Living in an apartment for college is amazing. I have much more bedroom space than when I was in the dorms, a living room, and a full kitchen where I can cook my own food. In an effort to eat healthier and spend less money on buying food, I have been meal prepping every weekend at home. I find that it really helps me since I am busier this semester and I’m on campus from 10am-5 pm practically every day. Although I do have to set aside a chunk of time to make all of my food, the upside is that I don’t have to cook for the rest of the week!
I usually find my recipes on Food Network, but recently I’ve been using this website called Budget Bytes to look for different meals to make. Budget Bytes is great because they have a huge index of recipes in many different categories, so there is bound to be something for everyone. For example, I’ve made a beef stir fry, chicken meal prep bowls, and overnight oats for my meals. The site also includes the prices for each ingredient that the recipe requires, so you can get a good idea of how much money you will be spending to cook that meal.
Another option I’ve tried is a food delivery service, such as HelloFresh. All you have to do is select the meals from the menu they provide online, and then they ship all of the ingredients and recipes to you. I really enjoyed using HelloFresh because of how quick and convenient it was to make each recipe. Food delivery services are pricier than going out to get your own groceries, but they offer discounts for new users if this is something you’d like to try!
Ever since I’ve stopped relying on dining halls for my meals, I’ve found a lot of joy in being able to make my own food. By cooking at home, I can be creative with what I get to bring for lunch or enjoy at home after class, while saving money and eating healthier!