Kitchen Basics: Foods

Food basics. Everyone has their own food habits, likes and dislikes, allergies, diets and all but theiare some simple staples everyone should have.

• Protein: in any form. You need some form of protein so that you aren't always hungry. Pick a form and stock up on it. You can have it in many forms just make sure to always have something with lots of protein. Here is a good list of proteins 
• Beans:  any type of plain beans (kidney, garbanzo, black beans) pick one you like and by a few cans of them. They are great to throw on salads or into soups. Just keep them on hand all the time
• Tuna: If you like fish or tuna 
• Greek yogurt: This is one of my absolute favorites. I always have some in my fridge 
• Eggs: They are the easiest things to make 
• Meats: if your going for healthy stick to chicken or fish, sometimes I pick up some nice ground beef if I want chili or beef if I want stew
• Fruits: This one is tough everyone has their favorites, and then their is the fact that fruits are seasonal. I like fresh fruits and normally I just pick something up to snack on. If you can't find the fruits that you like try the frozen food aisle, you can always defrost them and add them to salads, oatmeal, or yogurt. 
• Veggie: All sorts. The easiest thing to make is a salad. All you have to do is chop and assemble. spend the money on spring mix or spinach, they have more nutritional value than the iceberg lettuce and it tastes better. Remember some veggies come in cans and the frozen food sections. They may be cheaper and easier to prepare so make sure to check them out as well. 
• One or two splurge foods, for me that includes ovaltine (for chocolate milk, or hot cocoa.) and peanut butter. I like ovaltine because even though its chocolate it still has good for you vitamins and minerals. I don't have it everyday but when you really want chocolate its perfect. 
• Others: some things I like to keep on hand  include:
• pasta: throw some pasta veggies and some sort of protein together and I have myself dinner for a couple of days
• milk: Dairy and non dairy depending on how I feel
• salad dressing: god for salad and marinade 

These are just some ideas, and what my pantry typically consists of. Remember if you don't buy the bad for you foods you won't eat them. I only buy them occasionally when I have a craving and I make it a small amount so I don't keep going back for more. I even hide things like chips and chocolate from myself by putting them in leftover coffee cans so when I look for food they are not staring at me. I hope some of these ideas helped you out. Comment below, and let me know of any other things you keep on hand.

Dealing with Sharing a Kitchen

It has been awhile since I posted. One thing we learn in college is that things can change from one day to the next. I had issues with my roommates and had to move. I was moving into an apartment with three girls with an already established schedule and arrangement. Meaning we did family style dinners where one person would cook and we all shared food costs. If you and your roommates eat similar then that is fine go for it but if you are a picky eater or you have different food habits than the people you live with you may want to learn to cook for yourself, or get a meal plan. I still have a meal plan because I like to be able to eat on campus with my friends occasionally. It is also nice when you really don't want to cook or you don't have time to you can usually just pick something up. That being said this next semester I will be going back to my old routine where we all just do our own thing with food. This is the best choice for me since I am picky, not about certain foods I will eat, but about the quality and the way my food is prepared. The most important thing to remember is communicate with your roommates about the expectations of tools and food. You all share a kitchen and you should all get along. Here are some things to talk about:

• Food: what can be shared, what can't, Food storage (we all have our own shelves), Refrigerator space, Should everyone mark their food, cleaning the fridge, how long should stuff stay in the fridge, dealing with rotted food, allergies (severity and how to avoid accidents) 
• Kitchen tools: do you all have your own stuff and you only use your own stuff, what can be shared, 
• Cleaning: Dishwasher emptying, cleaning your dishes, dishes being left in the sink, cleaning of countertops and stove, Deep cleaning of the kitchen

All these thing are fights roommates get into. Make sure everyone is clear on what is expected. Do not assume anything. If the rule is that you all buy your own food then don't use something that isn't yours without asking. If you ask to use something like an egg, make sure you always replace it. Be respectful of others foods and tools. Overall, good communication is key.