(Pretty ceramic bowls, microwave safe, amazing lid that allows steam to escape- Marshals $4)
It’s not easy buying groceries for one. It’s not easy cooking for one. I have learned a few things over the years though, so I wanted to share a few pieces of advice with those happy go-lucky singles out there. You know who you are.
*Eating out is ok, but if it’s expensive make sure to take the left overs home and eat them for lunch the next day.
*Have three go to meals, (that you don’t tire of easily) and memorize the recipe (mine are Taco Soup, Chicken Enchilada Soup, and Green Curry)
*Be ok with eating the same meal twice or three times a week
*Memorize a couple smoothie recipes that you can make in the mornings (get your nutrition!)
*Get a few bowls with lids that you can store leftovers in the fridge (I chose some pretty ones that make leftovers look good)
*Have one day where you cook, mine is Sunday evening because I am usually not to busy and I’ve had a chance to rest
*Don’t stock up on fruits and veggies, buy a few of what you need, they go bad with only one person eating them, instead it’s ideal to live close to a grocery store so you can make a couple trips a week, or stop on the way home
*Don’t buy a 1/2 gallon of milk, unless you drink a lot of milk. I buy a quart size that last me almost 2 weeks unless I have company (thats about as long as its shelf life).
*write down anything that works for you and please share!!
Here is how it works for me, the reason I have a few recipes I memorize is because I normally am too tired to dig through recipes when I am on my way to the store from work and I know there is nothing at home to eat. Usually I don’t want to go home before going to the grocery store, because if I do, then I won’t go. So my go to recipe is Taco soup or Green Curry. A variation of my taco soup, a little bit easier version, is Chicken Enchilada soup. Memorizing just makes things easier all together. When you are at the store and you know what you need for a particular meal without looking at a piece of paper, the shopping goes faster, and the faster the shopping, the faster you can get out of there, and the faster you can get home and make dinner, and sit down to watch Netflix.
Chicken Enchilada Soup:
Boiled or baked Chicken shredded, 1 can of corn, 1 can of black beans, 1 can of diced tomatoes, and 1 can of chicken broth
Directions: Throw everything in a pan and heat on the stove till hot. Add pepper and salt to taste, add chips, cheese, cilantro, and avocado if desired.
My go to meals usually just involve chopping and heating. They are easy, require no thinking, can be made in 30 minutes or less, and makes enough so that if I run out of microwave meals, or don’t want to eat out for lunch I normally can fall back on the meal I made on Sunday. Also, my go to meals change, but they are always easy, but require more than say, making a sandwich. I am actually a picky eater, but believe it or not, eating the same meal three times a week is really not that bad and can save some money later. So what I like you may not like, but it shouldn’t take you long to figure out what your go to meal could be. Once you do, keep that recipe with you till you memorize it. Happy Singleness!!
In Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, time doesn’t stop, but it does seem to float instead of fly by. For a number of reasons Guatemala is one of my favorite Central American countries. Time seems to preserve the culture there. Time takes a seat on an old school bus decorated in bold colors. It teaches students to type on outdated type writers, it gathers and cooks fresh vegetables, and it takes pride in handmade colorful garbs. Culture is mostly preserved away from the city, so it’s worth traveling to areas like San Pedro by Lake Atitlan. Its views if you are into hiking are breathtaking. If you aren’t as fit and would rather eat by the lake or take a simple walk it is equally as beautiful. The food is wonderful, and the people are friendly.
