Cooking for one

[ides]

Oops, thought you said New York City, not new city.

[Curegirl]

Uhhhmm... I work from home, so I'm already here. And I live in a new city where my only friends are DH, a few of his (male) classmates, and one classmate's wife, who I don't know well enough to call up for happy hour. Yeah. I feel like a winner.

Aw MsSassy, I've been there...a very nice couple who lived in my building would invite me over for dinner sometimes because I was on my own for the first time and didn't know a soul. The husband came over to say hi and he saw that the tv was on, my frozen dinner was on the coffee table and there was literally an imprint of my ass on the couch from spending so much time on it by myself.

[ladymoreta]

Oh how I miss the food options in the city.

Just wanted to make sure you knew about http://www.858togo.com/! Obviously doesn't compare to NYC, or even Dallas, but it's got more options than pizza or Chinese food.

[MsSassyBaskets]

I'm actually kind of enjoying single eating for the first couple days. I've had 4 nights -- two last week and then Sunday + Monday, and I'm finding that instead of making more elaborate dinners I'm keeping it simple -- I have a freezer stocked with turkey burgers, chicken sausage, fish fillets and chicken breasts, and a variety of frozen veggies (I know, I know, but I'm terrible at using fresh veggies before they go bad, and frozen is better than canned, yuck...) so I'm just doing something like a turkey burger plus a veggie like steamed edamame or green beans. Done in 20 minutes, and healthier than a lot of the carbier, more elaborate meals we usually make. Will probably steam and roast some brussels sprouts tonight, maybe with a salmon fillet. If I were cooking with DH, the burgers would HAVE to have buns and add-ons like lettuce/tomato, and I could care less about that stuff. Instead of making a caramelized onion sweet potato soup that takes forever and requires peeling, chopping, sauteeing, simmering and blending, I'll just roast the damn sweet potato and eat it with a piece of chicken or fish. I think that kind of food would bore DH, he loves lots of spices and blended flavors. Also, I'm bored to tears and have already been on 2 runs this week. And since most of my wine-drinking is when I'm hanging out with DH, I haven't had any alcohol. So between simple food, no booze, and running I've already lost 3 pounds.

[Mrs. MD, Esq.]

Props on the 3lbs! Also, I'm glad you're finding positives (even if it's just that cooking is simpler)!

[alotofyarn]

I use frozen veggies all the time - especially onions or mirepoix. Makes life so much easier! I ate a lot of pasta when I was living alone too, because I could measure out just a couple of servings to cook at a time. Plus some less than healthy options, like PB&J, cans of soup, or cereal.

[MsSassyBaskets]

Ok, I've fallen off the healthy cooking for one wagon. I've had mac and cheese more times than I want to admit this month. This is away rotation 3/5 (and 2 of the 4 that are right in a row) so I have about 10 more weeks of semi-single cooking. Next month one of his classmates is rotating in town and she and I plan to do some happy hours, so that will break things up. Also DH has started coming home mid-week on occasion, if the hours aren't too bad and he has time to commute back in the morning. He and I make big meals on the weekends and I've frozen some leftovers from those, but this cold weather is not helping me want to do grocery shopping or much at all. I need some inspiration and a kick in the ass!

[WolfpackWife]

but this cold weather is not helping me want to do grocery shopping or much at all. I need some inspiration and a kick in the ass!

Cannot kick you in the ass...but if someone does/says something effective to you, send them my way as well! I'm so not used to temperatures this cold, that the weather has just zapped all of the drive and enthusiasm out of me. The last two nights I've gone home and pouted. It's so pathetic. It's just so fucking cold and I'm so unhappy about it!

[Sheherezade]

I'm also suffering. It's COLD. All I want to do is huddle in a blanket on the couch. And eat cookies instead of meals. Note to self: don't make cookies when you are cold. This only leads to bad things.

I had soup today. I felt like I was a character in a Dickens novel.

It's cold. Let's eat lasagna and eat healthy another day, ok?

[MsSassyBaskets]

When DH is here this weekend I'm going to make a huge pot of soup with our thanksgiving turkey stock. I've had the carcass in the freezer and finally took it out and threw it in a pot, which should serve the dual purpose of making stock and warming up the apartment, even if it does make it smell like stock. This is the recipe: http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-fast...e-kitchn-15020

I also got a whole chicken to roast, and veggies to go with it. Hopefully a couple big, hearty but healthy meals this weekend will provide some good leftovers so I can be lazy next week. Being alone all the time in the dead of winter is TOUGH.

[JDAZ11]

The past two weeks, on the nights my DH doesn't get home in home for dinner, my go to has been this whole foods white bean turkey chili. It's in the prepared food section. I cut it with chopped kale - so it's healthier (although it starts off pretty well anyhow) and lasts a little longer. Anyway, I've been obsessed with it since it's been so cold. It also stays good for a few weeks - so great when I don't want to go to the store.

[MsSassyBaskets]

The past two weeks, on the nights my DH doesn't get home in home for dinner, my go to has been this whole foods white bean turkey chili. It's in the prepared food section. I cut it with chopped kale - so it's healthier (although it starts off pretty well anyhow) and lasts a little longer. Anyway, I've been obsessed with it since it's been so cold. It also stays good for a few weeks - so great when I don't want to go to the store.

That sounds really yummy... I'll have to check if it's GF next time I'm there.

[JDAZ11]

I went today, so I figured I'd check for you.... But I have no idea! It doesn't say gluten free, but I'm not sure whether it is and whether someone that doesn't eat gluten would just know:

If it is - it's right next to the kombucha. And sprinkle some cilantro on top - it's yummy.

And then the most important thing is: don't go to whole foods on Friday at 5!!! I'm lucky to be alive!

[poky]

And then the most important thing is: don't go to whole foods on Friday at 5!!! I'm lucky to be alive!

Ain't that the truth!

I'm currently chowing down on pub cheese and crackers. I might have some leftovers later. Not great at cooking for myself, here.

[MsSassyBaskets]

Yep, that's GF. Thanks!!