FingerInEar

How much of a part of your life are pre-prepared or boxed meals? Things like Pasta-roni, or even frozen meals that you just throw in the skillet?

How concerned are you about the salt content and so on?

jeni

I always try and read the labels before I buy anything. I have seen so many frozen items that have more salt that I need in a year inside them too so Im right with you on that one. There is a frozen chicken skillet I make but I end up letting it get some of the salt off overtop a plate before I cook it and drain it well after.

mama.waddle

I am an at home mom, so I do most of my cooking from *mostly* scratch (but not like making my own bread or pasta). But when I am 9 months pregnant, like now, watch out. Mac and Cheese, hamburger helper... whatever I can do to get food on the table with little effort.

Arial

I have a huge pantry in my kitchen and it is pretty much empty. There might be a can of tomatoes, some whole wheat pasta, and brown rice in there, but that's about it. As for frozen foods, the only thing I buy prepared are the Amy's organic meals. Making everything from scratch can be a total pain in the butt and some days I just want to run out and grab a box of macaroni and cheese, but I don't do it because that's not what I want for my family.

nanaSue

I use a lot of frozen stuff but it's mainly vegetables which I am convinced are as good as fresh, or even better because the goodness and vitamins gradually leave fresh veg while it's lying in storage. I don't think it's too bad eating "junk food" with too much salt and fat as long as it's only once in a while.

babiesrus

I don't buy anything that is semi prepared because my husband has high blood pressure and the sodium content in those things is astronomical! I make everything from scratch right down to muffins and cakes. No box mixes here. It is a little time consuming but it is better for my family.

Karie

Very little! I hate that stuff so I don't cook it often. What I will do is make bigger meals on the weekends and freeze some of the leftovers. We pull these out when we are in a hurry.

Casey

I float back and forth with this one. I will go long periods where everything is home cooked, fresh fruit for snacking, no sweets, etc. And then, something will happen (usually a money crunch) and it changes to Top Ramen with chicken, Lipton rice with chicken, boxed mac & cheese (with chicken, lol!)

Trixie

Big home cooked meals when bills are caught up. When things are a little tight, economic meals such as spaghetti rules in our house

Broke

Ready made salads as well as fish are great budget savers. Pasta salads can be eaten cold with fish or chicken nuggets on the side.