Sounds like your off to a great start as you are making changes to adjust your habits. Another great thing your doing is COOKING for youreself. It helps that you enjoy cooking so you'll do it more!
Just one thing though...watch your sodium and calories. If you are going to be successful long term, you will need to know how many calories YOUR body needs daily to 1) lose, and 2) sustain. The only way to know this is to KNOW how many calories are in the foods you are eating and portion sizes you have chosen for yourself.
Lastly...I highly recommend that you measure your salt...do not "freehand" it, as too much salt WILL make you retain water and this is a discouragement while trying to lose. You should be shooting for under 2,000mgs/day.
I'm like you in that I don't follow a program...but I do count my calories, and so far this has worked very well for me. All the best!
P.S. - Below you'll find a pictures of approx 300-400 calorie meals and a single serving should look like.