Day Three and Four (and Quarantine - Day 19)

[toriapoptosis]

With this cooking program, a lot habits and actions are linked to other triggers, such as coming home from work, leaving to work, whatever. But in quarantine, most if not all of my routine has disappeared! So I guess that is an area I need to work on... creating new routine where my old one has dissipated.

1. Think through where, when, and how you will go grocery shopping.

So. I like to shop at different stores. I live closest to an Albertsons and Aldi. Aldi has great prices, but sometimes variety is lacking. And Albertsons is a fine choice, just pricier. I like Trader Joes, but I don't go there often because it is a bit more of a drive and I don't feel like I can get my produce from them reliably. Sprouts would be a good alternative in that way, because I do trust their produce and I can get more alternative foods there when I am looking for them. And finally, Costco. I love Costco. It scares the bajeezus out of me during these times; it's way more daunting than any other store. So, chosing where and when is complicated. Ordering online is what would be most preferred so we don't have to go outside, but I don't have any reliable and stocked companies to go through!

I believe Luka and I might be going to the store this Monday before we get Evelyn... I've got an essay to write due that day, shit...


2. Create a recurring calendar reminder for right before that time.

Quarantine makes this a bit tricky... I am trying to stretch out store visits as much as absolutely possible. Saturday or Sunday is good for us since Evelyn is with her mom then, but I'm not sure if those are still busier days at stores. What's a week/end?

I cleaned out my pantry a few weeks ago, when this thing started, so my pantry was emptied and then filled back up a bit, already.


Things to stock back up on:

• Oils – Extra virgin olive oil (almost out!), grapeseed or vegetable oil (for hotter temperatures), butter
• Condiments – Red wine or other vinegar (spend a few extra dollars to get one that tastes good), soy sauce, peanut butter, Sriracha (almost out, also if possible more of the bottled Taco Bell Hot sauce!), mustard
• Grains and Legumes – Oatmeal, lentils, rice, quinoa, farro, dried chickpeas or beans (refried pintos)
• Spices – Kosher salt (it tastes better), pepper (fresh milled peppercorns taste best), curry powder, crushed red pepper, coriander, oregano, paprika, cumin, cayenne, cinnamon. Herbs de provence, dried rosemary
• Aromatics – Onions (maybe a few red ones, have a big bag of yellow), shallots, garlic, lemon or lime, ginger root
• Canned/jarred Goods – Tomatoes, tuna or sardines, coconut milk, beans
• Other – Broth, nuts, dried chilies, dried mushrooms, flour (running low), cornstarch

What are your kitchen essentials? I always find myself running out of cilantro because I love Mexican food and a good pico de gallo!

I'll need some other fresh herbs: parsley, rosemary, thyme.

I'm supposed to pick out veggies, protein, grain to help us cover four days worth of meals this upcoming week. 


Here are the suggestions, but we currently have a decent amount of these on hand:

Try this weekly shopping list for your fresh groceries to get four meals’ worth for one person (double it for two people, etc):

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 1 bell pepper of any color
• 2 medium-to-large sweet potatoes
• 1 bunch of carrots
• 1 bunch of kale, chard, spinach, or any other leafy green

Protein varies depending on your dietary preferences. Choose one of the following, or mix and match your proteins:

• 4 six-to-eight oz pieces (depending how hungry you get) of chicken legs, fish (try salmon or cod), or any other meat you prefer (If you’re confused at the store, ask the butcher what’s good. They’re a wealth of knowledge.)
• 2 eight-oz packages of tofu, tempeh, or seitan
• 4 fifteen-oz cans of beans (garbanzo, black, or white beans are some of my favorites, but any bean works) or dried beans (these require soaking and long cooking, or a pressure cooker).

We mostly need some fresh meat, probably chicken thighs. We have some frozen ground turkey but I'd rather keep it until a time we really need it. I think if we can get some salmon that would be excellent, also. The cooking will be for me, Luka, and Evelyn, who will be with us for dinner on Monday-Thursday. I should get some tofu, too.

The program is taking an interesting approach, leaving the groceries more open-ended and not presenting recipes up front. I'm curious if we will ever get recipes? I'm thinking perhaps not. Feels odd...

My group finished reading Little Fires Everywhere, and we had a two-hour long discussion today! Our three other meetings were only about an hour, so we did a lot of talking today. It was great to share ideas, and to pick up interesting ideas from others to ponder. I have that essay due Monday that I haven't even started thinking about yet, and then afterwards I am going to start reading Sharp Objects. Our first discussion meeting for it will be on Wednesday. Whoo!