Now and Then: 7 - 13 March

mrsmab59

Queenie wrote:

Yup and on your houseplants too. I usually de-bag them though

Plus .... any banana skins also go at the roots of my roses or the compost bin, depending on need.

I feel another 'now and then' coming on...

Now - I'm going to have a rake through my dustbin (after checking that no-one can see me) to rescue all the tea bags and banana skins for my plants.
Then - Used tea bags and banana skins have 'rubbish bin' stamped all over them.

Queenie

LOL mrsmab59 (just wait until you invest in a compost bin! You'll halve your rubbish )

Pooky

Then ---- Spag bol for tea.


Now - Spag bol for tea, but the mince went 3 ways thanks to rediscovering my food processor - grated carrots and onions, celery and peppers padded everything out so..... spag bol for tonight, burgers frozen for saturday night on the foreman grill and meatballs to go with spaghetti for monday.

Whilst all that was cooking I took the pot out the freezer that i've been putting all my carrot tops, onions bits, soft celery etc and simmered it all up with the dregs of a bottle of red and made a great tasting veggi stock - added the rest of the veg that was on the turn and some turkey left overs, some mash from yesterday and some stuffing leftovers and made a soup that smells so delish I can't wait till tomorrow to eat it!!

Then - No puddings

Now - Smaller portions and home made cakes and puds - Hubby can't belive his luck!!

mrsmab59

Queenie wrote:

LOL mrsmab59 (just wait until you invest in a compost bin! You'll halve your rubbish )

A compost bin! What a great idea :cool:
It looks like my weekend reading will now include the whys and wherefores of the compost bin

furrypig

if you are lucky Mrsmab you might be able to get a reduced price one via your local council, we did and very good price it was too!

Queenie

If your council aren't selling them on offer - you can make one for free, if you can get hold of 4 wooden pallets and a few wire coathangers

Also, don't forget you can use your veg water for plants if you're not using it for stock, just let it cool first.

foreverskint

just found a punnet of cherry tomatoes past their best for salads in the bacj of the fridge:
Then would have just chucked them in the bin.
Now: have "sun dried" them in the oven and popped them in olive oil for later use.
getting the hang of this malarky

SnowyOwl_2

Then: considered energy efficient bulbs but they were too expensive
Now: have changed all possible bulbs to energy efficient - and it didn't cost a penny as they were all FREE thanks to postings on this site!!! NB have kept the old bulbs - when I move the energy efficient ones will be moving too

Then: looked in the bulging kitchen cupboards and couldn't work out what to have for tea so off to supermarket to make an emergency shop and buy mountains of tinned rubbish
Now: haven't quite got the knack of planning a week in advance, however I have stocked up on reduced price meats etc and remove it from the freezer in time. Also using up the packets of dried pulses taking up cupboard space - planning 1 or 2 days in advance which is a start

Then: continually running out of milk, so another trip to the supermarket...and spend at least £10 on unrequired rubbish
Now: stockpile UHT milk...it's 32p a litre from Lidl and Sainsbury's. Not everyone likes it, but the advantage is that I never have to go on an emergency shop for this basic item

Then: shop bought cereals
Now: home made muesli...porridge oats, almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, sultanas, raisins, or anything else you have...as much as you fancy of each, let it soak overnight in some milk, not bad at all. Chuck in some fresh fruit if I can be bothered the next day. NB choose the ingredients carefully and not a single grain of added salt or sugar will pass your lips

Then: gawp at the telly all evening
Now: have done away with the telly...so no licence - actually achieve a few things in my spare time (would achieve lots more if I were able to drag myself away from here:D )

Then: rarely use coupons
Now: have them in my purse ready to use

Then: drive past Lidl with nose in the air
Now: go into Lidl and marvel at the fab stuff they sell and mostly so reasonable too.

Then: cheapo bed linen from wherever
Now: M&S from their website, eg double duvet set cost me c£10 I believe, originally selling at £55 or thereabouts

Then: wearing old worn out dressing gown
Now: wearing lovely new dressing gown from M&S which cost £8, reduced from £35 (OK it's bright pink but what the hell!)

Then: tinned soups
Now: home made soups using whatever is in the fridge/cupboard

Then: bought bread/cakes
Now: can make my own as required (though off them altogether now as I binge on them)

Have to tackle a few other areas but there has been a definite shift in attitude and behaviour thanks to this site.

mrsmab59

furrypig wrote:

if you are lucky Mrsmab you might be able to get a reduced price one via your local council, we did and very good price it was too!

Thanks Furrypig, I'll see if my local council have anything to offer.

mrsmab59

Queenie wrote:

If your council aren't selling them on offer - you can make one for free, if you can get hold of 4 wooden pallets and a few wire coathangers

Also, don't forget you can use your veg water for plants if you're not using it for stock, just let it cool first.

Thanks Queenie...at this rate my plants will think it's their birthday every week
If my council aren't doing compost bins I'll be back to pick your brain for instructions on putting one together myself.