| I'm not single, but I agree about the veggies, and how handy soup is for making sure there is an easy way to eat them. When I was single, I did a lot of soup and quick stir fry. Similar to your idea of using small loaf pans for casseroles, I like using ramekins or big muffin pans to do mini casseroles, things that are easy to warm up because they are so small. Baked egg casseroles of different types make a really special breakfast OR dinner. Quiche ditto. Back to veggies, and fruits too, this is SO important. If you want to feel really fantastic every day, you might try smoothies for breakfast, but add a leaf or two of lettuce to your basic banana and frozen berries or cherries, etc. A Vitamix or similar blender will do the best job of pulverizing the green leaves for maximum nutrition to you. I can barely taste the green. Also, when it comes to produce, it is difficult to buy some things in portions that make sense for a single person. I even have a hard time with that with a small family, sometimes! One solution that I've really enjoyed has been the Aerogarden (so much so that I just got two more). I really dislike wasting lettuce, but when I grow lettuce in my aerogarden, I have enough lettuce for a nice side salad about three times a week, in addition to pulling a few leaves off when making sandwiches for lunch. I spent almost nothing on lettuce during the 3-4 months that my aerogarden was producing its cut-and-come-again lettuce. They also do heirloom cherry tomatoes, peppers, different herbs, strawberries, flowers, and even have a master kit for people to try whatever they want. Some people are experimenting with dwarf eggplants and things like that.
When I did one of the mixed herb kits, my favorite was the green Basil -- we made pesto and bruschetta until it was running out of our ears, it produced so well! I can't wait to try them all, and to have all the lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, strawberries, etc, that I want to have on hand. There isn't another small, table-top aeroponic or hydroponic system like it...in particular, the grow-lights are an integral part of the unit, and they are automated to stay on the right amount of time for the sort of plants you are growing. Feeding is a breeze because, unlike most hydroponic systems that need a lot of attention to nutrient concentrations, the Aerogarden only needs nutrient tablets every two weeks (they come with each kit), and since the machine reminds you when to add the nutrient, it is very, very easy to take care of. Watering varies by the maturity of the plants, but there is an indicator on the unit that tells you when to water. In the beginning, I usually only have to water every 2 weeks. When the plants are in full growth and production, I may add water once or twice a week. I know to water it when I see the "needs water" light turn on...and I also know, now that when I begin to hear the pump, I can add water. Periodically remove any brown leaves (the plants get so bushy that some of the underleaves don't get as much light, and harvest. I love these so much I just got two more, and the company threw in a free wall unit so I can mount them neatly in a column. If you have a Sur La Table near you, they may have one growing as a demo. Tres impressive. The company is branching out and will be creating less expensive models soon, to be available at a wide variety of retailers. Their main site is www.aerogrow.com. Check out their stop-motion animated movie comparing the growth of their aeroponic pods vs the same seeds in soil, both underneath the same grow-lights. They also have (or had) videos with chefs and a host from a garden show on hgtv, talking about how they use it and like it. I waited a long time to buy this little jewel (it isn't cheap), but I have been so happy with it because it has helped keep me eating green without extra trips to the grocery store. |
