There can only be one answer to that question: I did not make The List.
"What is The List?" you ask.
The List is the answer to all of my struggles with cooking. Before The List came into my life I was a disorganized cook at best, always stressing over what I could/should cook with my knowledge and ingredients on hand. Many times I would think, "Well, I could make a tuna casserole..." but lo and behold, I would have no tuna on hand. And a nothing-casserole just doesn't seem like it would do the job. Or I would have a wealth of ingredients on hand, but I didn't know what to do with them. Which would mean one of three possible things would transpire:
- I would have to run out to the grocery store to pick up that one item, say tuna, and come home instead with five items -- tuna, chips, peanut butter, cookies, and juice. This turned out to be both a waste of time and money.
- I would try to make something up, which had something like a 20% success rate. Not that great...
- I would give up entirely, hop in the car, and head out to eat.
(Photo courtesty of weheartit.com) |
That, however, is just the beginning. I then take The List, and on the back I subdivide it into three categories: TJs (Trader Joe's), Mi Pueblo, and Lucky. Going through each day, I write down the ingredients I would need to make that meal that I don't already have at home. That way, when I go shopping, I know exactly what I need and where I can find it at.
I know, I know, I sound like I have OCD. And I might, but I don't really think so. Whether or not I do is not the point however. THIS is the point: Since I have started doing this I have (A) stopped throwing away food that went bad before I could use it, (B) cut way down on my grocery list because I know exactly what I want, and (C) I am excited to cook each night. Before it was a stress to me. What do I make? Do I have the stuff to make it? Does it even sound good to me? Honestly, since The List has come into my life, these questions are a thing of the past. My thought pattern now goes something like this: I am going to have veggie soup and dumplings tonight, YES! The end. And since I try to write down only one new thing a week with the rest being recipes that live in my head, the cooking process is quite easy. No cookbooks, no failed attempts, no defeat. Just food, good food. And a lot of free money in my pocket and time on my hands.
Tiff, this is great! I HATE cooking 99% of the time and I despise the grocery store equally as much. ...But I think The List just might save me from kitchen turmoil!
ReplyDeleteDO IT! It changes everything.
ReplyDelete(I know that sounds a little dramatic, but I speak the truth. My life has been transformed -- less money being wasted, more time being saved, and I eat really yummy stuff all the time -- overall, very happy Tiffany.)
Hi Tiffany! Your blog is awesome! I already bookmarked it (Is bookmark a verb?). Anyways, I am doing something almost the same every week and let me tell you, it works! Eating healthier and yummier (hahaha, again!) everyday. Love your OCD ideas! Keep them coming :)
ReplyDelete