not knowing what's in there???

I love to eat out but don't because I've worked in fast foods, family restaurant and fine dinings. My 2 sisters and 2 brothers have too. You'd be shocked at what goes on behind closed doors. For example: The cleaning rag falls to the floor which is filled with food, dirt, grease, and God know what, w/out any thought the worker picks up the rag and sets it aside. Then later wipes the counter w/that same rag thinking that he/she has just cleaned the counter, now they're about to put your food on the counter either to wrap or slice then to place it in your plate, and the worst is when they wipe the edge of your plate desiring to make it more presentable. My sister worked in a five star restaurant. The chef had a cold and would use the towel to wipe his hand after he had sneezed or cleaned his nose. The same towel was used to wipe the plates. uuuugh!!!!Many evenings after a hard day of work we would often sit and discuss our unbelieveable day @ work. More and more we started to eat @ home.

I can see you delimma but please don't let the lack of interest in cooking keep you out of the kitchen. It seem to me that you love spending time w/your spouse and relaxing, so why not take up a weekend of culinary class/seminar in your area. It would be a true adventure for both of you. Make it an anniversary gift!!! Or join a BBQ or Chili club!!! I'm sure there are many ways to conjour up your love for culinary...it's the cleaning e/one runs from...

Kevin had a great idea for using crockpot. There are many recipes you can get from the net and rotisserie is another great tool. It's very, very easy to use. We love it but of course my family is not vegetarian but I am-- so I'll make a huge side dish of sauted veg. w/some sort of light cheese sauce or huge green salad w/bread. And I'll do Indian cooking when I have time (on weekends). I hope this encourages you more than repulses. It's not my intension to gross you but to help you see beyond the closed doors. And not all restaurant are like this. But nothing beat a good home cooked meal...You aleast know what's in there...yuuuuum!!!

Good Eats Parul,

Sincerely,
mbr
geeta replied. I think i am agree with kevin. But everybody can not buy house when they wanted. One think we need to set our priorities first. We need to think that money is important for future and for kids. Second thing outside food makes you gain weight. It is not healthy food forever. Third thing if you go out you always want to go out because of the test of that food and no tention of cooking. Atleast one person should control this expenses. Your husband should control on this matter. If both won't think about it then there will be too much expenses.
Thanks
Kevin replied. yes, i understand completely. i used to eat out a lot. then i bought a house and all of a sudden i had no money to eat out at all. yes, it gets expensive. i had to get creative abt it. often on weekends i would prepare a large meal and freeze most of it for my lunches and/or dinners throughout the week.

since you live in the usa, you may want to buy a crock pot at the store. this is a slow cooker that takes 8 to 10 hours to cook food. you can put it in in the morning before leaving for work, and by the time you get home, dinner is ready. it is especially nice in the fall.

most supermarkets in the usa have a hot food section where you can pick up food ready to serve as you drive home from work. it is way less expensive than eating out at a restaurant.

how often do people eat out? i guess it depends on who you ask. i probably eat dinner out once a month, but get lunch at a little lunch stand (5 dollars or so) maybe 3 times a week. some people, tho, never eat at home.

i wish you luck. i know it is a dilemma.... which is worse...spending the $$$ on dinner or taking the time from relaxing after working all day?

kevin Neelu replied. Dear Parul,
I was the same as U have written, just not liking to cook and trying to eat out as we get things readymade, But since u are working, at many times U must have done things for the first time though not liking to do it, Just think , how it would be like when people appreciate your creations, especially your child , when she whispers appreciatingly to others about what u had made for her , try soome fast nutritious meals to make