What’s for dinner?
College is one of the best times in a young person’s life. If there is one thing that I know is true among all of us college student’s is that we are broke. (#struggles of a college student) However, somehow no matter how little money we have, we always seem to find a way to skip out on the dining hall and head straight on over to Chick-fil-A, off campus, and spend between $8 and $10 on that gloriousness. Along with that, it is so easy to drive right down the road to Village Coffee and spend $5 on that much needed caffeine to help pull those all-nighters. While $15 does not seem to be that big of deal for some great food and coffee with friends, it can easily add up to $75 for just five days out of the week, and that is assuming we go home for the weekend.
I am writing this article because, like the other thousands of students that do this, I am guilty as, well -- or, at least I used to be. A few semesters ago, I had a great law professor mention to our class that if there was one thing we should do while we are in college it would be learn how to cook. I could not agree more with this. Since I moved into my own apartment and began supporting myself 100 percent, I learned really quickly how easy it is to have money one minute, and then have it disappear faster than you can blink your eyes. Taking a look at my financial statements when I realized I had no money, it was clear that my money was going to eating out. Not only that, but I was spending on average $15 a day, causing me to gain weight. Now that I am a little wiser about where the problem occurred, I decided to make a change.
I told myself I was going to start cooking. I went to the local grocery store and bought some groceries, came home and was ready to cook supper. It was the normal foods that most people eat on a regular basis (or at least my family did) such as spaghetti, chicken and some side like macaroni and cheese, or pork chops. After about a month of eating practically eating the same thing, I was tempted to go get something new, better, easier, and faster. Instead of giving in, I started Googling recipes.
I began cooking my own food every day, and it actually tastes better than the fast food. It is also more enjoyable and fun to cook, anyway! Since I have started cooking, my body feels better and my mind is happier knowing I am doing something healthier for my body. So my tip for you, to those college students caught in the fast food trap -- try to cook yourself. Even if it is just having a bagel you made in your toaster oven instead of buying one at Barnes & Noble Cafe. You will thank me later.
