Every week, I post a picture of the food that has gone bad over the last seven days. Why do I do this? Because in March of 2008, I finally got fed up with the amount of food I was wasting, and I thought that showing my waste to other people would motivate me to use up my food instead of wasting it. Because this often embarrassing practice was so helpful for me, I invited other bloggers to join me in posting their food waste photos, and Food Waste Friday was born.
I’m not sure how this happened, but we somehow managed to not eat this pineapple in time, and it had a weird smell when I gave it a sniff.
If it had just gone a little soft, I’d have frozen it to add to smoothies, but odd smells make me too nervous for that.
And then there’s this bowl of salad. Most of it is perfectly good, but several cucumbers in the mix got soft and slimy, and given how slime tends to drip onto non-slimy food, I felt like it would be wise to compost the whole bowl.
I am into avoiding food waste, but I’m also into avoiding food poisoning, and sometimes those two things are at odds. If I have to choose between the two, I go for avoiding food poisoning.
Ooh, and those of you who saw my sad, fallen French bread loaves yesterday will be happy to see these two much-improved loaves that I made.
So much better.
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Joshua’s 365 post: Nautical
Skirnir Hamilton
Saturday 25th of May 2013
Have not had the best weeks for food waste of late. I know we tossed out some carryout food that none of us could stand to eat. It was the blandest stuff ever. My hubby managed to make one of the dishes edible by spicing it up a bit, but the others, just no thanks. Especially the dish my husband ordered, I have had asian microwave meals with more flavor. Never going to that restaurant again, no matter who likes it.
Tossed a half a sausage, see what happens when someone is counting calories and you grill up a number of different types of meat/sausages? We did toss more, but can't remember what at the moment, so starting to feel like we aren't doing such a good job minimizing our food waste.
Also, we picked up our first csa on Monday. It included kale, arugula, red lettuce, red bok choy, cauliflower, radishes and strawberries. So far, most of it has been used. But we didn't like the Kale chips that we made. The baked pasta with cheese and kale my husband and son liked, I did not. But it looks like those leftovers will disappear. So hopefully, we won't have much food leftovers from our CSA. We pick up every other week. This is our first year.
We have also had a bit more problem with mold on bread. I stopped leaving breads out on the counters when that started happening in Wisconsin, but now even in the refrigerator I am getting mold on our bread. Not even really old bread. So not sure what is going on there.
Liz S
Saturday 25th of May 2013
I do have a question. Maybe you've answered it before, but I read this post every week and have always wondered: Is this just the food waste when you look in your fridge on Fridays? Or is this all the food waste PERIOD? I know my children are constantly wasting food on their plates (no matter how little we give them to start out with) and wasting milk in their cups. Do your children or do any of you ever have other food waste?
Kristen
Saturday 25th of May 2013
It's for the week, actually. If I have to throw something out mid-week, I snap a photo of it (the lettuce from this week was one such instance.)
We don't really have a big problem with plate waste here, so when the occasional bit gets thrown out, I don't record it. If it was a consistent problem, though, I'd be inclined to focus on it more.
Kate
Friday 24th of May 2013
I generally have a strong stomach, but I got horribly, horribly sick once from eating overripe pineapple (while camping, no less). It was over 20 years ago, but even now I turn slightly green when I get a whiff of very ripe pineapple.
Jo@simplybeingmum
Friday 24th of May 2013
I too am food-poisoning-averse hence I have disposed of slow-cooked ham this week as my food-waste confession. Not good. Not good at all. So my post ended on rather a grim note. Fortunately I had muesli and greek yoghurt also on the post as a little food-eye-candy. The craving is still there - the power of marketing eh?
Tina Ray
Friday 24th of May 2013
I had six bananas that needed saving. I made banana bread for the first time last night. I haven't tried it yet but will this evening. I am hoping it is good. Going on vacation and it is just my husband and I. Taking left overs and potato soup that I made to use up six cups of milk. I have a tomato that I need to eat up.