Bringing the bare minimum

On moving in day, it is not unusual to see countless cars groaning down the motorway under the pressure of teaming boxes of possessions. I myself equated it to packing my entire life into suitcases. There is however a lot to be said for packing light where you can.

Some things you can't budge on, don't pitch up without a duvet just to save space, but in other areas there's room to be economical. Kitchen equipment is always a big one, but you really don't need six pans, two sieves and a large casserole dish to enable you to cook a healthy meal.

I'm a huge advocate of double usage and it's surprising how much you can do on a bare minimum. Here's my list of culinary essentials (assuming kettle and oven are already provided!)

Two plates
Two bowls (spare is good for fridge storage)
1-2 mugs and cups
Knife, fork and spoon
Sharp knife and chopping board
Medium sized saucepan (with lid to use instead of a colander)
Medium sized frying pan
Scissors
Peeler
Grater
Hand blender and jug (endless soups and smoothies)
Wooden spatula (can be used as a makeshift fish slice and wooden spoon too)
Tin opener

... And I really think that's it, there's so much more you can bring, but it's quite satisfying to be creative with what you have (and it saves space and money for actual food!)

A food lover at Freshers

I am, by admission, a near obsessive food lover. It will then come as no surprise to you that the concept of freshers loomed a little dauntingly beyond my many cookbooks. Baked bean diets, carb only meal plans, 4am burger binges... the list goes on. I do not proclaim to be entirely virginal in all of the above, but I would like to still fit into at least some of my clothes by the end, so a few 'freshers fifteen' avoidance tactics are in order.

Note. For those not aware, 'freshers fifteen' refers to the stomach clenching rumour that uni newbies are destined to gain 15 pounds in these sociable first months.

Last Saturday, 20th September 2014 to be precise, I seemingly packed my entire life into boxes and journeyed off, parents in tow, to Bristol University.

Self catered hall ('poverty hall' by nickname, needless to say I went budget), course in French & Italian, musings for joining yoga and surf societies... There's your bare bones. Over the next weeks, months and, hopefully, years, I hope to fill you in on life as a food loving fresher on a budget: what I packed, how I budgeted, life as a student, foodie finds in Bristol and beyond and, of course, what I cooked.

I'm now off in search of face paint for yet another freshers event, but I will most certainly be back soon (if only to assure my parents I'm still eating!)