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As it seems all of us are feeling the effects of the global economy in some form or another, we tend to become more resourceful with our lifestyles.
Let it be known, that a home cooked meal has numerous benefits. Some are pretty obvious like health and cost. Others unfortunately may not be so obvious these days, such as quality time with friends and family. Think about the time and energy it takes to dine at your restaurant of choice, the interruption of good conversation, and of course the bill!

 

Being a resourceful Foodie, you should be able to seize the moment (maybe some more moments to come) and change those dining out plans to a nice evening at home with a healthy meal. Additionally, you can skip a lunch out or two by packing some leftovers up and bring them to work.

Some basic principles to consider:

* Make a shopping list
* Look for fresh, wholesome foods that will keep for a while
* Consider cooking a bit more than necessary so you will have leftovers
* Have something planned for pre-dinner appetizer, (yes chips and salsa count)
* Let your guests know the menu – maybe they will want to contribute!

No, there isn’t a waiter to bring your food to you, nor a bus person and dishwasher to deal with duties afterward, but you will recognize the benefits of dining in by the quality of time spent, a healthier menu, and a bit more cash still in your wallet!

This is not to say we shouldn't dine out at all, FoodieWest is all for supporting restaurants, especially your local ones. In fact, when you do go out during these times, respect the service people as best you can with courtesy and a better than usual tip. These times are especially hard for them.