Calorie Count
This is the first time that I've ever been responsible for feeding myself alone. From cravings to composing grocery lists, purchasing and preparing food, I am alone on this journey of sustenance and starvation.
I moved to my new place a little over a week ago, and left the all you can eat buffet of university residence. As I was carrying furniture into my bedroom my stomach was growling already. The only food I had was a club pack of coffee whitener and a can of beans. My first meal at my new place was pizza ordered from down the road. The following day I ate a meat burrito from 7-11 which is two blocks from my place. Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!
The initial startup for a pantry is an expensive process. I spent nearly $100 buying, what I thought, were bare minimums. Miracle whip, canned veggies, Parmesan cheese. And after all that, I opened the cupboard to find that, though it wasn't bare, it could not support even the most basic MEAL. Everything required assembly, and everything was missing complimentary parts. I had cheese and meat and bread, but no tomatoes or lettuce. I had spring peas and V8, but no potatoes or steak. I tried to live off bagels and creme cheese and began to get cravings for an unidentified food group. Things had to change.
I am now living in a symbiotic relationship with the neighbourhood. The Food Fare, a small grocery store, is a mere block away from me. I make several small trips there a week for fresh meat, fruit & vegetables, and the odd condiment or snack I NEED RIGHT NOW. 
Their prices are a little more than the big name chains, but their close convenience makes up for it. I will never have to defrost meat and I can purchase my fruits and veggies in small quantities to keep food from going bad. For non perishables like canned food and oatmeal I make an occasional trip to Wal Mart or Price Chopper.
Making larger purchases is nearly impossible when one relies on the bus, so I bought a granny cart. I am officially the lamest person I know.
