by Julie Gabriel

Created on: January 30, 2009   Last Updated: January 31, 2009

For many people home cooking became a waste of time, an annoying chore, not a pleasure. We'd rather spend the evening in front of the TV watching old sitcoms than bother with cooking something as simple as pasta with tomatoes and mozzarella. Most of us grumble even if we have to wash lettuce when we take it out of a plastic bag.

Yet cooking at home could be the most money-saving process - and it is extremely relaxing, too. Getting in touch with the food we are planning to eat is the best possible antidote to the fast-paced, technological lifestyle we all lead these days. We expect so much from this life that we forget to enjoy simple pleasures such as cutting tomatoes, cooking homemade pasta, and grating the cheese instead of paying premium for the ready-grated parmesan at the deli counter.

And then, of course, think about the expense of food. Everything that has gone processing of some sort - being pre-cooked, pre-cut, ready-made - costs 10-50% more than same but uncut, fresh or frozen versions. Raw potatoes in the vegetable isle cost twice less than ready-made frozen French fries fifteen meters away - and who knows what goes into those fries. Machine oil? Paraffin? Cancer-causing acrylamide? Do you you really want to buy and find out?

Home cooking not only ensures that you know exactly what goes into your mouth, it helps save as much as 30 percent on your grocery bill every week. Here are ten easy ways to save money on your food by simply cooking 3-5 dinners at home every week.

1. Reuse leftovers. Every year we spend $50 billion on food thrown away. That's 5 times more than we spend on humanitarian aid worldwide.

2. Buy fresh produce from farmers' markets. Cheaper fruits and veggies are good for your wallet and for the community. Grow spices and herbs on your windowsill or in your garden. Or both.

3. Buy exactly as much as you need, and not a single piece extra. Be frugal. If you plan to bake potatoes, buy only two spuds per person. If you need only three zucchinis to prepare a pasta sauce, buy only three, not four. If you need just one onion, buy one onion. Prepare a menu for a week and stick to it.

4. Buy better-quality food. Cut on junk and processed foods and buy premium quality meat and veggies instead. Not only they are better for your health, they also cost at least 10 percent more than ready-made frozen dinners.

5. Make the weekly menu and stick to it. List all the meals you plan to cook including the recipes. Meticulously calculate the amount of foods you

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