how to grocery shop + feed yourself as a college student // adulting 101 🍎

(slowly crawls out from the depths of my hiatus)

i can't believe i am posting my first video of the year in February T^T
this is a video I've wanted to make for AGES and it was so daunting to start editing because i wanted it to be perfect! perfectionism + creative block + seasonal depression...let's just say that it was the perfect recipe for an unexpected hiatus. BUT my spark for creating is finally back and i'm excited to share more with you all very soon!

also, thank you so much for 500K!!! i never got to officially acknowledge this insane milestone, but i am beyond grateful :") i wonder quite often how i got so lucky with my (not so little) corner of the internet. thank you thank you thank you xx

until next time,
deborah ♡

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❀ faq ❀
what's your name? deborah (she/they)
what do you use to film? canon g7x mark ii + iphone 14 pro + GoPro 11 + canonr50
what do you use to edit? final cut pro x & procreate
what does dobochobo mean? long story short, it's a nickname that i made up for myself LOL

FTC: This video is not sponsored.

[sun_e_rose]

As someone whose also trying to adult a little tip for the fridge: don't let social media fool you! Organize your fridge how YOU see it! For example, I ALWAYS need to keep track of my fresh produce, SO I put condiments, etc. in those "produce" boxes in the bottom and put my produce in the sides/bottom shelves of my fridge. Helps keep everything within "eye-sight!" Thus less food waste (hopefully---that's the goal)

[swimminginthestars_]

sobbing because i was literally just thinking of this and on the brink of crying because it feels like everyone already knows how to do everyrhinf… i have this need to be so hyper independent but it feels like basic skills i lack. thank you

[diaryofaclementine]

hi deb - just wanted to say your videos are so comforting. i'm going through a breakup and since i don't have many friends it's very hard for me, your vids make me feel like i'm just hanging out/facetiming a friend

[samanthays]

I LOVE go to the grocery store!! Buying essentials and processing groceries is so fun, made me feel like an adult

[otto]

Important saving Tip: DON'T BUY VEGETABLES AND FRUITS AT SUPERMARKETS!!!! Instead go to shops with certain quisine like asinan, mexican or polish. Groceries are WAY cheaper and better quality. Also locate nearest markets and go there also for cheaper products. Also theres a lot of apps and online groups of people who give away food so it doesn't go to waste. I use too good to go, but i dont know if it works in USA

[nr]

Hello! Ingredients I recommend (of course, you can take out those you are sure you dislike) to make almost anything:

- onions (cheap, useful for literally everything)
- garlic (easier to have a garlic paste: lasts longer, you only use a tiny bit, and it gives tons of flavour)
- tomatoes (can be used for sauces, cooked for hot meals like pasta, raw for salads)
- carrots (can be eaten cooked or raw, usually cheap, last long
- RICE!! (LASTS SO LONG, will save your life, always have rice, also not expensive and it's nutritious)
- SPICES (salt, pepper, lemon (idk, I'm putting it here), paprika, cumin, ginger, etc)
- corn starch!! (if you mix a bit with cold water and a sauce you like, and add it to whatever you are cooking, let's say hot vegetables, you will have a LOT of sauce! Corn starch + water thickens what you are cooking!)
- Pasta (fast, simple, cheap)
- any fruit that you like, for example, I love oranges and apples, they are not expensive and are very nutritious.
- Maggi Cubes or chicken stock/broth (you can make a soup easy and quick with it)
- TEA TEA TEA (cheap, good for you, easy asf to make)

When you grocery shop you need to make sure you are getting the following things:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Carbohydrates (ex: rice or pasta)
- PROTEIN (make sure it has what you need. If you are vegetarian, for example, you might want to add spinach to your diet because the lack of iron from not eating meat might affect you)
- something that makes you happy and that isn't too big of a cost (snacks, for example)

[maliakaiser]

this video was honestly so comforting, as someone who has been struggling with their relationship with food for most of my life and especially in college now, hearing you talk so passionately about how much food can provide us made me feel so good because I used to feel so guilty for literally eating and would see it as a punishment. i watch your videos whenever I eat because they calm me down! Id love to see more chef deborah videos!! also my tip is to buy some frozen produce like broccoli or frozen blueberries if you have trouble finishing fresh produce before it goes bad because it's cheaper and that way I dont waste it and alot of times you can buy a giant bag!

[bhaavyaj]

no cus the grocery list idea is actually so helpful!!

[josearskog]

From a biology major: Every seedcarrying body for angiosperms are fruits:)) With generally four categories: nuts, berries, capsules, stonefruits. Tomatoes are actually berries, since they're fleshy fruits with multiple seeds:) Those are botanical terms.. wherein there is no such thing as a vegetable:) if you're talking gastronomic terms.. So no harm at all in calling a tomato a veggie.. It doesnt matter technically, heheee :))

[celiabee]

When I first started cooking in college I was a mess! I'd either only eat two types of meals or try out recipes I didn't like just because college blogs recommended it. Starting to cook is scary and there isn't a good guide for newbies getting started, but your video would have been SO helpful to me a year ago! Although I'm still a bad cook, I've been able to try new things and discover new recipes and it's honestly been so fun! Love the video, and can't wait to try a few of your recipes!!

[hellishangst]

7:23 That tomato egg soup looks DELICIOUS. I am DROOLING

[Mika-lkbv]

this was such a much needed video for me honestly. i've recently started cooking for myself because of my health but instead i found myself eating that 1- 5pm meal that acted as both a dinner and lunch. these tips are such a common sense but i needed to hear it thanks love!!

[baibhabi]

hi, I was watching this video while studying. i heard you say 0:35 "eating nutritious food is so important because they help you study, go to class..." and i remembered it was almost late afternoon and i had skipped dinner last night, breakfast this morning and would also skip lunch if i didn't hear your words. I kept my books aside and came to eat. thank you for being there

[sakushini]

Ive been recovering from an eating disorder for about 6 years now, ans im still no where near being healthy, but i am trying. Recently ive been spending a lot of time trying to learn how to cook and take better care of myself, and its hard, but seeing video's like this give me hope. Hopefully one day ill be able to make delicious and healthy meals too, but until then ill keep learning and trying new things everyday ❤

[adoresyoonkook]

As a high school student, your videos seriously motivates me a lot. From living a healthy lifestyle to being a better person in general. Thank you for uploading this video 🌼🤍

[angellelee]

As an independent adult, I am always setting my mind on certain things. Good news is food is on my list of certain things I’m passionate about. Thanks for giving us heads up on the most quintessential ideas on prepping and making food/grocery shopping. I am always grateful for all that you post so far. I can’t wait to see what’s more to come in your vlogs!

[soobinsdolphin]

from one baby adult to another, here's a couple more tips!
- meal prep is your best best friend. there are some meals i cook in a big batch and just eat the same dinner three days in a row. this works better for some things than others, for example curry and salads are good. make sure it's something u really like tho, obv!
- regularity is v helpful. while I like testing out new dinner recipes, for breakfast i always have overnight oats w fruit, and lunch is nearly always cheese and tomato toast, maybe with some greens or nuts. that way, I know I always need a supply of ingredients for those two meals, so less thinking required. plus, not cooking lunch and breakfast saves a lot of time (and I meal prep the oats)
- ik she mentioned it, but the FREEZER. loml. you can freeze nearly anything. put vegetables and fruit in there and they'll come out tasting largely the same. spinach. chopped onion. banana. you name it. especially good to put fruit in there and then blend into a smoothie
- this might not be something for other ppl, but whenever I make a recipe off social media, i always physically write out the ingredients and directions on a piece of paper. often influencer foods add unnecessary stuff or things I dont like, so by writing it down although it take a bit longer it saves time in the long run because I dont have to keep rewatching the video. also I normally add a couple notes to it when I'm done cooking like "leave in oven for longer" or "use less chilli powder it's too spicy" so I know what to do next time.
- if you have time and money (ik most college student dont but) having cute plates and utensils and making your meal look pretty can be really motivating! I send pics to my bf all the time and him being impressed makes me want to cook more, so make sure to share your achievements too!
- if you live close enough to the store, go a couple times a week instead of doing one big shop. it will help you prevent food waste, let you plan better, and feels less overwhelming
- on that topic, this may sound obvious but stores differ a lot. for example in the uk, a bell pepper from lidl is not going to last as long as one from tesco. shop around to find what suits you and your budget

[kenwhite]

I have a tip for someone who lives part time with my bf (who only cooks big fancy meals when I'm there). Your freezer is your best friend. If you don't eat sandwiches every day, freeze your bread. I don't drink milk but I'll cook with it sometimes so I put it in the freezer when I'm not gonna use the rest for a while. Bought a large bag of carrots for cheap and don't want them to go to waste?? Freeze it. Don't forget, freezer burn is a thing so I recommend freezer paper (butcher paper). Just wrap it up good, tape it and label it so you don't forget what's what. This is all especially helpful when you're on a budget or hate food waster like me. You can freeze just about anything.

[fuchion]

Love seeing this side of you and getting to understand what you study in school.

[emmanuellaa.]

I've been watching you since I was in highschool and now I'm getting ready for college !!! This couldn't come at a better time. Love ya <33