(Part 2) Best food storage products according to redditors

damn, 20 bucks on amazon. maybe I need a costco membership.

https://www.amazon.com/StoreMaxx-279-Rectangular-Storage-Containers/dp/B00RN4Y5IY/

OK, so it has some startup costs due to it needing a rice cooker and crock pot plus Quinoa is expensive if you buy it in smaller amounts, but you're a bachelor so it's likely you've got a little extra money.

A rice cooker is going to be an important addition to your cooking tools because fuck using the stove and burning shit or having to stand over your cooking. It's easy to use, easy to clean, and it's pretty much automatic, you fill it up, plug it in, flip it to on...and blam that shit's cooking. When if flips itself to off, your rice or quinoa will be done.

A big ass crock pot will serve as the main cooking device for your meals. Again, screw the stove, you don't want to have to stand over the damn thing...pour stuff into this bitch flip it on and go to work on what you'd rather be doing. The bowl comes out and goes right into the dishwasher. I'd have starved to death without a slow cooker when I was a bachelor. As you're making meals for several days here...your mother's little 5 quart version isn't going to cut it, spend the 35 bucks and get this one. The reason you aren't buying a bigger one...they don't make one bigger that isn't 200 bucks.

Quinoa This stuff becomes your "rice" except that it's MUCH better for you than rice. If you're poor or don't care all that much about nutritional value, then by all means, buy rice. But seriously...25 pounds of dry quinoa will last you a long fucking time. Get a big tupperware container, pour the quinoa into it, and leave a 1 cup measuring cup in it. If you're looking to cut some costs but still get some of the nutritional value, mix it half and half in your tupperware so you don't have to mess with it when you're making the meals. The water to food mix is the same for both, 2 cups water, 1 cup quinoa (or NON instant rice).

Meat...buy whatever is on a good sale, never pay more than 3.99 per pound for beef (we aren't buying steaks, look for top or bottom round and buy what's on sale, after 12 hours in a crock pot you won't be able to tell a filet from rump roast), or 1.99 per pound for chicken, pork, or 80/20 ground beef (for the love of your colon don't go worse than 80/20.) Shop the sales, have your mother or sister or grandfather or thrifty co-worker look at the sales fliers and find coupons if you don't have time. Buy in bulk, but freeze in smaller quantities ~ 2 pounds each in generic 1 quart FREEZER bags, not the cheap sandwich ones or you get freezer burn. I buy the Walmart brand freezer bags in boxes of like 100 and they're fine.

My wife still laughs and says she can always tell when I find good sales because when I do, I revert to bachelor shopping style. Thursday I came home with 12 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts from Stop and Shop because they were on SUPER cheap sale as they were getting close (3 days) to expiration date, they were a buck a pound, I bought as much as I figured I could fit in my freezer.

Vegetables. This is where you're going to get a good chunk of your nutritional kick. When I was a bachelor I would go to the grocery store on Sunday morning and hit the "it won't last much longer" shelf in the produce aisle. I would buy pretty much whatever vegetables they had if I could chop them and toss them into the crock pot, and because I was going to start cooking it in like an hour, I didn't give a shit that it wasn't going to last another 5 days. I found that I was eating a ton of shit I had never heard of, but it was almost always delicious and amazingly more nutritious than eating from a box.

Vegetables that you should always keep on hand are onions, whole carrots, sweet potatoes, and turnips. They're all cheap regardless of sale, they last a long time if stored properly too. I would buy 10 pound bags of onions, 5 pound bags of carrots, for sweet potatoes and turnips I just made sure I always had like 5-10 pounds. To keep these lasting a long time, get a wire cart thing from Staples or Walmart for like 20 bucks, the wire mesh keeps them open to the air and dry, to help prevent rot. It's also on wheels so if the onions make a mess you can move it and just vacuum under it plus you can drag it over to the kitchen with you when you cook.

To make your meals, you start this the night before you want to eat.
Take out 2 beers, start drinking one, pour the other into the bottom of the crock pot.
Cube your meat (or if it's still frozen then fuck it toss it in whole,) chop your vegetables and add both to the crock pot at about a 1 to 1 portion ratio, if the meat is frozen pack the vegetables around it evenly, if you remembered to thaw the meat and cube it (which will improve your meal quality) then mix them in the crock pot. Season this any way you like. I buy spices cheap from Atlantic Spice Company as they're better quality and a lot less money than grocery store spices. I like the smoky meat flavor so I also add a capful of liquid smoke or toss it with Taco Seasoning once in a while, regardless this is up to you, but when in doubt, onion, garlic, oregano, parsley, salt, pepper. Once you've got like 2 pounds of meat and 2 pounds of vegetables packed into your crock pot, put it on low then walk away. I normally started mine at like 8-10pm.

About 30 minutes before you want dinner, toss 2 cups of quinoa into the rice cooker with 4 cups of water along with some salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder. Push the cooking thing down on your rice cooker and walk away. If you were cooking a frozen chunk of meat instead of cubed meat, take this time to shred the fuck out of it inside of the crock pot, no need to mess up any more plates or anything, use a fork and a big ass knife and get the meat evenly shredded to like a pulled pork consistency, then stir the vegetables into it.

When it pops up then take a ladle of the meat and vegetable mix over a scoop of your quinoa and enjoy a badass meal. You'll find that you can fill tupperware containers with the quinoa and the meat/vegetable mix and freeze them or toss them into the fridge for lunches/dinners throughout the week. I would often freeze half of mine and set the other half in the fridge for lunches, the frozen ones would get rotated out so I wasn't eating the same thing lunch and dinner 5 nights a week. If you freeze them, at least date them. I never bothered to label what it was other than that, but they keep like 6 months in the freezer and it's nice to have a mix of different meals.

They did, but they're hard to find for a reasonable price now. They also only had two equally sized compartments:

https://www.amazon.com/Pyrex-Storage-Deluxe-Divided-Vented/dp/B00XWPNAHU

Edit: not Pyrex, but here's another one that could work:


Edit 2: deleted second link because it lead to the wrong one:
https://www.amazon.com/2-Compartment-Container-Leakproof-Microwave-Dishwasher/dp/B01L9Z57L6

These are what I use. Good size, sturdy, and much less expensive. They kinda make it look like you hoard Chinese takeout containers, but oh well

I want to be able to smoke but I have to buy by the ounce. Its the only way my connect sells. By the ounce. With my work schedule, I'm done work and home by 1:05pm. The weed sitting in the jar is like the equivalent of "money burning a hole in my pocket" and since I have it, I smoke it. I bought this time lock container and it's absolutely given me control (or taken it away, I guess) over weed. If I know I can't smoke it, I don't crave it. If I know I have if, I won't buy it. I now only smoke Fridays and Saturdays and it's locked the rest of the week. I've lost almost 10 pounds since buying it. I highly suggest it.

I cook everything I eat from scratch except on social occasions with friends or something. I save a lot of money that way. Stick to vegetables that are in-season. Eggs are always cheap. Shop around for good deals on cheeses. There's always something in the cheese aisle (the good cheese aisle, not the sliced and shredded junk) that's had the price lowered b/c the packaging isn't catching people's eye and it's selling slower.

Meat is expensive so just keep an eye out for good deals in larger quantities and freeze the extra. Do use freezer paper, plastic bags, and a layer of tin foil if it's steak or something fatty. It's worth the small expense.

Make more food than you need and refrigerate / freeze the leftovers. It helps avoid that urge to spend money on fast food or something not frugal when you're tired and hungry. I use these containers. http://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Storage-Containers-32-Ounce-24-Pack/dp/B00M9Z4SV6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410275163&sr=8-1&keywords=plastic+soup+containers

Don't fall into media traps and only buy kale or something b/c it's all the rage right now. Collard greens are awesome, too. if the kale is overpriced and all that's left at the store of it are the dregs, then get a different green. Don't be afraid to buy vegetables you haven't used before if they're at the right price. You can look up a recipe and experiment later.

A few cheap things I always have on hand to make things tasty: tamari, apple cider vinegar, garlic cloves and sweet onions.

Edit: One more tip. Use dried beans. You can store them practically forever. They go on sale for like $1 per lb often. I made an amazing lentil soup recently. A ton of food for probably less than a nickel a serving in the end. Soup and pizza are frugal options b/c you can use up vegetables that are getting close to expiration.

I use Pyrex glass containers like so: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JJILWQ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_HMDzzbQMB8TAQ


I got these on sale for $4-6 each from a superstore here. Yes, they're more expensive than plastic, but I built up the collection over time. I can reheat and eat in them, they are easier to clean and I don't worry about plastic juice leeching into my food.

Its called a Medtainer. They're about $10 and they work great for travel as they are waterproof and smell-proof. The grinder in it works fine, definitely not as good as an expensive grinder but it definitely gets the job done

Wrap it in paper towel and then put it in a bag. I use Debbie Meyer GreenBags for all my refrigerated produce.

Edit: Also, don’t wash it before storing, only just before using. And I’ve found that lettuces sold in clamshell boxes (e.g. mesclun mixes) never last so I don’t bother with those.

For anyone curious, here is the Amazon link

Here is a similar, cheaper option

These are awesome for salads: https://smile.amazon.com/Sistema-Collection-Salad-Storage-Container/dp/B004R97IJ6/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479840003&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=martha+stewart+salad+to+go+container

They could be considered a tad on the small side for someone who eats a lot of calories, but for me I always feel plenty satisfied from the amount of salad it holds. I fill the main container with lettuce, cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices, and then fill the top two compartments with cubed grilled chicken. And the convenience of built-in silverware and dressing container is too good to pass up. You'd think the dressing cup would be too small, I think it's only 2 TBSP, but I use homemade italian dressing and it's plenty.

Haha, totally okay to be that guy. Glad to hear that these are sufficiently sexy for you to ask.

So, most of my technique has been gleaned from /u/J_Kenji_Lopez-Alt. I use his food processor pizza dough, which always produces insane results. This one was only in the fridge for about 12-16 hours, obviously longer is better (up to about 5 days).

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/07/basic-new-york-style-pizza-dough.html

I use a pizza steel, but a cast iron pizza pan would work just as well. We have an oven that goes up to about 550, but 500 is usually sufficient.

After taking the dough out of the fridge, I let it proof at room temp for about 1-2 hours after forming the ball, then turn the oven on.

Put the steel/cast iron on the second rack from the top, let it preheat for about 45 minutes - 1 hour.

Make your pie. As you're putting the pizza in the oven, hit the broiler on high. This will allow for even cooking. I've had success without the broiler, but I really just can't create that same level of crust without using it.

For the recipe, he mentions using deli containers. I totally recommend buying a bulk pack, seriously use these things all the time.

http://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Storage-Containers-32-Ounce-24-Pack/dp/B00M9Z4SV6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413163207&sr=8-1&keywords=deli+quart+containers

Also, Kenji's piece on the baking steel is a great read. Check it out!

http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2012/09/the-pizza-lab-the-baking-steel-delivers.html

Hopefully that helps. I've tried a few different recipes, but this one always turns out the best. Let me know if you have any questions!

Deli containers. Cheaper than dirt, but really sturdy. About 50 cents each here:

http://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Storage-Containers-16-Ounce-36-Pack/dp/B00M9Z4SXY/

Pros:

• Sturdy enough to reuse for well over a year.
  
• Cheap enough to throw away when they break or get gross.
  
• Microwavable
  
• Dishwashable
  
• They hold up to freezing really well.
  
• The different sizes all use the same lid, and all stack.
  
• Come in bigger sizes without being much more expensive.
  
• Can buy a pack of all one size instead mixed sets only.
  
  Cons:
  
  
• Not as fancy as glass
  
• Shape doesn't fit as well into short fridge shelves
  
• Can't buy in grocery stores.
  
• Not a good shape for eating out of directly in the larger sizes.
  
  We have some of the pyrex glass. I love them, but the rubber lids crack after a year or two, and are annoying to replace. I also feel uncomfortable with the idea of bringing them places and forgetting them/dropping them and breaking them, given their cost.
  
  We've also tried the various "reusable disposable" types from the grocery, and they hate freezing and are nowhere close to as sturdy as these.
  
  If I sound like a salesman, it's because I've been so damn happy when I found these things and managed to replace all of the mismatched reused yogurt and butter containers cluttering our cupboards.

Here you go
StoreMaxx Snap Pak # 279 50 Piece Rectangular Food Storage Containers, 38 oz, Black/Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RN4Y5IY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_UWdAzbPCE0CV5

For freezing leftovers, I use Pryex bowls with plastic lids. I have had the same set for over 10 years. My mother uses her Tupperware that is 40+ years old. It is only waste when you throw it away.

Did you happen to seal it (in plastic)? Wrapping a hard crust bread in plastic or storing in an air-sealed environment will cause it to soften. I store breads in this (air adjustable) keeper; I also store them in larger paper bags and sometimes wrapped in a clean kitchen towel on the counter til the next day.

You may be able to get the crust crisp again by reheating in the oven.

is it similar to this one?

https://www.amazon.com/MedTainer-Storage-Container-Built-Grinder/dp/B00DRHHYJI

I find casseroles to be the easiest dish to reheat. I make them regularly for my wife (she has night school 2 days a week, so I make plenty of grab and microwave meals). Her favorites tend to be lasagna, macaroni and cheese, baked spaghetti/ziti and sometimes a chinese food casserole.

I also will package all sorts of foods in 2 cup deli containers which are less expensive than the ziploc screw on containers use for lunch storage.

However, just as important as selecting the meal is packaging the meal and heating the meal. For casseroles, I will leave in the refrigerator for several hours until it hardens and "sets". This makes it easier to slice. When I do slice for freezing, I first wrap each slice in wax paper and then aluminum foil. The Wax paper is microwave friendly and the aluminum foil tends to keep things together without unwrapping (similarly, you can use tape like an actual deli). When it's time to reheat, I unwrap the aluminum foil and microwave anything for a minute. This softens the outside enough to remove the wax paper. Afterward, I microwave for about 4-5 minutes (for a 5"x3"x3" food brick). I use one of those microwave splatter covers to trap the steam and help maintain some moisture in the meal.

For foods in plastic deli containers, I usually microwave for 1 minute, slide the still-frozen block of food into a regular bowl and microwave again in 1-2 minute increments, regularly stirring the food to make sure the heat and defrost is evenly distributed. I use a regular bowl so that the plastic containers can be reused and the plastic doesn't burn/melt.

Edit: For those who may have trouble with dried out dishes when microwaving, just add a splash of water to the top of the meal and cover while microwaving. The water should steam and help keep things moistened.

I like pyrex ones. They're pricey but they will last forever. I've had mine at least 5 years. You can find them in round shapes or rectangular shapes. They also come in sets.

Example: Pyrex 18 Piece Simply Store Food Storage Set, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0157G34AY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_2yCAyb7D1HV01

These were definitely pricey—quite a splurge—but loving that I get both glass and divided spaces!

2-Compartment Glass Meal Prep Container Set with Snap Locking Lid, BPA-Free, Airtight, Leakproof, Microwave, Oven, Freezer, Dishwasher Safe (40 Oz, Rectangle) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L9Z57L6

I have one of these.

It helps keep the bread fresher for another day or two, depending on conditions.

Here.

It's really cool that your gf wants to start meal prepping, she definitely should give it a try! :)

​

Bear with me in case this turns into a 'novel'...

​

The first and maybe best piece of advice I can give is to take the whole mystique out of it. Meal prepping really is not some mysterious, ritualized, uncharted intimidating endeavor that you need to meticulously set up for. There's honestly not much more to it than cooking foods that you (1)enjoy and (2)will keep well for a few days in the fridge and/or freezer. As much as people hate to hear it, and there honestly is a debate over this, meal prepping can really be thought of as glorified leftovers. You cook a meal and eat it later on. To some people that qualifies as leftovers. To others, you might as well have cursed their sweet granny to burning hell for even daring to say that. Semantics.

​

You'll want to first decide your purpose for meal prepping.

• Do you want to save money?
  
• Do you want to eat healthier in general? Or do you have specific health needs or goals like counting macros or reducing sodium intake, etc.?
  
• Do you want to merely save time and not have to think about what you'll be eating every day?
  
• Do you want to just experiment and try new dishes you otherwise wouldn't have been interested in before?
  
  ​
  
  Get an idea of the purpose of your meal prepping. Then you'll get into equipment.
  
  
• Plastic containers such as the ones pinned to the top of this subreddit are great if you want more containers and want to spend less. They're more lightweight than glass, and most of them are microwaveable. You'll want BPA free. Some may not last as long, and some don't hold up over multiple washings very well. But the better ones are good for pretty much anything you want to make. It sort of depends on if you have issues with plastics or not.
  
• Glass (my own preference) is heavier and more pricey for the the number of containers you'll get in a set, but the better ones, such as these, can go in the microwave and in the oven, are dishwasher safe, freezer safe, and durable. They'll usually come with either 0, 1, or 2 dividers (making them 1 big compartment, 2 compartments, or 3) and, like the plastic ones, have snap-on lids. It's a personal preference, really.
  
• There are rectangular, square and even round containers that will be available. It all depends on the meals you'll be making most often - baked chicken, wild rice and asparagus would suit well in a 2 or 3 compartment container. A teriyaki stir fry would work in anything, and even a round container, making it basically a teriyaki bowl.
  
• You might want to get small plastic ramekins with leak-proof lids to hold condiments like sauces and dressings IF you think you'll be using them. It isn't a must-have, but can be a nice addition. Also smaller bowls to hold fresh fruit or nuts as a side dish come in pretty handy, but again, not totally necessary.
  
• Amazon has a treasure-trove of good containers, and probably other places like the Container Store.
  
• You'll amass containers as time goes on, and as you start to realize exactly what you needs are. Start with a few basics to get going.
  
  ​
  
  Yummy, now the food part:
  
  As far as meal prep recipes, your limit is Google. Literally Google and Pinterest and anywhere else you can find a recipe, so basically the sky is the limit. Many dishes can be made into a meal prep - the recipe does not have to be "meal prep specific". Spaghetti and meat sauce can be a meal prep (my husband had that last week). Casseroles, meat dishes, slow cooker meals like stroganoff or pot roast, pasta dishes, Asian food dishes, fish...too many to name, as long as it will keep well for a few days and reheat well. Again, your purpose for meal prepping comes into play big time here:
  
  
• If you're prepping solely for budget purposes, then a blackened miso cod dish with truffles isn't gonna cut it. You'll want to look for good sales on ingredients at the store, search online for delicious meals you can make on a budget, etc. Many 'mom' blogs are excellent sources for this as they'll show how to make great dishes to feed a large family (for meal prepping, the "large family" is you, but over the course of a few days!). Many time-saving meal preps will be found within budget-friendly recipe sources as well.
  
• For healthy prepping, look for substitutes of familiar favorites. Spaghetti squash and zucchini can be shred into noodles that beautifully mimic pasta noodles, cutting a significant amount of carbs. Turkey sausage or meatless options can sub for pork. Big portobello mushrooms can make excellent substitutes for ground meat patties in a meatless burger. Learn which veggies are sources of which vitamins and minerals you want to add to your diet. There are more health-conscious meal and recipe sites than there are grains of sand on Earth, so it should be super easy to find what you're looking for. If you're into macros, again, many many sources for that information to get you started.
  
• If health and budget don't concern you as much, and your cooking options are pretty broad, then you have literally A TON of recipe options. As with any other recipes for meal prep, what you want are foods that you'll enjoy. The more you like the food, the less you'll mind eating it for 3, 4, 5 days, and you'll look more forward to actually cooking the food and discovering new dishes and techniques. Make it fun. Restaurant and fast food copycat recipes can be excellent for this IF the dishes hold up well to being refrigerated or frozen for several days. You can search online for advice on certain foods, but a lot of it is trial and error, honestly. Carino's restaurant has this Garlic Jalapeno Tilapia dish that I absolutely adore, but how often do we actually ever go there to eat it? Occasionally in the distant past, never now. So several years ago I found a perfect -- I mean PERFECT copycat recipe. Better than the original. I decided a few months ago to give it a shot for meal prep. Hah. It wasn't terrible, the taste was still really good, but the reheating wasn't problem free, and it wasn't great after 4 days. Would I do it again? Yes, but ONLY as a 2-day meal prep. Trial and error.
  
• Don't depend solely on r/MealPrepSunday for recipe inspiration. I cannot stress this enough. There is a WORLD of fantastic food ideas out there, and it honestly doesn't take that much searching. There are many cookbooks as well, and the more you search, the more you'll find exciting new possibilities. Try to have some ideas in mind as to what you want to eat, and then find it.

I've been really happy with this brand, these are the ones I got, https://www.amazon.com/Compartment-Containers-Lifetime-Microwave-Dishwasher/dp/B0768T7CWC

If you want to avoid plastic, Pyrex makes a nice storage set and you don't have to worry about using the plastic deteriorating. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00005B8K5/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

Bread Keeper


Plus More

https://smile.amazon.com/Pyrex-Rectangular-Container-18-Piece-BPA-free/dp/B0157G34AY

Been meal prepping and lurking here for a while! My employer provides free breakfast Mondays and free lunch Fridays, so here's a week's worth of work containers for me:


Breakfast: Chickpea and avocado smash (work provides free bread for toasting), idea from /r/GifRecipes


Lunch: Whole-wheat spaghetti, pasta sauce, Tofurkey veggie kielbasa, sauteed herbed garlicky chickpeas. Also got the idea for the chickpeas from /r/GifRecipes
(470 calories, 15 g fat, 63 g carbs, 29 g protein. I should be watching my carbs, but I love them)


Snack: 1 lb strawberries


Cat tax


I got the large containers from Amazon and the smaller ones from a Korean grocery store! They're great for little snacks and sides.


edit: added GifRecipe and container links

I know this sub gushes over the cheap-o plastic ones, but I recently switched to the glass kind and OH MY GOD it is heavenly. Its the cadillac of meal prep. Once you go glass you never go back.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0175EUOL8

I recommend the rubbermaid brilliance 9.6 cup container. Very solid construction.

https://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Brilliance-Storage-Container-1991156/dp/B01JCNEJVQ/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=leak%2Bproof&qid=1562795703&s=kitchen&sr=1-4&th=1

My only access to opis is a friend's script once a month that I am able to buy 30 of (10mg norco), and I am so careful with them after meeting up lol. I put them all in this thing - partly for safe keeping, and partly because they'll be gone within a week if left to my own device...so after many attempts without, now I lock half of them up (until 10 days later) so I can make them last a bit longer until the next refill. At least I can't lose them!

It's more expensive and heavier, but I LOVE my pyrex storage containers.

If you never give in to the desire to microwave your food directly in the container, it's not that big a deal, but if you do? Pyrex (or other glass storage containers) for the win! I've had them for years and don't have to deal with that stained, rough, burn-in that you get from microwaving plastic ones (microwave safe my ass)

I picked them up at Bed Bath and Beyond lol. But I found them on Amazon right here for anyone interested! Mine are in a few different sizes :)

1-2 weeks seems really, really fast for rancidity. I've never messed with dehydrated ground beef or anything, but most meats I've used (tuna, shrimp, chicken) last quite a bit longer.

Rancidity is the interaction between fat and oxygen, so ways to preserve meats from going rancid are 1) low fat and 2) low oxygen. Using only lean meat and trying to reduce excess grease is step 1. After that, yes, a vacuum sealer will help. These might also be worth it if you're really worried.

Reditainer Extreme Freeze Deli Food Containers with Lids, 16-Ounce, 36-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HG8YTB0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_nTCdBbVZ4NG30

These are my absolute favorite! I’ve used them for years with repeated freezing and being put through the dishwasher and I haven’t lost a single one to breaking or warping! I highly recommend them!

I use plastic quart containers like these:


https://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Storage-Containers-32-Ounce-24-Pack/dp/B00M9Z4SV6


They work great. Cheap.

Step 1 - Donate all Tupperware, Gladware and other assorted containers and misc. mismatched lids.

Step 2 - Buy 3 sets of these: https://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Storage-Containers-16-Ounce-36-Pack/dp/B00M9Z4SXY/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=reditainer&qid=1572559454&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&sprefix=redditta&sr=8-3

1 set of 8 oz, 1 set of 16 oz, and one set of 32 oz.

They all use identical lids - never worry about not finding the right lid again.

There's a few things that I consider when I'm meal prepping or storing left overs...

Will this be an item I'm going to want to reheat in this container? If that's the case, then glass is the best option. It's generally not lightweight. But for going to work it prevents me having to put it on a paper plate at work to reheat it. I have a set similar to this.

If it's not going to be reheated in the same place, I go for something more lightweight like these.

Also I have continued using any plastic tupperware in my house for things I won't be reheating.

Found something similar on amazon;
2-Compartment Glass Meal Prep Container Set with Snap-Locking Lids, BPA-Free, Airtight, Leakproof, Microwave, Oven, Freezer, Dishwasher Safe (5 Cups, 40 Oz, Rectangle) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L9Z57L6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kCYyzbSH5WD6B

Had fun doing this! Here's my drawing

And the link to the Item


Thanks for the fun contest!

Don't know if I've ever seen a press, but I did buy this cookie jar for my sis last Christmas. Be wary- it may make the tardis launching sound when your sister picks up the box from her doorstop. She'll tell her husband, to whom the package was cleverly addressed, that she thought she heard it "moo", but she's really lying just to be polite. What kinda Doctor fan wouldn't recognize the sound of the Tardis launching, even if it's in a box cleverly addressed to her husband...

http://www.amazon.com/Oxy-Sorb-Oxygen-Absorbers-Food-Storage/dp/B0028AG8RO

This Tupperware! I loved it so much I bought 5! I’ve seen them everywhere from target, Tj Maxx, to even my local grocery store!

Sistema To Go Collection Salad Compact Food Storage Container, 4.6 Cup, Blue | Great for Meal Prep | BPA Free, Reusable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004R97IJ6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RWhyDbZVDQWQP

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007SNEDAU/ref=pd_aw_sim_sbs_201_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=41FPUY2fOpL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL100_SR100%2C74_&psc=1&refRID=9VXSY7CPGQNVB9Z9XV62

This is the one I use and it has never leaked on me. It comes with a brick that you fill with water to make into an ice pack, clip on knife and fork, and dressing container. They sell one without the ice brick that is smaller capacity as well if that's more your style:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004R97IJ6/ref=pd_aw_sim_79_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41aTuhVoK9L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL100_SR100%2C72_&psc=1&refRID=4ZGF811BGPKQ2N0YTZZX

I've been using these:
https://www.amazon.com/StoreMaxx-279-Rectangular-Storage-Containers/dp/B00RN4Y5IY.

They're microwave and dishwasher safe. If you have a Costco membership, you can get them for $8!

My mom has these pyrex dishes and I am super jealous every time I go over there.

She's got a variety of sizes, but the round ones work great for lunch-sized portions of stuff and the square ones are excellent for making leftovers fit in the fridge easiy.

Mom's had hers for at least five years (and possibly more). The lids are still intact, fit well and aren't warped or discolored and the glass is just like most pyrex glass - still pretty much pristine.

The Flying Pan is a 'sweatpants diner'. Go and order greasy food and don't give a crap (even if you're wearing sweatpants). I don't think their food is that good and I haven't been more than twice in the past four years (despite going all the time in the past). Their pancakes are really, really dry.

If you're asking about whether or not there's anything they do or don't do that makes them successful...don't even bother. This is Hong Kong. We've seen a toilet-themed restaurant explode in popularity. There's a gourmet popcorn store in the IFC, where people wait in line so long they literally might as well watch a movie at the Palace IFC and get popcorn there instead. Hong Kong's dining choices, especially in the low/medium end range that your restaurant would target, is absolutely bizarre.

That said, I was thinking how fun it would be to open a restaurant here that just features a giant griddle. It's just so easy and quick to make damn near anything, especially Western cuisine. Eggs, fried chicken, pancakes, fried chicken, burgers, whatever. Add in a few burners for woks and cast-iron pans, you can cook just about anything you want.

For pancakes, I have a one gallon OXO airtight POP container that I have homemade pancake mix in.

6 oz all purpose flour
2.0 tsp baking soda
3.0 tsp baking powder
1.5 tblsp salt
3.0 tblsp sugar

Then anytime I want pancakes, it's just 2 cups mix, 2 cups milk, 2 eggs. Plus since it's a weight based recipe it's the same consistency even with this masochistic humidity in HK.

Disclaimer: these are just a kickoff to get you started. Obviously, you know your girlfriend, your budget, and what's available near you best!

First things first...

How about a Funko doll relevant to her interests? https://funko.com/

How about a sock monkey hat for her Funko doll? https://www.etsy.com/listing/224767016/for-funko-dolls-miniature-sock-monkey

Baking

If she likes baking and Doctor Who, what about this cool TARDIS cookie jar? https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-Tardis-Cookie-Lights/dp/B000VQZOLS/

Speaking of baking, this set is really cute and colorful: https://www.amazon.com/Joiedomi-8-Pieces-Silicone-Including-Chocolate/dp/B01H45ZGVQ/

Cake Decorating

How's she doing on tools?

Does she need tips? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IBFP7GW?psc=1

What about some inspiration? https://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Decorating-Cupcakes-Cookies-Cakes/dp/1592536514/ (They even have new copies of the book available from third party sellers for cheap!)

Watching Movies

Does she like going to the theater, or does she like watching movies with you on the couch?

If the theater, movie tickets make an awesome gift, and you can usually get a gift card with a pair of two tickets pretty cheap!

If at home, make a movie gift basket! Go to the dollar store, and find her favorite candy, soda, etc. Grab some microwave popcorn. Pop it in a cute basket or even one of those plastic popcorn containers (or go to your local theater and see if they'll give you one of their cardboard ones for free...) You can throw a DVD in there, too, or one of those Redbox rental coupons, if you have that in your area.

Currently I have one of those clear plastic sliding bread boxes. What started as "baking too many loaves one weekend" has turned into an experiment of sorts. Currently in the breadbox, vents closed, and so far visibly free of any mold, is a loaf of caraway rye. This rye was baked on February 8th, it's brethren having already given their lives that it may live.

I am hesitant to open the box for fear of ruining this streak. I have already decided that when I see visible mold I am going to cut and taste the inside to see how the moisture content, flavor, crumb, etc has progressed. I often have loaves with Caraway or some other seed/spice last more than a week, but this is ridiculous.

I have these: https://www.amazon.com/Sistema-Collection-Salad-Storage-Container/dp/B004R97IJ6

They are wonderful! They hold the perfect amount for my lunch-time salads and keep everything fresh.

$20? I would say for $20, no, not at all. I got mine off Amazon for below $10, and I think that was a fair price. Here is a link to where I bought mine!

I got a bunch of reditainers/delitainers. I know they aren't exactly "buy once," and a lot of people look down on plastic, but they're more durable than you think, recycleable when they finally break (or the dog turns them into chew toys...) and I use so many fewer ziplocs. They're great for pantry storage, leftovers in the fridge, or long-term storage in the freezer (provided you get the ones advertised for the freezer. The ones that aren't advertised for the freezer become incredibly fragile when frozen.)

I always transfer food to a different container before heating it up, for anyone worried about "the chemicals." They are technically microwave-safe, but I like to think they last longer without being heated up.

I store most of my produce in plastic bags, and occasionally some fruit in tupperwear.

This is a good resource on how to store just about any veggie/fruit http://www.thekitchn.com/the-kitchns-guide-to-storing-fruits-and-vegetables-tip-roundup-176308

If your looking for cheap "i don't feel bad tossing this when it gets gross" storage options, these are pretty amazing (and great for the freezer) http://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Extreme-Containers-16-Ounce-36-Pack/dp/B00HG8YTB0

If you want to keep your produce fresh longer, buy some green bags. They are reusable, washable and they really work. They cost about $10, but they more than pay for themself. I've kept organic peaches fresh for 2 weeks. You use one for vegetables and one for your fruit. They work inside and outside of the fridge.

I can't believe nobody has brought this up yet. Produce bags: https://www.amazon.com/Debbie-Meyer-GreenBags-Freshness-Preserving-Storage/dp/B00I4V1U06

They allow certain gasses to vent, keeping the veggies inside fresher. My parents love them

Pyrex 3-Cup Rectangle Food Storage (Pack of 4 Containers) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JJILWQ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Ae4jDbN3T7ZZ3

I have been using the 3 cup rectangular Pyrex containers and really prefer them over the circular ones just because they stack so much more nicely when not in use. I can generally stack 4 in the height of my drawer compared to 2 of the round ones.

Definitely check out Pyrex

Here's a set of 4 that are tall but idk how big 6 cups is really
https://www.amazon.com/Pyrex-3-Cup-Rectangle-Storage-Containers/dp/B00JJILWQ0

This is what my mom uses to make her lasagne in

https://www.target.com/p/pyrex-15-x-10-rectangular-bakeware/-/A-16654609?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Kitchen_Priority%2BShopping&adgroup=Kitchen_Priority+TCINs&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=9018109&gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1247068&ds_rl=1246978&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Kitchen_Priority+Shopping&adgroup=Kitchen_Priority+TCINs&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=9018109&gclid=Cj0KCQiA597fBRCzARIsAHWby0FAqH9PuFywRKXucw7hf3ueehhGvFF2kv1f_G2-9c1NWyGGtWsMNNsaAuxHEALw_wcB

Sorry for the ugly links! I got both these from search term "rectangular Pyrex".

Good luck!

Not OP - but I think they are these (i use them and love them)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JJILWQ0/ref=psdcmw_13880481_t1_B0000CFTP7

These bad boys:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JJILWQ0

They haven't leaked at all so far, but I carry them to work in a ziplock gallon back just in case.

PSA: Deli containers are an amazing way to organize your pantry and fridge

These dudes: 8 ounce 16 ounce and 32 ounce.

I saw that this is what's done in professional kitchens so i tried it out myself and oh my god, it's changed my life. I cook a wide variety of ethnic foods and have lots of dried chilis/whole spices/dried mushrooms etc. I also have a lot of dried beans and grains and specialty flours. Instead of having all this stuff in haphazard bags, now they're all stacked neatly and easily accessible, with clear labels (I used masking tape with permanent market to make labels).

Plus, it makes it easy to save extra tomato paste/buttermilk/pasta sauce/pesto/wine/stock to put in the freezer to take out when I need it. My freezer has never been so organized.

I have those/very similar. I think OP used [the same](Pyrex 18 Piece Simply Store Food Storage Set, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0157G34AY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_BbSSAbWXQM15X ). Probably the rectangular ones with the cyan lids. This set was on sale black friday and we picked up two.

I've used glass containers for microwaving eggs, but never for meal prep. The only thing that is holding me back is the weight, storage, and price. I need about 10 containers, so that will set me back around $100 or so. Glass is awesome though, super easy to clean. I just need something around 28 ounces to hold meals, that's it.

These look nice. Kind of spendy, though. I use this brand's plastic containers and they work nice. I bet that these are a great choice for a meal prep container.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0175EUOL8/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_NjvnxbKVETKRQ

These look sort of promising, cost-wise at least. I just wonder how good the seal is. According to Amazon reviews, it's not the best.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CFTPA/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_Xqvnxb370PYPJ

I use this.

A little pricey but it's solid and sturdy.

And it easily saved me the price of it in just a week where I'm not buying booze, going to a bar, ordering crap food, etc.

[LARGER PREMIUM 5 SET] 2 Compartment Glass Meal Prep Containers with Lifetime Lasting Snap Locking Lids Glass Food Containers BPA-Free, Microwave, Oven, Freezer and Dishwasher Safe (4.5 Cups, 36 Oz.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0768T7CWC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_cq80AbS9CFZRD

Looks like the same set I have:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0768T7CWC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The lids have silicon rubber gaskets, which are very easy to remove and put back in place. There's a bunch of different "brands" selling the same product. Here's another:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CMRFZ9S/ref=dp_cerb_3

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005B8K5/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I buy flour in 2lb packages because I don’t have access to bigger bags, but a quick googling brought things like this
https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Good-Grips-POP-Container/dp/B000UHYB9E

A cheaper way would be a foodsafe pails (you could get from a restaurant kitchen, where I live they come in different sizes with ketchup or mustard or stuff like that).

It maybe you find something like this available for you:
https://www.auer-packaging.com/us/en/Pails-&-Screw-top-jars.html?customer_type=private

Not well :(. I was on a tight schedule since I was leaving for university about two months after I threw this together. It was an OXO tall storage container. I threw some fans on the container to try to improve airflow, but keeping the cool from the refrigerator killed the batteries.

These OXO containers are great.

Tough, heavy, good seal, easy to use.

I would probably go with something TARDIS related. It's the main component of Doctor Who, aside from the Doctor. I would try to go for something like this. It's a few dollars over, but you may be able to find it cheaper. I love the tea kettle, but it's a bit higher. Check out the Doctor Who selection of Think Geek for some more ideas. Etsy usually has some cool DW stuff, too.

There's also this book about the making of The Princess Bride, written by Cary Elwes! I really want to read it and imagine most fans would love it, as well.

Bread keeper

My sister has one of these and swears by it!

Does Pittsburgh mean with fries on top? If so, then yes please. haha. (I'm from Pittsburgh originally. We eat everything with fries.)

I actually prefer my steak butterflied medium well. No soup for you!

Congrats on the new job, and good luck!

I have a feeling that /u/NJBilbo would be a fun dinner guest. :)

https://www.amazon.com/Oxy-Sorb-Oxygen-Absorbers-Storage-100-Pack/dp/B0028AG8RO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1491453689&sr=8-3&keywords=oxygen+absorbers

https://www.amazon.com/Dry-Packs-Moisture-Absorbing-Indicating-Packets/dp/B001OFBN0G

If you're serious about preserving and storing, I'd suggest getting a FoodSaver, a pair of jar sealers and a package of oxygen absorbers.

This will enable you to store nuts, grains, coffee and tea with very little loss of flavor.

Haven't used them myself but I always thought the Sistema sets looked good. I've seen them in my local supermarket too.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sistema-Lunch-Cube-Yoghurt-Purple/dp/B00L7SR95I

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sistema-KLIP-Salad-Go-Lunchbox/dp/B004R97IJ6

Salads. I absolutely love this salad kit. It's the perfect size.

Slow-cooker recipes. Making a slow-cooker recipe over the weekend and then portioning it out into individual bags or containers saves a bunch of time. (Curry, chili, soups, etc.)

Lean cuisines or Smart Ones if you're feeling lazy and don't want to buy anything. Add a little hot sauce to help them feel more filling (though most of them have a ton of salt).

Packets of Miso soup mix (just add water), with some veggies and tofu or meat.

Wow, this blew up!

Containers are on Amazon -> Reditainer - Rectangular Food Storage Containers With Lids

Chicken -> Chicken breast + salt and pepper, olive oil and any dry rub. Get the Weber on full heat, throw them on. Six minutes each side, then let rest for 10 more so it cooks threw. Then slice.

That grinder is essentially useless... A better call might be one of these and then just buy a wooden dugout from any smoke shop, or buy one of those cig one hitters and just keep your container full of already ground up weed.

You need a medtainer.

Air tight, built in grinder.

Edit: on second thought that's more for carry if it's just to store at home get a pack of mason jars.

https://www.amazon.com/MedTainer-Storage-Container-Built-Grinder/dp/B00DRHHYJI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503971705&sr=8-1&keywords=medtainer

use this daily

i re-use them, but they don't last forever. i got both of the following from reditainer

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00SX9XFMU/ref=psdc_13880481_t2_B009W2LMRM

these are brittle when frozen. most of my failures cracked because something pressed on them or fell and hit them in my freezer. besides that, they have low sides, so it was easy for sauce/liquid to leak out


https://smile.amazon.com/Reditainer-Extreme-Containers-16-Ounce-36-Pack/dp/B00HG8YTB0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523405028&sr=8-1&keywords=reditainer

these are much more durable for freezing. and since they have taller sides by comparison, i worry less about transporting liquids in them. microwaving though, the food gets hot enough that the containers shape bends a little with the heat. and the dishwasher gets hot enough and if they slip and get wedge in an odd shape when hot, they will cool and now be an oblong shape. they are still fine to be used, but the harder, black and clear ones from the first link, they always stayed their same shape.

i do like the 2nd ones better because i've ordered a few sizes and it is nice for portion control. i fill the round containers about 2/3rds of the way full. it's small enough i can almost always microwave and eat it all at once. or i'll put a rich stew in it and then have a 2nd container full of some fresh cut vege, that i wont microwave.

Are you looking for something like reditainers? Those were recommended to me a while back by someone but I'm sure you can find other brands/types for similar containers on amazon or at restaurant supply stores.

Hello fellow Chuck & Don’s worker! I too worked at a Chuck & Don’s, granted it was only for 3 months this past winter but I did love the customers I got to educate and the nutrition education! I was offered a more consistent position elsewhere and it offered more money, I could have advanced more in the company as my supervisor wanted me to, but in the end the time commitment and money I could get elsewhere were better.

I still spend most of my time researching stuff, honestly it’s one of my favorite hobbies minus playing board games/DnD, and right now I’m actually calculating my dogs next step in her raw transition for the upcoming months! Because so much kibble has high vegetable percentages, I’ve been taking half a year to get her to a fully comfortable level with me increasing her protein intake and vegetables, and soon we will be making the shift for a BARF diet versus a Honest Kitchen Base Mix diet, especially now that she’s at the right weight I want her at. Using this to calculate her BARF diet needs:
Raw Diet Calculator

I bought some deli containers I actually saw people using for raw food off of Amazon! I have seen some wear and tear with them, but because they are a soft plastic I haven’t had one break yet and it’s only small marks on the plastic! (My cats containers are baby containers which are more sturdy, but I’ve broken a few of them so it kinda negates the higher strength containers, especially when frozen and they are dropped 🙃). I’d say try to go for something like this! Or square ones if possible too.
Deli Containers

So we have a second fridge in our garage, which soon I’m going to have to keep watch that it isn’t horribly effected by the cold winters here otherwise we may have to move it inside which I really do not want to do... but! With this freezer I fit all of my cats raw for 40 days totaling 18.5lbs in small containers. I also can fit my dogs monthly raw which right now comes to 20lbs and I’ll be increasing that to 40lbs. With this 20lbs of food (four 5 lb tubs of Woody’s placed in 28 containers) I still have enough room to double my dogs food. Keep in mind this freezer/fridge is used for the sole purpose of keeping raw food. And I will say it is easy to buy a quick freezer and sell it these days in Minneapolis especially if you try to sell it on Facebook Market Place. Also, I have a normal $20 kitchen scale from Target, it works great for what I use it for and is easy to clean!

I use Steve’s raw for my cats! They love it, and my dog loves when she gets the left overs that don’t fit into a container! They’ve been doing great on it, and I give them rabbit from Woody’s every third meal. I stay pretty consistent with them due to digestive sensitivity! Steve’s is too expensive to feed my girl with though, but the cats are small enough that the money balances out and is cheaper than canned!!!

Love all the supplements you give, I remember all those when I worked at Chuck and Dons! My dog LOVES the minnows! And so do my cats! My dog and cats loved when I got them the Steve’s raw goats milk, but it was too expensive so I have them on Honest Kitchens powdered goats milk instead, lasts a lot longer and doesn’t go bad! I also give my dog Honest Kitchens golden milk which is made from coconuts, and she freaks! Can’t give it to my cats though cause it’s a nut extract.

You should look at signing up for education courses for Steve’s Real Food and for Honest Kitchen through your store! You can get like 3 boxes of free frozen raw meat from Steve’s and a free box from Honest Kitchen! And if your store has more people sign up for Steve’s training you actually get free raw to share with co-workers that is based on how much raw you sell! Right as I left my store qualified for getting almost two boxes of free raw food a month to share!

Honestly love geeking out on nutrition, and since I graduated from the U of M I’ve been noticing more and more how interested I am in animal nutrition, even more so than my own nutrition haha!

I use these green produce bags that definitely seem like a gimmick but actually work very well at extending the life of my produce. http://www.amazon.com/Debbie-Meyer-GreenBags-Freshness-Preserving-Storage/dp/B00I4V1U06

[ Green bags] http://www.amazon.com/Debbie-Meyer-GreenBags-Freshness-Preserving-5127799/dp/B00I4V1U06

Well that didn't work the way I wanted

They look like Pyrex dishes.
rectangle
and
round

I use these: Pyrex 3-Cup Rectangle Food Storage (Pack of 4 Containers) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JJILWQ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_8rNgyb8J0Q5EA

Yes, they're much heavier than plastic.

Here's why I use them:

1. I studied epigenetics as part of my undergrad thesis and have become very paranoid of plastics, particularly here in the US where it's been proven that making money is more important than producing a safe product. Heated plastics can and do leach chemicals that affect genes within your body. Those genes may not impact you but may impact your offspring. There is a ton of evidence for this in humans and the animal world. Just because it's BPA-free does not mean it is created using safer materials.
   
   
2. They're actually really sturdy and after 3 years of daily use I have yet to have a breakage.
   
   
3. When you want to, you can cook in them. Just this week I baked enchiladas in the dishes, cooled on the stove, then refrigerated. I've also done personal pizzas cooked in there, pot pie etc.
   
   
4. I'm pretty sure my initial purchase cost for my set of 9 was under $30. Literally use them everyday $30/1095 and counting.
   

Good for you! its not easy but once you start you will feel so much better!

First make a meal plan for the week ie. How many days are you going to have that you can or will cook for the week. plan accordingly that way you can eat leftovers in between cooking days.

Also plan around your staples for the least expensive menu. That being said you can cook a large amount of something such as chili, spaghetti sauce, soups etc... and freeze them in serving sized containers to make an easy meal for lunch or dinner if you find you don't have enough time to cook. the crock pot can take care of a lot of that for you.

Meal prep containers are a great way to freeze and to portion control your food. like these I love these use them all the time

These are great for things like Spaghetti, or lasagna, enchiladas etc...
[16 ounce single compartment]
(https://www.amazon.com/Bolt-Goods-SMALL-Snack-Containers/dp/B01L5P17RS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1519490404&sr=8-2&keywords=meal+prep+containers+single+compartment+small)

these are great for a lean protein such as half a chicken breast, with your vegetables and a small starch.

[28 ounce single compartment]
(https://www.amazon.com/Enther-Containers-Compartment-Stackable-Dishwasher/dp/B0742M47V5/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519490427&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=meal+prep+containers+single+compartment+small)

for soups and stews I love these have been using them for years.

[16 ounce containers]
(https://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Storage-Containers-16-Ounce-36-Pack/dp/B00M9Z4SXY/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1519490803&sr=1-5&keywords=deli+food+storage+containers+with+lids+16+ounce)

These are great for putting enough soup stew spaghetti sauce in the freezer for the two of you or more for dinner

[32 ounce]
(https://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Storage-Containers-32-Ounce-24-Pack/dp/B00M9Z4SV6/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1519490867&sr=1-1&keywords=deli+food+storage+containers+with+lids+32+ounce)

These pens are washable markers says for wine glasses. I use the for my plastic stuff just write what is in it on the lid let it dry and freeze or put it in the fridge.

[markers]
(https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_18?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=wine+glass+markers+washable&sprefix=wine+glass+markers%2Cgarden%2C139&crid=13DGDTXU01L7F&rh=n%3A1055398%2Ck%3Awine+glass+markers+washable)

Now a few recipes for you These you can make in the crock pot while you're at work.

[Bigest loser crock pot turkey Chili]
(https://www.copymethat.com/r/87rrsMl/biggest-loser-crock-pot-turkey-chili/)

[homemade crock pot chicken tortilla soup]
(https://www.copymethat.com/r/cPq2HJk/homemade-crock-pot-chicken-tortilla-soup/}

Can't make this one while at work it only takes 4 to 5 hours.

[5 ingredient slow cooker balsamic chicken]
(https://www.copymethat.com/r/TU9lJdi/5-ingredient-slow-cooker-balsamic-chicke/)

Not slow cooker recipes
you can use beef or turkey or meatless crumbles in this it tastes the same. Great recipe

[Semi's Chili]
(https://www.copymethat.com/r/zsm7pJ5/semis-chili/)

[semi's spaghetti sauce]
(https://www.copymethat.com/r/Qp9VFJQ/semis-spaghetti-sauce/)

[Sauteed chicken with dijon white wine sauce]
(Not slow cooker recipes)

[Authentic Mexican Enchilada casserole]
(https://www.copymethat.com/r/CwzxXgp/enchilada-casserole/)

these would also be very easy to make and put straight into your meal prep containers and put into the freezer or in the fridge for then next day or twos lunches. Just skip the foil and heat right in your container.

[foil pack chicken enchiladas]
(https://www.copymethat.com/r/KjYpFms/foil-pack-chicken-enchiladas-kraft/)

Look for food containers

There ya go, 36 small pots for $12. You can get the 32oz variety as well, 25 for $9, something like that... any food-safe container can be used for growing plants. Yogurt containers, dairy cartons, sliced open 1/2 gallon milk / tea containers, etc... use your imagination. Juice bottles? It was safe for your juice, it's safe for your plants! Reuse it.

1. Throw out your current containers
   
2. Replace with different size take-out style containers
   
3. Grab any lid because they fit every size
   
   The only drawback to this method is you don't get the square shaped kind which works well for work lunches. For fridge and freezer storage it works great. They stack, last a good while, and if the container breaks or gets old, just toss it because they are super cheap.

Here they are on amazon https://www.amazon.com/StoreMaxx-279-Rectangular-Storage-Containers/dp/B00RN4Y5IY

I love cooking and while I can not help you with the soap and other beauty products I can help you with the cooking utensils

As said before- Pyrex Is the way to go when getting rid of plastic (29$)

For Cooking utentisls I would never recommend stainless as it gets so hot and can ruin certain pans. Instead Wooden is the way to go for 6$

As a bonus here is a link to disposable wooden utensils for camping and holiday use for 20$ so you wouldn't have to use plastic.

If you don't have one a steamer is a life changing item, this steamer and ricecooker gadet is a great combo for you. You can use it strictly for gluten free cooking and let your family have their rice made on the stove. at 15$

I highly recommend Pyrex for your measuring cups too. They work in the microwave and are pretty amazing for 15.

I agree that stainless pots are the way to go I checked out the reviews on this set and found that it has the best costumer service and finishing at 57$

I don't know if this helps or not but I did try! Good luck stopping smoking and if I win surprise me!

I buy gift cards from Kroger because of the gas points :D

Also, if you haven't already, try the Kind brand bars for snacking. They have other great things too like cereal and other goodies.

You're going to think I'm crazy, but baby wash is so good to use for bathing. It's gentle on the skin. The shampoo is a good idea too. Also, it doesn't have to be bought from Pantry.

Mixing bowls in steel so you know you can get them hot in the sink or dishwasher and they'll be clean.

If you need food storage, get rid of the porous plastic and go with Pyrex, which is glass.

Again, I think stainless is the way to go. You can see if there's something on it, there's no extra lining (like non-stick that chips) and you can get it hot and completely sanitize it. I like this cooking set and you can add the cooking utensils too!

If I win, just surprise me :)

This stuff (minus the wash) puts you at about $130 so in between your ~$100-$150

[3-Pack] Glass Meal Prep Containers Glass - Glass Food Storage Containers - Glass Storage Containers with Lids - Glass Lunch Containers Food Container - Glass Food Containers - BPA Free Container Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0175EUOL8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_hv80Ab47YF0RK

I got these for Christmas, and they are amazing. Very heavy duty think Pyrex but thicker. They come in different types I got some dinner one container, some that are split into two, and some that are split into three compartments.

Glass glass glass! They don't spill and don't end up staining, getting stinky, and therefore can be used for years if treated well. Also, with their plastic lids removed, they are completely safe for reheating in the microwave. Depending on your needs, amazon has loads of options, but a rectangular container that holds about 28oz is a good start; MealPrep makes some solid ones that aren't too pricy on Amazon. I've found that, while having multiple different sizes can be nice, I keep going back to these: mealprep

Edit: Cons are that they're heavy, can break if you're determined enough, and the latches on the lids may break.

looks like these https://www.amazon.com/Container-Leakproof-Microwave-Dishwasher-Rectangle/dp/B0175EUOL8

Yeah, I generally keep food around for them in the outworld and replace it every four days or so (making sure it doesn't get gross). They're not like fish, you can't really overfeed them. They eat as much as possible, then share their extra food with other ants (look up "social stomach"), some of whom share their food with the Queen, who responds to a caloric surplus by producing more eggs, but they also regulate themselves so that they don't eat too much.

Regarding keeping them in, I have found C. penns to be pretty lazy and docile. Mine will not cross a thin layer of oil applied to the upper inside edge of the container. I use a thin, inorganic oil like mineral oil applied with a q-tip, but something organic like coconut oil would also work (it will go rancid/polymerize at some point, though and might get sticky and stop working). I can leave the lid off of my outworld with decent confidence that nobody will escape, however, I almost always DO use the lid just because I have one. I started using these Rubbermaid Briliance acrylic containers which are perfect, because when you pop the lid clamps off, you have two nice air holes pre-drilled in the lid!

https://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Brilliance-Storage-Container-1991158/dp/B01JCNEJVQ

EDIT - I would avoid talc (baby powder) because it's ugly, messy, and annoying to maintain.

Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container, Large, 9.6 Cup, Clear 1991158 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JCNEJVQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2FQ3Cb2SCM51B

I grabbed this one and a 4 pack of Boveda 65% for my small time setup. Whatever you get, look for BPA free and airtight in the description. Two packs and a a handful of sticks and in the one I got and it holds around 68-71 depending on the day. Prior to getting cigars in it, it held a little higher. I usually “burp” it once a day when I go to check on it to refresh the air.

Wipe out whatever you get with water WITHOUT soap so it doesn’t leave any residue and impact and sticks in it later. Once it dries, throw your calibrated hygrometer in with a pack or two and you’re off to the races. Any Spanish cedar needs seasoning, I don’t have any atm though.

Around $25 bucks..

Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container, Large, 9.6 Cup, Clear 1991158 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JCNEJVQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ctZMDbFRAAB8J

Goabroa Mini Hygrometer Thermometer Digital Indoor Humidity Gauge Monitor with Temperature Meter Sensor Fahrenheit (℉) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QC7JRDP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8uZMDb2FCC6GG

Boveda 65-Percentage RH Individually Over Wrapped 2-Way Humidity Control Pack, 60gm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FWPQ8WC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_svZMDbWJD3ED2

https://www.amazon.com/2-Compartment-Container-Leakproof-Microwave-Dishwasher/dp/B01L9Z57L6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491782308&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=glass+meal+prep&psc=1

Not OP but here are some from [Amazon] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01L9Z57L6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497406939&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=glass%2Bdivided%2Bcontainers&dpPl=1&dpID=41yf5iNGkKL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1)

I have exactly the same problem.

I bought a small kitchen timed lock box.

When I know I'm going to have heavy temptations I'll put my cards and cash in it and set the lock timer for 12 hours, 24 hours, heck, I've locked them for 3 days knowing I won't really need them.

I know this isn't for everyone but it's helped me get through some tough humps. I've easily saved what it cost me in a couple of weeks.

Yep! Got them off of amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0768T7CWC/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_8qfQBb1X7XTFF

They’re spendy but worth it. I never had too many problems with plastic ones but these are more robust and easier to clean.

[LARGER PREMIUM 5 SET] 2 Compartment Glass Meal Prep Containers with Lifetime Lasting Snap Locking Lids Glass Food Containers BPA-Free, Microwave, Oven, Freezer and Dishwasher Safe (4.5 Cups, 36 Oz.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0768T7CWC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RvbcBb4GY9QQJ

The containers are good size, but the lids don't seal well. Some lids stay closed, some pop off. Not too happy with them. I bough them on Amazon here.

However, I bough this and they snap shot and work perfectly.

BTW: This breakfast is too big. Next week, I'll need to scale it down a bit.

I absolutely love my Pyrex glass containers. They are not noticeably heavy until there's 2 or 3 in my bag. No worries about the chemicals in plastic, and it feels like using a bowl instead of eating out of Tupperware, which is a nice plus.

I have this kind: http://www.amazon.com/Pyrex-6021224-Storage-10-Piece-Clear/dp/B00005B8K5

I use a Primo Escali scale. I've had it for 5 or 6 years now (purchased it for following European recipes, and have repurposed it for food tracking more recently). It's held up great, no fuss, and the batteries last a really long time. I do think I paid a lot less than the $30 it is currently listed for on Amazon though.

Don't know anything about a Bullet Journal. A lot of people here use MyFitnessPal - personally, I prefer SparkPeople (lets you set a calorie range rather than a single daily target, easy to save favorite foods and groups of foods, easy to enter your own recipes, syncs with Fitbit, but has some social media and advertising aspects integrated with it that can be off-putting).

My boyfriend is on his own for food making choices, so I'm no help to you there! lol

And as for food containers, I prefer glass to plastic for its ability to be microwaved without staining or leaching. Wide mouth 2 cup mason jars work really well for soups/stews/chili, and since they are designed to be airtight they don't leak at all. And they are cheap! You do have to remove the lid to microwave, though.

For larger meals (salads, meat and veggie leftovers, etc) Pyrex and Rubbermaid sell glass containers with plastic lids in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. They're a bit more expensive than the canning jars but glass holds up well so it's worth the investment, IMHO.

Good luck!

I use one of the pyrex storage bowls. https://www.amazon.com/Pyrex-Simply-Store-10-Piece-Storage/dp/B00005B8K5

My boyfriend and I use the pyrex tupperware containers with lids

http://www.amazon.com/Pyrex-Storage-10-Piece-Clear-Blue/dp/B00005B8K5

you can microwave them and dish wash them and they are pretty solid

Never tried mason jars. I picked up a dozen Pyrex storage things (The two square ones) and use the little ones to pack lunches for the week.

As the majority of my lunches are homemade soups/stews, (I make gallons at a time) or rice/veggie-based, this makes it really convenient for portion control, and I can stack them.

I'll dump a few pouches at a time into a container like this and I don't have any problem using it over the course of a few weeks. Much easier than dealing with reaching in the pouch with a scoop.

These OXO Good Grip POP Conainers are pretty money. I use them to store new cigars before they go in the humi and to store unused Boveda.

Some products I find help:

• Can opener
  
• Jar opener (twisty lids)
  
• Easy-open containers (mostly preference; I prefer the Snap and Pop kinds)
  
• Well-oiled pans, or at least non-stick stuff (a good pan/pot is underrated, I think)
  
  Freezing things is a great idea. He could still help you prepare and cook the things, and still have options if he doesn't have energy to cook sometimes. Lots of people do this, hence the sub /r/MealPrepSunday :P
  
  Maybe consider a crockpot (/r/slowcooking)? Might be good for a beginner, and the recipes usually don't require a ton of work.
  
  This likely won't be an option now, or ever, but if it comes up: a powerchair with an elevate feature is amazing. I mostly use this feature in the kitchen and am honestly unsure how I'd manage without it. (I'm probably overall weaker than your brother, but I can stand for a little bit, too. "A little bit" doesn't really cut it while cooking, IME.)
  
  One site that's great for beginners, I think, is Budget Bytes. They provide step-by-step pictures for most/all recipes, and, obviously, aim for affordable dishes.
  
  EDIT: Toaster ovens are amazing and so much easier than a regular oven.

I'm usually on a tight budget lol so I'll definitely look into it. I've also found these. I know they're clear but as long as you keep it in a dark area (or tape it up) it sounds like they would work just as well. The only thing is that they're plastic, but they're meant for food so i assume they'd work.

keep food in containers, I like these

just imagine pests swimming around in your rice and flour and whatnot while you are asleep and you never knowing about it

if they can't smell it or get to food they wont come to your house

These are my favorites: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000UHYB9E/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1449023382&sr=1-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=oxo+containers&dpPl=1&dpID=3112147NPTL&ref=plSrch

I like this for you! .... I know it's not $50, but I think it's cool!

I can't decide if you should spend the max or not, but dang girl it's better to save for something even more special later!

you need to get
this popcorn machine

and this tardis cookie jar and while you're at it these

and btw are you excited for girl meets world? since i saw you love boy meets world.

you should get you this for sheer awesomeness

and this for me to go to my new phone fund

bunnicula =D

Cookies AND Tardis?! - YOU NEED THIS! lol, Doctor Who Tardis Talking Cookie Jar

I would love this super awesome light for my garden :3 Moonrays 91515 Turtles on a Log

Thank you for being awesome <3 Also, bunnicula :3

You don't even need cookies for this to be awesome but they help :p

If you're in the US then Amazon have them.

Same for .co.uk.

I got mine for Christmas from my boyfriend and was delighted with it :)

TARDIS cookie jar. It's pretty awesome.

I have this one, I don't recommend it. Not enough air circulation.

http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-International-Adjustable-Bread-Keeper/dp/B001BB2LMM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1398642762&sr=8-2&keywords=bread+box

found on amazon

I use the aforementioned bread bags for all of my give away loafs but for home storage I bought this bad boy and haven't regretted it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BB2LMM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_UmpMzbSCBNVFR

A bread box of some sort, unless you can eat a lot of bread in a short period of time. I'm actually looking for recommendations on this front as well; I seem to recall coming across this as a recommended option and wouldn't mind feedback from anyone who knows about these things: https://www.amazon.com/Solutions-Progressive-Adjustable-Bread-Keeper/dp/B001BB2LMM/

Oh, and: bread knife if you don't have one.

Bread Keeper is the best $13 bucks I have ever spent. Even has a built in cutting board and you can put it in there right out of the bread machine since it has a knob which vents it if the bread is hot and you can close it when you bread is cooled down.

When I have extra bread I just get a roll of clear plastic wrap and keep wrapping it around till its nice and covered. Then I can just throw it at my neighbors/friends.

Can't believe no one here mentioned the bread keeper. It really is awesome and beats a bulky bread box.

I buy a 100 pack on Amazon. Make sure you keep them in an airtight container.







https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028AG8RO/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_x0xJybZV7V5TM

Cannabinoids degrade in three main ways: Oxidative, UV, and Heat. If you buy some oxygen absorbent on amazon, as well as some desiccant packs, https://www.amazon.com/Oxy-Sorb-Oxygen-Absorbers-Storage-100-Pack/dp/B0028AG8RO
and store the product in the freezer, the product will stay amazingly fresh for a VERY long time. I use the desiccants to keep water from condensing out in the pyrex storage jars I use.

Dude you know dedicated food-safe oxygen absorbers are a thing right? Also use a metal foil to block oxygen, that's why MRE packets are always silvery inside.

Hey _mycelia, do you ever put oxygen absorbers in your vacuum sealed bags? I haven't vacuumed any but I'm thinking about it. Here is a link to some I found on Amazon, plus check out the mason jar sealer that under "Frequeny Bought Together" items on that link.

Oh, ok. I use my Foodsaver for lots of other stuff.

Unless you're trying to store a huge amount of tea, the size of those bags might be overkill. But, assuming they don't leak or lose their seal, that'd probably work fine. Also, depending on how fluffy or brittle the tea leaves are, the pressure may cause some breakage. I would recommend adding a few packets of oxygen absorber like this to each bag of tea to help keep them fresh longer.

Hi! I was you, like, two weeks ago. I'm also a student and on a budget. I am also a planner, so I need everything planned out ahead of time!

My first week (for dinners) I had: stuffed peppers (cut recipe in half, made two servings), made a half batch of Caveman Chili to freeze (though I did it over the stove instead of the Crock Pot, I have such a hard time planning out Crock Pot meals because I'm never home in time for it not to get overcooked!), Lazy Keto Chicken, etc. etc. I could go on about great recipes I've tried, and there are plenty of websites to help.

For lunches, I typically eat them on the go (during my work-study position). MWF I take "snacky" things like beef sticks, pork rinds, cheese, and nuts (a combination of those things) which keeps me full! On Tuesdays and Thursdays I bring a salad to go in my Sistema plastic container, filled with spinach, chicken slices, bacon, avocado, cheese, and ranch. Pretty protein-heavy, but it's my main meal for the day.

For breakfasts, I don't eat breakfast on MWF because I have Pilates at 9:15 and the typical keto breakfasts fill me up way too much. I drink tons of water and haven't been disappointed yet. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I just eat some eggs and protein (Brown 'n Serve is a brand that makes really cheap, easy sausage that you just throw in a microwave for a minute or two and it's almost all zero carb!). It's pretty adaptable, I've found.

Good luck!

ETA: I found this post for a breakfast shake that might strike your fancy considering what you usually have for breakfast!

I have this food scale, though I use it for soap making and not food - it's SUPER accurate.

I use MFP like everyone else to track.

As far as husband and I go, we eat separate breakfasts (we leave the house at different times) except on the weekends, when I cook us both an equal calorie meal. We eat separate lunches (even on the weekends - I usually have a shake or something, he eats eggs/rice/veggies). And then I cook us dinner (but he usually gets a larger portion than me). If he needs more calories or is more hungry, he snacks. I don't unless I also have extra calories. We snack on different food (ex: I'll eat an apple and some peanut butter. He'll eat rice cakes).

For containers, I highly recommend something like this. I LOVE using it, especially to portion a large restaurant meal or something, and have leftovers the next day. If you don't wanna order on Amazon, you can definitely buy these at Home Goods and Marshalls.

Sistema KLIP IT Salad to Go Lunchbox, 1.1 L - Clear/Blue https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004R97IJ6/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_OL3txb6TGT2X9 or Sistema Lunch Slimline Quaddie Lunchbox with Bottle - 1.5 L, Aqua https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002KKCLPA/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_cN3txb8TKHJGR. I'm not sure how leak proof they are so check the comments

Mischief Managed.

Wine and this game complement each other perfectly. We need both to keep our spirits up after long school days.

We should look fabulous while flying.

It's like a hat except safer.

We need this book in case the Inferius come to get us. It's like a survival guide, except everyone dies.

A trunk for salad!

This choker would look good with any cape.

My links aren't even links, I feel like I'm doing this all wrong.

I am currently using one of these

http://www.amazon.com/Sistema-KLIP-IT-Salad-Lunchbox/dp/B004R97IJ6

I find the clips reassuring, and it comes with cutlery!

I've had one leak in about 3 months, but it was very very light ( i might not have sealed it totally) , and it was a very liquid curry.

What was a game changer for me was buying restaurant takeout tupperware. The seal isn't as good tupperware (not bad though), but the price can't be beat and I don't mind tossing it when they get too dirty.

They are Reditainers. They are microwave and dishwasher safe, reusable and BPA free! And reasonably priced.

Reditainer - Rectangular Food Storage Containers With Lids - Microwaveable & Dishwasher Safe (28 Ounce - 6" x 8"- Package of 12) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009W2LMRM/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_TtvZub0FRH7JX

http://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Rectangular-Containers-Microwaveable-Dishwasher/dp/B009W2LMRM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1426111227&sr=8-2&keywords=reditainer

I get the same way, "fuck it I'm just going to eat this" coupled with a pretty decent metabolism and iron stomach means no sick-tummy to even regret eating all of that junk afterward!

Honestly, ordering some of THESE and spending all sunday cooking lunches and dinners (breakfast is either a protein shake, or oatmeal, or oatmeal with whey+cinnamon+nutmeg mixed in so I don't pre make it but you can in a slow cooker if you want!) has helped me a lot. When I have decent food (especially with the "cheat meals") already made, it makes it so I don't have to make a decision with eating, which means I can't make a bad decision - it's already made, I pull it out, warm it up, and eat it.

Find what faux-cheat meals you like and be sure you get to eat something you enjoy every single day. Seriously, when I try to go overboard M-Th, I end up binge-eating junk on Friday. If I get the roast+gravy+rice though (or slow cooked pork with cauliflower or potato mash, something southern-comforty), I don't feel like I'm missing out so I'm much less likely to go nuts later in the week when the pre made meals run out.

Get a sweet-cheat, and a savory cheat that you really like, and be sure you enjoy at least one meal a day. :) Those are my tips, adjust as you need until you have a system that works for you.

I purchased these containers from Amazon about 4 months ago and they still work great. It fits a cup of rice, 8 oz chicken breast and some veggies nicely. Then I just eat two per day for lunch 1 and lunch 2.

I found these on Amazon. I haven't bought them yet so check reviews.

Get a medtainer, theyre completely smell proof and have a grinder in the bottom. Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/MedTainer-Storage-Container-Built-In-Grinder/dp/B00DRHHYJI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398818033&sr=8-1&keywords=medtainer

I'm not talking about ziplock bags, when you buy at a dispensary it comes either in a smell proof bag or jar so it really doesn't require being courteous, and the containers I was talking about aren't fancy at all you can buy the for like $5-$10 dollars here

Also I can almost guarantee you that on every near capacity domestic flight you've ever been on at least one person brought weed with them, stoners have been learning to hide the smell and stay out of peoples way for like ever man.

https://www.amazon.com/MedTainer-Storage-Container-Built-Grinder/dp/B00DRHHYJI

Already have this - while yours has more bells and whistles ultimately these two devices do the same thing. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DRHHYJI/ref=asc_df_B00DRHHYJI5402272/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B00DRHHYJI&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198077890298&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8948849832285521756&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9060017&hvtargid=pla-318444566286

I love my MedTainer! It keeps in the smell, is small, and has a grinder in it. I like the grinder because if you do not know its there, it is hard to find so you can keep your bud in there and even if someone finds it, they might not find the bud right away

Also, I have a safe like this that does not look super ovious when you put it with other books

Personally, I would recommend one of these- http://www.amazon.com/MedTainer-Storage-Container-Built-In-Grinder/dp/B00DRHHYJI

It is a container for weed that is airtight and does not smell, and has a quite good grinder in it, too. The grinder takes a little bit of trail and error before you figure out how tp use it most effectively. Just experiment with how much batch you pack, usually .3 or .4 is best. Twist while grinding kind of gently, and you can come out with something fine enough to use with the MFLB, or a more coarse grind if you prefer. I find these useful because carrying grinders is annoying, and of you have an expensive one they are easy to use. Its perfect for parties, and amaZon wont ask for any ID, so you're fine to order one!

I've heard good reviews about this product but haven't tried it myself http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01BFDN80Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1464713848&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=pax+case&dpPl=1&dpID=31bKXkbemgL&ref=plSrch

On the other hand I use a pelican case everyday and I've been happy with it. Definitely smell proof, water tight and durable. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004WKK8BU/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1464713978&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=pelican+1010&dpPl=1&dpID=51py2nS0FqL&ref=plSrch

Lastly I carry a medtainer. Also, water/smell proof and durable. Holds my flowers and does a great job getting that nice fine grind I like for my pax. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DRHHYJI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1464714149&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=medtainer&dpPl=1&dpID=41cjz-wDGJL&ref=plSrch

That's been my set up for almost a year in an illegal state. It's worked very well for me.

I really enjoy the medtainer ( dank tank with a grinder built it ) the grinder is actually good quality and grinds the bud well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DRHHYJI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482345426&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=medtainer&dpPl=1&dpID=41cjz-wDGJL&ref=plSrch

or if you just want a regular grinder i would recommend the chromium crusher

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00QMXB38W/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1482345541&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=chromium+crusher&dpPl=1&dpID=51wE2Osth7L&ref=plSrch

In addition to stuff already mentioned, you can freeze enchiladas (even little individual portions), homemade taquitos, cookies, rice/quinoa/your grain of choice, any kinds of beans, pot pies, and sauces like enchilada sauce, sofrito, homemade pasta sauce, vegan alfredo, etc to make fresh dishes easy and quick. You can freeze cake (but wrap it WELL), homemade veggie burger/chick'n patties, seitan/Field Roast, etc. One tip: I'd steer clear of dairy or dairy heavy recipes to freeze. If you make enchiladas, for example, throw the cheese on top when you're reheating them instead of before they're frozen. Dairy can do wonky things in the freezer. Uh, and another tip, if you make a big batch of say, biscuits, freeze them on a tray first, and then put them in a freezer bag. That way you're not struggling to pull apart biscuits that froze together, tearing off little pieces and causing all the other biscuits to thaw slightly whenever you try to grab one.

I freeze portions in these kindsa containers I got from Amazon, but freezing stuff flat in zip-loc bags is also great.

Edit: Oops! Meant to reply to the original post!

Yup! I have a bunch of these BPA-free freezable/microwaveable deli food containers with lids and I just measure the broth out into portions, label them, and freeze them. I put the frozen container without the lid in the microwave, heat for 5-6 minutes and it's ready. If I need it just for the week, I just put it in a big deli container in the fridge and with the added salt it's good for 5-6 days, just put it into a mug and microwave for 2 minutes. I make sure to keep bone & vegetable scraps in freezer bags so I can make broth every weekend in a slow cooker.

If you do decide to do this, try it as "single serving" packages! It really helps me. I have containers like this that a great for it. Cheap, small but not tiny looking, and cheap enough that you can just throw them out if you have to. Plus, sharpie will scrub right off the lids pretty easily.

8 Oz, 16 Oz, and 32 Oz versions of this container are stackable, reusable, and cheap.
Reditainer Extreme Freeze Deli Food Containers with Lids, 16-Ounce, 36-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HG8YTB0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_jmerybR73QD9S
Edit: Wrong link.

These keep most vegetables fresh much longer. I have been using them for years and they work on damn near any vegetable. You can even reuse them many times.

https://smile.amazon.com/Debbie-Meyer-GreenBags-Freshness-Preserving-Storage/dp/B00I4V1U06/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519594782&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=ms+myers+green+bags

http://www.amazon.com/Debbie-Meyer-5127799-GreenBags-20-Pack/dp/B00I4V1U06 these things are absolutely amazing for any type of vegetable

Get some Debbie Meyers Green Bags. They are seriously like magic. Once the avocados feel just about ripe, put them into the green bag. They will stay in that perfect state for at least a week, sometimes longer.

Green bags also work for all kinds of other fruits/veggies. I notably use them for citrus (lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits), which can last like a whole month in a green bag.

I don't own Debbie Meyers stock or anything, I'm just a big fan of the product.

These too will double or triple the shelf life of your vegetables. I imagine adding a paper towel to greens in these bags will only increase it more.

we use these for all kinds of things, since we dont use plastic containers. they are good for freezer, fridge, microwave.

https://www.amazon.com/Pyrex-3-Cup-Rectangle-Storage-Containers/dp/B00JJILWQ0

Nice looking!

What containers are those? I've been using these, but they aren't all that deep.

https://www.amazon.com/Pyrex-3-Cup-Rectangle-Storage-Containers/dp/B00JJILWQ0

I've just started experimenting with using these 32-oz deli food containers for lacto pickles and peppers. Some I've drilled a hole in the top and airlocked, others I've just put the lid on loosely. Seem to work fine, aside from the slight smell residue others have mentioned.

I use these plastic to go containers for a bunch of stuff (day to day mainly storage of fresh herbs and leftovers)... works pretty perfectly with the size of my immersion circulator https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00M9Z4SV6

I use generic quart-sized deli containers like these for most of my dry storage. They aren't pretty but they also aren't ugly, they are cheap, and they work very well in the refrigerator.

Probably not what you're looking for but you asked what my favorite was so there you go.

Can I just use any food storage containers I have? I have a bunch of these that I was planning to fill up: https://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Storage-Containers-32-Ounce-24-Pack/dp/B00M9Z4SV6

The narrow mouth of the mason jar is the problem. The solution is to switch to something else:

https://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Storage-Containers-32-Ounce-24-Pack/dp/B00M9Z4SV6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1543416741&sr=8-3&keywords=plastic+quart+container

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You just take it out of the freezer, run it under warm water for about 15 seconds and the whole block drops out. Put it into a saucepan and heat it on high and 5 minutes later you have hot stock.

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If there is any left over stock just put it back into the container and re-freeze it.

I put my cakes in my fruiting chamber 3 weeks ago today, and they just started pinning 3 days ago. For what its worth. My first grow took at least 2 weeks to pin. When I was using a terranium, usually called SGFC around here, I misted and fanned 3 times a day.

Now I keep my cakes in these and only mist once a day
http://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Storage-Containers-32-Ounce-24-Pack/dp/B00M9Z4SV6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418653940&sr=8-2&keywords=tall+tupperware&pebp=1418653910138
It helps keep the moisture in the cakes, and if a cake does get contaminated it will not spread.

For the second week in a row the wife pretty much planned the menu. She chose a couple of old low-cal favorites, and a some new stuff she found on Pinterest throughout the week.

Ham Wraps - An easy portable little snack/meal and one of the wife's favorites. It starts with 8oz of low-fat cream cream cheease. Add in a bundle of diced green onions, some chopped ham slices, and a tablespoon of worchester sauce. Mix by hand, and smear 1/7 of this mix onto a low-cal tortilla.

Caloriess: 178

Cauliflower Casserole - A returning dish from last week that the wife absolutely loves. It smells like a loaded baked potato, and the wife confirms that it tastes the same as well. This week I doubled the batch which gave us more meals, and a bigger portion for each. We made 8 of these.

Started by chopping up 2 heads of cauliflower and boiling them til tender in salted water (took about 15 minutes). Rinsed until chilled, and then broke them up by rubbing between my hands. Put this in a casserole dish, and add in 8oz of low-fat cream cheese, 1 cup of low-fat sour cream, 1/4 cup of parmasean cheese, 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 bundle of chopped green onions. Stir it up, and into a 350 degree overn for 15 minutes.

Calories: 152

Chicken Salad - 1 can of Swanson cooked chicken, 1 tablespoon of Light Miracle Whip, 1 stalk of celery finely chopped, about a tablespoon of chopped yellow onion, and a healthy dash of Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning. Not sure what the wife's plans are for this one (normally eats with Baked Lays, but I think she's eyeing some crackers this week).

Calories: 150

Quinoa & Black Beans - A new dish the wife picked out this week. Mexican is her favorite type of food, and this dish provides the flavor and plenty of stomach filling potential with a low calorie count.

Started by dicing a yellow onion, and sweating it in a little olive oil until they just start to develope some color. Then added in 1 can of low-sodium black beans, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 can of diced green chiles, 1 3/4 cup of vegetable broth, and 3/4 of quinoa. Simmer for about 20 minutes, and then remove from the heat and let set for a while. Scooped 1/5 of this mix into a meal prep container, and we've got a healthy portion for not a lot of calories.

Calories: 235

Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing - Salads are key to making this process work. My wife likes to eat a lot of food, and pulling that off on a diet means you need a big meal that's extremely low-cal standing by for emergencies. The wife tends to get bored easily though, so each week we try to find something to change it up a bit.

The salad was extremely simple. 1/2 of a bag of salad mix into a Chinese soup container, 1/4 of a cup of pre-cooked chicken strips. The dressing this week was the "something different". It was 1/4 cup of Dijon Mustard, 2 tablespoons of Light Miracle Whip, and 2 tablespoons of honey. Whipped together, and then portioned out in a little container I picked up off of Amazon.

Calories: 101

Pork Chili - This week's big soup was my pork chili. It's tasty, low-cal, and full of protein, which is important for me as much as I've been working out.

It started by slow-cooking a 3lbs pork tenderloin overnight in the Crock-Pot with some garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder smoked paprika, and 2 chicken bullion cubes. I set it on high for a few hours, then once it came to a boil I dropped to low heat and let it cook overnight.

The next morning I roasted a bag of little tri-color peppers and 4 pablano peppers for about an hour at 450 degrees. Then wrapped in foil to let sweat, and then peeled them and rough chopped. These went into my 3 gallon soup pot with some chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, smoke paprika, and red pepper flakes. Let this simmer for a bit, and then deglazed with about 1/2 of a Yuengling Lager. Then added 3 cans of tomato juice, 3 cans of chili beans, and let this whole mix come to a boil. Then I shredded the pork tenderloin by hand, added it to the chili, and removed from the heat. Let it set for an hour, and then enjoy.

Calories: 155 for an 8oz bowl.

Bonus Meal: I'm working out a ton, and don't care about calories. By biggest struggle at this point is actually getting enough food to keep myself going, so I've started making some breakfast sandwhiches for myself. It's an everything bagel topped with 2 scrambled eggs, a turkety sausage patty, and a little cheeze. Microwave these for 90 seconds, fipping half-way through, and they make a great little protein filled way to start the day.

Gear: When I picked up the new dressing containers this week it occurred to me that I've never done a write up about any of the gear that I use. This might prove useful, so here's the list.

Prep Containers: Just some basic 2 slot prep containers I picked up off of Amazon. I've bought about 30 of these so far, and been pretty happy with them. One of my orders came in with half of em broken, but a quick call to their customer service got it fixed. I figured the items weren't expensive enough to be worth their trouble getting shipped back, so I told them "refund half of my money and we'll call it even", and they agreed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I97JQ28/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Chinese Soup Containers: These actually started with me just reusing some actual soup containers from a chinese restruant, but they proved useful enough that I started buying my own. My "big soup of the week" tends to be eaten for dinner, so these don't get used for soup. Instead we've found that they make great salad bowls.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M9Z4SV6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My New Dressing Containers: Dressing a salad more than hour in advance will lead to be a big nasty wilted mess. I bought these so that we could pre-portion the dressing and drop it in the salad bowl each week. On weeks where we make the Pizza Lunchables they'll also make great pizza sauce containers. Thus the reason I bought 8 of them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XS2SHQJ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also get out all the ingredients I need, chop veggies, and generally do as much as possible before I turn on the stove and start cooking. Mise en place is super important! Once you start cooking you never have to scramble around or hastily prep something you forgot. I also clean as I go which is pretty efficient and I don't have to deal with a big mess afterwards.

I recently bought a whole bunch of plastic deli containers on Amazon in 8, 16, and 32oz which I'm unreasonably excited about. I put all my mise en place items in them, they're easy to clean, and great for storing leftovers. Best purchase I've made in a while, I recommend it!

https://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Storage-Containers-16-Ounce-36-Pack/dp/B00M9Z4SXY/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1550086170&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=half+quart+containers&dpPl=1&dpID=31s0cYOPj-L&ref=plSrch

I have found these 2 products awesome for food prepping. They are reusable and dishwasher safe, though they last longer if you handwash.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M9Z4SXY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D0JDZFO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My setup is also based on Akro-Mils drawers and Sterlite drawers and they work great. For other items where I have a lot of a single color, I also use these takeout containers (cheap and very sturdy for the price) http://amzn.com/B00M9Z4SXY . They can be stacked on each other and are clear, so you can see what's inside.

Quick tip: instead of ordering the Akro-Mils drawer dividers separately, just cut index cards down to size. The dividers end up costing almost $1 each, which is crazy for a square piece of plastic, and considering it would cost $40-50 to divide each drawer in the unit, it doesn't make sense when the entire unit is only $27)

https://www.amazon.com/StoreMaxx-279-Rectangular-Storage-Containers/dp/B00RN4Y5IY#HLCXComparisonWidget_feature_div these from amazon are the same price

These

https://charts.camelcamelcamel.com/us/B00RN4Y5IY/amazon.png?force=1&zero=0&w=725&h=440&desired=false&legend=1&ilt=1&tp=all&fo=0&lang=en

Found them on Amazon, of course think Costco would be more convenient and cheaper. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RN4Y5IY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I’ve found that the glass Rubbermaid containers like these are quiet.

Pyrex Simply Store Glass Rectangular and Round Food Container Set (18-Piece, BPA-free) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0157G34AY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8bPkDbRGTDN7D

You can get containers that screw on. I think ziplock has some?

Like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077FXNWGC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jZvlDbCWE6R0C


I second the glass containers though as well, just don't get the snapware lids. Pyrex has some on Amazon that are an entirely rubber like lid that are glass. I know a few people with them and they are pretty quite.

Like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0157G34AY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_lYvlDbQR0985G

I use this set. The lids don't lock, but they're good enough for my needs. Cheap and effective. Can go everywhere (microwave,oven, dishwasher (lids hold up to dishwasher as well), etc.).

I have these and while they're a little heavier than the regular ones because they're glass I really like them.

These work great for me. Carry in my backpack every day and no problems yet.


https://www.amazon.com/3-Pack-Glass-Meal-Prep-Containers/dp/B0175EUOL8

I've been eyeing these for awhile:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0175EUOL8/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1467603781&sr=1-9&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=glass+tupperware

They seem to be a good size, and all the same shape. I hate that most Tupperware packs have so many different sized containers in them.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JCNEJVQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_O7QkDbNY6G7C6

The Boveda Acrylic humidor looks nice, but you could probably get a more effective and cheaper solution with a Rubbermaid container which are more reliably air-tight. Mine is big enough for ~30 cigars, and I have two 6g Boveda packs in there at 69rh.

Protecting from humidity swings is more of an operational question. I'd say perhaps invest in a good quality sealable bag (Boveda also make one) with another 6g pack in it and try to open your humidor once a week and move your smokes for that week to the bag - so you don't have to keep opening the humidor.

The next factor to consider is temperature. Find a place which will consistently be roughly between 63-73 degrees (F), depending on your climate that might be a garage, a basement, a spare room, and potentially in a cool box to help stabilise it through day/night cycles.

I use these Rubbermaid containers for my parts/portables/etc.

I have a couple for long-term/inactive storage and one on the desk with things I use daily (or nearly so), such as a small herb storage/grinder/tools/screens/concentrates/etc.

They are nice because they are sturdy, a convenient size for a variety of uses and also latch closed and seal.

I let them sit overnight on the porch then put them into airtight containers inside. I use Rubbermaid clear plastic containers that I have put a microfiber cloth into and have small containers of silica desicant and baking soda. I can fit three to four pipes into a container depending on length, but churchwardens do not fit. They look nice and have completely eliminated any indoor odor.

https://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Brilliance-Storage-Container-Leak-Proof/dp/B01JCNEJVQ

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQYGRVV/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01JCNEJVQ

I never thought of partitioned glass containers before till you mentioned it now. I found these on Amazon

2-Compartment Glass Meal Prep Container Set with Snap-Locking Lids, BPA-Free, Airtight, Leakproof, Microwave

https://www.amazon.com/2-Compartment-Container-Snap-Locking-Leakproof-Dishwasher/dp/B01L9Z57L6/ref=pd_sbs_79_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01L9Z57L6&pd_rd_r=MTHBT6XDC7ZJ48JDFP9V&pd_rd_w=tDsWk&pd_rd_wg=52jFt&psc=1&refRID=MTHBT6XDC7ZJ48JDFP9V

or this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L9Z57L6/ref=ox_sc_mini_detail?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1B1UOPVP5Q4

I'd recommend getting a Kitchen Safe if you're worried about going through it too quickly. It's a simple timer safe that you can set for up to 10 days, worst case you could break into with a power drill but hopefully you have enough self-control to not do that ;)

Thanks for sharing! Love these thoughts and the success that you’re finding in your relationship. I hope you enjoy the ride.

One other thing that I personally love using is this baby. It’s a timelock box that you can have them put their cage keys in. Set the time for however long you like and they won’t be able to sneak out of the cage ahead of schedule. Plus it’s plastic, so if it’s a real emergency you can smash it with a sledgehammer to get the key out. Just something to consider!

This.

Works well. This is the one. Quite sturdy actually.

See how it goes for the week. Thanks for asking.

Sometimes! Although my hypomania seems to be largely based on time (like it’ll happen a certain amount of time after my depressive episode) or triggered by stress. Gotta admit, Adderall is a pretty great crutch for bipolar disorder. It gives me energy when I’m depressed and calms down my ADHD symptoms when I’m manic. Plus I’m in college, so it’s nice to be able to sit through a lecture without trying to gouge my eyes out.

I know it’s a little bit overkill, but I actually bought a time safe for my Adderall to prevent myself from taking more than my prescribed dose. The reviews were pretty stellar (lots of people commented saying that it helped them with their “adult substances”) and I can’t recommend it enough. I’m at the point where I’m not nearly as addicted to Adderall as I was before, so now it’s more of a security device to prevent my 17yo brother from possibly “borrowing” some. Still a fantastic purchase through, I’d buy it all over again.

Kitchen Safe Mini: Time Locking Container (White Lid + White Base) - 2.0" Height https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3VVMAB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HJvOCb91A7TSM

Highly recommend people using plastic containers switch to glass for your health. Heated plastic releases potentially toxic chemicals.

Bought one of each of the following last week. One has a partition, the other doesn't. They're about the same size.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0768T7CWC?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0768TGMXT?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I have these for my boyfriend, I have a smaller set for me. The top is plastic but the container is glass
Hopefully this helps.

https://www.amazon.com/Compartment-Containers-Lifetime-Microwave-Dishwasher-x/dp/B0768T7CWC

Acid free paper will definitely help a lot.

The reason dyes fade with time is mainly because of a process called photooxidation. This basically means that when the dyes absorb light energy they can transfer that energy to oxygen making it more reactive. The elimination of light and oxygen will therefore do a lot to conserve the print. A way you can do this is to obviously use an airtight container but also to use some sachets of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or iron powder which will scavenge the oxygen left in the container after it is sealed. They do this all the time in the food industry. Keeping everything really dry will also help to reduce oxygen permeation into the ink so maybe chuck in some silica sachets as well (desiccant).

EDIT: O2 absorbers and desiccant.

Here is the mobile version of your link

My storage system consists of a combination of Stack-On Drawers for most of my plates and tile pieces, plus around ~200 Take-Out Containers in several different sizes for most of my other bricks. Additionally I have larger tupperware or plastic bins for any pieces where the amount is too large for the take out containers. I sort by both piece size and color grouping, so the containers work really well and are reasonably cheap. For small unique pieces, I have them in tiny plastic bead bags which you can find at any craft goods store. I then combine a bunch of the bags into plastic containers.

Since I really only build Ancient history type stuff, anything that I know I will never use are just stored in large zip lock bags and then in plastic bins, such as tires, steering wheels, airplane parts, etc. I also have 4 tool compartment storage chests for minifigures.

For me, Lego organization is an on-going process that is constantly refined and updated. I will buy more bins, or boxes to even further separate things. When I initially started like 4 years ago all I had were about 300 storage baggies, and a dozen or so shoe boxes or large plastic totes.