The reaction that customers give me when I tell them that we don't eat out.

"How is [this new] restaurant?  Do you know where it is at?"

"Because my husband has food allergies*, I don't get out much.  I'll ask a coworker for you."

:insert look of horror from the customer:

"WHAT DO YOU DO?"

"I cook a lot."

Her mouth dropped.  I don't know why.  Do people not cook anymore?

"I cook things at home with items that I know are safe for him to eat.  I buy soy or rice cheese, different things like that."

"Oh."

I get this from people a lot.  Actually, I get it far more often that I ever would have imagined.  Here is my blog reaction:

1.  Some people do cook.  I have a crock-pot that allows me to cheat on Soccer Sunday and such.  It's wonderful.  Last week, I made Taco Soup.  It was very delicious and we enjoyed it very much.
2.  Some people like to cook.  Every now and then, I'll hit a clinker.  By and large, things generally work out.
3.  Some people have to cook.  I can regulate salt and spices that I know won't work for us.  I can make otherwise illegal foods such as pizza for Hubs, but only homemade.  Grant you, it does cost more for us to have homemade pizza, but I like homemade better.
4.  *I say "food allergies" not to misinform but because I don't feel like dragging through the whole thing of this makes him ill and that makes him ill.  It's easier, though inaccurate, to say food allergies.  Janeen, I feel you flogging me with a wet, gluten and dairy free noodle as I type.  I know.  I know.
5.  I know that this seems like a simple thing that people don't think about.  Not everyone can afford to eat out at those fancy restaurants that you talk about.  It's not that I wouldn't like to.  I would dearly love to.  I'm not going to dip into the savings account in order to go to a nice restaurant.  We just don't have that extra flow on hand.
6.  We like to eat healthy foods and we find them to be more readily available at the farm market that we visit.  Produce, hummus & chips, and other dinner fixins. Yum.  By going to a small mom and pop, we're helping to support the little guy.  The grocery that I go to is a local chain.  That way, I'm supporting local business.
7.  I pack K's lunch on most school days, Hubs and I always pack our lunches.  By cooking, it gives some of us leftovers for lunch the next day.  (Typically me.)

So yes, there are those of us who cook.  Don't worry.  My people and I won't starve.  We always have food in the cupboards.

Yes, we do eat out-- a couple of times a year.  That is generally a trip to Panera.  Those trips are rare.