Resolution #109: Cook at home more often

(Graphic courtesy of www.aroundyvonneskitchen.com)

Published Feb. 3, 2006

Subhed: How to fend for yourself and make it fun: ideas from online innovators, Emersonians and your mom

This article captured another trend in the collective student consciousness: coming back from break, many wondered why they didn't indulge in the at-home cooking they had enjoyed in their parents' kitchens. While healthier and cheaper, cooking at home is not necessarily a skill that students come equipped with, especially when raised by a generation of parents who were too busy with social work or graduate theses to do much more than throw a Stouffer's in the microwave. With the assumption of total ignorance (like mine) in mind, I drafted a fun-to-read guide to cooking which included subhed suggestions like "Go on a pantry raid" and "Snacks for your inner child." We also featured amazing but little-known services like BostonOrganics.com, an organic produce delivery service that works much like milk delivery. And we even created a cut-out grocery list for readers.

Lead paragraph:

You are ready to resolve to stop making resolutions. You'd love to save money and shed pounds this year, but you can't seem to stick to the strict, complicated and time-consuming plans you've made to do so. But by cooking foods for yourself instead of heading to a pizza place or calling 1-800-TAKEOUT, you can do both at the same time.

Home-cooked meals are generally less expensive and do not have to include cream, butter and other hidden sources of fat on which restaurants rely. Below, we list some ways to keep your cooking on track, and most importantly, make it enjoyable. (We'll even help you make your grocery list).