28. The Power of Home Cooking (Part 1)

In this episode of Walk, Don’t Run to the Doctor, Karen Zinck, founder of My Family Chef, shares how home-cooked meals improve health, save money, and strengthen family connections. With a background in healthcare, she emphasizes the benefits of whole, minimally processed foods and the importance of meal planning for reducing stress. She offers practical tips on making cooking easier, from using simple recipes to investing in time-saving kitchen tools. Karen also highlights the financial savings and long-term health benefits of eating at home while acknowledging that outsourcing some meal prep can be a helpful solution. Ultimately, the episode reinforces that small, consistent efforts in home cooking can lead to lasting improvements in well-being.

Key Takeaways:

• Home-cooked meals are healthier, more affordable, and reduce reliance on processed foods. 
• Meal planning and keeping a well-stocked kitchen make cooking easier and more enjoyable. 
• Involving kids in meal prep helps build lifelong healthy eating habits. 
• Cooking in bulk and using leftovers wisely saves time and money. 
• Simple kitchen tools like an air fryer or immersion blender can streamline meal preparation.
• While home cooking is ideal, there are practical ways to balance convenience and nutrition, including outsourcing some meal prep when necessary.

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More references can be found at www.GreatMed.org

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