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j1mmyB3000 t1_j2dkygu wrote

Learning how to prepare tasty food at home before moving out really helped me a lot. Bulked me up a lot too but not so hard to get back in shape when young and full of energy. Get mom’s recipes that you like and put your own spin on them.

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HarryHacker42 t1_j2ef7l2 wrote

Worst thing to do is eat take-out pizza and not recycle the boxes. Cook at home. Eat real food.

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phaedrus_winter t1_j2epew1 wrote

So at Good Will for kitchen stuff you don't have or need.

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religionlies2u t1_j2eyel5 wrote

I second thing. Do not blow money on nice kitchenware things for your first apartment while you’re in school. They will just break and then even if they don’t they have to be carted around to your next place. Go to Good Will and buy mix and match kitchen stuff. Recycling at its finest.

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Common_Worldliness_3 t1_j2ewkfy wrote

Pizza boxes cannot be recycled, cardboard tainted with food grease is considered trash

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scruzgurl t1_j2ezzu5 wrote

Technically they can but you need to follow your city/county recycling guidelines

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abx99 t1_j2f5bzu wrote

Our city allows them in the municipal compost bin.

They'll always send out a flyer on what is and isn't allowed; always make sure to familiarize yourself with it (directed at OP)

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abx99 t1_j2fcppp wrote

When I moved out, I knew how to cook several things, but didn't really appreciate the need for full meals; eating just one food group can mess you up (unless you're a vegetarian/vegan and know what you're doing; that stuff takes real effort to do it right without causing problems). I've known people that tried to just cut meat out, and live on cereal and top ramen, and started getting panic attacks, major fatigue, etc, until they started eating real food again. It's not only about gaining/losing weight or some theoretical future problem; it can screw up your ability to get through the day.

Basically, just make sure that you get all of the basic food groups on a regular basis, even if the veggies are frozen. Rice is easy to make and you can cook a few days' worth at a time. Try to get some whole-grain stuff fairly often; you'll feel better.

This doesn't seem to be the popular way to do it but, when it comes to learning to cook, I got the most from starting with the basics. Just like starting with the different cuts of chicken (breast, thigh, leg quarters, etc) with very basic seasoning teaches you how it cooks and what it should taste like, so when you do a more complex recipe you know how and why it comes out the way it does. Chicken thighs with just salt, pepper, and garlic powder is still one of my favorite things (with crispy skin), and is cheap and easy. You can find leg quarters for around a dollar per pound, if you're broke.

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