if you are on spiritual path then its always best to cook your own food. nowadays it has become common to eat outside. as it seems to be an easy way out. but it does not help in the long run.
the home cooked food is always cheaper, more hygienic, fresh and healthier than restaurant food. moreover, home cooked food does not spoil your stomach and can be eaten on daily basis.
apart from this the most important thing is the energy factor. you don’t know what was the mental state of the chef when he was cooking food for you. his emotions and energy becomes part of the food he is cooking. if you are on spiritual path then you do everything to raise your consciousness and vibrations. so if you have to eat food from a person who was angry or lustful or greedy or jealous while cooking food. then you are indirectly absorbing these emotions via the food. thus it affects you energetically and lowers your consciousness. the food should nourish your physical body as well as emotional body.
thats why in india it is said that always prepare food in a loving, happy and content state. remember god while preparing food. many ladies still chant mantras or bhajans (devotional songs) or remember god silently, while cutting vegetables or preparing food.
in gautam buddha time, bhikshu (monks) used to beg for food from any home. but that time was different. people were more religious, innocent, humble and honest. they used to be happy to serve food to monks. religious people were seen with respect. thats why many princes and people from royal family left their palaces to join gautam buddha and mahavira.
but now the world is not same. it has become more materialistic, self centered and greedy for power, money and fame. so if you are on spiritual path or even living everyday householder life then consider cooking your food as often as you can. cook the food with a happy state of mind. because the food will subtly carry energy of your emotional state.
remember – food has two parts. physical part and subtle part. physical part of food will go in your physical body and will contribute to your physical health. whereas the subtle part of food (that is emotions) will go in your subtle bodies and will contribute to your emotional well being. if you keep on eating food everyday which is prepared in an angry mood then over a period of time you will become an angry person.
we take every precaution that we eat healthy by having fruits, salads, green leafy vegetables and by eating organic food. this care of physical body is good and should be done. but take care of your emotional body also if you want to live a peaceful, content and happy life.