Have you found that its's not easy to find pre-made food items that are lower in fat, sodium, sugar, cholesterol? While still being tasty and more affordable?Does this seem like way too big of an ask?
Okay, then you decide to give it a try yourself. You take some limited free time to do some healthier baking and cooking with apples (sauce), bananas (really ripe) and sweet potatoes in place of whole eggs, sugars, butter and oil to eat during the week.
You start to learn some valuable tips. Such as, Trader Joe's rolled oats blend up nicely in your Ninja (juicer/ smooth type) blender as an affordable tasty oat flour. As well as the boiled sweet potato blended up with a dash of cinnamon and a bit of lemon juice for a nice lavash cracker dip for a yummy midday workday treat.
As the week goes on, you will also notice that these healthier homemade items spoil quicker, which turns into food and money waste! That's when other solutions ... tricks are needed!
You never knew you needed to try an 'EAT ME FIRST!' drawer until you pop a piece of pumpkin oat bread in your mouth that went way 'south of yummy' before it's time! Give these a try ...
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1. EAT ME FIRST! drawer
Put the message on a dedicated drawer in the frig for all to see. After doing this, it will take a bit of commitment. Put what needs to be used / eaten first before it goes bad in the draw, and ' EAT IT FIRST'! You can organize them in priority to snacks and meals. Check the pantry too.
2. FREEZE it!
When the "EAT IT FIRST" drawer starts to overflow it's time to FREEZE it! Going back to the pumpkin oat bread, cut and individually wrap the slices, then put them in a freezer bag. Each slice is pretty tasty after a defrost in the microwave or a reheat in the oven. Be sure to eat the slice the same day taken out of the freezer. The next day the 'gone south of yummy' comes back with a vengeance! Veggies, fruits, yogurts and breads all tend to freeze well.
3. Soup Stock - make your own
Many parts of veggies like carrot tops, onions, mushrooms bits, tomatoes and celery stock ends used for composting (another great 1Thing to do) can create a yummy soup stock. Designate a medium-sized container in the freezer for soup stock items, and add bits and pieces as they become available. Most leftover veggies work. Just cut them up. Chicken and beef bones can be included too. Friendly options for veggie and meat eaters.
Soup Stock preparation / recipe
- Fill a large pot with water
- Add the contents of your soup stock bin
- Add several bay leaves. Add garlic, salt, and pepper to taste / your favorite seasonings.
- Simmer on low for 2 to 3 hours
-Strain the stock before pouring it in glass jars. Back to composting what you strained out. Got reusable glass jars, even better. Reusing glass juice and jelly jars work well.
-Decant by filling the jars about 3/4 of the way for expansion when freezing.
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4. SMOOTHIE TIME
For a quick on-the-go snack or meal! Great way to use imperfect and leftover fruits and veggies. It's what a Ninja type blender was actually made for to 'Get Your Smooothie On!'
5. SHARING IS CARING
There's a sharing app called OLIO that is similar to Craigslist, and it's FREE! Connects with neighbors, stores and areas in a community that has a surplus of extra food that can be shared. (Plus other non-food items!) Check it out!
Doing 1Thing together by helping to reduce food waste and saving money is a 1Thing WIN for ALL ... YOU and the environment!