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[ichigocorcor]

So, my friends and I decided that we were going to buy groceries instead of eating out. This was a good idea; I spent over $60 at a three-day con; the idea of eating out for five days was a little daunting. So buying groceries is a really good idea, because I spent instead a total of $30 and was able to feed 2-3 people. Plus I brought a rice cooker and a crock pot.

HOWEVER

if you're going to bring your own food, DO NOT BRING RAMEN ONLY. My friend and I ended up getting very, very sick from eating ramen all weekend. I see a lot of "how to eat at Fanime cheap" posts and threads that focus on eating ramen. DON'T DO IT. Ramen has waaay too much salt, and not enough nutrients, to power you through five days of the very physical demands of con.

Suggestion? Bring bread, peanut butter, bananas, jugs of tea and water, and dry cereals. None of these things need to be refrigerated, they have substance, and most importantly, they have nutrition!

Anyone else have food suggestions/horror stories?

[G.I.R]

Bring an Ice chest.  You can keep milk, cheese and other things that need to be kept cool.
As for the ramen, lots of salt.  No wonder you got sick.

[ichigocorcor]

Bring an Ice chest.  You can keep milk, cheese and other things that need to be kept cool.
As for the ramen, lots of salt.  No wonder you got sick.

We got a mini fridge because our friend had medical issues, thankfully. Next year we are definitely bringing more solid food.

[Dagger-6]

Granola bars are good.

When I was roving around, I would grab one or two fruit&nut bars to tide me over (and maybe spoil myself with a fruit danish in the morning).  Get you some calories, some sugar, and fairly healthy.  I wouldn't get hungry for a real meal until later on in the evening.

For instant noodles, you can invest in some of the higher quality ones.  They usually require a little more work but are much more filling and have more vegetables or other things in them.

For Ramen, go with the packets of noodles instead of the cups.  This way you can go without their super-high-sodium flavor packets and instead actually cook a little something on your own.  I prefer to just use chicken broth to flavor mine, and toss in some simple vegetables or something.

But yeah, granola bars, protein bars, meal replacement bars are all awesome.  The latter are usually a little pricier though.

[deonchan]

Crockpot is your best friend if you know how to use one. Try this on for size source: johnny wander

Here is my regular recipe for curry.  This makes enough curry for maybe 5 or more hungry people, with leftovers.  This is an excellent "bachelor" recipe.  It's quick to put together, you don't have to watch it, you really can't overcook it unless you're trying... there are not many ways to mess this up.

INGREDIENTS:
(x1) 8.4 oz. box S&B Golden Curry (I also keep another partial box on hand in case the flavor is too mild)
(x1) medium sized onion, cut into eighths or smaller
(x~3) russet potatoes or whatever potatoes you want, peeled and cut into large bite-sized chunks
(x~3) large carrots, peeled and cut into large bite-sized chunks
(x1) beef chuck roast, or whatever boneless meat you can get ahold of.  Do not trim the fat, or trim it minimally.  Cut into large bite-sized chunks.
A splash of milk or cream toward the end of cooking, if I feel like it.

NOTE: My group of friends-- save Ananth-- are big meateaters.  The beef is the most popular part of the curry.  I buy the biggest, fattiest, cheapest roast I can (~4lbs if I can).  Do not worry about the fat, it'll melt into the stew after 6-8 hours of cooking.

INSTRUCTIONS:
PUT EVERYTHING INTO THE SLOW COOKER.  COVER WITH JUST ENOUGH WATER TO COVER THE INGREDIENTS.  LEAVE IT ON LOW.  GO TO WORK.  COME BACK 6-8 HOURS LATER.  STIR. EAT.  YOUR HOUSE WILL SMELL LIKE CURRY FOR DAYS.

[G.I.R]

Also try  pouches of tuna.  Nothing to drain, ready to eat.  Dried fruits are good to.  And last of all, don't forget paper plates, and plastic utensils.

[Dagger-6]

I was like...hey, that curry recipe sounds kind of good.  Until the last part.

"YOUR HOUSE WILL SMELL LIKE CURRY FOR DAYS."

DO NO WANT. =(

Tuna and dried fruit are awesome.

[ichigocorcor]

Since I brought my rice cooker, I didn't have enough space to bring my full-sized crock pot, so I brought my mini one and just cooked soup. Which kinda sucked, because everybody in my room except for ONE person liked clam chowder, and because he didn't like it I couldn't cook it because it would have made the room smell.

I can't eat curry D: But thanks for posting the recipe for those who can!

[G.I.R]

Tuna and dried fruit are awesome.

I forgot to add, I've even seen seasoned tuna and even salmon in pouches at 99 Cents Only stores.  If you do keep a cooler, I'd also recommend baby carrots, or carrot sticks.  You might even want to bring a small bottle of ranch dressing (a small amount on the tuna is good   ).

[deonchan]

I was like...hey, that curry recipe sounds kind of good.  Until the last part.

"YOUR HOUSE WILL SMELL LIKE CURRY FOR DAYS."

DO NO WANT. =(

Tuna and dried fruit are awesome.

The last line is the only reason why there was no curry @ Rovers base this year =( I had my crockpot ready to go to!

FWIW There's also a chicken and pumpkin curry recipe on there to.

[Tony]

Arg. We really don't need Pyron to be right again.

[deonchan]

Arg. We really don't need Pyron to be right again.

Say huh?

[ichigocorcor]

Arg. We really don't need Pyron to be right again.

Say huh?

+1

[ewu]

Arg. We really don't need Pyron to be right again.

why are you all so lazy.....I manage to read every post.....

http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,12154.msg322037.html#msg322037

[ichigocorcor]

Arg. We really don't need Pyron to be right again.

why are you all so lazy.....I manage to read every post.....

http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,12154.msg322037.html#msg322037

Oh, I actually did read that. That thread was where I got the idea to bring my rice cooker... AND my crock pot.

And I'm sharing a real experience, as opposed to just knocking it

[Liquid]

Arg. We really don't need Pyron to be right again.

why are you all so lazy.....I manage to read every post.....

http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,12154.msg322037.html#msg322037

*sigh* You beat me to posting this link.

[deonchan]

Arg. We really don't need Pyron to be right again.

why are you all so lazy.....I manage to read every post.....

http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,12154.msg322037.html#msg322037

Ahh gotcha

But ya know he was right on that one. The kids or "Adults" that decide to skimp on food, live on Ramen and Ramnue for 5 days are the same ones that cause more medical emergencies than just about anyone else (save out “Code Chunky” friends…) It’s fairly easy to pool $$ for food esp if you’re going in a group. My 3 roommates and I brought PBnJ, Whole Grain Breads, Cold Cuts, Fiber Banana Nut Muffins, Mixed nuts and about 5 cases of water. No one got sick and we were all happy. But like Pyron said if you can’t afford decent food restaurant or pre purchased and may I add if you’re too immature to choose things necessary for your health you should not be at con.

[rude32]

Arg. We really don't need Pyron to be right again.

why are you all so lazy.....I manage to read every post.....

http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,12154.msg322037.html#msg322037

Oh, I actually did read that. That thread was where I got the idea to bring my rice cooker... AND my crock pot.

And I'm sharing a real experience, as opposed to just knocking it

so did you read the entire thread, or just the first few posts? If you would have read the entire thing then you would have realized that eating  only one type of meal for the entire con is a very bad idea, especially when that one thing is ramen.

[Liquid]

Arg. We really don't need Pyron to be right again.

why are you all so lazy.....I manage to read every post.....

http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,12154.msg322037.html#msg322037

Ahh gotcha

But ya know he was right on that one. The kids or "Adults" that decide to skimp on food, live on Ramen and Ramnue for 5 days are the same ones that cause more medical emergencies than just about anyone else (save out “Code Chunky” friends…) It’s fairly easy to pool $$ for food esp if you’re going in a group. My 3 roommates and I brought PBnJ, Whole Grain Breads, Cold Cuts, Fiber Banana Nut Muffins, Mixed nuts and about 5 cases of water. No one got sick and we were all happy. But like Pyron said if you can’t afford decent food restaurant or pre purchased and may I add if you’re too immature to choose things necessary for your health you should not be at con.

We were hardly ever in the room to eat most of that stuff, but at least we tried... and we did go eat out. (La Vics 3 days in a row FTW!)

[Dagger-6]

And lots of raisin danishes, because you piggies eat all the berry ones.  :'(