Making Dinner

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/11/why-making-dinner-is-a-good-idea/

I found this article interesting.   The arguments are essentially that:

1.  We get more enjoyment from something we make ourselves.

2.  We don't make as much of our food as we did in the past

3.  Therefore we derive more pleasure from a smaller quantity of food which we have prepared, and feel it necessary to eat more if others have prepared the food to reach the same level of satiety.

Finally, the article points out that mass production of food makes high caloric preparation of otherwise healthy foods much more practical.  For example, potatoes have always been consumed in large quantity, but were rarely french fried in the past.  When preparing them yourself, it's the most time consuming method, but it's the most common form we find them in today.

You can add this to the list of reasons why it's better to eat at home.  

The reasons I usually think of.....The structured quality time with the family is invaluable.  The (forced) time away from life's distractions - computers & television.  The control it gives you over nutrition - just knowing what goes into the food.   The variety in food.  Avoiding and teaching your children how to avoid the corporate food machine.   Finally, I like it as a creative outlet, it is an art form in ways - experimenting with new methods or concoctions.