Controversial statement alert: I don’t think that there’s anything too wrong with buying food, if you know what to avoid. Maybe you hate cooking, or you’re horrible at it, or you just never have time to cook. Or maybe you just don’t want to cook everyday. Whatever the reason, I totally understand, because I eat out occasionally as well.
That being said, there are a few things that I try really hard not to buy anymore. And today I wanted to share some of them with you. The list of things I always make at home is a little longer than this and includes things like pasta sauce and roasted nuts. But, these are the basics that I think everyone should try making at least once, whether it be for health, taste or cost reasons.
1. Granola
I love granola. This is not a secret. And, as I’ve mentioned many times before, the day I discovered homemade granola was the day I truly started living. So, naturally, I want everyone to experience the joy of making granola at home. First and foremost, granola is ridiculously easy to make and totally customizable to your tastes. Plus, with the exception of a few brands, homemade granola is so much better for you than what you’ll find at the store. So, please, please, please, give homemade granola a try.
Related: Pumpkin Spice Steel Cut Granola, Chocolate Walnut Granola, Coconut Almond Granola
2. Flavoured oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of my favourite things to have for breakfast. It’s easy to make, customizable, filling and healthy. But, that’s if you make it yourself from scratch. Those packets of sugar filled instant oatmeal are not your friends. You’re way better off buying plain oatmeal and flavouring it to your liking, using healthier toppings and mix-ins. And, if you don’t have time to make oatmeal on the stovetop or wait 45 minutes for baked oatmeal, 2 minute microwave oatmeal is always an option.
Related: 27 Healthy Oatmeal Recipes, Vegan Apple & Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal, Cinnamon Roll Oats
3. Smoothies
Smoothies are another example of something quick and easy to have for breakfast or a snack. However, store bought smoothies are also another one of those deceptively ‘healthy’ foods, thanks to all the added sugars most of them have. So, do yourself a favour, and get some frozen fruit, leafy greens and a decent blender and make your own. Your body will thank you.
Related: 20 Delicious and Healthy Smoothie Recipes, Pumpkin Pie Green Smoothie, Pineapple Quinoa Green Smoothie
4. Popcorn
I have to admit that microwave popcorn is convenient. And, if you buy the plain ones and flavour it yourself, it’s actually not that bad for you. But, if you’ve never made your own stovetop popcorn, you are seriously missing out. I started making my own popcorn after going dairy free because I wasn’t sure how I’d react to the butter flavourings. And, now that I’ve tasted the stovetop stuff, there’s no going back. So worth the extra 3 minutes and having to wash a pot.
Related: Sweet & Salty Popcorn Bars
5. Tea
I know what you’re thinking. How does tea get healthier if you make it at home? Well, to be honest, it usually doesn’t. But, it does get significantly cheaper. So I had to include it. Tea is literally the easiest thing to make. But, if you get tea at a coffee shop, it can cost anywhere from 2 to 6 bucks. Yes, 2 to 6 dollars for a tea bag, a styrofoam cup and some hot water. Uhh, no. Especially not when you can buy a box of like 12 tea bags for the same price or less.
Related: 31 (but really 18) days of tea
Confession: I bought a cup of tea for $2 last week and have been kicking myself ever since. That was honestly half the reason I even wrote this post.
What about you?
- What foods do you refuse to NOT make at home?
- Are there any foods that you ONLY buy and never make yourself?
Share in the comments below!
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One of these days I’ll try making my own granola. I’m not a huge fan, so it just seems like a lot of work. My husband eats it daily, though, so I guess I should do it for him. 🙂
Debbie recently posted…Gardein for the Holidays: Holiday Roast and Pumpkin Pie
I guess if you don’t eat them anyway, none of these really matter haha
Totally agree with the oatmeal thing! I make a huge pot on the weekend and then heat individual servings up and customize the toppings. I’ve also really gotten into making my own nut butter lately. It’s really easy, tastes SO much better, and is less expensive!
OH!
Ive never even considered making the flavored oats at home.
GREAT IDEA.
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YES to all of these!! I make huge batches of flavored oats all the time!
Liz @The Clean Eating Couple recently posted…The Clean Eating Couple takes on Italy: Part 1
Love your list! I totally agree with you about the granola and oatmeal. Plus, I like making it at home so that I can decide which flavors to use and play with. I’ve never tried tea at home… I’ll have to put it on my list 🙂
Carly @ Fitliving blog recently posted…No Bake Pumpkin Pie Bites {Vegan and Gluten Free}
This is amazing! I agree with all of these, except popcorn. I’ve never tried homemade popcorn. I guess I should give it a try. 🙂
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I try to make everything from home! As I love to eat healthy – however the one thing I currently buy is homemade peanut putter from the organic store…I mean it was made in someone else’s home and put in a plastic container! So close enough. A majority of foods though are made by my own hands if I can help it 🙂
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The one I can relate to most recently is the stovetop popcorn. I referenced it in my recent blog post how I had been snacking on it often lately. I like to sprinkle mine with salt and nutritional yeast! It’s amazing. And addictive.
Once I made popcorn in the pot I thought back to my childhood when we made popcorn in the electric popcorn maker…man it is sooooooooo good! I can’t eat microwave now.
Making your own granola is so easy. The market makes it seem hard. Most folks have all the ingredients n their kitchen and don’t even know it.
My homemade essentials are fresh vegetable juices! I always drink one in the morning. It helps stay fresh and healthy.
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I’m in awe of your selections! I completely agree with you on the granola and oatmeal front. Because I can control the ingredients, I prefer to make it at home and experiment with different taste combinations.
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