Make or Buy: Honest Comparisons and Cost Analysis

Life is already complicated enough. Between work, family, and commitments, deciding what to eat can feel like just another task on an endless to-do list. We want what’s best for our health, but time and budget often push us in another direction.

About Me and Meal & Stock

I’m Fabiola, originally from Mexico, but for over a decade, I’ve called Quebec, Canada, my home. This blog was born out of curiosity and necessity. I’m not a professional chef or food photographer—I studied physics and software development—but my love for food has led me to see it from a different perspective, where food and science intertwine.

When my first daughter was born, I realized that following a recipe wasn’t that different from following an experimental protocol. What started as a simple need turned into an obsession with understanding not just how to cook, but why ingredients work the way they do.

With the arrival of my second child during the pandemic, I spent even more time at home experimenting in the kitchen. Learning to make bread, preserve food, and create homemade versions of basic products became a way to explore, save money, and have better control over what my family eats. But I found myself facing a dilemma:

Is it really worth making everything from scratch?

Measuring ingredients, following every step precisely, and then dealing with a pile of dirty dishes can be exhausting. The quick solution often seems to be choosing between cheap and ultra-processed food or healthier but expensive options.

That’s why I created this blog—to offer clear and practical answers. It’s not about saying homemade is always better or telling you what to do. It’s about providing real, useful information so you can make the best decision for yourself and your family. There are no judgments or strict rules here, just data, honest comparisons, and the freedom to choose with confidence.

At Meal & Stock, I simplify these decisions. I compare homemade products with store-bought ones, analyzing not just price and taste but also practicality. After all, who has time to make everything from scratch? Here, you’ll discover which products are worth making at home and which are better to buy—helping you make informed choices and save time in the process.

Over time, this blog has grown beyond just comparisons. I now share recipes with history, fun kitchen experiments for kids, and an exploration of food through science. Because I believe that cooking is not just a necessity but a way to discover, connect, and simplify life.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it worth making this at home?”, you’re in the right place. Explore the blog and discover which products you should make yourself and which are better to buy.