Hi, everyone!
Woohoo!! This is going to be the first post in the Dorm Room Essential Series! *does happy celebration dance*
As a college student, I definitely appreciate spending as little money as possible. Yeah, I know. We’re all Scrooges. But, as much as I like to save money and become a miser, I do love a little shopping spree now and then. But not really for clothes or shoes, but for kitchenware.
Yup. I’m just the embodiment of a bride-to-be with a scanner gun at Bed, Bath, & Beyond.
But it’s true! Every time I go to Target, I always drool over the Vitamix, cry when I look at the price, and then look at different blenders and food processors and Mason Jars and plates and spoons and cutting boards and rainbow kniv--
Sorry, I got carried away!
Now, I knew that I wanted to cook as much as possible when I moved into my dorm—the only things I had available were a fridge and microwave. Not that I’m complaining, not at all! I got those things for free AND they came with my dorm! I just missed having a stove and an oven, but most of all, my beautiful blender and fantastic food processor.
As I’m from Illinois, it was a nine-hour car ride to Pittsburgh; I was only bringing what was absolutely necessary from home, and bought everything else when I got to college. So, whilst perusing through the aisles, here is a list of things I deemed are essentials for equipment!
1. Standard cups, plates, silverware, etc.: These objects speak for themselves, for the most part. I like to eat with non-plastic things because (a) they’re reusable, and (b) I feel fancy using them. :)
Woohoo!! This is going to be the first post in the Dorm Room Essential Series! *does happy celebration dance*
As a college student, I definitely appreciate spending as little money as possible. Yeah, I know. We’re all Scrooges. But, as much as I like to save money and become a miser, I do love a little shopping spree now and then. But not really for clothes or shoes, but for kitchenware.
Yup. I’m just the embodiment of a bride-to-be with a scanner gun at Bed, Bath, & Beyond.
But it’s true! Every time I go to Target, I always drool over the Vitamix, cry when I look at the price, and then look at different blenders and food processors and Mason Jars and plates and spoons and cutting boards and rainbow kniv--
Sorry, I got carried away!
Now, I knew that I wanted to cook as much as possible when I moved into my dorm—the only things I had available were a fridge and microwave. Not that I’m complaining, not at all! I got those things for free AND they came with my dorm! I just missed having a stove and an oven, but most of all, my beautiful blender and fantastic food processor.
As I’m from Illinois, it was a nine-hour car ride to Pittsburgh; I was only bringing what was absolutely necessary from home, and bought everything else when I got to college. So, whilst perusing through the aisles, here is a list of things I deemed are essentials for equipment!
1. Standard cups, plates, silverware, etc.: These objects speak for themselves, for the most part. I like to eat with non-plastic things because (a) they’re reusable, and (b) I feel fancy using them. :)
2. Spring-form pan: Seriously, you guys, this is probably the best invention ever. You can make so many things using this! Since a lot of recipes are going to be made without an oven, we’re going to need these raw-vegan type cooking tools! I have a killer recipe for raw vegan apple pie adapted from FullyRawKristina (however, it’s going to require a few ingredients that are not easily accessible in the dining hall.).
3. Fridge/Freezer: To store them veggies and fruits to keep them fresh! Plus, it’s really nice to be able to pull out a bag of frozen green beans at 1 in the morning when you’re studying instead of a junk “vegan” food like Oreos and chips.
4. Microwave: Personally, I like to use my stove/oven better when I’m home, but a microwave will do when needed!
5. A blender/food processor: Why is there a slash there? Because while exploring Target, I found a blender and food processor TWO-IN-ONE. A TWO-IN-ONE. Do you know how beautiful that experience was, seeing that for less than $50?! I CRIED TEARS OF JOY!! The brand I have is the Ninja Blender and Food Processor Two-In-One, and it works wonderfully!! BEST FIND EVER. All you need to do is switch the thing that says "Ninja" from one unit to the other. A lot of our recipes will feature these two, so keep a lookout for one of these next time you feel bold and leave campus!!
And these are my top essentials for equipment in a college dorm! Really, it’s a short list because most college students have a smaller room. I actually have a suite-style dorm (I’m so spoiled, hehe!), so I have a bit more space than the average student!
“But, Kirby, now that we have these, where can we store them?”
Why, dear friend, I’m glad you asked! Since I have a kitchenette, I store them there, but I also use the space under my bed for EVERYTHING. What I did to get more space was not only raise my bed to the highest post, I also got these nifty bed raisers that make my bed a couple of inches higher. This way, I was able to fit one of those plastic drawers, all of my suitcases, storage containers, and other items so my room is a little less cluttered! So the bed raisers would be item number 6 on the list!
“But, Kirby, now that we have these, where can we store them?”
Why, dear friend, I’m glad you asked! Since I have a kitchenette, I store them there, but I also use the space under my bed for EVERYTHING. What I did to get more space was not only raise my bed to the highest post, I also got these nifty bed raisers that make my bed a couple of inches higher. This way, I was able to fit one of those plastic drawers, all of my suitcases, storage containers, and other items so my room is a little less cluttered! So the bed raisers would be item number 6 on the list!
There you go! These are my dorm room essentials for equipment to make your dorm a little more vegan (and storage!) friendly! Did I miss anything? Tell me in the comments below! :)
Peace, love, and plants. :)
Peace, love, and plants. :)