I have just had a new kitchen fitted and for 2 weeks I was without a cooker. I had to feed the family with take aways or ready made micro wave junk and I tell you it's proved to me: there's nothing better than fresh home cooked meals. My poor dc's had 2 weeks of diarhoea (no other signs of illnes/vomitting/cramps,...). This week as soon as we had our cooker I started preparing my own food again and within a couple of days the lo's are back to their old way in the toilet/nappy department .
Although I hate every day cooking, it has shown to me that all the effort (and it is an effort after a day @ work) are thouroughly worth it, even if they do not thank me for it!