Robin: Home Cooking Beats Eating Out
“I cook because cooking saves me money and has helped me lose weight and get healthy! Plus I control what I purchase and cook.” – Robin
Although eating out can feel like the easiest and most satisfying dinner imaginable, Robin doesn’t believe that anymore. After joining our meal plan service, she has lost 90 pounds, saved a lot of money, and became a Kitchen Hero with her better-than-restaurants healthy home cooking. (See some of her proud meal photos below!)
By utilizing Cook Smarts’ tools and techniques that make meal prep faster and more efficient, Robin has more time to spend on half-marathon training, reading, and raising funds to aid survivors of human trafficking.
Name: Robin Heib
Age: 52
City, State: Northville, MI
I cook for: myself mostly!
Outside of the kitchen I: am a runner, fitness and health enthusiast – I am training for my third half marathon! I am part of a ministry that raises money to aid and restore victims of human trafficking. I also love movies, listening to and reading books, and exploring this great state when I can!
The strangest food I have ever eaten is: kale. I grew up with this being what made salad bars look pretty!
I cook because: cooking saves me money and has helped me lose weight and get healthy! Plus I control what I purchase and cook.
Favorite CS meal so far: Any of the stir fries, Slow Cooker Hoisin Ribs, Spaghetti with Beef Ragu, Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict
How did you learn to cook?
I started cooking at a young age, experimenting with various dishes – my favorite was fried rice, which was adventurous for the 1970s! I would pour over cookbooks and pick out recipes to try, with my mom’s blessing of course!
What’s been your biggest cooking challenge?
Time – streamlining my cooking so I can cook home-cooked meals from scratch that are healthy, without spending hours in the kitchen.
How has your cooking routine changed since starting Cook Smarts’ meal plans?
I have lost 90 lbs over five years, and I realized that if I was going to eat what I cooked, versus going out to a restaurant, I had to make food that tasted incredible. With Cook Smarts, I learned cooking techniques that changed the way I cooked and how my food tasted, such as how to tenderize and cook meats correctly and how simple it was to make my own salad dressings. Knife skills, especially in prepping vegetables were huge in cutting down my time in the kitchen. I also like cooking once, using twice, which I love about Cook Smarts – for instance, this week we are making pulled pork for tacos and barbecue sandwiches.
With Cook Smarts, I learned cooking techniques that changed the way I cooked and how my food tasted, such as how to tenderize and cook meats correctly and how simple it was to make my own salad dressings.
Tell us about your proudest kitchen moment.
One time, when I went to a Mexican restaurant, my friend and I ordered fajitas. They were so bland and tasteless, we exclaimed I could do a better job at home!! Often times I will skip eating out knowing I can whip something together faster, save money and know what is going into my food.
What are your tips for health and success in the kitchen?
Cook your own food!! I know that sounds simple, but that is what drove my success with weight loss. I ditched the processed foods and cooked my own dishes. Also keep it simple. I don’t cook recipes with a laundry list of ingredients unless I plan to do so. Most of my dishes are simple and quick to get on the table, which is one reason I love Cook Smarts!!
Robin, thank you so much for sharing with our cooking community! We are thrilled that our weekly meal plans have helped you lose weight, get healthy, and enjoy delicious meals that are affordable and healthy. Keep enjoying good books, local explorations, health and fitness, and all of that meaningful fundraising!
To join Robin and cook meals like her favorite Slow Cooker Hoisin Ribs, Spaghetti with Beef Ragu, and Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict, check out our meal plan service. You can get started for free!
