We all eat, but we don’t all cook, and why should we? These days you can jump in your car and get a burger for a dollar. But ask yourself the real price- the price to your health. That burger, which if you’re not cooking, can be an every day occurrence, not to mention the breakfast sandwich in the morning and the pizza on the way home from work. While it is possible to eat healthfully at a restaurant, the choices are often limited and can be expensive.  The best way to save money and your health without compromising taste is to cook!

Cooking does not have to be a huge endeavor with pots and pans simmering on the stove for hours. Cooking can be as easy as boiling whole wheat pasta and adding a bit of low-sodium tomato sauce, or making a quick and easy stew in your slow cooker. You have a meal as tasty as you would had you gone to a restaurant but for a lot less money and definitely at a serving size that is more appropriate than those heaping plates you’ll find at a restaurant.

In addition to being easier on your wallet and waistline, cooking can be a lot of fun. Once you get the basics down it can be exciting to see if you can challenge yourself with new ingredients and cooking styles.