With the new decade in full swing, goals in motion and people amped for the future it’s a perfect time to evaluate our garbage. Why would I want to dig through fuzzy green orange peels and steaming take out boxes, you ask? Because glancing in the bin can tell you a whole lot about your eating and overall consuming habits. It’s no longer only about what you eat, but what you waste.
As a capitalist, consumer driven society we actually have to work really hard to consume less. With restaurant super size portions, and companies, like Costco, rewarding consumers with price cuts for buying more, it’s no wonder we all end up with wide waist bands and a slew of health problems. Not to mention, empty wallets and a planet overflowing with trash. More consumption = more waste, period. Thus, by examining our waste we can adapt our buying and eating techniques in our favor. Below are some simple ways to consume less, and waste nothing, all while improving your eating habits and saving the planet.
1.) Shop More Frequently: How many times have you stocked the fridge only to find that midweek half the produce has gone bad? That’s money down the drain and unabsorbed vital nutrients! In our ever constant efforts to eat better, feel better and live longer many of us have become die hard fresh veggie lovers. Unfortunately, fruits and veggies are the most perishable and should be bought a few times per week in order to get your money’s worth. Aim to only fill your cart up half way, or do what I do and only buy what you can carry. Of course all this depends on how many mouths you are feeding!
2.) Shop Locally: Super stores tend to over package everything. You’ll end up buying six apples wrapped in plastic wrap sitting in a plastic tray, when you only really needed three apples. Smaller, local and farmers markets allow you to buy only what you need and carry it in your own bag to boot. Thereby eliminating almost all waste, and preventing you from over eating.
3.) Use All Of Your Left Overs: Challenge yourself to use all of your left overs. If you over bought, freeze and store stuff for later. Get creative and see what type of bizarre and yummy concoctions you can make with the left over black beans, onion, lemon, and turkey breast. I like to think of it as a game rather than a deprivation. You can always invite friends over as well and have them bring their left overs. Hold a feast and use up all the morsels.
4.) Make Less: This gets back to numero uno. If you buy and then make less food you won’t even have to worry about tossing left overs. Make what you need for the day. Cut back about 1/4 to 1/2 on what you make and see if you need more. Chances are you will be completely satisfied with less and your waist line will thank you. Remember the golden rule, eat less and live longer.
5.) Plan meals: If you are limited on time the best way to ensure you are getting the most out of your groceries is to plan your meals. Variety is the spice of life after all. Planning is the best way to mix it up, save money, and eat delicious food. If you don’t want to eat what you planned you’ll have the ability to swap.
6.) Cook Better: Dig through the cookbook collections at Borders or a friends place and find some simple recipes to add to your rolodex. Check out vegetarian, raw, and regional recipes. They’ll offer up brand new ways to spice your boring veggies. This will come in handy when you’ve got only a few random veggies on hand left in the fridge.
6.) Use Up Everything Before You Buy: A fun challenge and something I picked up while backpacking. When you are eating out of one grocery bag stuffed in a packed fridge you learn very quickly how to use up everything. Sometimes that means you eat the same thing for dinner two nights in a row, or you are forced to get creative with the same ingredients. See if you can empty most of your fridge and pantry, minus the condiments, and staples before you buy again. It’s amazing how much you can stretch the food out.
7.) Stretch Your Food: By eating the most perishable stuff first. This might sound obvious, but not many people think about it.
8.) Deal With Waste Properly: I feel like recycling is a given. If we aren’t all recycling in the next few years I’m afraid to wake up 10 years from now. Let’s start by buying less packaging and then dispose of it in the proper bin. I know some people don’t even have access to recycling bins, let alone compost bins, and have to haul their recyclables to a yard across town. I know it might be a pain now, but think of your future children and grandchildren.
Composting is finally getting into legislation here in San Francisco and I hope it spreads like wild fire. Any food waste that we do toss while making yummy meals goes in the compost bin to make gorgeous dark soil.
So what’s in your garbage? I’d love for you to write it in the comments! What techniques from above can you incorporate in your life in order to waste less?
