So this may come as a surprise, but I'm a big fan of food. I enjoy cooking it, eating it, and on occasion, hucking it at someone's face (don't worry, it's not often that happens).
So in the spirit of this blog, and in time for the wonderful Fall farmer's market taking place every Saturday, this post will be food based.
Students love food, but sometimes, they lack the time, resources, and if you have ever had the misfortune of a fire bell going off at supper time, the skill. I loathe the steroetype of the typical student surviving off of Mac and Cheese and Ichiban noodles. I mean, come on, it's 2010! You think people would have found new cheap and quick food. Luckily, there is!
First of all, farmer's markets kick ass. I will admit, when I was younger, I didn't really care about going to them. A bunch of old guys pawning off dirty potatoes? Ooh, blech, icky, boring (7-year old me never actually said that, but you get the idea)
Now that I'm older, I can appreciate the fact that these old guys grow those potatoes, and picked those probably that morning, or the night before, and probably are not making that much money. They do it because they love their job. And should you befriend one of those potatoe farmers, make some small chat, and be a regular or semi-regular customer, he might occasionally throw in a few Yukon Golds in your shopping bag. Although I find farmers tend not to have the same, flashy, OMGITSSOCHEAP deals as grocery stores or superstores, they may give you things at a discount, although it's usually because they are going out of season. If you have ever looked at the due date on those 50% off apples in the grocery store, you'll find they are doing the exact same thing!
With that in mind, if you buy, say, a 50% off red pepper that's starting to get a little soft, then cook it THAT DAY! So your meal plans do make a difference; try to use what's perishable in your fridge as often and fast as you can, so that it doesn't go to waste and get thrown out. I don't need to tell you, that's money in the trash there!
(***Added 9/12/2010: In my efforts to provide well-rounded information, here are two websites that provide information AGAINST buying local food. They are not that long, nor hard to understand, so I urge you to take a quick read and decide for yourself.)
(***Added 9/12/2010: In my efforts to provide well-rounded information, here are two websites that provide information AGAINST buying local food. They are not that long, nor hard to understand, so I urge you to take a quick read and decide for yourself.)
If you find you can't go to farmer's markets, you can continue buying local by supporting your home's Good Food Box program. They sometimes go by different names, like Food Boxes, Local Food Sales, etc.
You make be asking, "What is a Good Food Box?" Well let me tell you my friend in my own colloquial terms: It's a big-ass box of fruits and vegetables, sometimes delivered to your door or close location. They are often very cheap, around $15-$20.
Some of last year's Good Food Boxes (in bag form).
There are two Good Food Boxes here.
That's a lot of food!
I know from the ones I've worked and volunteered with, these programs often TRY to get as much local fruits and vegetables in them as possible, but sometimes they do have to ship out of town, or even out of province! Last time I checked, the grocery stores did that as well. However, to be fair, grocery stores are still capable of selling local produce as well. Just make sure you look at the sticker or labels. or ask your grocer. You'll feel a little better as you buy that mega-size bag of chips on sale for that party later (hey, junk food in moderation is still good!)
But what do you do with all that food? Well, you sure as hell don't let it sit in the box! You eat it! Onions, apples, potatoes, celery, peppers, brocolli. Cook it, bake it, broil it, eat it raw!
I recently came across a youtube channel that might be good for students. It's very befitting for this blog.
It speaks for itself.
There are plenty of other links out there online to help the hungry yet culinary inadept (that means you suck at it!) Here's a list of more that you might find interesting http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/7-helpful-online-resources-beginner-cook/
There are plenty of other links out there online to help the hungry yet culinary inadept (that means you suck at it!) Here's a list of more that you might find interesting http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/7-helpful-online-resources-beginner-cook/
Don't feel shy about searching online for other money-friendly recipes. Most of the time, it just takes little effort to make cheap and nutritious meals. Say you take that Mac and Cheese. Fry some mushrooms and green onions, maybe some diced ham, and add it to the Mac and Cheese. BLAMO! You're not a lazy student, you are a conneisseur of the culinary arts and a patron to classic recipes of your predecessors. By the way, if you're gonna cook for a girl, tell her that BEFORE you hand her the fancy-pants bowl of KD ;)
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