“What’s for Dinner Tonight, Wendy Jo?”
- posted by: Wendy Jo
- posted in: My Life
- on: September 30, 2008
Did you know that there are really only 3 basic food groups? Really, just three. Trust me on this one.
As a young child in school, I learned that there were four basic food groups. Years later, someone had the bright idea to turn the world upside-down and create some sort of food pyramid. But now in my adult life, free time becomes non-existent because I’d rather use my free time scrapping then spending half my night cooking and cleaning up in the kitchen. So, I have come to the logical conclusion that there are truly only 3 basic food groups for the single scrapper: Frozen, Canned, and Take Out.
Yes, it’s true. I have allowed my single lifestyle to take over my way of eating habits and there’s nothing like finding the perfect place to order some Take-Out. Some people may call it lazy. Some people ask me “Are you made of money?” But going to the grocery store is a trip I take only once every other week. Items on the grocery stores shelves aren’t always packaged for the single consumer in mind. And when you do find those smaller packaged items, they somehow seem to double in price. Big and “in bulk” seems to be a trend nowadays. Sure it may be economical for a household of 4.5 family members (Okay, someone really needs to explain that one to me.) but when I buy a half gallon of soy milk or a regular loaf of bread, I rarely finish consuming the entire item and wind up throwing most of it away. And when I finally do go grocery shopping, how in the world am I supposed to know what type of food I’ll be craving for dinner three nights later?
So, there you have it. Frozen, canned and Take-Out. Those are the three basic food groups of this single scrappers life. So, I bet you are thinking: “What’s for dinner tonight, Wendy Jo?” No knives or forks needed. Just chopsticks!
…SUSHI !!!! Mushroom roll, egg omelet, clam, squid and smoked salmon… Yum-o!
May says:
September 30th, 2008 at 9:11 pmHey Wendy Jo- being a firefighter wife with two very wee ones I actually find myself in your boat quite often! We keep bread in the freezer so it won’t go bad, and I have some super quick recipes just for one too. Also some longer ones that make great variety of leftovers.
Loving the 3 food groups of scrapper- but don’t forget wrapped. All my fave candies are plastic wrapped…
Mardi says:
September 30th, 2008 at 9:21 pmI was going yummy until I spotted the squid. I totally agree with you Wendy Jo! Your three food groups also apply to a two person household. Who in the world has time to cook?
NanaBeth#2906 says:
September 30th, 2008 at 9:31 pmWe went the frozen route tonight.
Lisa #1989 says:
September 30th, 2008 at 9:36 pmAw come on Wendy Jo….have a brat with kraut!
Vickif says:
September 30th, 2008 at 9:53 pmI love it!! That was my food pyramid when I was single too!! Now I have a DH & kids…..and (what’s up with this!) they actyually expect me to COOK for them…Daily! Soooo, just can’t afford the take out any more.. the other two food groups still exist!
Peggy #4129 says:
September 30th, 2008 at 9:59 pmThan I should say thank goodness for big healthy eaters…..lol
I made chicken pot pie…..my own version…lol a 9×12 pan and it will be gone soon…..lol NO SUSHI !!!! Mushroom roll, egg omelet, clam, squid fo me……Im not a big fan of the seafood family….my husband is and because you are on the east coast you love it…..I perfer Venison….sorry
If you buy bigger portions you could also break it up and freeze it….Ive never had the “little” problem, I grew up with 6 sisters and 2 brothers, and then I had 3 boys that will eat ANY THING….lol
I dont know what I will do if I ever have to cook for ONE!!!!!!!!!!
Blessings
Peggy #4129
Kriss says:
September 30th, 2008 at 9:59 pmMy dh thinks there’s three food groups too. His are meat, cheese and chocolate. Hmmm…
Michelle 3624 says:
September 30th, 2008 at 10:03 pmOkay iI so agree with you it is hard when you are single or when there is just two of and your dinner looked so good! We are having chicken noodles and mashed tatoes because m Dh had oral surgery and has to have soft foods so we have been having chicken and noodles for 3 days now. Hope to get past this soon although I love chicken noodle!
melita says:
September 30th, 2008 at 10:19 pmooo…that looks soooo yummy!
Jessica #1868 says:
September 30th, 2008 at 10:21 pmHave to admit I’m not a sushi girl but dh would love that!
Betsy #2572 says:
September 30th, 2008 at 10:30 pmI could see that being quite common, it was even frustrating when it was just hubby and I! Now that there are 6 of us (two being bottomless pits) even those Jumbo economy sizes aren’t enough some times!!!
Merlene says:
September 30th, 2008 at 10:46 pmI’m not single,but my DH is gone 6 to 8 weeks at a time so I end up coking for one too. I have to admit that eating out sometimes seems so much easier. I like your 3 food group theory!
Aspromised says:
October 1st, 2008 at 6:04 amYou left out the MAJOR food group -Chocolate
Kimberlee says:
October 1st, 2008 at 6:26 amWow does that look delish!
Christina Solloway says:
October 1st, 2008 at 6:51 amYour dinner looks really good!! We are huge sushi fans. The ginger is touching your tamago!! In my house that would mean my husband couldn’t eat it and it would be mine.
Patty 2832 says:
October 1st, 2008 at 8:12 amI pass on the plate of ewww…err…mean seafood things!
When I was single , I still cooked alot of took it to work or neighbors or to family. But on busy days after work, sometimes it was just a Lean Cuisine! or some steamed brussel sprouts! Or tea and toast!
Amy #4257 says:
October 1st, 2008 at 9:57 amIm with you on the 3 food groups and its just me and my boyfriend and a lot still goes to waste too cause were not a 4.5(dont get it either)family.
I cook a mean frozen pizza though!!! lol
Lorraine Wollman says:
October 1st, 2008 at 3:23 pmI can cook anything I put in my mind to.
I’ve had sushi and I enjoyed very much.
Colleen F. 2970 says:
October 1st, 2008 at 3:37 pmtonight we are having paprika chicken. YUM can’t wait to get home and make the wonderful sauce that goes with this chicken. So good.
Barb #2975 says:
October 1st, 2008 at 9:34 pmOh - I saw the title and I thought you meant MY 3 food groups!
(1) Ice cream - anti stress properties
(2) Butter - baked potatoes are just a vehicle to transport the butter
(3) Sugar/candy - Orange slices are a fruit aren’t they?
betsy #1143 says:
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:34 pmI’m not into sushi, but since it’s just my daughter and I, we eat out alot also.Just not a priority, and left overs seem to get wasted.
HeatherQ #3770 says:
October 3rd, 2008 at 12:41 pmI feel your pain! There are only 2 of us in our home, and we both HATE grocery shopping. Frozen, canned, and takeout are very common for us.
We’ve added a “fresh” food group to the list, though. Here are a few QUICK AND EASY (and relatively cheap) recipes:
1. Toss whatever fresh veggies (chop them) that you find at the farmer’s market (or on sale at the grocery store) with cooked pasta and some pesto. Feel free to add cooked chicken or ham if you like (they come prepackaged cooked, too, or you can use leftovers from a previous meal)
2. Stuff on a baked potato. (”Bake” it in the microwave — only takes a few minutes, but don’t forget to POKE HOLES!) Ideas to try: broccoli and cauliflower with shredded cheese, chili (homemade leftovers or from the can), a can of broccoli cheese soup (don’t add milk), salsa with cheese and sour cream
3. I make something we call “Frittata” but am sure it’s not very authentic. I chop 2-3 of our favorite veggies (zucchini, yellow squash, peppers, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, potatoes, etc.) — again, farmer’s market or on sale at the grocery and saute them in a frying pan. Scramble a few eggs and pour them over the veggies. Cover the pan and turn heat to low. When eggs are cooked through, sprinkle with cheese.
Hope these give you a few simple ideas to add fresh foods without adding too much work or having to eat the same thing for the next 8 days to use up the leftovers. It’s easy enough to make a single serving of each item without having to buy in bulk (although eggs are hard to buy in small quantities, but the egg beaters cartons work, too, and those you can get in smaller quantities).
Good luck and bon appetite!