The single gal's guide to groceries

I do my grocery shopping every payday. Once a month I do a big shop to stock up on whatever items I need to replenish my pantry. On the second payday, I buy the perishables: veggies, milk, etc.

I cook for myself, and I really enjoy it. Cooking for me is therapy; I can control the quality of the ingredients and take pride that I've really made a nice meal. I take pride in my cooking because I feel like I'm doing something good for myself.

Last night, I was between paydays, I had Friday brain, and I had PMS. I was tired, and didn't feel like cooking or nuking something in the microwave. I get like this some weeks, where I'm just too much of a lazy schmuck on Friday nights to do anything productive. Sometimes I go out on Friday nights, other times I'm too tired to do anything. Last night was one of those nights.

Last night, since I had PMS, I was craving carbs.

There was only one thing that could satisfy my craving.

The Cheesiest.

That's right, Kittens, I sought the comfort of that magical Blue Box, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. I grew up on Mama Cat's mac, which is fabulous and far superior to the Magic Kraft, but I didn't feel like taking all the necessary steps to make her recipe (melt the cheese, boil the pasta, mix cheese and pasta, but in casserole dish, sprinkle top with bread crumbs, bake at 350 for 45 minutes).

So last night, on my way home, I stopped at CVS and picked up the following:

• 2 boxes of Kraft Mac and Cheese
• a quart of skim milk
• a pint of Edy's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream

The cashiers laughed at my purchases, but it was all in good fun. At first I felt like I had to apologize for my bag's contents, but I decided not to. So what if they think I'm strange? I'm only cooking for myself here, people!

I went home and made my pasta. I cannot practice portion control when I eat the Cheesiest. For me, the best way to eat it is straight out of the pot, using the same wooden spoon that you used to cook it. Same thing went with the pint of Edy's; I ate the whole thing.

And that was my dinner last night.

And today...well, I don't feel so good. I cannot eat the same way I did when I was in my 20s.

I need to have breakfast right now, probably some eggs. I need the protein.

But I have one more box of the Magic Kraft, and I can hear it calling my name...