Cooking from Scratch Saves Money & Time

Winter is a time to gather in the hearth, keep warm, and cook a great meal. Our kitchens are staying warm this winter, as we cook everything from scratch. Not only is this better for the environment, it saves us money and energy in the long run.

Cooking from scratch is better for you because you know exactly what ingredients you are putting into your body. You’re eating less processed foods and preservatives. This will make you feel better and fight those winter blues.

We bake bread instead of buying a loaf or two a week. It’s much more tasty. Plus there’s no plastic bag that will end up in a landfill. We buy organic flower and other ingredients in bulk, and we produce much less garbage.

We keep warm with a lot of soup in the winter. It is healthy and filling, and infinitely better than some canned soup in your cupboard. We stock up on dried beans and peas in December for all sorts of wonderful bean soups. Two of our favorites are five bean (Jacobs cattle, northern lentil, black eye, red, and white beans) and Triple Berry (spelt berry, wheat berry, and rye berry.) Cooked on low in our own homemade chicken stock, it makes a yummy, yummy soup.

Stock is easy to make, so don’t waste skin and bones left over from another meal. Save yourself some money! Add some water and cook those leftover parts on low while you’re doing something else. Stock can last a week in the fridge or be frozen for use any time in the next year.

I know some are reading this saying, “I haven’t got the time.” You do! It’s an investment in your health and savings. Plus, once you’ve put in the effort to cook in bulk, you can freeze it for an easy, time saving meal later. Once we’ve made a big pot of soup, the next few meals are only a five minute warmup.

Cooking from scratch is better for your budget and less plastic packaging makes it the green decision. Once you have the basics, it’s less expensive. It’s also less tempting to impulse eat when you have to take the time to cook something. You’ll be glad you did when you’re enjoying a hearty homecooked meal.