How many people does your fridge need to feed?
Four. Me, and my three roommates.
What do you usually eat for breakfast?
Usually, it’s coffee, and depending on whether I can get my act together, granola or something. And maybe I have fruit on deck, like a banana.
Is there anything you eat every day?
Coffee every day, and usually for lunches I’ll bring rice and broccoli. I’m a big broccoli fan. I usually make enough for dinner and lunch, and then I just get in the habit of making it every night. There’s a co-op by my work and I’ll get baked tofu and maybe kale slaw.
Every week?
I’ve been getting into the habit of drinking water with apple cider vinegar. It’s good for digestion. And seltzer, I’m into that.
What item are you forbidden from purchasing right now?
I allow myself those Bolthouse Farms chai drinks like once a year. Or if I do something amazing, that’s my reward. They’re so fucking delicious, but they’re such giant calorie bombs. They sell super big ones at the supermarket now—they’re so cheap but I just can’t do it. I’m also a big fan of vegan eggnog but this year I didn’t get around to drinking my yearly nog. I don’t really buy a lot of Tufurkey and fake meat stuff anymore. I used to be really into it and now I think it’s kind of gross, and I’m trying to eat more fresh stuff.
What’s the most delicious thing in here?
The miso sauerkraut is so good. But it’s one of those annoyingly expensive things, like ten bucks or something. And I love my mustards: I have jalapeno gold, I have my normal yellow one, and then my honey mustard. It’s in this drawer because it’s empty and I’m waiting to clean it so I can recycle it.
The most disgusting?
I’m kind of sad about this sea of dead produce that’s liquefying in the bottom drawer.
The oldest?
I think I got this soy chorizo when I first moved in and I haven’t eaten it yet: yep, expires in February, 2013. I think I ate that product and it did something really wrong to my tummy. Then there’s this tempeh: use by 2013. 2013 was a great year. See, this is what I hate about myself: I’ll buy it and be so excited to make it and then I get busy and I never do.
Anything you regret buying?
I regret buying the dying beets. I wanted to make balsamic beets but I just haven’t gotten around to making them. I never have time.
What's your guilty pleasure?
Sometimes I’ll have what I like to call “nut dinner.” I’ll just eat a whole bunch of nuts. They’re so delicious but it’s so bad for you. Look: ¼ cup is 22% of your total fat, 13% of your saturated fat. It says there are about six ¼ cup servings per bag and I would eat two bags. Nut dinner happens when I really want to treat myself—put on my pajamas, lock the door, turn off the lights…
Where do you do most of your food shopping?
The local Safeway.
How much do you spend on groceries each week?
$75.
How often do you go grocery shopping?
Like every day. I don’t shop for the week, just for whatever I’m making that day.
What percentage of your meals do you prepare at home?
Maybe two-thirds? It’s a high percentage because I make dinner and then take that for lunch. The things I buy out are mainly to supplement my staple meals. I don’t really eat out a lot.
Is there anything in here that we would have found in your childhood fridge?
Mine is very different. Like, we never ate kimchi growing up. And my Japanese condiments are different. I think the only thing that’s the same is the pickles and mustard. I don’t think we even had barbecue sauce.
What do you wish you had in here?
Barbecue tempeh so I could make a TLT.
Mark is a teacher and an illustrator. He’s holding a package of expired smoky maple tempeh bacon and a package of expired soy chorizo. He lives in Portland, Oregon.