That is so true. I love this teriyaki dish from Mama Fu's and I really want to learn how to make it so I can have it any time I want. It will save me $15!

Also, I'm sure it will help my waist line, I am trying so hard to lose weight, but I'm not doing so good when eating out.

One thing that has helped me with fast food is that I visualize how dirty it might be back in the kitchen. Sometimes that helps me put the brakes on that urge. I do a mix of from scratch and semi-homemade foods.

The worst part for me is cleaning up after.

Menu planning is what helps for me. If I know what I'm making for dinner, I'll make it instead of wallowing around and hoping my husband will suggest going out. The problem is that I don't plan a meal for every day because sometimes we have leftovers, and eating out is definitely more appealing than leftovers.

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It's not what you make; it's what you spend.

I share your pain!! What I think many didn't mention here is that going out to eat is more than just "eating out" - it is a social event (to me anyway) and a treat, plus there is the added bonus of leaving the cleaning up to someone else and coming home to your clean, unused kitchen!!! I enjoy it because we can all sit and talk (kids and DH and I) without hopping up every ten minutes to get second helpings, or more drinks or whatever - you can really just sit and enjoy each other's company without distraction!!!

I have also found that if I have some "fun" foods in like tacos or fixins' for good sandwiches or whatever, I am more likely to cook here. I especially like "fun" foods on the weekends - that's is when I need a break from the usual meat, potato, veggie mentality - like less nutrition and more fat is fun once a week!!!! I am good about veggies and proper nutrition all week - but ya gotta breakout!!! JMHO!!!

For us it was a slow process. It took us many years to break the habit and I still feel that sometimes we are very fragile. Here are the things that worked for us:

- DH has to be on board also. So when you want to go out for food he can stop you and vice versa.

- When it's possible I prepare my meal in the morning so when it's done I don't want to waste it and go out.

- Keep food you like in the freezer for fast meals even if it's more expensive than from cooking from scratch. Having a 10$ frozen pizza with a 3$ bagged lettuce is still less expensive than going out.

- All meals don't have to be perfect. Sometimes we just make omelets for the kids and later in the evening we make ourselves a plater of nachos. Not to healthy but much cheaper than eating out.

- Keep track of the amount you spend on restaurant. Seeing the numbers really helps.

- When you have time cook some stuff like rice or steam some veggies. When meal time comes you only have to grill some meat and your side dishes are all made up.

- Make your favorite foods at home. DH loves a good steak. Now he wont eat it at a restaurant because he feels he can make it better at home and for the same price he can buy a much bigger steak!!

- Indulge once in a while !!

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MARIE --- MOTHER OF TWO ANGELS (MOST OF THE TIME )

I forgot to say:

Keep working at it, it's worth it. You will become a better cook, have more $$ in your pocket & probably lose weight.

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MARIE --- MOTHER OF TWO ANGELS (MOST OF THE TIME )

I just wanted to throw in the fact that there are TONS of websites out there with free copycat recipes for various restaurants, if you don't feel like playing detective or scientist or whatever to try and duplicate it yourself!

I agree...if you didnt have to clean up after cooking, I would be doing it more often!

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Pregnancy has made me a chocolate candy addict.

If it's the social aspect you're looking for (as well as not messing up your entire kitchen), take advantage of the good weather and have company over. Make the meat (you could make chicken breast or treat yourself to steak and still save money over eating out), and have them bring a side dish. Grab a bag of prepared salad (or make one earlier in the day and stick it in the fridge). You can make some really yummy things on the grill - even dessert or frozen pizza! - and you don't have a bunch of pots and pans to scrub. Make up a big pitcher of homemade iced tea in the morning. Watermelon for dessert.

I agree with practice you'll get better at cooking. Don't try to cook really complicated things. Plug away at easy things. foodnetwork.com has wonderful recipes that are rated by difficulty, so look for some "easy" five star meals and have fun with it. there are so many delicious SIMPLE meals out there made with just a few ingredients. kraftfoods.com is a great source as well - very simple. in addition to the website, they mail a FREE quarterly magazine with tons of recipes inside (gotta sign up for that via their website). Sure, they have convenience foods in them (boxed stuffing, or jarred pesto, for example) but there is nothing wrong with that. if it works for your family and you have fun cooking, I'd call it good.

p.s. if you're itching for a certain dish and can't find a good recipe for it, post on here -- someone is bound to know a good recipe to help you out

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~~Amanda~~ Mommy to one Little Man (3 1/2 yrs old), TTC #2