What's Cooking?

I don't follow elaborate meal planning schemes.  A recipe in my kitchen is only a guide.  Adaptation and substitution are my best friends.  Don't be stuck thinking you  have to follow a recipe exactly as printed.  If you don't have an ingredient, substitute .. for what you have on hand.  Keep your pantry stocked with the basics.  The less you have to run to the market, the more you save in time, energy and $$$.  Jot down on a list the items that are running low.  Rotate your shelf goods.  Learn to bake bread.  Learn about pesticide residue on produce.  You hold the key to better family health by the choices you make at the market.  Don't equate cheap/low cost with nutrition.  If you can't pronounce a listed ingredient in a store bought item, put it back on the shelf.  Teach yourself to cook by practicing.  Use good oils.  Buy fresh organic produce when possible.  The real cost of 'convenience' foods is the cumulative effect they have on your overall health ... years down the road; now how convenient is that?   Get to know what real food tastes like and everything else will taste inferior.  Use cookbooks prior to WWII ... they are full of slow food recipes.  Learn to make soups.  Mac & cheese doesn't need to come in a blue box.  Buy real cheese that is not tinted yellow.  Don't rely too much on coupon shopping for heavily processed food.  Most of the items are sold cheaply because of government subsidies ... and are highly addictive.  The government's ideas of food nutrition leaves a lot to be desired.  Just take a look at what they serve to our nation's school children.  Let's get cooking!