I am not trying to tell anyone how to eat
I'm about to publish another big ol' post comprised of nothing but food-waste-fighting breakfast and lunch meals.
Last time I did this, some of my social media followers sort of got the wrong idea.
So before I publish the next breakfast and lunch post, here is a little disclaimer post that I can link to in the future:
The point of my breakfast and lunch meal posts is not to lay out any sort of dietary recommendations.
The point is to share inspiration to help you all reduce the food waste in your own kitchens.
To elaborate a little more:
1. It is impossible for me to eat to make everyone happy
One person thinks I eat a lot. Another thinks I eat surprisingly little.
One person thinks I eat an impressive amount of produce. Another thinks I'm not eating nearly enough produce.
One person thinks I should eat more potatoes and rice. Another thinks I eat too many carbs.
One person thinks I eat too much sugar*. Or too much meat. Or not enough meat.
*the latest sugar comment was in response to me eating a banana with Nutella for dessert. Which honestly is probably one of my least problematic desserts. Ha.
So. I'm not eating to make anyone happy. That would be crazy, not to mention impossible.
It would be like trying to go backward and forward at the same time!
2. I eat to fuel my body and to enjoy life
I try to put plenty of good stuff into my body.
I also like to enjoy chocolate. And homemade bread.
I know what works for me and what makes me feel good, body and soul. I feel healthy, and by every physical metric my doctors use, my body is in good shape.
BUT.....
3. I can't tell YOU what you should eat!
I am not qualified to give dietary advice.
And even people who are qualified to give dietary advice (such as dietitians) generally refuse to give specific recommendations to people over the internet.
Dietary recommendations are such an individual thing, depending on body makeup, allergies, budget, time availability, food availability, personal preferences, and so on.
So, if I eat dried fruit in my oatmeal, that doesn't mean I'm saying people with diabetes should snack on dates.
If I fry my eggs in bacon grease, that doesn't mean I'm saying you should do that too!
(Although I will tell you that a hot pan with bacon grease makes for very tasty eggs and veggies.)
4. Chew up the meat, spit out the bones
Hopefully, when you see the breakfast and lunches I eat, you'll be able to glean some takeaways that help you use up the food in your fridge and pantry.
Maybe you won't eat the exact foods that I eat, but you can probably learn some food waste fighting principles that can apply to what you eat.
Or maybe your takeaway will just be a fresh dose of motivation that comes from watching someone else, just like I might be inspired to paint a room after I see someone else do it.
Take what applies to you, and leave what doesn't.
And that is actually just good advice for pretty much anything you read on the internet.
I just made my son a breakfast sandwich yesterday and took a banana and slathered with a little nutella as a *sweet finish* lol
I was just thinking the other day how I found your page years ago due to "Food Waste Fridays" when I was really focusing on saving money and not necessarily just couponing. Focusing on NOT throwing away food/money and not worrying that every meal is *perfect* and the challenge of using it all up! Nutrition is not defined by 1-3 specific meals but by overall intake (in my opinion).. You do a MIGHTY FINE job of focusing on taking in nutritious foods.. Thank you for all you share!
I love using up ALL of the food in our house that I spent our hard-earned money on, no matter what those foods happen to be this week! The point is to eat what you shell out money for, and try to make some good decisions about buying food that will feed your body. I don't know why anyone would have gotten the wrong impression from that previous post. Sheesh! And I totally agree with the value of an egg on top of most things!
Are you serious?? People are actually commenting/criticizing your diet? Ridiculous! But, then again, so many trolls on the Web.... Sad. You do you, and you keep posting whatever you feel like posting, and those people can just leave your blog if they don't like it! Pffffffff!
I find it interesting that people find something clearly descriptive and receive it as prescriptive. It says more about them (and internet culture in general) than you. I love that you share how you eat and handle food waste!
That's a very good way to put it! If you describe something on the internet, people immediately assume you are prescribing it for them.
HANG in there friend -- you give fine advice and I love your creativity and determination to remind us not to waste the bounty we sometimes take for granted! Like learning I CAN put bananas in the refridge even though Chiquita Banana had always told me not to do this! 😉
I actually find your breakfast/lunch food waste posts inspiring. It gives me ideas on how NOT to waste food.
It's a shame that talking about food and your personal diet is such a landmine-filled topic these days. I am alarmed at the number of people who jump to conclusions based on incomplete information from the internet. I appreciate what you do, and your purpose in sharing these kinds of posts was never confusing to me. Thanks for what you do and how graciously you do it.
I love these posts and find them both inspirational and aspirational. As for the unsolicited and ill-mannered comments you receive about what you do and don't eat, I am feeling extra feisty today so I will keep my judgmental thoughts about these judgmental people to myself. 😉
I'm sorry that happened. I enjoy all your posts, but those are particularly inspiring because I'm not nearly as creative in coming up with ideas to use up odds and ends of different foods. Not to mention that the photos in those posts are unbelievably mouth-watering!
I think your breakfasts look extremely healthful! But you're right--can't please everyone, no point in trying.
Kristen I'm sorry you feel you have to defend yourself against random, internet, know-it-alls. Everyone's response SHOULD be "thank you for sharing". Frankly I am impressed by how you prevent food waste and have a creative, yet balanced diet.
I posted exactly one time but it looks like I posted three different times??
Oh man, this must be a glitch with the new theme I have running.
The weird thing is, in my dashboard I don't see your comment posted multiple times. And I don't see it multiple times when I visit my blog on the web either.
Can you send me a screenshot of what you see? And can you tell me what browser you have? And...does it still show multiple times when you refresh the page?
Thank you!
Gee, whiz. I never took your posts as anything but inspiration about what you do. I appreciate your sharing. I can't believe anyone would have issue with anything you eat. If someone feels Nutella on bananas, is too much sugar, don't eat it. Easy peasy.
Also, I raise backyard ducks for the eggs, and I agree that so many, many leftovers become a meal when topped with a sunny-side egg.
Thanks for what you do!
This person really would have been shocked if she heard that I have sometimes eaten sweet rolls for dinner. Ha.
@Kristen,
Twice this summer I’ve eaten a small soft serve with chocolate jimmies for supper. I don’t feel badly about it one bit! Haha!
Kristen - you rock.
Thanks for sharing all that you do in the spirit that you do., I appreciate it. Your posts lighten my days and I look forward to them.
Keep it up 🙂
Well put. I am frequently amazed by how many folks feel a need to stick their nose in other people's business in the name of 'helping' or 'caring' or 'informing'. It's so simple really, if it's not your body, you don't have a right to say anything about how it's shaped, how it's dressed, how it's cared for, how it's used. Period. Thanks for the inspiration of the pics :).
@cherie, My dad always put it as "Mind your own plate." Which applies to a lot of things.
God, how depressing that you had to write this down!
For someone, like me, with an eating disorder, a person may make a throw away comment that means nothing to them but sends me into a spiral. I have never found any of your posts to be upsetting and you’ve got to be one of the least judgey people on the internet! Keep on rolling.
@Victoria, Yes, eating disorder here too, and I so agree. Never a judgment or an unkind word. Thank you, Kristen!
Can't wait for the post! I found your last one like it inspiring.
Sadly, I am seeing so many more posts like yours, people being challenging. I appreciate what you post so much. I look forward to your WIATW posts. Over the years they have inspired me to try new things, invigorated my cooking, and help me be cognizant of waste. Thank you for all you post.
I've been reading your blog for years and never once thought that you were trying to give dietary advice. Your title says it all...The FRUGAL Girl. Not the Dietary advice giving girl!!
Anyway...that being said...my husband was bringing in some groceries and dropped the egg cartons! He opened the cartons up, cracked the broken eggs into a container and we have been having scrambled eggs with our salmon and other things!! Waste not, want not!
I'm not always the most frugal woman on earth, but I read your advice and learn! Thanks for taking the time to help those of us that are learning to be more frugal.
You are awesome! Thank you for your posts about using up the food we have. I am always trying to do this in our house. Glad for the inspiration you provide!
I guess you have to add "food" to "religion and politics." Being offended has become our national pastime.
Food is such an opinion-filled issue! People get really passionate about thinking they know the way other people ought to eat.
@Kristen, like the people who say "organic is cheaper than cancer."
Grrrrrrr. Let me know when there are peer reviewed studies proving that organic food prevents cancer.
@Brent, you put that perfectly! It's ridiculous how we feel like we have to tiptoe around everyone with every subject because we just might offend someone.
Your plate photos encourage me to get more colorful foods together on my plate. Please keep it up! Some people just can't resist being bossy.
It saddens me to think anyone would even think that comments like that are ok to do. Never a doubt that you showed us what you do that makes it work. Great ideas that inspire me. Keep on doing a great job and I hope you don't have to do anymore posts that "explain" what common sense should be able to decipher.
Is this such a serious issue that you had to make a post? Come on people. Get real. I enjoy seeing the ways you use up leftovers and odds and ends. Bacon grease is in fact yummy.
Up until the recent past, I have been Very wasteful with fresh veg and fruit. I buy it but don't use it, often reverting to my lifelong bad habit of grabbing store bought junk food instead of using what I have... and as a result the produce languishes. So I throw it out and buy more, with great hopes for meals that never materialize. and then letting that go bad because I couldn't think of uncomplicated things to make with what was in my fridge.
Then I discovered your blog. Your real-life images (I'm very visual so love them!) and simple use-it-up meals are inspiring me ... I'm not there yet but on the way, so am glad you keep them coming!
Thanks for all you do!
Veronica,
Me too! I use Kristen's blog to (try) to motivate me to waste less food.
It never occurred to me that you were telling anyone how to eat, just how to save money by not wasting the food we have. I also don't take your weekly shopping/budget posts as telling me where to shop or how much to spend.
I really like your "what we ate" posts because as someone who grew up in a meat and potatoes home, you give me lots of inspiring ideas for sides and how to use up different things I have that way.
I don't comment often, but please know for every negative blog comment there are many of us who quietly love and appreciate what you being to us.
Oh my. We seem to be suffering a big lack of common sense out on the web. Not here, though! This is a wonderfully sensible blog with wonderfully sensible commenters.
I enjoy the food posts and seeing what other people here eat. It gives me motivation, ideas, and sometimes, new information. Plus -- frugal!
Speaking as someone with a close relative who always wants to tell the world how it should eat, (and live) I can say with certainty that I know what prescribing/directing sounds like, and nothing in these food posts sound as though you are prescribing/directing anything.
Amen. I have weight issues, a s several health issues are fully minister with my diet. There is no way I would ask you (who is apparently blessed to eat whatever you want!) to eat like me!!
Yep! Everyone needs to figure out what is the best way for them to feed themselves. And it's not gonna be the same for everyone.
There are so many ways to eat well, and you are doing what works for you! I appreciate your food waste posts because it gives me inspiration for how to use up leftovers in my house.
Wow, I wonder if you got a bunch of newbies who really don't understand the point of a "food waste" type of post.
I'm pre-diabetic. Some of the food combinations you post won't work for me, but they give me some good ideas of things to try to feed my kiddos, or since I know how to swap things out pretty well at this point, it's jut another idea of "how to turn some random foods into a meal".
I'm so sorry you're dealing with people who aren't reading your posts in the spirit in which you write them.
I am genuinely impressed with how you are handling it, though - this post is awesome!
I love your Posts and you have helped me a lot in my Journey in not wasting anything. Let the Negativity just go on by and keep doing you & if they don’t like it they don’t have to Read your Posts or Blog.
As a former blogger, I know you can’t please everyone. However, I can tell you that I personally never thought you were doing anything but sharing! You are a very kind and lovely person.
Oh for Pete's sake!! I can't BELIEVE people commented negatively on any food thing you posted! I always think your dishes look nutritious and delicious, and you inspire me to try new things. Not that you need to be complimented on your food choices, because they are, wait for it: your choices. I deeply appreciate your encouragement to not waste food. As a self proclaimed frugal person, food waste is the thing I need to work on most (and cooking at home more). Keep up the great work, Kristen! You're doing a great job.
Hmmm. You've never pushed for people to do what you do. You give examples. They just just need to go back and read more of your blog. You do show how you do alot of things. But, to show it's possible and many times surprisingly easy. Sometimes time consuming) I've tried out yogurt making. I know how to be frugal and do many of the things. Always room to learn something new. I look at different frugal sites, YouTube videos, and such...because it helps keep me pumped. I just bought a house. It's a fixer upper. Lots to do before I can move in. I'll have to budget a bit differently,?because more stuff to deal?with in a house. There's not one way to be frugal. The basic principles apply. Different things work for different people. (Your post reminds me how Tawra from LOAD says people would ask how to save money on something like laundry soap, but would want to ignore the spending that they are doing somewhere else. Like cutting down eating out. Which most frugal sites bring up that eating out a lot is one of the worst. Ypu can eat out much cheaper from home.)
Wow!! I truly enjoy the food posts...both the food waste ones and Friday meal ones. I never felt like you were telling me what to eat!
I was a Girl Scout leader when my daughters were school aged. One day we were selling cookies outside a local grocery when a woman came out and started screaming at me for selling unhealthy food to the general public!!
Some people can be so odd about other people’s food choices, but it is really more of a reflection on them.
Oh dear. I'd like to see her raise money for Girl Scouts by selling salads. Ha.
Oh dear Kristen - Please, just keep doing what you’ve been doing. Which, btw, is so thoughtful, helpful, and inspiring! Love your blog.
We love you Kristen! Keep blogging!
Well said. I just made your delicious bell pepper and basil mayo, but mine is more like a dip or dressing than a spread. It’s really tasty that way, but I’d love to have something thicker. If I remember correctly, I used 1/2 c Mayo, 1/4 cup peppers and 1/2 c basil. Does that sound right? Any thickening tips?
Yep, that sounds right! Did you pat the peppers dry before blending them up? That helps keep it from being too thin.
It is definitely a spread that is on the thin side, but as long as I remember to pat the peppers dry, it does make a spreadable mixture for sandwiches.
@Kristen, thank you!
Wow! You have the least preachy blog ever. Just goes to show you can't please everyone. Proud of you for not trying. ❤
the pictures look really good. you should tell us what it is and post the recipe if needed
@Helen M KOZAK, This post includes most of the dishes shared in this post, I believe. https://www.thefrugalgirl.com/food-waste-breakfast-lunch/
Honestly, how do you keep from banging your head against the wall? I don't care what you eat except that you use your meals to remind us of some of the ways not to waste food.
(Although I might stop reading for a few weeks if you started advocating for making head cheese with leftover organ meats. My grandfather ate that every single day of his life, a slice before dinner, and the thought of it makes me cringe. We children used to open the fridge door, poke at it to watch the platter of it quiver, and then we'd shriek "Organ meats on the move! Organ meats on the move!" as we slammed the door shut and doubled over with laughter.)
Sorry, not sure why/how this ended up posted twice!
Aaaaaaand your kind and thoughtful responses are one of the eleventy-million reasons why I love this blog.
As someone pointed out much of the time that people strongly comment on something is because it is something personal to them. Strikes a nerve. Nice defusing of all them nerves.
I keep bacon grease in my fridge because bacon grease makes so many things taste even better. 🙂
I've really enjoyed the posts seeing how you used things up. I love how you share ideas and we are able to springboard off of them to find things that work well in our own lives. You're doing great work, Kristen! I appreciate it.
I have read your blog for years and I think that particular entry was one of my favorites and why, because I read it for how it was intended as a using up foods in creative ways in order to cut down food waste.
Think about all the food you have saved by sharing so we could be less wasteful too. The earth/landfills love you. Keep up the good work.
I like your all your food posts, including your food waste use-up posts. They inspire me to use up bits & pieces that might otherwise get thrown out. And if you don't eat exactly the way I would, I can still glean some ideas.
I almost always eat breakfast and lunch by myself as my husband is at work. I love using up any leftovers from the previous night, or anything else that is in the fridge or cupboard. Sometimes I even think to myself- what would Kristen eat today with these options? So you have definitely inspired me! I have no set breakfast/lunch/dinner foods. I can eat anything at any meal. Thank you for all your wonderful posts every week. You are so loved here by so many of us.
It’s so comical to me that people do not know how to interpret your food posts?!
Oh boy!
Funny how people interpret information. I enjoy what you share because it reminds me of what I might have that can be a simple meal.
I can't believe how rude people can be. If it doesn't suit u scroll past it &find something that does. Love u Friday postbecause we don't eat meat, starch &veg ,salad at every meal either. I'm always working at food waste &love ideas. I finally cut down on waste by actually taking real money out of my wallet &stashing it. Making myself see the money disappear made me think again but I don't expect anyone else to do it.
Never had thoughts you were pushing dietary advice. In fact I’m impressed by your healthy meals.
People must look at your lovely photos, but not actually read what you write. You are clear w/your purpose: avoid food waste.
Keep with the awesome posts full of pretty pictures and well-written content.
Feel free to tell me what to eat; that's less meal-planning for me! Sometimes I don't care one bit if it's healthy or not because I just can't make another decision.
Ugh, deciding is THE absolute worst part. I don't know why it's so hard, but it is.
@Jody S., I tell my family this all the time - I don't mind making the food - just help me figure out WHAT to make!
Kristen please keep being you! Your blog makes me happy and keeps me sane. Haters gonna hate and you are crystal clear about your intentions for thefrugalgirl. You're fighting the good fight and making the world a happier, less wasteful place!
For Pete's sake, I can't believe how people misinterpret what they read. And, worse, that they feel the need to comment negatively. Sheesh. Well, you handle things with real Grace.
The food waste posts are seriously my favorite of all the posts you do. They've helped me learn to think outside the box & I'm so much better at using it all up now...except for toddler leftovers. I have a hard time with those.
I can't imagine complaining about any of your posts, but some people can find a way... Thank you so much for the inspiration that I get from so many of your posts!
I've never thought to be offended by any of your posts, especially nothing in relation to food. Ha! I guess I'll have to look harder now for something to criticize. 😉
You are a bright spot on the internet! Keep doing what you do. I love your creative food usages. They have inspired my own strange breakfast and lunches for years.
Good grief, Charlie Brown...... never got the impression you were telling readers what to eat ans thought your posts were very neutral. I'm amazed at so many vocal opinions on what YOU eat. Lol, I don't have time to think that much on it, and concentrate on what me and my kids eat.
Agree with you 100%. I try to live by...Live and Let Live...and...You Be You and I’ll Be Me.
I was going to say that the food police love to patrol the internet but they also are out there IRL. I have had people comment on my food choices in public a number of times. Not sure why folks are motivated to question other people's personal decisions.
Hysterical! I never thought about anything regarding your meals except for food inspo for leftovers (always impressed by the way). You do a good job with the photography of the meals. I enjoy these posts. I'm baffled.
Huh, I have a hard time seeing how anyone could take your post as anything other than inspiration to avoid food waste. I love those posts and hope you will continue!
But I’m wondering so I hope someone will take the time answering: when frying in bacongrease, have you saved the bacongrease from when you made bacon or is that something you can buy in the US in the store? Because I’ve seen in the comments that it’s possible to buy pre-cooked bacon. I have never seen that here in Norway.
@Gunn S, the bacon grease is saved after cooking the bacon. I cook bacon in the oven and pour the grease from the baking sheet into a container. Grease is then refrigerated. Keeps for a long time.
@Molly F.C., Thank you Molly! I will definitely try that next time I’m having bacon.
Lol this cracked me up! Clearly some peeps are not getting the message! :0) It's all about food waste.
By the way for those of us with older eyes I love the new font. Much easier to read especially on a phone.
This is so crazy and sad to hear because I read your blog every morning as I drink my coffee and get excited when I see a food waste post. I love your posts that address food waste and how to eat up what you have! They provide me with inspiration to use up those last bits of this and that that are in the fridge, dig through my freezer every now and then and pull out what has been in there too long and use it up, and it's always fun to simply see the creative meals and snacks others come up with. These are things I often forget to do and your posts nudge me in the right direction. I suspect there are lots and lots of readers of your blog like me who enjoy and use these posts as you are hoping them to be used. We just don't have any complaints about them because we get what you are doing and appreciate it, so we aren't the ones speaking up. 🙂 Keep up the good work!
I can’t wait for your next food waste-fighting post!
I just had an oatmeal breakfast featuring leftover shredded carrots with cinnamon instead if my usual blueberries. It was delicious! And it had a very carrot cake-like taste. Aaaand it was down to you having shown the way!
Thanks for expanding our minds with super great recipes, many of which are now our favorites, and helping our budgets and the environment.
Boo to those who read their own insecurities into this lovely blog.
@Erika JS,
Love the carrot idea.
I really love your food waste fighting posts! Totally inspires me to clean out my fridge and pantry.
In fact, it was your Food Waste Friday segment from years ago that initially sparked my efforts to use up odds and ends before the weekly grocery trip. It is now built into my weekly routine, but you taught me how to do it well.
I love it that you and your family are clearly healthy and well-nourished on lovely home-made food. And that your side dishes are so often fresh produce or fresh fruit, which is simple and delish.
Your posts on food waste have made me so much more mindful and adventerous in dealing with leftovers. We now rarely have anything to throw out because someone happily ate it. So the critics can go gripe elsewhere 'cause you are doing it right!
you are doing great love your ideas
It's sorta pathetic, these keyboard warriors. You blog. People read. Or don't. That's kinda how it works 🙂 Sad you have to put disclaimers, but here we are. I personally enjoy reading your blog (obviously, lest I'd be somewhere else now) so will continue to do so. Envious you know how to sew, and inspired that you reduce waste whenever you can.