The Benefit of Cooking All Things Homemade - Aging Gracefully

Some simple commentary by little 'ol me. I was watching Oprah the other day, yes the Chef Maven watches Oprah, not all the time mind you, but sometimes - but that is not the point! This particular show had Dr. Oz (which btw I cannot stand that he wears his scrubs on the show - I wish he would wear normal clothes - anyhow, I digress), in which  Dr. Oz tested the audience on their health and the aging process. Most people scored quite poorly, meaning they were aging faster than their actual years. Yikes!

One lucky women had received an 'exceptional' rating on her rate of aging. When asked for her secrets, answers were that she exercised nearly every day and the point I want to make here, she mentioned that she 'made almost everything she ate'. This particular thought struck me, not only in awe, since so many of us can easily make reservations or order take out in some form or another; but what would it take to really make everything you eat by hand?

When I first heard about 'slow food' (more about that later) I learned I was already practicing good 'slow food' habits - who knew!? And if it was helping this women to age slowly, and slower in fact than her actual years, well I decided that I have got to make sure I am on this band wagon and ensure I was eating mostly foods that I made at home.

Now I might be luckier than most in that I know my way around the kitchen, but my boyfriend and I had recently decided to watch our budget very carefully. We discussed we shouldn't go out to eat but twice a month if that in order to save money. We already knew that almost always the food was better at home than in any restaurant.

One fact is this, eating home prepared food from scratch not only ensures you know what ingredients go into every meal or bite of food, you can make sure the ingredients are at their freshest and most importantly, making food at home is always cheaper and far more affordable than pre-made food, let alone far healthier for you and your family.

Now I am not talking about those 'Banquet Frozen Meals' which I see on sale sometime for $2.00 a box. But what are you really getting for that box? OK, I know convenience - but for the most part, those boxed frozen foods taste best when heated up in an oven versus the microwave. So if you are already using the oven for at least 20 minutes - you could have cooked a far more nutritional meal without the added additives.

I have heard horrid stories that after we die, the time it takes for our bodies to decompose is far longer than it used to be - and the reason for this? All the added additives we have in our foods that we have digested in our lifetimes somehow sticks with us. Now isn't that an icky thought? I am seriously thinking of donating anything than can be donated of my body once I go and then being cremated and sprinkled around my favorite spots. But I think that this idea should be in another post, huh?!

Again, since time is an issue for so many of workers, let alone keeping the home front organized and cleaned, whose got time to cook? Well, when it is your health at stake and aging quite frankly is an issue with you, no better way to help yourself and you family by starting to cook more at home.

Being organized certainly helps as does a well stocked pantry - both which should be a priority if you are thinking of cooking more at home. The internet is full of websites (including many of mine, naturally) which will provide you with interesting recipes. Many sites offer you the chance to list a few ingredients you may have on hand and out pops several recipes for you to try.

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