Wow! This was such a great read. Love how Nina uses what's going to go bad first and tries to waste nothing. OMG, and that water in the boat photo looks divine!
Our experience last summer really taught me how challenging it is to live on a boat - and Nica's is even smaller than ours! She's a pro, though, and makes it look easy.
I just moved into an apartment in NYC with a, for my standards, small kitchen. I am trying to attach less to the way I used to cook, which was without much concern for storage space.
I was a nomad for the last year and a half, but during that time, I was mostly staying in places with spacious kitchens or eating out for most meals. Plus, each place I was in was viscerally temporary. So, I learned to adapt and not attach.
Now that I'm in this apartment for a 16-month lease, I definitely feel more attachment to having more - more space, more supplies, more convenience and ease.
This morning, I was researching small kitchen islands and a freestanding cabinet that I could add to expand my storage space. I was getting a little stressed about the cost of the extra storage solutions, which will hold extra stuff that will also have a cost. But now, I'm reconsidering. I'm rethinking whether I really need all of this, or if I can just use this as an opportunity to be creative--with my space and my ingredients, which will both show up in my cooking.
Thank you so much Nica and Rebecca for sharing this.
"I learned to adapt and not attach." - That's pretty much the secret to life, I think. I have found that creativity often springs from situations with restricted options. It's an interesting contradiction... but many of my most creative ideas have come from situations where I had to just make do with what I had. It's crazy how often I forget that. :-)
A thought too: if you keep reaching for a kitchen tool that you don't have and the lack of it is super annoying, then it's worth figuring out a way to have it. (currently here that's a citrus juicer and yes a fork or a spoon works but OMG a juicer, once of those squeeze things, is SO. MUCH. BETTER) - we used to have one and it broke and it is top of my list to replace when I see one again.
This is also our philosophy in our RV; if it's something we use often and love having it, it's worth finding a place for it. If it's something we thought we would use but actually don't, we get rid of it.
Yes, I agree with you. I’m trying to just get what I need for now - for today, or this week. And let go of the mindset that I want to have certain things that I’ll probably use in the next month or two. When that time comes, I will figure it out. :)
Also, it’s not that I want more for the sake of more. I truly love cooking across cuisines and cultures. I used to have a well-stocked kitchen with a variety of spices that I did use. Now, I’m thinking of limiting myself a bit more to maybe the top 5-8 cuisines that I cook the most of. And mostly, just getting what I need for this week. :)
Ugh this is too real. I can relate. I especially feel this when things I like/use often are on sale! I also remind myself, it’s not the end of the world.
It’s a little challenging being in NY now because it has been rainy and cold here. Currently, our pantry and freezer are not stocked for such days. And we don’t have an umbrella (yet) so I have been avoiding going outside sometimes.
And I’m sure I will become more creative and start stocking my pantry more wisely. Crazy how 1.5 years of nomad life (with no home base) has put me out of practice. I’m going to say “I look FORWARD to seeing how my creativity will blossom in this new stage of life.”😊
I have this weird fear of running out of things and it causes me to over buy even when I’m trying to just shop for the next few days. I’m getting better, but I’m always surprised at how far a small amount of anything goes. And, I have to constantly remind myself that if we run out of (fill in the blank), it’s never the end of the world.
There are a couple of exceptions on board here - one is powdered milk, which lasts a while until I go on a yogurt or paneer making binge, and then POOF it's almost gone. I try to always have one on the go, one in reserve (at least one anyway) which works reasonably well since it's available everywhere.
I'm glad it was helpful! Interesting to think of "MORE" and the (to me) juxtaposition of supplies and ease . . . one thing I have learned as I cook aboard is that I have not lacked for tools even though my options aboard are far fewer than I had in my land kitchen.
Love this cross post. Nica, this is a fab reminder for everyone (not just mariners) to be mindful of their purchasing and eating habits. Something we can all benefit from, and will likely really need to utilize in the not-so-distant future.
Wow! This was such a great read. Love how Nina uses what's going to go bad first and tries to waste nothing. OMG, and that water in the boat photo looks divine!
Right??? Makes you want to dive right in.
This was fun to read. And this kind of kitchen magic is a good one for all of us to learn.
And I don't think I could live on a boat. Good for you for doing it though. And huge kudos to Nica for her adventures.
Our experience last summer really taught me how challenging it is to live on a boat - and Nica's is even smaller than ours! She's a pro, though, and makes it look easy.
Holy wow. I NEEDED to read this right now.
I just moved into an apartment in NYC with a, for my standards, small kitchen. I am trying to attach less to the way I used to cook, which was without much concern for storage space.
I was a nomad for the last year and a half, but during that time, I was mostly staying in places with spacious kitchens or eating out for most meals. Plus, each place I was in was viscerally temporary. So, I learned to adapt and not attach.
Now that I'm in this apartment for a 16-month lease, I definitely feel more attachment to having more - more space, more supplies, more convenience and ease.
This morning, I was researching small kitchen islands and a freestanding cabinet that I could add to expand my storage space. I was getting a little stressed about the cost of the extra storage solutions, which will hold extra stuff that will also have a cost. But now, I'm reconsidering. I'm rethinking whether I really need all of this, or if I can just use this as an opportunity to be creative--with my space and my ingredients, which will both show up in my cooking.
Thank you so much Nica and Rebecca for sharing this.
"I learned to adapt and not attach." - That's pretty much the secret to life, I think. I have found that creativity often springs from situations with restricted options. It's an interesting contradiction... but many of my most creative ideas have come from situations where I had to just make do with what I had. It's crazy how often I forget that. :-)
Most definitely, Rebecca! I got that kind of vocabulary from my meditation practice, and I feel that it applies in every single aspect of my life. :)
A thought too: if you keep reaching for a kitchen tool that you don't have and the lack of it is super annoying, then it's worth figuring out a way to have it. (currently here that's a citrus juicer and yes a fork or a spoon works but OMG a juicer, once of those squeeze things, is SO. MUCH. BETTER) - we used to have one and it broke and it is top of my list to replace when I see one again.
This is also our philosophy in our RV; if it's something we use often and love having it, it's worth finding a place for it. If it's something we thought we would use but actually don't, we get rid of it.
Yes, I agree with you. I’m trying to just get what I need for now - for today, or this week. And let go of the mindset that I want to have certain things that I’ll probably use in the next month or two. When that time comes, I will figure it out. :)
Also, it’s not that I want more for the sake of more. I truly love cooking across cuisines and cultures. I used to have a well-stocked kitchen with a variety of spices that I did use. Now, I’m thinking of limiting myself a bit more to maybe the top 5-8 cuisines that I cook the most of. And mostly, just getting what I need for this week. :)
Ugh this is too real. I can relate. I especially feel this when things I like/use often are on sale! I also remind myself, it’s not the end of the world.
It’s a little challenging being in NY now because it has been rainy and cold here. Currently, our pantry and freezer are not stocked for such days. And we don’t have an umbrella (yet) so I have been avoiding going outside sometimes.
And I’m sure I will become more creative and start stocking my pantry more wisely. Crazy how 1.5 years of nomad life (with no home base) has put me out of practice. I’m going to say “I look FORWARD to seeing how my creativity will blossom in this new stage of life.”😊
I have this weird fear of running out of things and it causes me to over buy even when I’m trying to just shop for the next few days. I’m getting better, but I’m always surprised at how far a small amount of anything goes. And, I have to constantly remind myself that if we run out of (fill in the blank), it’s never the end of the world.
There are a couple of exceptions on board here - one is powdered milk, which lasts a while until I go on a yogurt or paneer making binge, and then POOF it's almost gone. I try to always have one on the go, one in reserve (at least one anyway) which works reasonably well since it's available everywhere.
I'm glad it was helpful! Interesting to think of "MORE" and the (to me) juxtaposition of supplies and ease . . . one thing I have learned as I cook aboard is that I have not lacked for tools even though my options aboard are far fewer than I had in my land kitchen.
Love this cross post. Nica, this is a fab reminder for everyone (not just mariners) to be mindful of their purchasing and eating habits. Something we can all benefit from, and will likely really need to utilize in the not-so-distant future.
Food waste is money waste in a very real way!
Love the “lasagna could be anything” idea. Just layers!
I'm sure this is a sacrilegious thing to even think, let alone say out loud. Probably ought to have said "lasagna-inspired"
I'd guess Christine loves the idea even more now that you've labeled it sacrilegious. :-)
HAHAHAHA
Thank you, Rebecca! <3
Thank YOU, my friend.
A new discovery! Thanks for sharing
I loved this! And I've loved Nica's writing for a while.
The admiration is mutual, Liza!