Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...Recipes!
We often think of "reduce, reuse, recycle" as it pertains to the things we buy, use, and discard - our "stuff." But have you ever thought about how it can also apply to FOOD? Just like reducing and reusing is better than recycling, reducing our food waste and reusing our food (Who likes leftovers?) is better than composting!
Reducing our food waste means we eat what we buy.
Instead of discarding slightly-too-ripe strawberries, blueberries or blackberries, try freezing them and make a fruit smoothie. (Tip: Rinse them and spread them out on a cookie sheet and place the cookie sheet in the freezer to prevent them from freezing in one huge clump.)
If you have little ones that don't like eating bread crust or your bread is a little too hard, consider making homemade croutons! Cube the leftover bread, place in a mixing bowl, add oil and seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.), toss so evenly covered, layout on a baking sheet (single-layer), flipping at the halfway mark, bake low and slow until the desired crispiness. Once cooled, they can be eaten immediately or stored in a sealed container for two weeks.
Reusing our food can be as simple as eating leftovers or using what we have on hand to make another meal.
Ever find yourself with half an onion, a partially-used pepper or two, and maybe a handful of baby carrots (any mix of leftover ingredients will do), consider adding some seasoning and making a stir fry. Being creative in the kitchen with what you have on hand can sometimes lead to some great new meals!
Perhaps "creativity" and "kitchen" in the same sentence makes you uneasy. Well have no fear, there are apps to help you out! A quick search in the App Store/Google Play Store will reveal a number of apps to do the creative thinking for you: Cozi, SuperCook, MyFridgeFood, etc. (Note: We do not endorse any of these apps, but rather are noted as examples.)
Recycling our food is composting. While recycling is important, it's more important to reduce and reuse to have the greatest environmental benefits. Composting inedible parts of our foods (rinds, pits, etc.) is great, but think twice before composting an over-ripe berry or slightly bruised apple, and challenge yourself to find a way to use it instead of discarding it.
