I recently ordered this software online after searching for the cooking program that would suit all my needs, and boy did I find a winner! I couldn't wait until it came via UPS, and as soon as it did, I ripped it open and poured over the User Manual. As a former career woman who was completely tied to deadlines, routines, and schedules I've learned that to get anything done now that I'm a stay-at-home mom, I have to keep myself organized and on track. (I seem to be more productive this way vs. feeling like I have all the time in the world to get things accomplished).

As a part of my effort to keep the home-front humming, I started menu-planning about 3-4 months ago. I had no idea how much time and money I would save doing this, but needless to say, I've now gone all out with it. What used to take me anywhere from 1-2 hours to finish (referring to my menus and shopping lists), I can now plan two weeks worth of meals in a few clicks of the mouse. I LOVE IT!!

First, let me tell you what this program will do. It provides thousands of Betty Crocker recipes that you can change, edit, or modify in almost any way you want - but it also allows you to create as many of your own cookbooks (with your own recipes) as you want as well. It calculates nutritional values for each ingredient as well as each recipe as well as each menu. It creates a menu for a day, week, or months at a time. It creates shopping lists along with as many "favorites" lists as you want. You can even enter every item in your kitchen in the MasterCook Pantry and it will keep track of everything you use and purchase. It's like doing inventory for your kitchen! Although this program is very powerful with really too many features to mention here, one of my favorites is the video library. If you have questions about how to do certain techniques (kneading bread for example) it has a video to give you step-by-step instructions.

The only downside to this program is that you have to be pretty computer-savvy to make this thing really work for you. It is great just for the recipes (imagine how much you'd spend just buying all of Betty Crocker's cookbooks - when they're here on one set of CD's!) but it can do so much more! As most of you who read my opinions know, I strongly recommend reading the User Manual first, or at least have it closeby when you begin using this program. It is a great help, when you encounter something you don't know.

Finally, shop around. I found this thing in the stores for as much as $75.00, but I bought mine online for $34.99 (after a mail-in rebate). I'm totally addicted to this thing! Thank you Sierra!



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