Day Zero

So...so...so... Tomorrow's the Big Day! Day One of my Year-long (hopefully life-long) adventure into ditching most packaged foods and most dining establishments! I went to the grocery store -- military commissary, on pay day. Hand over the Medal of Brave Shopping, please. Earned. I stocked up.

Except NO ONE has canned pumpkin OR sugar pumpkins on their shelves. Anywhere.

Luckily, I have a box of frozen squash that will substitute nicely for the pumpkin's intended purpose. Libby's wasn't kidding when they said there was a pumpkin shortage.

I found everything else I needed, including ingredients I don't normally buy (couscous, for one), because this year's also about trying new things and experimenting with recipes.

I'm ready to begin. See you tomorrow!

The Rules

It's simple. All Home Cooking. All Year Long.

Except, it's not really all that simple, is it?

No. Definitely not. So let's clarify a little.

• All meals, snacks, desserts will be homemade

Exceptions:

• Kids will buy school breakfasts and lunches most of the time
• Once a month, we may eat out somewhere for social purposes (I think it's important to expose children to many sorts of dining out experiences)
• Social gatherings may hinder my plan but I will try to work around them (example: mandatory picnic with Hub's company)
• I am permitting the use of convenience foods (like canned soups, loaves of bread, et cetera) in my home cooking as needed, because these are often low-cost replacements in recipes -- but only if it makes sense economically and time wise.

I am just learning the ropes in food photography, so be patient as my pictures improve (and hopefully at some point in 2010 I get the digital SLR I've been wanting so badly!!)

All recipes are my own unless otherwise noted.

See you January 1, 2010!

What? Why?

Normally, I'm not the New Year's Resolution type. This year's different. Beginning January 1, 2010, I will strive to make nearly everything we eat at home, from scratch. The plan is that I will allow once a month dining out, both for the experience and the change of pace. Also, my children will be eating cafeteria lunch at school on most school days. Everything else will be made at home.

But why?

Well, lots of reasons!

• We all know that homemade is better for us. I control the ingredients.
• Another obvious reason: cost. It's just plain cheaper to eat at home.
• Cooking at home, taking care to buy the right ingredients, is "greener" than dining out, buying frozen dinners, or hitting the drive-thru.
• I like to cook.
• I need a challenge.

And so here I am, a couple weeks from the start of this year-long venture. I welcome recipes to try, and all your comments about mine.

Happy Cooking!

Michelle