Things I Love Thursday: Free Food

I'm really lucky that I get so much food for free. I haven't been shopping for actual groceries since the second week of school (three weeks ago). This is my guide to eating free in college.

Step 1: Make Friends

Friends will invite you to parties where they have free food. Usually it's homemade too, which makes it a MILLION times better. Also, if your friend has a meal plan some schools allow them to swipe you in so you can use one of their meals. I don't know anyone who has used up all of their meals in a semester, so if you don't mind dining hall food now and then this is a good option. If you don't like dining hall food, you must have never tried the salad bar. Or pizza. Or dessert.

Step 2: Join a Club

Many clubs on campus don't require you to pay dues, and all of the club meetings I've been to have served food. Find something you're interested and go to the meetings to learn AND eat!

Step 3: Don't be Afraid of Lines

If there is a long line at a table or tent, that usually means the food they're giving out is good. It's worth it. Trust me. 

Grocery Shopping!

I don't keep a full pantry at school. I basically live two places (home and school apartment), so it's not necessary for me to keep a full stock of every single thing I like to eat at school.

I keep most of my food on top of the refrigerator in my room, but I keep things like pasta in the pantry so they will be closer to the stove. I can get kinda lazy sometimes! This is what a typical shopping list looks like for me. I grocery shop for Diet Coke and usually 1 or 2 other items every week, but most of the list I shop for every other week/every 3 weeks.

Diet Coke (24 pack, two 12 packs, or three 2 liters and a pack of bottles)

Rice Krispy Treats

Clif Mojo bars in Peanut Butter Pretzel

Birds Eye Voila in Garlic Chicken

White Chicken Lean Pockets

Pasta Roni in Angel Hair with Herbs

Sabra Hummus

Stacy's Parmesan Garlic and Herb Pita Chips

Goldfish Colors

Materne Apple-Cinnamon Applesauce

White rice

Cheese

Prepackaged lettuce for salads

I don't do so well cooking ahead of time because my kitchen at school is always messy. One of my roommates has been known to leave dirty dishes with food on them in the sink for over a week, so I honestly use the kitchen as little as possible.

I really wish I had more time in my schedule to plan out meals and make things. I love baking, but my kitchen stinks (figuratively AND literally... because of the dishes) so it's hard for me to get anything done in there without getting frustrated. Did you have troubles with your kitchen in college? I feel like all I do is eat junk food. I really wish there were healthier choices that filled me up and were easy to fix.

Thanksgiving Favorites

Most people like traditional Thanksgiving foods, like stuffing or cranberry sauce. Not me.

Squash Casserole is my FAVORITE Thanksgiving dish! Squash, eggs, peppers, and LOTS of cheese!  What could be better?