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Whenever attempting to make a decision as to which of any two things we prefer, it is first of all advisable to consider all the pros and cons of each. We can write them down if there are many or simply sift through them in our heads. The former, however, is probably the best and most reliable option.

The Pros of Fast Food

When we are talking about fast food, we are generally thinking about things such as pizzas, burgers, chicken nuggets or even Chinese food. It is obvious to say that "fast" is a pro, in that we are not waiting long between ordering and receiving, but it is a genuine pro and has to be listed. There is also the fact that we are not involved in the preparation ourselves and can be engaged in other activities prior to our fast food being delivered or us going to collect it. An absence of too much washing-up to do afterwards - if in fact any - is another plus in favour of fast food.

The Cons of Fast Food

It is unfortunate that fast food in modern times has virtually become synonymous with junk food and unhealthy food. It may be full of saturated fats, salt, sugar - perhaps all three! This means that our health will suffer considerably if we allow these fast foods to be anything other than an occasional lapse or treat.

The Pros of Home Cooking

The vast majority of us probably have memories of favourite, home-cooked recipes we enjoyed as children. The meals may have been prepared as a family, enjoyed as a family and cleared away as a family. The food was generally made from fresh, wholesome ingredients and thus considerably better for our health than the items considered above. This is still likely to be the case today, though perhaps to a lesser extent in that artificial additives are so common in what we often think of as healthy or fresh ingredients.

The Cons of Home Cooking

It cannot be denied that very often home cooking requires that at least a sizeable part of one person's day is spent preparing the family meal. It covers everything from shopping for the ingredients, to preparing them for cooking, to the actual act of cooking them itself. Then, when the meal has been enjoyed, the act of clearing up has to be faced.

So how can we combine the Cons and eliminate the Pros?

There are a number of ways in which we can address this problem. Consider such as going grocery shopping once a week as opposed to every second or third evening and freezing partly cooked vegetables in large batches that it is simply a case of adding them to a pan of water prior to meal time. Even cook two or more different types together to save on washing up! Cook roast meats the night before, ready to simply be carved and eaten cold, perhaps with some hot gravy. Get the whole family involved in preparing the meal: many hands make light work when each has their own specified duty to perform! There are so many possibilities here the list is almost endless.

In summation, I prefer fast, home-cooked food, so why don't you sit down as a family unit some night and have a brainstorming session as to how such a combination of pros can be achieved - and also how you are going to pay for the new electric dishwasher!

Learn more about this author, Gordon Hamilton.
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