Trouble preparing food for myself

[LyricGaia]

I could, but those are expensive. Frozen might work, but I'm not sure how much those cost... I've seen people saying they cost more and others say they cost less. They're also wrapped in plastic, which isn't very environmentally friendly.

One Good Peeler (mine is shaped like a monkey), a good knife, and a good pair of kitchen scissors usually does the trick for me. I find with those three things, you can do almost anything in a kitchen.

[rabid_child]

I could, but those are expensive. Frozen might work, but I'm not sure how much those cost... I've seen people saying they cost more and others say they cost less. They're also wrapped in plastic, which isn't very environmentally friendly.

Frozen costs less than fresh usually. I'm sorry I misunderstood you and thought you would only eat fresh. If you will eat frozen, it is also prepped and ready to go and just needs to be heated through. Not all frozen veg are wrapped in plastic, some come in little boxes wrapped in paper which you could recycle.

Overall, I think there's a hierarchy when it comes to environmentalism. If my options are don't eat a healthy diet because I don't want to buy food packaged in plastic and I don't have prep time/space, thus sacrificing my health for the environment, or buying some food packaged in plastic but being healthy and well fed, then I'd pick option B. You could also buy a lot of fresh veggies at once, prep and blanch them all, and freeze them in reusable containers for later use, but that goes back to your time and prep space problem.

[VegiKate]

I've been in this situation - is there any option in the future for moving? I know that the holiday break is coming up, maybe someone else is looking for a roommate? I had a filthy roommate once and the only option left for me was to move.

Other than what others have suggested, remember that you can also use the bathroom sink to do a quick was of stuff. Also, I love canned beans - but do try to rinse the liquid from the can off, as that will cut down on the amount of sodium.

[Kiseki]

I HATE cooking myself and really can't be bothered, so I feel your pain. But you need to get more fresh fruits and veg in there.

What I do is just cook 1 big thing of something and eat that for about 4 days. I supplement with a salad (also made once a week and kept in a big Tupperware square) and fresh fruits.

[retypepassword]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!

Frozen costs less than fresh usually. I'm sorry I misunderstood you and thought you would only eat fresh. If you will eat frozen, it is also prepped and ready to go and just needs to be heated through. Not all frozen veg are wrapped in plastic, some come in little boxes wrapped in paper which you could recycle.

Oh? I'll have to look for those. I've seen meals (probably not vegan...) in boxes, but never just veggies. Also, I suppose I'm sorry for being so incredibly vague when I mentioned buying fresh.

You could also buy a lot of fresh veggies at once, prep and blanch them all, and freeze them in reusable containers for later use, but that goes back to your time and prep space problem.

I really like this idea, but unfortunately, you're correct about the time and prep space issue. It isn't actually so much the cutting that's an issue as it is the washing. Thanks to LyricGaia's earlier suggestion, I've realized a small, 2.25-cubic foot space that's always clean. I cleared it off yesterday and I now have enough room to cut stuff. The freezer section in my mini-fridge might be too small to hold a lot of containers, but I can experiment with that.

I think the book in your signature is amazing, by the way. That, and I also eat asparagus, artichokes, bamboo shoots, chard, spinach, and lettuce provided they're prepared and ready to eat.

What I do is just cook 1 big thing of something and eat that for about 4 days. I supplement with a salad (also made once a week and kept in a big Tupperware square) and fresh fruits.

How long does it usually take to make a big batch of something and a gigantic salad?

Also, how do you make a salad while avoiding the health issues (bacteria/pesticides and conventionally grown and bacteria on organic)? I've actually never tossed a salad myself before. I'd totally eat raw, which obviously wouldn't require cooking and means less prep work, but I boil everything in case my washing is inadequate. My washing is, in fact, probably often inadequate because it's really hard to get water from the faucet when there's only five inches of clearance below it. I might be exaggerating about the space, but that's what it often feels like.

@VegiKate: About the bathroom sink... don't get me started on it. It's probably easier to clean than the kitchen, though, so I might consider it. Would getting a colander be a good idea?

[Mojo]

I was a tad messy in college, but have since reformed. Everyone had their own pots, plates, silverware. If I left my dirty dishes out over night they would put them back into the cabinet without cleaning them so the counters and stove would stay neat.

[Kiseki]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!
How long does it usually take to make a big batch of something and a gigantic salad?

Also, how do you make a salad while avoiding the health issues (bacteria/pesticides and conventionally grown and bacteria on organic)? I've actually never tossed a salad myself before. I'd totally eat raw, which obviously wouldn't require cooking and means less prep work, but I boil everything in case my washing is inadequate. My washing is, in fact, probably often inadequate because it's really hard to get water from the faucet when there's only five inches of clearance below it. I might be exaggerating about the space, but that's what it often feels like.

To make a big batch of something takes the same time as a small batch Just double the ingredients. Takes me an hour TOPS to make food and salad. An hour out of the week is no big deal right? (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays I usually make pasta or grab something prepared...still got my salad)

As for the salad I dunno what my veggies are- organic or not- but I just wash them well before using and keep the fridge cold. By the end of the week the salad is looking a bit peaked, but it's still fine to eat.