There’s a Lime & Salt microwave popcorn sample available on Walmart’s website.  Send one to your dorm kid, it would be a fun movie night treat.  My daughter just thanked me for the Bearnaked Granola sample she received in her mailbox.  This popcorn sample is thanks to Freebies 4 Mom.  Hurry up though because it was gone when I checked last week. If their stock is out when you try, come back again later and try again, which is what I did.

Look, here’s another good sample your kids will love you for at Chocolate Bytes.

My daughter came home for a long weekend because the school had a break.  We met her at a Dairy Queen (and of course stopped off for a delicious Pumpkin Blizzard).  Thursday I worked from home, but I told her I would take her out to lunch to a real good food restaurant.  Dorm kids can’t afford real restaurants so McDonald’s is out when you are paying.  Plus there’s the added bonus that they will actually talk with you if you can get them to sit down for a delicious meal .  These kids are so busy they won’t stop and spend much time with you unless there’s food involved. 

She played for the alumni band at the high school where my son was also playing which was cool.  She and her friends stayed for the game and then later they cooked out over a fire and had s’mores in the backyard.  We took time out for haircuts and stock up.  There were things Dorm Girl needed to replenish and things she found she wanted. 

Stock ups for DG:

• Single Serving Mac&Cheese(s)
• Single Serving Drink Mixes to add to water.
• Coffee, Coffee, Coffee
• Powdered Milk
• Peanut Butter and Saltine Crackers
• Organic Cereal
• Hot Dogs & Buns
• Ice Cream - pints
• Salsa & chips
• Meatballs and my homemade spaghetti sauce
• Jiffy cornbread mix
• Microwave popcorn

Some of these things she requested, some she filched from the house, and some she found in the store.  I noticed that now she pays more attention to prices and reasonableness.  I tried to make some of it like the salsa and chips organic because I prefer it, even if it’s not in her price range.   I paid, so it was okay. 

I cooked a really satisfying Sunday breakfast with eggs over medium (dippy eggs) and sausage.  She’s tired of scrambled because it’s all the cafeteria serves.  Later we dropped her off at the school and even though we could have eaten in the cafeteria, we went out for another meal instead.  She had a doggie bag to stuff in the fridge for later or the next day if she wanted it. I think she loves us even if it’s just because we provide her with good food. 

Yes, I know last week was dorm cooking week but that doesn’t mean there isn’t great stuff to share. There are so many awesome resources and recipes available it would be a shame not to bring them to you here.

I give you 40 Dorm Recipes and Resources:

1. College Dorm Fire Safety - Please read this first before attempting to cook in your dorm.
2.  Cooking in the Dorm - About.com Busy Cooks
3. Dorm Room Recipes - The Baltimore Sun
4. Dorm Room Dining Tips and Recipes - gwhatchet.com
5. Dorm Room Cooking and Recipes - About.com Student Travel
6. Beat the’Freshman 15′ with Dorm Room Recipes -udReview.com
7. Dorm Room Cheesy Tuna and Noodles - AllRecipes.com
8. Sweet Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks - The Eagle Online
9. Recipes and Gadgets for Dorm Room Cooking - Parent Dish
10. Recipes from the Dorm Room - Student Fitness
11. Dorm Room Recipes -Peta2 (more…)

We were sent some Kashi Pocket Bread to try out for Dorm week and I’m here to tell you that it is the perfect dorm food.  The individual serving box is compact in size.  There is one Kashi Pocket Bread in one box, so you don’t fill up your little freezer.  It is microwaveable - 2 minutes on high, so it’s fast.  Kashi Pocket Bread is delicious, absolutely, totally delicious.  The bread itself is soft, but not chewy and not thick, just the right thickness, and made from whole grain.

It’s packed with meat (unless it’s vegetarian), and vegetables with just the right amount of sauce.  Our favorite was Turkey Fiesta, which was like a burrito packed into a roll.  We loved the flavor.  It had a little bit of a kick, but not overwhelmingly spicy.  My daughter had the Veggie Medley, and said it was very flavorful with lots of veggies.   I brought the Chicken Rustico to work for lunch and had it along with a side salad. It was easy to handle and eat at my desk. My daughter agreed that it would be great to take to school and said she would eat them especially the Turkey Fiesta.

I’ve tried Kashi before and trust for their whole grain products to be healthy and delicious.  Kashi Pocket Bread comes through once again.  A couple of these stashed in their dorm freezer and you will feel comfortable knowing you are leaving them with something good for them that they will actually eat.

Kashi Pocket Breads are nutritious.

Here are a few easy recipes you can throw together. 

They aren’t elaborate because you don’t have the room or equipment for elaborate.

•  Ramen Noodles - Break noodles up into bowl, just cover with water, microwave on high 3 minutes. For something a little more substantial add chicken (canned or frozen) and some peas.
• Biscuit in a cup - 1 cup of biscuit mix, 1/3 cup of milk, microwave on high from one to two minutes.  For variety, you can add some cheese or microwave  leftover gravy and sausage you brought from home to pour over the cooked biscuit .

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We’ve been collecting the gear for college all year.  My daughter made a list of what she wanted or needed and slowly has gotten them as presents for different occasions.  Although she’s still hoping the grill will show up, and we’ll need to go out and get a few more things,  she has most of what she needs.

Things to collect for dorm cooking:

• Microwave
• Small Fridge
• George Forman Grill
• Drink mixer - for smoothies of course
• Coffee Maker
• Small Crockpot
• Storage Bowls
• Serving Spoons
• Bowl
• Mug
• Plate
• Utensils for eating
• Cutting Board & Knife
• Pot Holders or Hot Pads (Silicon cleans easier)

Cleaning supplies:

• Dish Soap
• Scrubber
• Dish Towels
• Dish Cloth

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