You’re on your own for the first time and along with washing your own dishes (what? No dishwasher?) there is the inevitable trip to the grocery store for what I like to call “single-serving shopping.” Grocery stores have done a good job of marketing large quantities of food, making it difficult for the solo chef to shop. But there are ways not to waste food, money or packaging. Read on!

Don’t shop when you’re hungry. You’ve heard it before, but how about also: don’t shop when you’re depressed, don’t shop when you’re stressed, and don’t shop when it’s that…

Cooking for yourself for the first time can seem like a daunting task, but it’s also incredibly liberating. You don’t have to eat everything on your plate or the nasty veggies that your mom makes. You can eat whatever you want. However, you don’t really know how to cook. This should not give you license to subsist purely on Lean Cuisine, hot pockets or take-out. Here are five simple cooking techniques that will help you get started in the kitchen.

1. Using your Knife. Most people hold their knives like they are Rambo going into battle. The meat is…

Half the fun of having your own kitchen is stocking it with all of your favorite foods and choosing what you eat each day. There are some ingredients, however, that are absolutely essential to have on hand to avoid running out to the corner store every time you go to make a meal. Here are the ten ingredients that should be in your kitchen at all times.

1. Chicken/Vegetable Stock. Whichever you prefer, having cans of this stuff will make your life unquestionably better. Stock is especially useful for one of the easiest, one-pot meals: soup. Until it’s opened, cartons…

Sometimes you wish it was bigger and sometimes you wish it was smaller. Filling your dorm room fridge to avoid the stench of rotting food, create the ability to grab a snack, or contain the ingredients for a three-course meal is possible. The key is organization and finding food that lasts long term. To keep food fresh longer, your fridge should be one setting below the point at which your food starts to freeze.

1. Liquids. In times of thirst, we’ll drink what’s closest and what’s coldest. Therefore, stocking your fridge with drinks ahead of time is always a…

Oh, the joys of college. Gone are the nights when you had nothing to do but sit around and contemplate the meaning of art-now you can do it after drinking! Or while dancing! But why bother leaving the comfort of your room when you can set up a bar in your own building? Whether you’re looking to avoid pricey bar drinks by hosting a weekend hangout in your dorm, or throwing a full-blown event in the common room, there are some simple tricks to make sure your bar stays functional and fun for everyone around.

Stocking the storeroom. Variety…

When it comes to going green, one of the easiest ways to make a huge impact is to support local small farmers who have committed to growing delicious food in an ethically and ecologically sound manner. The diversity of products and farmers available in New York City’s Greenmarkets is surpassed only by the diversity of its residents! So many options can be overwhelming, so here are some tips for getting started in the fantastic realm of farmers markets. Always remember that farmers love to chat about their products (at every market), so strike up a conversation wherever and whenever…