Eating out vs Cooking
I enjoy cooking, but after a long day of work sometimes the thought of driving home, figuring out what to cook, finding out that you are missing one ingredient for your meal, debating whether to run to the grocery store or not, deciding not to, and finally cooking just seems exhausting. Understandably it would be much easier if these meals were planned and grocery trips were taken in advance. But as we all know, after a few attempts at being highly organized with meal preparations, life takes priority and somehow you go back to the normal routine of unorganized meal planning. After several months of trial and error, I have realized that cooking after a very long exhausting work day is just not in the cards.

1. Health and Cleanliness 
The number one reason I normally prefer cooking at home is health and cleanliness. When I go to the grocery store or farmer's market I buy organic products, and when I come home I wash everything thoroughly. I know where the products came from and I know that I cleaned them.

It's important to remember that when eating out, it doesn't have to be all fried, or smothered in sauce. It's easier at home to be eating the correct portions and choosing healthier options. Eating out gives you choices that you wouldn't normally get say on a Wednesday night after coming home from work at 9pm. The options do make it harder when eating out, but it can be done if you find the right place. We found a Restaurant that has many vegan and vegetarian options, it's close to work, and the food is delicious.

2. Money - It is said that cooking in is cheaper than eating out.
This one, obviously, can be true the majority of the time. We are not including eating fast food because it isn't healthy. You do have to take into account all the little things that cost you money when you are cooking every night. First is, do you have the time and energy? Then, do you have all your ingredients? If you have to run to the store, you are using time, energy, and money. Keep in mind that if you buy fresh produce in bulk and you forget about them in the fridge or the pantry, the amount you are throwing away is the money, time, and effort you spent in procuring those items. You also do not have to clean at a restaurant. It may be as easy as running the dishwasher, but you are using your energy and water. You are using your power to run your stove, people can nitpick, but we have found that the time and energy is not really worth it after coming home late and needing to get up early.

At the restaurant that we frequent for lunch, we usually order a large portion and take half home for dinner. It's getting two meals and no cooking or cleaning for the price of one. At a reasonable price, this saves us money.

3. Family Time - Dining at home is much more family oriented.
This one isn't necessarily true for our family. We are busy, and we have different schedules. Many times we do not eat dinner at the same time. When we go out for lunch, since we work together, it's much easier to have family time. We plan to eat together, at a specific time, at a specific place. Dinner is usually heated up at different times. Our time out is together and we can enjoy having family time.