#grocery tips

[abruzcadabra]

My grocery list

I’m putting my grocery list in a blog post so that others can get a specific picture of how the things I buy help save me money and simplify my life. You may notice that some things are in odd categories-I’m not a nutritionist. Also, you’ll probably notice that there is very few premade items, mostly sauces. Hope it is somewhat interesting. There is a copy and paste-able list at the bottom. I have also written a blog post with recipes I commonly use these ingredients in.

Meat

I buy meats that have multiple uses. My regulars are: flank steak, chicken thighs, ground beef (80/20), eggs, and fish. I use flank steak because it is lean and a good cut, but still inexpensive. I like chicken thigh because they are less expensive and more moist than breasts, but just as versatile a protein. Ground beef is good for tacos, burgers, and adding to dishes. I like 80/20 because it isn’t too dry to cook on its own and it is cheaper. Eggs are a great source of easy protein and fairly inexpensive. The kind of fish I get depends on the prices. I always look at the prices so I know when there’s a deal. I don’t buy if there are no deals. I like fish, but it can be very pricey. Especially for meat I would recommend going to a Costco business center or Chef Store. I buy in bulk and portion it into reusable bags. 

Veggies and fruits

Staples: Avocado, Banana, Tomato, Romaine, Apple (Fuji or Gala), Potato, Garlic, Onion, Brussel Sprouts, Asparagus, Broccoli (frozen), Peas (frozen), Corn (frozen) 

Variable: Sweet potato, Blueberries, Grapes, Raspberries, Mango, Cauliflower, Zucchini, Spaghetti Squash, Mushrooms, Sweet Peppers, Carrots, Turnips

Seasonal/Occasional: Ginger, Cherries, Grapefruit, Watermelon, Artichoke, Celery, Pineapple

Spices

Spices accumulate over time and do not need to be purchased frequently. I will list them according to how important/versatile I think they are.

Staples: Cumin, Paprika, Thyme, Rosemary, Salt, Pepper, Cinnamon, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder

Good to have: Turmeric, Fennel, Nutmeg, Cloves, Chili Powder, Cayenne, Red Pepper, Parsley, Chives, Oregano, Sage, Montreal Steak Seasoning, Sesame Seeds

Used sparingly: Cardamom, Seasoned Salt

Carbs

I don’t eat wheat-it just disagrees with me. I substitute pastas with mung bean noodles. We eat a lot of tacos with corn tortillas. I occasionally use rice. I keep walnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews, peanuts (in-shell), and sunflower seeds on hand for snacking, adding to salads, and grinding up to make breadings. 

Sauces

I have a lot of sauces since they keep well. Those include, but are probably not limited to: ketchup, mustard (deli, yellow, sometimes honey), mayo, soy, oyster, Worchester, A1, peanut, sweet chili, tapatio, crystal, lemon juice, lime juice, teriyaki, BBQ, jelly, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla flavoring, 

Oils and vinegar

Avocado oil for high heat, olive oil for not so hot, coconut oil, lard for seasoning the cast iron, balsamic (which I also make a glaze from), apple cider vinegar. I keep white vinegar under the sink for cleaning and crafts. 

Dairy

Heavy whipping cream is delicious and can be used in anything calling for milk-watered down if necessary, but milk cannot be whipped. Occasionally fancy cheese for cheese and meats date nights. Dried non-fat milk. Sour cream. Greek yogurt-plain or honey flavor. Butter.

Canned/jarred

Soups, tuna, spam (for musubi), beans (black and refried), enchilada sauce, spaghetti sauce, artichoke hearts, pickles, jalapenos, olives (black and green/Kalamata)

Other

Corn starch, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, bouillon, tortilla chips, salsa

I just replace these things as they run out. It is a diverse enough list to make many recipes, but small enough that it isn’t too costly nor strenuous to maintain. As I run out of things, I add it to my list. When the list is long enough, or has items that are of greater importance, I go shopping.

Just Lists

Staples:

flank steak, chicken thighs, ground beef (80/20), eggs, fish,  Avocado, Banana, Tomato, Romaine, Apple (Fuji or Gala), Potato, Garlic, Onion, Brussel Sprouts, Asparagus, Broccoli (frozen), Peas (frozen), Corn (frozen),  Cumin, Paprika, Thyme, Rosemary, Salt, Pepper, Cinnamon, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, corn tortillas, mung bean noodles, rice, walnuts, pecans, almonds, sunflower seeds, ketchup, mustards, mayo, soy, tapatio, lemon juice, lime juice, teriyaki, BBQ, jelly, peanut butter, avocado oil, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, heavy whipping cream, sour cream, butter, tuna, beans, enchilada sauce, spaghetti sauce, pickles, jalapenos, olives, corn starch, baking soda, bouillon, tortilla chips

Extras:

Sweet potato, Blueberries, Grapes, Raspberries, Mango, Cauliflower, Zucchini, Spaghetti Squash, Mushrooms, Sweet Peppers, Carrots, Turnips, Turmeric, Fennel, Nutmeg, Cloves, Chili Powder, Cayenne, Red Pepper, Parsley, Chives, Oregano, Sage, Montreal Steak Seasoning, Sesame Seeds, cashews, peanuts,  oyster sauce, Worchester, A1, peanut sauce, sweet chili sauce, crystal hot sauce, maple syrup, vanilla flavor, coconut oil, balsamic vinegar, dried non-fat milk, Greek yogurt, canned soups, spam, artichoke hearts, salsa

#grocery list #eat healthy #grocery store ideas #grocery store tips #grocery tips #food lists

[ginga-snappd-offical]

While I was working in retail, I wanted to make an illustrated PLU listing book. I no longer have time for it, and with how things are prone to changing in retail a lot I think it would quickly become obsolete for it’s intended purpose. I still think that you should have access to a PLU list so when you’re at self checkout and you have produce, you can check yourself out faster, so here’s a comprehensive document I found with most commonly used PLU codes.

More simply, always remember: Bananas will almost always be 4011 unless marked down.

#grocery tips #shopping #public resources #ya

[satans-knitwear]

How is the view from down there?? 🧐

Treat me ~ Tip Me ~ More of me

#Fishnet Friday #Fishnet tights #Floral fishnets #Black lace lingerie #satans knitwear #girls with piercings #alt pinup #pinup girl #pretty lingerie #cheeky #uk girl #Any tips or treats would be massively appreciated right now 💕 #Thank you for the help with my groceries 🥺 I look forward to thanking you properly.

[logicalbookthief]

Kazuki is literally wearing the mom sweater drip. When is he joining the brunch group

#buddy daddies #kazuki kurusu #rei suwa #they definitely invite him out one day to try and get the tea on him and his partner #and at first kazuki is immensely stressed trying to keep track of the lies #but he finds out the moms are also passionate about cooking and have the best tips on laundry detergent or grocery sales #and then he’s like I’ve found my people #you know there's at least one other mom who will complain about her gamer husband #and kazuki would join in #completely oblivious to the fact they all 100% think he & rei are married

[alsojnpie]

dishes are forever

#I MISSED HAVING A TABLET!!!! #ht papyrus #a gentle touch when you're sad #a menacing touch when it would be funny #he can do it all #LITTLE PRO TIP LIFE HACK THOUGH: IF WASHING DISHES MAKES YOU WANT TO LIVE ON A DIFFERENT PLANET #MAYBE YOU HAVE TOO MANY DANG DISHES #BEING IN A SITUATION WHERE I HAVE 80% FEWER DISHES THAN BEFORE MEANS I DO DISHES MORE OFTEN BUT IT'S SO EASY #AND NOT SOUL SUCKING AT ALL #JUST MY EXPERIENCE!!!!!! THAT'S ALL #I'm sure when i am reunited with my other dishes i will languish in bed staring at this psyching myself up to the task #but i like keeping random jars from food i bought and dishes that i picked up in different places. #they physically remind me of everywhere I've been and sometimes i just look at them and remember where I've been #my favorite is the old ratatouille jar i bought at carrefour in Chengdu #that jarred ratatouille was the nastiest food to grace this earth #i bought it in case it would make a quick easy meal (you don't really find those at the grocery store in China at least not back then) #but even my cheap lazy self couldn't eat it #so no one ever consumed that ratatouille but the jar was pretty big so i put other stuff in it and now it's my dish #and somehow the label is glued on PERMANENTLY it has never washed off after all these years #actually idk maybe it eventually did it isn't here for me to look at but it lasted a long time i know that

[logically-asexual]

this is what Asides should have been.

#ts criticism #just imagine #one like this for every side #the most random thing #baking tips with logan #grocery shopping tips with virgil #stuff like that #mundane and silly and under 5 minutes long

[8bit-mau5]

Wanted to show off some quick holiday-themed tiefling bust adopts im working on 👉👈

#artists on tumblr #dnd #dnd art #tiefling #Gabriel's arts #WIP #adoptable #okay to reblog #these guys have been precaimed for cheap cos i wanted some quick cash to cover groceries up here asdmknfnjfhb #the guy up top was actually the 3rd to be designed! he also went the fastest any of my adopts have ever sold and im #so happy abt that 😭 #if anyones ever interested in having early access to my adopts feel free to DM me and i can send u a link to my art server! #the kofi section gets access first. but the server overall gets to see and preclaim my stuff before twitter and tumblr #most times even the Tip Jar tier ($2 a month) gets access to them also #depending on my situation #ANYWAYS i have idea for another 3 adopts but theyre PROBABLY not gonna come out til like. after my trip? we'll see how inking goes

[khaotunq]

At it again.

I do intend to actually clean the Sand one up and do it properly because I do have it partially built in the Sims because that's who I am as a person, but apparently we're doing Ray's rich boy rooms first.

In crayola coloured pencil and crayon because I never actually went and got my architecture degree and I can do what I want.

#adventures in ofts #my whiteboard has mlc ages and coral island fishing times written on it #the others have a skillet bread recipe and my grocery list on them #so scrap notepaper i found on the floor and colouring pencils it is #and also crayons because i couldnt find a felt tip #so this is. a lot more chaotic. #realising ray's rooms all have sliding doors rather than swinging doors fundamentally fucked me up #ray lives in a closet #he's just not very good at it #it's a very big closet tbf #i'm still not over the floral decorations theyre so #and also jojo/crew were sitting in what i assume is walk in/open closet space for the bathroom scenes #i'm so entertained #i was. not doing this on a flat surface. is my excuse #and not that i'm in a lot of pain and had too much coffee #i have a whole bunch of screenshots that are just me going ???? WHERE IS THIS #but i'll get there #this has so much missing from it

[hey-hey-itsokay]

FELLOW AUTISTIC PEOPLE! I have a question:

I struggle massively with the grocery store! Even with my headphones on! I don’t know what to do anymore , I can’t afford to get them delivered. The lights are too bright, there too many people, I get so nervous and panicky when people do not respect my personal space. And there’s too many options all the time. What works for everyone else? I open to all suggestions.

#help #actually autism #autistic spectrum #sensory issues #sensory problems #autistic experiences #being autistic #autistic problems #need tips #grocery #actually autistic

[aibidil]

if you have a doctor’s note, your health insurance should pay the grocery delivery fee

#grocery shopping uses all the days spoons #dreading having to spend them thusly tomorrow #because the only other option is to spend $30-40 extra after tip #disability #chronic illness #dysautonomia

[abruzcadabra]

In light of rising inflation and gas prices, can I add something new to the conversation on saving money?

1. Reducing the waste you produce can help you save by enabling you to a) get a smaller (cheaper) bin, or b) require pick-ups less often. Depending on how your waste service is charged, either per visit or by volume, reducing your waste output can save you money. 

How can you reduce your waste output? Well, you may already be familiar with many ways to do so. Here are some you may not have considered:

a) Get and use a countertop compost bin. Putting food scraps in a separate bin prevents your garbage from needing emptied as often because it doesn’t smell. A bin without food garbage can be repeatedly condensed by crushing down the contents. There is less urgency to change it over when there is no smell. Fitting more garbage in a smaller space allows for fewer pick ups or a smaller bin. The compost can be used in the yard, disposed in a yard bin, or even returned to the trash right before taking it out. 

b) Reduce your waste generation by carefully considering what you bring into the house. Consider options that offer less packaging like bulk foods or reusable packaging. Yard and recycle bins may be free in your area. If so, opt for packaging that can be legally disposed in either of those bins. Metal is a great example. Metal is very recyclable and contains many food products. At the grocery store, consider options in cans instead of lined cardboard or plastic. 

c) Save the jars after you use up pickles, jelly, spaghetti sauce, etc. Use emptied and cleaned jars to divvy up bulk food or store leftovers rather than spending money on containers. Save the plastic containers from ready to eat foods, sour creams, or ketchup. Use for food prep, leftover storage, and to divvy up sauces. Get plastic lids for cans. Cans can then be easily opened for small amounts and then stored in the refrigerator preventing the use of too much ingredient or using an additional dish. Utilizing jars, cans, and plastic containers reduces the need to purchase additional dishes for storage and saves money by allowing for the purchase of bulk foods. It also leads to less waste by diverting these items from the trash bin. If you have extras that you cannot utilize and/or don’t have space for, consider using them in crafts or offering them for free on a Buy Nothing group or similar site. 

2. Streamline your grocery buying process. This can save you time (and time=money) and money by increasing your efficiency through familiarization. By saying streamline, I mean develop a system which gets the groceries you need into your house using the least amount of time and money. 

a) Have a list. Okay, there’s lots out there about how a list can save you money by ensuring you stick to it. That’s not why I’m recommending a list. I always have a list. I don’t stick to it. The list is so I don’t forget things and need to go back, not to prevent me from getting extras. What if something I use a lot is on sale? Maybe I should get more of it now and not get a more expensive option. A list keeps you on task, but it shouldn’t take you to task. 

b) Consider buying mostly the same things every time you shop. Chances are there are items that you or your family really enjoy. Buy those. Then there might be those things that are good once in awhile, but that aren’t always appreciated. Ignore those unless they’re on sale. If you buy mostly the same things each time, you will know where they are and about how much they regularly cost. Knowing where all your items are means less time spent in the store. Knowing how much they cost means that you know if they’ve gone on sale (buy more) or if they are a little pricey that week (buy less or find an alternative). My list of same things. 

c) Be flexible. Keep an eye out for good deals. If its not, check again the next week. If it is, consider picking it up or replacing something else. Check the ‘deals’ areas. There are usually areas is each part of the store where they offer deals on food that is nearing expiration. The meat, seafood, bakery, and produce sections often offer this option. If there is a good deal on fish-pick it up, cook it that night. 

d) Buy mostly raw ingredients rather than prepackaged goods. I know this one is not for everyone. I usually shop around the outside of the aisles-produce, meat, dairy, bulk. Of course, I have a few jars of spaghetti sauce in my pantry and I’ve stocked up on cans of soup for days where I especially don’t feel like cooking, but I mostly cook everything from scratch (more below). Prepackaged foods, ready-to-eat meals, and frozen items can make home life easier, but pound for pound really add to the grocery bill. I’d personally recommend a good balance: mostly fresh food with a few pre-made foods for really long days. 

e) Stock up on spices and sauces. Plain food can be made exciting with the right combination of spices or a good sauces. Spices and sauces are generally inexpensive and more versatile that you’d expect. This is how you ensure that buying the same things all the time doesn’t get boring. 

3. Cook your own food. From scratch. It’s easier than you think. Some mistakes I’ve seen people make when starting to cook from scratch is picking recipes that sound good and trying them out. All too often these turn out to require buying special ingredients and have a lot of prep work. They may even require special utensils or appliances. Don’t buy extra things! Use what you have. It will taste great!

a) Cooking is a science... and an art. A science in that certain ingredients will have certain properties. An art in that its up to you how to utilize those properties and combine ingredients. 

b) Don’t make it harder than it has to be. Learning to cook well is a process. Just following a complicated recipe does not make you a good cook. Being able to make any combination of ingredients into a meal makes you a good cook. But you don’t need to be a good cook to make a good simple meal. Start simple: a healthy meal has a small protein, a small carb, and a large portion of vegetables. A few spices or a sauce on some pan fried beef and chicken with a side of baked potato and pan fried veggies is easy and delicious. Mix some ground beef with taco seasoning and load onto warmed corn tortillas with lettuce and tomato for some quick and easy tacos. Don’t worry too much about quantities. Add a little, taste. Add a little more if needed. Some of the recipes I make frequently when I don’t feel like cooking.

c) Think outside of the box with recipes. For example, a recipe I was using recently called for saffron. Now, saffron is $24 for 0.01 ounces. The recipe called for 1/4 teaspoon. I don’t care if it’s a sprinkle. I’m not spending that much on a spice. I sincerely doubt the meal will taste $24 better with the saffron than without it. The internet told me I could use turmeric instead. The meal was delicious-more so because it didn’t cost me a fortune. Just because a recipe calls for an ingredient doesn’t mean that ingredient is integral to the meal. Proteins can often be exchanged for other meats or meat substitutes. Vegetables are often interchangeable. I use mung bean noodles or spaghetti squash in the place of traditional pasta. Spice mixes can often forgo the pricier inclusions without affecting quality. Recipes are a recommendation based on the tastes of the author. Many can be changed around completely while still offering structure for a new cook. Find a book that you like, but use what you have on hand to save yourself money and time. 

d) Portion control. It’s important to remember that we often consume more calories that our bodies are able to utilize in one sitting. Reducing intake saves money by preserving our groceries and saves our bodies from having to process and/or expel extras. 

e) Food prep/leftovers. This is healthy ready made food for less that the processed versions in the grocery store. Use food prepping and leftovers to save yourself time on subsequent meals. Save on lunches by making and taking the extras. Food prep utilizes time you have available to make food for when you have less time or energy. 

4. Reduce. Reduce. Reduce. We accumulate so much that we don’t realize how much is at best-extraneous, at worst-a burden. 

a) Are you paying for storage? Do you need to? There is a thriving second-hand economy these days that is easily accessible to all. Many of the things that we accumulate don’t serve an immediate need. They could be rehomed and, if the need arises, purchased later through the same channels. Don’t pay for storage you don’t need!

b) Is your house cluttered? Organizing your home makes it easier to clean and improves your mood. Okay, maybe not everyone, but I know I feel better when everything is put away and clean. Organizing and cleaning saves you money because you know if something is on hand-you don’t buy extra if its not necessary. You can sort through and pass on the things that aren’t needed. You can make room for things you might have in storage. 

c) Are you holding onto projects that you just can’t seem to make time for? Maybe its time to admit that you won’t be getting to them for the foreseeable future and drop that obligation from your mind. Or maybe you decide to get to them right away. To do items tends to weigh on us if we don’t get to them in a timely fashion. They can even sit on the list so long that they are no longer important, and yet they loom. Consider what you really want to work on and let the rest go.

d) Rest, reset, and reconsider. It has been my experience that our priorities change over our lifetimes. Sometimes a little. Sometimes a lot. Often though, we continue chugging along in a life designed by an earlier version of our differently prioritized selves. We accumulate pieces of our changing priorities, but rarely do we let any go. I think it is important every once in awhile to take a step back, remove all the distractions, and decide what we really care about. What are our goals now? What does a life that leads to those goals look like? Strip down to the bare necessities. Discontinue all the streaming services and the monthly subscriptions. Which ones do you miss? Do you really? Then sign back up. Box up clothes, books, movies, and cds that you haven’t used in months. Put them away for a few months. Do you think about them? Do you need to use any? Then bring them back. If not, pass them on. Stop engaging in regular activities for awhile. Do you miss them? What do you miss about them? Reengage with the ones that really mean something to you.

e) Take it easy. Don’t try to do everything at once. Often you get excited about something you’ve heard or read, you try to implement it all, it gets overwhelming, you feel like you’ve failed. As with any information, use what works for you. Start with the things that integrate easily into your life. Add more as time goes on. I didn’t start doing all of the things above at once. They developed over time with much trial and error. Eventually they lead to a lifestyle I enjoy that costs less than the average without compromising on quality or my commitment to health and conservation. 

#money saving tips #save money #grocery tips #cooking ideas #reduce reuse recycle #thoughts on saving

[ginga-snappd-offical]

Inbetween work gigs so I’m making an illustrated produce booklet for various products. Decided to start with apples, I‘ll be going alphabetically. Facts found through specialty produce.com and fooducation.com I’ll be releasing these for free since a lot of it is just copy/paste

#digital art #small artist #artists on tumblr #produce #grocery tips #grocery shopping #apples #the amount of self control it takes me to not just smack a thick ass onto every fruit is a lot

[pixlokita]

You're more of a Polly-pocket than MXES could ever be. XD

Just because you’re like 😭 20 ft tall don’t mean I’m pocket sized.

#so what if ??? I gotta climb on the counters ? #and the grocery store shelves #SO WHAT IF I HAVE TO TIP TOE TO GET OVER THE BABY GATES #pix answers #cloud #i used to be the tallest in my friend group 🧍‍♂️ #how dare u #💖😔 that’s aight you and everyone are pocket sized in my heart

[satans-knitwear]

The pinup vibes are delicious and romantic today ❤️

Treat me (wishlists) ~ Tip (pypl) me (cshpp)

#Song is one i was loving while i was getting dressed up for you!! #More pics to come as usual #I feel like i look almost as expensive as my groceries. Astronomical. Diamond tier. #Any tips/treats would be massively appreciated 😅💕✨ #Saty delicious my loves #bi girl #uk girl #cheeky #alt pinup #Pinup girl #Bettie page vibes #pinup aesthetic #Pretty lingerie #I adore this colour and set so much #girls with piercings #wlw #Spotify

[icewindandboringhorror]

sometimes looking at like Self Help Strategies lists for the symptoms I'm having is always just like:

thing that I already do

thing I have tried 10 times

thing I already do

thing that I don't have the money to do

thing I already do

thing I've been doing since I was 10yrs old to no avail

thing that is impossible given my situation

thing that doesn't apply to me

thing that I already do

thing I have already tried

hrmm, oh wait, maybe finally- OH, yeah.. okay. thing that I already do but it was just phrased slightly differently

thing I have already done

#I think maybe productivity tips help less if the reason you're unproductive is partially like.. physcial health and other extenral things #out of your control. rather than just like having trouble paying attention or spending too much time on tiktok or whatever #all the strategic to do lists in the world are not going to somehow prevent me from waking up with a debilitating migraine or whatever #or having external stressors or lacking resources and connections or other Productivity Essentials etc. #especially many tips involve stuff like 'cut off from social media' since thats the modern day time waster for so many poeple #and it's like.. lol.. i can hardly even maintain a blog even thuogh i actively WANT TO DO SO. 'shut off your smart phone!' already #done babey i fucking hate smart phones i shall never use an app unless i am forced to. 'delete tiktok' yep. already covered. tiktok and #all of those thinsg are my enemies. 'save money by cancelling some of your services' cool. already ahead of you. #who the fuck is out here paying for like 10 different subscription services. pirated videos uploaded to google drive and youtube to mp3 #my beloved. etc. etc. and so on. 'socialize less' .........LOL.. if only you knew.. mr.writer of the article. i can barely muster #talking to friends more than once a month and even less if I'm actively sick (often occurence) etc. etc. ... hewoo #I think maybe instead of generic productivity tips I need more like.. how to refocus and be productive anyway even if you have a headache #or are nauseous or etc. Not that those are always things to ignore. and of course you should let your body rest and etc. But plenty of peop #e have mild physical symptoms and just work through them. Ithink something about the way my body/mind is SOO hyper attuned to all #sensory information just makes it like... constantly 'GRR well I cant focus on WRITING right now because my lef #t ear feels weird and my socks are too itchy and my back has a strange pressure and I'm vaguely warm and my eye feels some ssort of #way it doesnt normally feel and I'm hyperaware of my breathing and also nauseous for no reason' and like half of those things I #think '''normal''' people wouldnt even notice or at least would be able to just live through. but for me it's like.. nealry impossible to i #gnore and soooo distracting always. like 'wahh.. nooo we can't draw or get anything done.. my legs feel slightly heavy or something!!' #like............. ok......... who cares. thats not even a PAIN sensation it's just something weird. but it's just like.. NO. constant #mental alerts about the 'heaviness' of your legs be upon ye. Though Imean like.. yes.. 70% of the time I am in genuine pain #or having some sort of actual ailment with trackable physical symptoms. but sometimes it's just like... we could totally be working right #now and ignoring this silly thing but my brain is fixated on it for no reason uncontrollably. etc. etc. I guess it's the same way that like #most people can go to a grocery store without the whole experience being so overwhelming and so much stuff going on at once #that they have to rest afterwards but like.. in my own HOME doing NOTHING i feel like I should be able to not get overwhelmed lol. ANYWAY #Rolling my bastard little rock up a dumbass hill and so on and so forth

[softquietsteadylove]

Hey. Had this idea of Thena being a billionaire and Gil being her private chef on her private little beach house in the Hamptons!

Maybe you can do something with that? 😊

Gil smiled as he plated the perfect omelette, gleaming yellow, nice loose scramble in the middle with a pristine outside. He sprinkled on some green onion for garnish; Thena acted like she didn't care about presentation but he knew she liked it when her food looked nice.

Thena was...interesting. She could be hard to read, maybe. He had been in the private cooking business for a while, and he'd had a variety of clients. But no one like Thena.

Thena had this old family house, basically a castle, way out here in the Hamptons--as antisocial as possible. She was in charge of her family's generational wealth, he was pretty sure they did business with historical...stuff. Or something.

Thena didn't talk much. The first time he interviewed for the position with her in the room he wasn't even sure if she spoke English. But her assistant - a very sweet man named Karun - assured him that 'the Madame' was perfectly nice. Just not to bother her.

But Karun was right: Thena was nice. Sure, she didn't exactly make small talk with him while she was eating or anything. But she had a nice smile, she was prompt with money, both for his pay and for any of the ingredients he needed. He always had transportation home, or he had a room ready for him if he was staying for a whole weekend.

Gil put the plate on a place mat at the opposite counter top. Thena liked eating in the kitchen instead of the cavernous dining room. She ate a a French style omelette, or if she was feeling adventurous, maybe a frittata, or he had even prepared omurice for her once. She liked fresh pressed grapefruit juice with a little natural sweetener in it. And berries picked from the gardens.

And he liked to add a little flower if there were any blooming on the strawberry plants while he was out picking.

Thena came in through the patio. She had already done her morning routine, then. A light workout, a shower, maybe a sauna. Her phone was in her hand but she famously didn't accept anyone speaking to her before 9 in the morning. She smiled and nodded to him as she took her seat.

She was in a good mood.

Gil turned around, carefully transporting the gold rimmed cup with his best cappuccino yet. He had even looked up how to make latte art to make a heart design in it.

Thena blinked, surprised as it slid into her view. She looked up at him.

He just nodded, encouraging her to take a sip.

She raised an eyebrow but did so. Usually he waited for her to ask for a specific coffee, since it could vary largely depending on the morning.

He shrugged; something about how beautiful the sunrise was had told him she would want something fun. It wasn't sunday, so she wouldn't want something as filling as a latte. But she only drank black coffee when she was already in a bad mood. Actually, now that he thought about it he ought to get more vanilla soy milk.

Thena sighed at her first sip, her shoulders lowering as she let the hot beverage soak into her. She really was in a good mood.

Gil just chuckled, keeping his comments to himself. He had come to respect the serenity Thena created for herself in the early mornings. He turned again to clear his dishes and fill the dishwasher.

He had to get soy milk, and a few other general weekend groceries. And he needed to get ingredients for a recipe he saw online, essentially a lemon cake tiramisu. Thena liked zingy, fresh flavours, and she enjoyed having something sweet on hand for if a craving hit her out of nowhere or after a hard day.

"It's perfect."

He tried to conceal the surprise he was feeling. But he couldn't help it; Thena had almost never commented on anything he made her, unless it was a brief line attached in an email. He turned, "y-yeah?"

She nodded.

He pursed his lips faintly. Back to silence--okay, sure. He peeked in the fridge to examine what else they had and what he needed. When he had asked Karun what Thena liked to keep on hand, he had merely stated that Thena was so bad at cooking, and so selective about food, that if left to her own devices she would probably just eat raw fruit forever.

"How did you know?"

He grinned. So, he was making progress! He had tried more actively in the beginning to get her to warm up to him. But he had come to accept that Thena didn't withhold her words deliberately. Still, he liked it when she did talk. "Just thought you'd be in the mood for it."

She raised her eyebrows at him from behind the cup being tipped up to her lips again.

He closed the fridge and moved back to the counter. "It's nice and mild out this morning, so I think you should have slept well. Stocks are looking good and you don't have to travel this weekend, right? I figured you would want something a little fun."

Thena smiled through his explanation. Maybe some of his observations of her would be a little much to some. But she nodded, looking down into her cappuccino, one leg bent and resting on her cushioned stool. "I assumed you would prefer when I travel?"

Gil blinked.

She set the mug down, as if this were a very important business meeting. "If I'm here, you don't get the weekend off. Or at the very least, you have plenty of work to do before hand."

"I don't mind," he shrugged easily. It was part of the job, and as far as clients went, Thena really wasn't all that demanding. She wasn't even that high maintenance, all things considered.

Food was easy to procure, either grown here or paid for out of her pocket. The only real stipulations of what he made was that she had to eat it. Karun was kind of like a worrisome father in that way. He had added specifically that she needed more vegetables, and that meant it was up to Gil to make them in such a way that Thena would actually like them.

"Do you ever think you may be too agreeable?"

"Hm," Gil ran his hand over his chin (he needed to shave). "I think it's more like...part of the job, y'know?"

"Hm."

Gil blinked at the new tone of the sound. She looked back at her breakfast. She sounded almost...disappointed. Disheartened, and now poking at her omelette like a dejected little kid. Gil leaned off the further counter and moved closer to her. "I just...wanted to do something kind of special for you."

She peeked up at him. She was awfully cute for some zillionaire old money type. Her hair was nice and soft from being gently blow dried, she didn't have any makeup on, fresh from the shower. Maybe all rich people were really, really pretty.

"You're not contractually obligated to be thoughtful," she smiled as she said it, but he got the impression that she didn't fully believe in her own joke.

He shrugged again, pushing the little flower closer to her, "call it my signature, then. Every chef has their own style--I like being a little sweet."

Thena smiled at the little white strawberry flower. She even reached out to it, but just barely let her fingers brush its soft petals, as if she would make it burst into flame. "Quite."

Gil inhaled, feeling better now that she was smiling again. She looked up at him, the sun behind her, making her hair glow. He blushed.

"Thank you, Gilgamesh."

He laughed faintly, feeling shy as she turned those siren eyes on him. He leaned back from the counter, sticking his hands in his apron pockets. "Hey, it's my pleasure, really."

"If you have shopping to do, Karun will call for a car for you," she added as he started slowly slipping - stumbling - out of the kitchen.

"Th-Thanks!" Gil squeaked out before reaching the hallway. He pulled his apron off and gripped it on his way to take it to the laundry room.

"You require transport, sir!"

Gil jumped at the sudden appearance of the man in question. "God, man, can't you walk a little louder!"

"My apologies, sir," Karun just chuckled. "The Madame walks lightly--as do I."

Thena walked around like a cat. She was silent, graceful, long legs...

"Sir?"

Fuck. Gil nodded, twisting his apron in his hands. He tilted his head as Karun shuffled closer, even waving him down so he could share something secretive.

"Excellent choice with the cappuccino, sir," he disclosed with glee. "The Madame has been trying to strike up a conversation with you for some time. I believe this was the perfect-"

"Karun!"

"I must go," he waved to Gilgamesh before dashing off to see to Thena's needs.

Gil felt a little stunned. It sounded like Karun was telling him that Thena had been wanting to talk with him. But that didn't seem right. Of all the times he had tried to chat with her, she had never bit, even once. And he didn't really think of her as the shy type.

He sighed, shrugging it off. He had groceries to get, anyway. Maybe he would try talking with her again, later.

#Thenamesh AU #yesss this is a super cute request! #thank you so much love! #Thena is this quiet and reserved lady of course #she does business either in her office or she goes to the city for it #she doesn't drive and Gil would usually just bike places #he was a little unused to sitting in the back of a car all the time #but it's a great way to get all the groceries he needs #Karun is like a meddlesome dad #he knows his daughter has a crush on her new chef but #let's face it #Thena has negative socialisation skills in this #she went to boarding schools and etiquette lessons #she doesn't know how to...chat #so she tries to think of something to say to Gil every morning #but he's so good at respecting that she likes it quiet #too good at it #sometimes he'll say something and she'll reply #statement and statement #and then later she scolds herself for not realising he was trying to just talk to her like a normal person #poor dear #Karun nearly tipping Gil off that it took everything in her to ask about the cappuccino this morning #and she's like DAD get in here!!! #Karun is doing the w o r k #Thenamesh Hamptons AU