The Bachelor/ette's Homemaker's Lessons

[Marquis]

Do those of you who live by yourselves actually cook for yourselves?

I can't seem to bring myself to take the time to cook when for just a few dollars more I can buy already prepared food. I do miss the taste of a homecooked meal though. It feels like years since I've had one of those.

 

[Kajira Callista]

Do those of you who live by yourselves actually cook for yourselves?

I can't seem to bring myself to take the time to cook when for just a few dollars more I can buy already prepared food. I do miss the taste of a homecooked meal though. It feels like years since I've had one of those.

i will email you some.

 

[Marquis]

i will email you some.

Some what?

We both know what I really want from you can't be emailed Kajira.

 

[Kajira Callista]

Some what?

We both know what I really want from you can't be emailed Kajira.

we could try.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

Do those of you who live by yourselves actually cook for yourselves?

I can't seem to bring myself to take the time to cook when for just a few dollars more I can buy already prepared food. I do miss the taste of a homecooked meal though. It feels like years since I've had one of those.

I cook for myself, Marquis, even though I don't cook as "nicely" as I would were I cooking for more than myself. As far as the "already prepared food" goes, even my quick cooking methods taste better (to me, at least) than the majority of store-bought prepared foods, most of which have all the flavor, consistency and attraction of boiled cardboard.

Also, for those of us still recovering from the breakup of a relationship, when funds can be in short supply for a while, preparing it yourself, instead of spending those "few dollars more," can be an important thrift measure.

 

[caela]

I can't seem to bring myself to take the time to cook when for just a few dollars more I can buy already prepared food. I do miss the taste of a homecooked meal though. It feels like years since I've had one of those.

two things to this...1) if you need to be thrifty it's worth it to save those few dollars if only so you have gas money and 2) when a homecooked meal is desperatly needed it is time to call mom or grandma or whichever nearby realative can both cook and be counted on to invite you to dinner. just don't do it too often.

simplistic answers i know, but i am still young enough to enjoy simple answers.

 

[m wisdom]

I usually eat a big lunch at work so I don't eat very much for dinner, sometimes only a sandwich. But when I want something more I usually cook and I try to make enough so I can put a few portions in the freezer for later.

I did once try to see how much I could save by only buying big packs and cooking all my meals. I saved about 60% on food during that month, so if you have the time you can save alot of money.

 

[sincerely_helene]

After one calculates the cost of ingredients needed to make a healthy dinner, plus considering how much of it will wind up going into the garbage if you are single, (it is difficult to buy in small quantities when it comes to things like cheese, eggs, deli meats, and veggies,) take-out just seems the most logical choice to me. A good example is homeade lasgna which costs approx 15-20 dollars to make, and only 6 to buy at the nearest pizza parlor with all the fixings including garlic toast.

Sure you can freeze a vast majority of meals, but let's be realistic here. By the time you actually crave it again, it will be too freezer burnt to consume.

Even the worlds greatest submarine sandwhich is more economically friendly when purchased at the local delicatessan as opposed to making yourself.

I left fast food out of the mix, even though they are cheaper than most grocery bought meals also. I don't advise them unless you are seeking wider thighs, pimples, and a severe heart condition.

 

[m wisdom]

... homeade lasgna which costs approx 15-20 dollars to make, and only 6 to buy at the nearest pizza parlor with all the fixings including garlic toast.

Sure you can freeze a vast majority of meals, but let's be realistic here. By the time you actually crave it again, it will be too freezer burnt to consume.

...

That was one expensive lasagna. It would cost me about $30 to make 8 portions. That is $4 for each meal (not including garlic toast) and I have had lasagna for months in the freezer without any problems.

 

[snowy ciara]

Helene, if you wrap an item in shrink wrap or plactic wrap and smoosh all the air out, then put it in a zippy bag, the freezer burn will be minimized.

M, I don't cook very much for myself, but that's due to my lack of ability. (I've burnt water, before. ) Cooking wise, I stick to simple stuff, or look to the freezer, which is full of frozen stuff from my mum. She's a almost a gourment,and still cooking like she has 6 kids at home sometimes! So her freezer, and by extension, ours (the kids) are usually pretty full!

 

[Sir_Winston54]

Thank you, all...

When I started this thread, I figured it would probably die out around 20-25 posts. I'm very pleased that so many have contributed so many good and great tips, including some that had never crossed my mind. Thank you all for adding your bits to the puzzle - I'm sure that some of us will be using some of these hints and lessons for years to come! s to all.

 

[catalina_francisco]

Hmmmm, well I heard a new one today. Dissolve 3 Vitamin C effervescent tablets in the toilet to clean away any built up cal and grime. Also clean the grout between tiles with toothpaste, and rub over the tiles with baby oil to repel water and minimise mould and soap residue build up....also makes it easier to clean quickly later.

Catalina

 

[Marquis]

Ok, you guys convinced me. I went to the grocer and bought a bunch of stuff to cook with and I'm going to try and eat at home for every meal this week. Part of my plan to get back on track with a healthy lifestyle, I lost my job about two weeks ago and it's been one huge bender since then that has to stop.

So back to the gym, the books and the kitchen for me. Thanks for the tips guys.

 

[graceanne]

Toothpaste and a toothbrush is a really easy way to clean and shine your jewelry.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

Toothpaste and a toothbrush is a really easy way to clean and shine your jewelry.

Preferably a toothbrush for which you've just bought a replacement, I presume?

 

[graceanne]

Preferably a toothbrush for which you've just bought a replacement, I presume?

What, you don't think you should brush your teeth with that toothbrush afterward?

That's another one, when you're toothbrushes get dirty put them with your cleaning supplies. It's great for cleaning hard to get areas, like the grout, etc. Then change the nasty toothbrush everytime you change toothbrushes, so that it doesn't get too germy.

 

[Marquis]

What temp. should I set my oven to bake a single sweet potato, and how long will it take?

 

[CutieMouse]

*****

 

[Marquis]

Cool, thanks!

 

[Sir_Winston54]

Dangit - I meant to put these in a long time ago. For those who do cook at home, don't spend a buncha cash on cookbooks. They take up space, usually have at least 58 recipes you'll never cook for every one that you do, and the pages get grease and gunk all over 'em.

Instead, go to web recipe sites. You can find instructions on how to cook anything. Most of the recipe sites are searchable, and some of them even allow you to enter the number of portions you want to cook and automatically recalculate the ingredients.

I have the following four recipe sites stashed in my favorites folder, but there are many, many more - and almost all of them are free:

http://www.allrecipes.com/
http://www.recipesource.com/
http://www.recipeland.com/
http://www.cooksrecipes.com/

 

[Marquis]

I was just checking those out, look pretty good.

I've used www.epicurious.com in the past.

 

[sincerely_helene]

That was one expensive lasagna. It would cost me about $30 to make 8 portions. That is $4 for each meal (not including garlic toast) and I have had lasagna for months in the freezer without any problems.

Dude, I'm in Canada. EVERYTHING is more expensive here.

 

[m wisdom]

Dude, I'm in Canada. EVERYTHING is more expensive here.

And I'm in Sweden where we have 25% VAT

 

[Marquis]

But socialized medicine!

 

[sincerely_helene]

But socialized medicine!

Tee hee.