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everyday zero-waste :: 01

6/20/2017

4 Comments

 
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Since we've been at this zero-waste thing for a few years, a lot of our practices have become second nature. I love that! It just becomes what we do. This knowledge encourages me to always be searching for the next practice to add.

I fully understand, as well, that taking the first steps can seem quite daunting. So I thought I'd try to highlight a few everyday practices here...for beginners...or as reminders to those of us who sometimes forget...or want to take the next step. Because, sometimes I stop and notice that I've started doing something again that I thought I'd overcome. Sometimes a habit just creeps back in, without my notice.

So here are some little practices that can make a huge collective difference! Please feel free to make suggestions or ask questions along the way! We're all in this together (as high school musical would say...or sing)!  :)

#01 :: Let's eat the food we buy...even those flabby carrots. Wash them, (no need to peel them), cut off the ends, slice, + add to soups or stir fry. Roast them along with some other root vegetables. This applies to most vegetables.

Add overripe fruit to smoothies.

Stick brown bananas in the freezer + blend them later into banana ice-cream or banana bread.

Toast bread ends or dried out bits in the oven to make bruschetta, croutons, or breadcrumbs.

Make a big batch of iced-tea with that not-favorite tea. Add lemon, honey, +/or mint.

​Cold brew that not-favorite coffee + mix with lots of ice + milk.

Don't buy more of something until the other one is used up. 

Take a look into the cupboards and pull out all the things that need to be used up. Make some cookies and add all the last bits of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit...or combine them and add them to your granola in the mornings. Plan some meals around using up the last bits of things...and maybe make a note not to replace the things that are hard to use up.

If food really goes bad...compost, if possible. Reconsider the necessity of repurchasing.

Obviously buying only what we will eat is the front end necessity here. A menu coordinated shopping list helps me so much in this area. Having everything where I will see it helps as well. It's hard to remember to use something hidden behind eight half-used bottles of dressing.  :)

What are your tricks for using up overlooked food?

Love,
​Jane
4 Comments
Jess Daniels
6/19/2017 06:20:23 pm

Ooh these are all great, and thanks for the reminder! I was just digging through my pantry at lunch and feeling frustrated by the odds & ends of dried fruit (always grateful for the fresh bread by my baker, but not so much the remainder 'fruits' of the labor) -- lightbulb! I'll just make some granola. Perfect for heading off on a trip tomorrow, just need to buy some more oats (in bulk, so no excess, thankfully). My winter fave is a low and long simmered veggie broth, with any sad carrots, celery, herbs, and veggie peelings that I save in the freezer. I'm fascinated by zero waste and love your approach to it, thanks for sharing.

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Jane link
6/21/2017 11:30:32 am

Your soup sounds perfect for a cold day...I never mind a simmering pot's warmth being added to the house. :) Thank you so much for the encouragement!! Hope you have a great trip full of exactly what you need...adventure, relaxation, fun! :)

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Priscilla link
6/20/2017 09:34:31 am

Jane, these are great ideas. In our house, any scraps left on our dinner plates go to the dog. i know not all dogs can tolerate scraps, but our canine has a cast iron stomach.

Reply
Jane link
6/21/2017 11:24:44 am

Perfect! I bet your dog loves to help eliminate food waste! :)

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