Picture this: Steamy Late Night Mozzarella sticks, mountains of vanilla Fro-Yo, and crispy Addie’s flatbread pizzas. BC Collegiettes may have a love/hate relationship with the required dining plan, but there is no denying it’s one of the most underappreciated aspects of being an underclassman. It’s not until you find yourself standing in a totally empty kitchen with a rumbling stomach and only pasta and butter to satisfy your hunger pains that you realize how lucky you were for the convenience of Lower and Mac just steps away.
It doesn’t have to be this way, though! With a few easy purchases and some thoughtful planning, surviving without a meal plan doesn’t have to be scary.
Kitchen Appliances
Cookware Set
It may sound stupid, but in order to cook at all you’ll need a good set of cookware and utensils. Ones like these at Target and Macy’s are inexpensive and will last you long past your dorm-living days. They contain all the essential pots, pans, and lids to help stock your new kitchen with all the basics and keep you prepared for whatever culinary creation you’ve been dying to try out from your latest Pinterest boards.
http://www.target.com/p/chefmate-8-pc-cookware-set-graphite/-/A-13403734#prodSlot=medium_1_3
Utensils and Dinnerware
You probably have a few bowls and cups already from your days of living off of cereal when it was too cold to venture out to Mac, but why not upgrade your utensils and plate ware to show the stylish Collegiette you deep down know you are? These sets are so colorful and bright you’ll be dying to cook and won’t be tempted to cave in and use those precious flex-dining points.
http://www.target.com/p/trudeau-4-piece-melamine-tool-set/-/A-14237351#prodSlot=medium_1_15
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Corelle-Livingware-Squared-16-Piece-Dinnerware-Set/9208085
Grill
A George Foreman grill can make a huge difference in your busy life. It heats up in just a few minutes and cooks food in less than ten, all while reducing the fat content of your food- it is called the “Lean Mean Grilling Machine” for a reason. The uses of this magic machine extend far beyond grilling meat. George Foreman grills can be used to make on-the-go grilled cheeses, Paninis, and grilled vegetables. It will help you cook healthier without having to invest a ton of your time, what’s not to love?
Coffee Maker
For the Coffee Lovers of campus, a Keurig coffee machine from Keurig.com can be your new best friend. Your steamy morning coffee fix can be remedied in seconds. From Donut Shop style coffee to Hazlenut Cream flavored coffee, the Keurig cups come in a wide array of roasts and flavors to satisfy any coffee lover’s taste. Most coffee shops and grocery stores sell them now, or you can order a box of 50 online, reducing your coffee cost to less than 60 cents per cup.
Tableware
Once you’ve actually cooked these amazing meals, you’ll want to have a nice relaxing spot to sit down and actually enjoy your creation. Fun napkins, bright tablecloths, and simple placemats like these from Anthropologie are perfect options for sprucing up a boring table.
So with all your new gadgets in place, you can invite all your friends over for a warm home cooked meal and a nice glass of wine. Late Night, who?
Photo Sources
http://www.amazon.com/Gibson-83550-07-ColorSplash-Branston-Aluminum/dp/B007KHFVP0
http://www.amazon.com/Corelle-Livingware-16-Piece-Dinnerware-Service/dp/B000MMAIXA
http://www.keurig.com/brewers/elite-brewing-system
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/shopsale-dining/21069349.jsp