If you have never done much cooking in your life, it may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be!  Today, there are tools and tips that can make cooking at home easier.  Studies show that people that cook more frequently at home eat healthier and less calories than those who cook less.  If you are looking to lose weight and get healthier, cooking at home will make that process less frustrating!

Here are a couple strategies that will help you cook at home more, and make it more enjoyable:

• Make it a family affair!  Get your kids involve in the process.  This will teach them good habits, and it is a good way to spend time with them.  If you don’t have kids, cooking with a significant other can be something fun and easy to do, and it also saves money! 
• Cooking in bulk.  It saves time on preparation, cooking, and clean up time if you do this.  If you do cook in bulk, it doesn’t mean you have to eat the same thing for multiple days in a row.  You can cook a batch of quinoa, rice, beans, meat, or vegetables to use for different meals. 
• Make time to go to the grocery store on a regular basis.  Get fresh produce, but you can also buy frozen to have as a back-up just in case you do not have time to go to the store or if you need to throw something together quickly. 
• Have a plan for the grocery store.  You should have a purpose for whatever you are getting.  This will cut down on waste and your bill if you know what you are getting, which usually means you have an idea of what meals you are going to prepare during the week
• Have a plan for how many times you go out to eat.  Stick with a maximum amount of times per week where you can eat out. 
• Take a cooking class or online course.  There are plenty of options out there if you are interested in learning how to cook. 
• Invest in some kitchen tools and appliances.  Rice cookers, steamers, blenders, pressure cookers, and crock pots are great to make cooking easier, and it opens up options for a variety of meals. 

Hopefully this will give you some ideas that will make cooking more enjoyable and a viable option during the week to get some healthy nutrition cooked right in the comfort of your own home!