It’s been a loooong time since I wasted so much of something.
Two weeks ago, my kids had a friend here and I made two boxes of macaroni and cheese for them. Oddly enough, there was a lot left over, and I put it all into a pyrex container and shoved it into the fridge. Unfortunately, it got shoved into the very back of the fridge on the bottom shelf and it sat there, hiding from me for way too long.
I also found a slimy tomato in my vegetable drawer, and I don’t do anything with slimy tomatoes except chuck them into the compost.
I’ve been working on this food waste thing for so long now, throwing out a whole container of something feels pretty awful. But to encourage myself, I looked up some of my old food waste photos, and clearly, I’ve made some progress since then.
Here’s one from May of 2008, after I’d been working on my food waste for a month or two. Ack!
I can almost hardly believe how much food I used to throw away.
So, if you’re new around here, let this picture encourage you…if I can become at least partially reformed, there’s hope for you too! And if you need some practical tips to get you started, my 10 Ways to Reduce Food Waste post might be helpful to you.
WilliamB
Monday 20th of June 2011
One pear.
I've noticed a trend. http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-633719/Three-Tiered-Basket-Stand This is the basket I use for fruit on the counter. It has many advantages: vertical, holds a lot, isn't ugly. But it turns out the wires are hard on the more tender fruit, although it destroyed an apple last week I don't consider apples to be tender. I need to either eat that fruit earlier, get a different basket (but it took years to find one that met my requirements), or resign myself to feeding the compost more a little more.
Allison
Sunday 19th of June 2011
I love this idea, and am going to incorporate it into my blog. Waste is a sometimes hidden opportunity to save money and minimizing it is just the responsible thing to do :)
Becca S.
Sunday 19th of June 2011
This is such a good idea! I found you just this week, but am starting to blog about my food waste on Friday and will be linking to your blog! Thanks for the inspiration, I'm always looking for ways to be more efficient in food usage/save money on groceries. :)
Amanda Y.
Friday 17th of June 2011
I am inspired, I thought we were too hopeless to come so far, but you have so maybe we can too!
Fifi @ fififrugality.blogspot.com
Friday 17th of June 2011
It is still less than other people! I had a waste free week as well, actually I didnt have enough food - lucky for me there was room in my grocery budget for more food!
Fifi