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little things + a pep talk

2/25/2016

5 Comments

 
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a couple little things we've been doing at the grocery store lately:

1.  the past few weeks, i've started asking for cheese behind the cheese counter to be put into my container from home.  i just ask for what i'd like and hold out my container asking, "and would you mind putting it in this?"  with a smile.  the people look a bit puzzled, but always oblige.  soon they'll be used to me, and hopefully not dreading the sight of me.  :)  previously, the bulk cheese was only wrapped in a scant amount of plastic wrap, and i felt a bit odd asking at the counter.  the cheese now comes all packaged in thicker plastic packages, so i found the courage to ask at the counter.  small victory for me, not for the packaged cheese.


2.  we've taken to collecting pizza and bread crusts that don't get eaten (i know we should eat all of them or make breadcrumbs), butter wrappers, compostable parchment paper (i know...silpat- but does that work for roasting vegetables?)...to be put into the more heavy-duty compost at whole foods.  some items are compostable, but need a bigger compost pile to break down and/or not attract pests (rather than our backyard compost heap).  we get additional free compost (rich soil) from the this source each spring, so i feel good about adding to their pile.  :)

here's the thing:

i've been asking for my bread to be put into a cloth bag for years now.  it would be lovely to say that i have a friendly chat with the woman behind the counter each week, but i know she doesn't like trying to manipulate the sliced bread into the bag.  she's not really happy to see me.  i just give her a big grateful smile and sincere thank you and go on my way.


while i have no problem doing things a bit differently and getting a few strange looks along the way, i don't like to put other people out.  i have a hard time asking for favors.  i'm not good with small talk.  i'm a bit shy.  it can take a bit of nerve to walk up to the counter and ask for something different.

when i started making an effort to move toward zero-waste grocery shopping a few years ago, we were so blessed to encounter an enthusiastic check-out woman and a cheerful bagger who offered encouragement and acceptance.  these two slowly became friends that we looked forward to seeing each week.  as the years have passed those cheerleaders have gotten promotions and had babies (so happy for them!)... and some of the ones that are left sometimes make us feel like we are nuisances.  i pick my check-out lane carefully.  :)

i just want to say, if you face resistance along the way...take courage in knowing we are pioneers, we are educators, we are part of a community, we are doing what we feel is right and good.  the earth and i are your cheerleaders, and you are not alone!  :)  

love,
​jane
5 Comments
Kari
2/25/2016 12:41:25 pm

Thank you so much for this. I haven't done any of this asking as I am terribly shy as well, but you're helping to give me courage. I do have a question about bread, though. How long and how well does your bread last in a cloth bag. That's the only thing that I still store in plastic as I'm afraid of the bread going before we can eat it all. Also, if you freeze bread, how do you do that? Thanks so much for your blog. I learn so much every time I come here.

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jane link
2/25/2016 06:08:35 pm

thank you so much for this comment! it is so encouraging to hear that i have something to contribute. :) i hear you about bread. when i first tried this, i knew that it would not keep long just sitting on the counter. i wanted to be able to shop once a week...and not run out of bread after a couple days. i tried just freezing it in the cloth bag, but it would get freezer burn. my strategy now is to use plastic bags that i have left from buying bread in them...i just pop the whole sliced loaf + cloth bag into the plastic bag and then put that into the fridge or freezer. by keeping the bread in the cloth bag...the plastic bags stay clean, and i just wash the cloth bags. when we want a piece of bread that has been frozen, we just pull one off and toast it. once it's been frozen, it doesn't really taste that great as untoasted bread, in our opinion. thanks again, kari! :)

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jane link
2/26/2016 11:25:07 am

it was funny to come across this article about the same topic (bread/freezer/toast) today! http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/24/dining/how-to-make-toast.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

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Julie link
2/27/2016 07:51:28 am

I needed to hear this! I've been too shy (or embarrassed) at restaurants to ask for my drink without a straw, but it bothers me every time a beverage comes with one. A little nudge or encouragement is sometimes all one needs. Thanks!

Also, I wanted to share how I roast my vegetables without parchment paper. I was lucky enough to score a Pampered Chef stoneware pan at the thrift store. Mine is like this: https://www.pamperedchef.com/shop/Stoneware/Large+Bar+Pan/1445. With use it becomes seasoned and is the best pan for roasting. If you ever come across one, snap it up.

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jane link
2/27/2016 11:47:30 am

thank you for the stoneware tip. i've felt weird about trusting silpat since it's silicone, but the stoneware sounds nice. i will definitely keep my eye open for one of those! always cheering you on...and your comments cheer me on too! :) thank you!

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