Observer photo by Grace Verhey
Save money and stay fit by serving fresh produce to your guests.

Staying at home to socialize may seem like an unwanted hassle, considering restaurants can do the cooking and cleaning for you. As enticing as going out can be, the health and financial benefits of socializing at home may outweigh the hassle of cleanup.

by LAUREN MUSCARELLA

Here are five reasons why hosting at home is wiser when it comes to health and finances:

1. Eating at home keeps your waistline trim: “When you go out to eat, it is not just that they give you big portions that are high in calories and fat, there are also few selections,” said Dr. John Anderson, a professor and researcher from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Public Health. The high calorie intake caused by eating out affects your ability to lose weight or maintain your current weight.

2. You can indulge without guilt: Socializing at home means indulging in foods like lasagna and pizza, which can be made healthier in your own kitchen. When you do the cooking, you are less likely to use heaps of butter, salt, sugar, corn syrup and other simple carbohydrates that restaurants use. Try to include whole-grain products, plenty of fresh fruits, veggies and all-natural ingredients.

Here are a few easy recipes for entertaining your guests at home:

A homemade hummus requires no skill, just a food processor. Toss in one can of chickpeas, two cloves of roughly chopped garlic, one-quarter cup of cold water, one-quarter cup of lemon juice, one-half cup of tahini and splash of salt to create a protein-filled dish that can be served with heaps of vegetables. To make your hummus fancier, drizzle olive oil on top then sprinkle pine nuts and basil flakes for extra flavor.

Try a quick pizza appetizer. Take a pre-made pizza crust, spread on one can of tomato paste, slice fresh tomatoes, cover with fresh spinach and garlic. Top with mozzarella and bake for 12 minutes at 450 degrees. Sprinkle on some oregano for an authentic aroma.
3. Penny pinching adds up: “There are substitutes for eating out, but there are not substitutes for saving,” said Dr. Robert Frank, a professor of economics at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. “Most people do not know about the miracle of compound interest. If you put money away now, interest will accrue,” Frank said. Start saving now to pay off those pesky college loans.

4. Home is more relaxing: A small, cozy living room is more conducive to enjoying the company of guests than a crowded, noisy bar. Besides, it is nice for your friends to see your digs; it also gives you to an incentive to clean.

5. Theme Parties are fun: Going to bars can be monotonous, but using creative themes like your favorite TV show or movie can make any fete a smash-hit. Susann Muer, a San Francisco party planner, suggests that a novice planner follow these rules: Keep things simple, be creative, and match the music with the crowd. “One idea that I found fun was a Great Gatsby party. We gave guests boas and hats while playing jazz music in the background,” Muer said. “The decor was cheap because it consisted of candles and “The Great Gatsby” being screened silently.”