Dining Alone?

(Image courtesy of Robert S. Donovan)

Living on your own can have some very distinct advantages. Some people like the luxury of moving around their apartment without the worry of stepping on someone else’s toes There’s also quite a bit that can be said about the freedom to design your home all on your own. And who can forget the freedom to come and go as you please? However, at mealtimes, living alone can becoming a bit daunting, especially if you’re not planning on entertaining friends every night.

The recipe choices for those living the solo lifestyle are somewhat limited and often times it can be difficult to make it through a family-sized container of leftovers. This doesn’t mean that living by yourself means you can’t cook for yourself! This article from Apartmentguide.com offers some simple and cost effective tips for creating great meals that are the perfect size for one person. Read on to learn some great ideas to keep cooking for yourself from becoming a chore.

Buy easily-scalable amounts

Shopping in bulk bins lets you control how much food you bring home. From beans and grains to sugar, you can buy just enough and then prepare only as much as you need.

Eggs, individually-wrapped cheeses, microwaveable bacon, canned items and single-serve condiments like jalapenos can be used in a single meal — without leftovers, if you prefer.

Just don’t get too carried away with packaged single-serve items, however, as they often cost more for the convenience. When possible, buy items in their whole state, only look for the smallest sizes. When it comes to produce and fruit, buy separate pieces, rather than bags, which may spoil before you get around to eating the whole amount.

Love your freezer

The option to freeze certain foods means you can buy a whole pack of sausages or hot dogs, for instance, and use only some of the item at a time without worrying about spoiling. Simply break packages into single servings before freezing.

Items that work well for freezing include:

Bread, buns and bagels
Shredded cheese
Hamburger or salmon patties
Individually-wrapped steaks
Fish or chicken fillets
Breakfast meats
Vegetarian “faux meat” options


One of the greatest benefits of all is to be able to make larger-than-you-need batches of food to freeze in separate servings. There is no waste, and you’ve got ready meals available when you have no time or desire to cook.

Use common ingredients to your advantage

Cooking for one is easier and more economical when you can use ingredients you have on hand. Buying exotic or expensive foods for a single meal typically isn’t cost-effective, so look for recipes that contain basic ingredients you regularly keep in stock, like:

Canned or frozen meats or fish
Pasta
Grains
Potatoes
Eggs
Cheese
Fresh or frozen vegetables
Sauces

Similarly, you can repurpose the foods you prepare one night for other meals. A roast chicken or pot roast can create soup, fajitas and chicken salad. What you can’t finish in a few days can be stored in the freezer for even more mileage.

Oh, Solo Menu!

Now, let’s get to the menu(s). The challenge for the solo chef is to find dishes that will be worth taking the time to prepare. Ideally, quick, easy and delicious are the key experiences you’re looking for. Salads and sandwiches are typical go-to’s that can inspire infinite combinations. When shopping for your favorite proteins, select options that will make just the right amount, depending on your liking for leftovers.

Check out sites like these for easy, solo-cooking recipes you’ll crave:

Delish.com, 14 Simple Dinners for One

FoodNetwork.com, Single Person Cooking

BBCGoodFood.com, Meals-for-one Recipes

MarieClaire.com, Cooking for One

SingleFare.comCooking for one doesn’t have to be a chore or an exercise in waste. Instead, embrace the freedom to eat what you want, when you want and only as much as you need.

The Quick Pick Me Up

(Image courtesy of Charles Henry)

Who we are at home greatly affects how we feel outside of our homes. Often times the habits that we take part in during our “at home” hours have a significant effect on how we view the rest of our day. If you’re having a hard time keeping a positive outlook on life, maybe it’s time to make a few small tweaks to your daily routine.

It may be time to stop looking at outside sources and start focusing more on your habits inside the walls of your home. This quick guide from apartmenttherapy.com has a few interesting ways to boost your mood that may surprise you. Keep reading to find out what they have to say!

1. Make your bed. In a popular post last month, I explained the many benefits of daily bed-making. Gretchen Rubin, New York Times best-selling author of The Happiness Project, explains that this three minute task is one of the simplest habits you can adopt to positively impact your happiness.

2. Bring every room back to "ready." I learned this trick from Marilyn Paul's clever book, It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys. It's a known fact: Clutter causes stress; order creates a haven from it. This mood-boosting routine is simple: Take about three minutes to bring each room back to "ready" before you depart it. (Unless you have a toddler, or a partner who likes to simulate earthquakes, three minutes should be sufficient.)

3. Display sentimental items around your home. One reason that experiences (and memories of those experiences) make us happier than material things is due to the entire cycle of enjoyment that experiences provide: planning the experience, looking forward to the experience, enjoying the experience, and then remembering the experience. Make your home a gallery of positive memories.

4. Start a one-line-a-day gratitude journal. Before bed, simply jot down one happy memory from that day. (If you have kids, you can ask them, "What was the best part of today?") Reflection is an important part of happiness, and pausing to reflect on a positive event from each day cultivates gratitude. (An added bonus: Later, when your memory is defunct, you will already have all of your meaningful adventures recorded!) If you have trouble getting started with journaling, consider buying a book to guide you. Simple Abundance, by Sarah Ban Breathnach, is a great one.

5. If you can't get out of it, get into it. This tip comes from The Happiness Project. I love the message: The dishes are not going to clean themselves, so you will do it, and you will like it! (Unless, of course, you can outsource this job, in which case I say: Nice work!) Otherwise, get into doing the dishes. Feel the soothing warm water on your hands. Enjoy the tickle of the tiny bubbles. Crank your favorite album at an unusually loud volume, do a couple fist-pumps while shouting "Can I get a hell yeah for the dishes? Hell! Yeah!" and pretend you love it.

6. Before you get up each morning, set an intent for the day. In The Art of Happiness, the Dali Lama says ""Every day, think as you wake up: today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it." Wow. What a wise man. I tend to wake up with a strong visceral reaction that says, "Attention human beings: Be afraid of me before coffee. Be very afraid!" Setting a daily intent makes a huge difference. Your daily intent could be something like "be productive" or "enjoy today's delicious moments" or it could be something more specific like "say thank you to my loved ones today." But it should not be another "to do" item on your list.

7. Do small favors for your housemates, expecting nothing in return (not even a thank you!). (That's right, I said it: nothing!) Mow the lawn for your husband, but don't expect him to pat you on the back. Make the bed for your wife, but don't try to get bonus points for it. Take the trash out for your roommate, just because. The ability to cultivate strong, healthy relationships is one of the biggest contributors to health and happiness, but when you start to keep score, the benefit is lost. (No! It's YOUR turn to clean up the dog poop!) It's a well-known fact: When you do good, you feel good.

8. Call at least one friend or family member a day. You can do this while you clean, while you make the bed, or while you walk the dog. Texts and emails do not count! Make an actual phone call to a loved one, just to chat and catch up. We humans are social beings and studies show that even when we don't feel like it, even if we are naturally introverted, socializing with our loved ones makes us feel better.

9. Spend money on things that cultivate experiences at home. Save money for a new grill for parties or a new DVD for family movie night — something that will encourage you to have people over and entertain. Plan a summer barbeque, invite your closest friends, kick back and relax. (And don't forget to print out the pictures to remember the good times.)

10. Spend a few minutes each day connecting with something greater than yourself. Whatever your spiritual beliefs — or non-beliefs — may be, studies show that connecting to a high power is correlated with happiness. Just stepping back to realize that we are part of an enormous universe can put some perspective on your annoyance with the those-are-definitely-not-mine-and-they-are-abso-fricking-lutely-repulsive socks under the coffee table. Before bed, spend just a few minutes contemplating something larger than yourself. Take a walk in nature. Write in a journal. Create a sacred space in your home. (Or if spirituality is really not your thing, create a home spa: light some candles, soak in a hot bath, delve into a good book… are you feeling better yet?)

Update Your Apartment

(Image courtesy of Wickerfurniture)

Winter’s here and that means we’re spending alot more time indoors. Though we’re sure you loved the way you decorated your apartment when you first moved in, now that you’ve been looking at the same accent pieces day after day it might be time for a change.

2013 had some great decorating trends, but now that 2014 has arrived, there are plenty of new style options to update your place. Rather than sticking with the same old tricks, try some new themes and color schemes to reflect the the year! This article from apartmentguide.com lists a few differnt types of style inspiration that are unique to 2014. Keep reading to learn more:

1. A Mature, Adult Atmosphere

It’s 2014, folks. Your apartment should no longer look like a neglected college dormitory. By now you should have comfortable furniture, a real bed (along with a complete bedroom set), matching dishes… you get the picture, right? No matter what, your space should clearly belong to an adult because that is what you are, after all.

2. A Conversation Piece

Whether it’s hanging over the living room sofa or your king size bed, every bare wall needs a visual punch. A cool framed piece of work is ideal. Some renters take things a step further by hanging family photo collages, a collection of plates, or even framed swatches of leftover fabric. On a budget? You can find something one-of-a-kind at an estate sale or thrift store that won’t set you back much at all.

3. A Touch of Antique

Not only do antiques add a touch of character to your apartment, but did you know that this decor choice is an easy way to go green? It doesn’t matter if your antique has been passed down from a family member or you randomly stumbled upon it at a garage sale. Most people like the old world style that antiques display. But if you prefer a fresher take, antiques can easily be re-purposed to look like new which is usually cheaper than spending money on the latest item. If you think that infusing antiques into your apartment will make it look like granny’s house, just remember not to overdo it. Just a touch is all you need!

4. Sleek and Shiny Stainless Steel

There are many words to describe stainless steel kitchen appliances: sleek, industrial, rich and sophisticated. No wonder these over-sized gadgets are the latest craze in apartment features! Renters love not only the look of stainless steel, but the fact that these appliances are extremely durable and super easy to clean.

5. Pile Up the Pillows

Don’t feel bad if you can’t paint your apartment walls or you’re afraid to hang pictures. An easy and cost-effective way to add color to your small space is with a bevy of pillows! Can’t decide on a color? How about Pantone’s Radiant Orchid? Even if your budget doesn’t allow for brand new accessories, check out your local craft store for discontinued and clearance fabric remnants to recover old pillows yourself!

6. Stackable Appliance

Looking for a way to save space? Stackable washer and dryer units could be your savior. If your apartment contains washer and dryer connections, find out if stackable appliances can be accommodated. These definitely come in handy for city renters that have limited square footage. And they look trendy, too!

7. Dignified Dining

Dining rooms can be an intimidating space. But don’t feel pressured to dress it up as you might for the holidays. In fact, you don’t even have to set the whole table. Even if you live alone, a minimum of two place settings will look better than a completely bare table. And you won’t have to scramble if a friend comes over to chow down!

8. A Blissful Bedroom

This is seriously one of our favorite trends: a luxurious, 5-star hotel-style master bedroom. Have you ever noticed that high-end hotels really know how to create an aura of opulence? Well, you can do the same for yourself at home. Simulate a suite at the Four Seasons with a down comforter, high thread count sheets, giant pillows, a neutral color scheme, a terrycloth bath robe and a soothing aroma like lavender. Simplicity is the key.

9. A Ravishing Rug

There are many ways to play around with area rugs within your apartment. You can layer them, place them at an angle, up against the wall or even side by side. But choosing one isn’t an easy feat. You’ll have to consider the size, shape, color, pattern, texture and cost. The most expensive rugs will last for decades. But if you just need something to get you through the next few years, a budget-friendly floor covering from your local chain store will do the job.

Choosing The Right Table

(Image courtesy of Wonderlane)

Often your interior design can be built around one piece of furniture - in a living room it can be a couch or an end table and in your bedroom the center piece can be your bed. The dining room is the same way. Careful selection of your dining room table can say alot about the feeling you want your dining room to have.

There are many different styles, sizes and wood types for you to sift through when first beginning to look for a table. To avoid a daunting experience, apartmentguide.com has put together a great list of tips to help you on the hunt for your perfect dining room table. Keep reading to learn more:

1. Measure, and measure again. Confirm your dining room’s available space before you do anything else. Settling on a great table will be for naught if there’s little to no space to easily maneuver around it.

2. Know that expandable dining tables exist. If you’re not sure how many guests might show up for Thanksgiving or any other time, a table that extends is ideal. These tables generally have collapsible, drop leaf sides or removable centers that can seat anywhere from four people up to eight or 10.

3. Hate cleaning? Steer clear of glass. The smudges and fingerprints will drive you insane. You could cover it with a pretty cloth, but glass dining tables are meant to be displayed, which would defeat the purpose.

4. To encourage conversation, go round. Round tables are great for a myriad of reasons. 1. It’s easy for families to gather, socialize and pass food around. 2. They’re easier to fit in small spaces. 3. Round tables come in handy when you need to squeeze in a last minute guest or two. 4. If children are in the picture, round tables don’t have those sharp, dangerous edges. But be mindful. Too large of a round table can be a hindrance when it comes to reaching across the table during meal time. Things might go south if grandpa can’t reach the mashed potatoes.

5. Shape will make all the difference, and your choices go far beyond round and rectangular. Square, oval and even octagonal are options, depending on the size of your dining space and how you want your guests to interact.

6. Save space with two long benches instead of multiple chairs. Benches can be pushed underneath the table when not in use, opening up more floor space.This will also make it easy to push the table against the wall, if you use the dining room for other purposes.

7. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, test them out if possible. Forgo ordering online. Visit stores and sit at the tables you’ve narrowed down. Are you able to cross your legs comfortably? Do the table legs interfere with with chairs? Do the chair arms fit underneath the table when pushed in? Can you picture your family and friends seated around the table?

8. Find out about delivery. A boxed, do-it-yourself table can be taken home and put together quickly. Other tables might require time for ordering, shipping and delivery, so plan accordingly. And don’t forget to ask if the retailer offers assembly in addition to delivery.

New Bites In The Bay Area

(Image courtesy of Helga's Lobster Stew)

Dinner is one of the best meals of the day, and when you can go out to eat, it gets even better! Though we all have our favorite restaurants to hit, there’s something to be said for being a little adventurous, and the New Year is the perfect time to do it! 

Ring in the New Year with a few surprises for your palette. This article from sfweekly.com has the latest scoop on all the best new restaurants around. Keep reading to discover a new favorite dinner spot for the New Year!

Alta CA: Daniel Patterson has brought market-driven, region-specific dishes to mid-Market in a new restaurant named after a 19th century newspaper. House specialties include Pacific black cod with broccoli, black garlic, and dumplings. Full bar serves barrel-aged cocktails. 1420 Market.

Archive Bar & Kitchen: SoMa has another watering hole, this one without a full liquor license but with cocktails made with vermouths, beers, and liqueurs, and a menu of pizza and charcuterie meant for sharing. 602 Mission.

Espressamente Illy: The coffee conglomerate has touched down in the Castro to open the second Illy cafe in the city. Signature pours of espresso and single-origin beans will be there along with a food menu designed by California-cuisine gal Joyce Goldstein. Free wi-fi.2349 Market St.

Oddjob: From some of the guys who brought us Big, Public Works, and Jones comes a new SOMA cocktail bar. The craft cocktail lounge can host 100-plus people and has a working steel conveyer belt beneath its bartop, as well as a funky machine that makes Corpse Reviver #2's. 1337 Mission,oddjobsf.com.

The Torpedo Room: Chico's Sierra Nevada brewery comes to Berkeley for its first Bay Area taproom. 15 taps offer familiar offerings like Sierra's Pale Ale along with experimental brews; customers can get growlers to go; and there's a short menu of bar snacks. 2031 4th St., Berkeley, (510) 647-3439, sierranevada.com.

Three Potato Four: Someone finally came up with the idea to open up a french fry-only joint, offering a choice of potatoes, styles, and a dozen-plus dipping sauces. In a twist, all fries are baked in a convection oven, instead of fried. Also, the place is space-themed. 1051 Market, 3p4shop.com.