Don't throw food away challenge

kittywight

can i join in please

ive been thinking about this a lot recently, i really wanna stop wasting things

i also want to stop wasting what goes from our plates into the bin (i cook portions that are way too big, then realise we cant eat them then they end up in the bin)

most of the stuff i seem to waste is "lost stuff"
this week ive thrown out half a pack of bacon (i can barely afford bacon at the best of times, so losing it in the back of the fridge and then finding it when its gone off does not make me a happy bunny)
some ham and nearly a full tub of philly

the funny thing is i only have a small fridge!! so how things get lost and forgotten about in there have no idea :cool:

also, to make more space in the freezer i take things out of the packaging... i need to make sure i re-pack it sensibly... threw away a garlic bread loaf the other day because of freezer burn



need to start trying harder
xx

fuddle

squeaky wrote: »

Fruit peelings can be used for a fruity "stock" ideal for when making jellies or fruit sauces / glazes.

That's my 'you learn something new everyday' for today. Thanks squeaky It'll be quite nice drizzled over a plain madeira cake or victoria sponge I would have thought

Also I do the rustic mash...... really because I CBA :rotfl: my family are told it's because I don't want to throw the goodness away from the skins

edited to add that I keep peelings for a good few days before they are needed for a stock. As long as they aren't furry or mouldy they're good to go, and even then I've been known to chop the offending bits off.

fuddle

kittywight wrote: »

most of the stuff i seem to waste is "lost stuff"
this week ive thrown out half a pack of bacon (i can barely afford bacon at the best of times, so losing it in the back of the fridge and then finding it when its gone off does not make me a happy bunny)
some ham and nearly a full tub of philly

oh no! I bet it breaks your heart having to throw good food away like that. I guess the trick is always knowing what is in there - and the food you're talking about could be made into a cheesy ham pasta (philly really good for melting into pasta) or my favourite is ham/bacon omlette or a frittata if I've a few more odds and ends to use up.

Kitchenbunny

Thank you for starting the thread, Squeaky. Consider me well and truly signed up - I needed a new challenge. I shall set myself a challenge of not wasting more than £5 for November as I'm fairly good where food waste is concerned. Little bits of fat trimmed from chops get saved for when I've got enough to put in a dish and render down into cooking fat. The main problem I have is with salad that doesn't last for more than about a day without going bleh on me. I need to look for different salad recipes that aren't the traditional lettuce ones. I shall definitely post my chucks, bucks and strokes of lucks!

KB xx

trolleyrun

kittywight wrote: »

can i join in please

ive been thinking about this a lot recently, i really wanna stop wasting things

i also want to stop wasting what goes from our plates into the bin (i cook portions that are way too big, then realise we cant eat them then they end up in the bin)

most of the stuff i seem to waste is "lost stuff"
this week ive thrown out half a pack of bacon (i can barely afford bacon at the best of times, so losing it in the back of the fridge and then finding it when its gone off does not make me a happy bunny)
some ham and nearly a full tub of philly

the funny thing is i only have a small fridge!! so how things get lost and forgotten about in there have no idea :cool:

also, to make more space in the freezer i take things out of the packaging... i need to make sure i re-pack it sensibly... threw away a garlic bread loaf the other day because of freezer burn



need to start trying harder
xx

Don't be too hard on yourself. At least you're willing to try, that's half the battle won. Now, organise your fridge, so everything is in it's place. I've got 3 shelves and 2 drawers in my fridge, and I keep veg and fruit in the drawers, meat on the bottom shelf, sandwich things such as ham or pate with sauces and marinades on top shelf and re-heat stuff on the middle shelf, such as left-overs. I have a note on the outside of the fridge, so I know what's in there. You organise your fridge as you see fit, of course, I'm just giving tips

In regards to your portion sizes, how about cooking the same amount, but dishing up less? That way, you can save any left-overs until the next day or freeze it for a freezer surprise meal at a later date.

Freezer burn? Whazzat then? I just ignore it and cook it anyways. Never done me any harm You'll get there, hon, don't fret.

TrixieB

kittywight - re portion control, I find it useful to look at the back of packets and see their recommended portion size on the calorie bit of the packaging

rising_from_the_ashes

My £10 is seeming increasingly big - I picked that after working out last week's £2+ and thinking it would be a good starting point.

Maybe I should aim for a big improvement and try for £5?

Alex-Riley.

We throw away a lot of food here because we're both very fussy eaters

my boyfriend brought a 6 pack of bacon but then went away for 2 months with his work so the bacon got thrown away

Linda32

In post 14 I said 15p thrown away. Well these plate scrapings tonight.

Reduced spuds were 75p for a bag in Sainsburys and I threw away 3/4 of one plus about a slotted spoon full of veg. The veg was home grown but I shall pretend not. So shall I say another 15p.

So 30p thrown away so far today.

I know I eat really small portions as I get full quick, so why I overfill my own plate. I've really no idea. :eek:

adelight

WelshWoofer wrote: »

I'm a bit like Rising from the Ashes - single but with a dog hoover!

I have a man hoover :rotfl:
He finishes what I don't eat of my dinner and any odd leftovers, he'll happily eat leftover mush if it comes with pasta. He also likes when I pour stock over leftovers and call it soup :eek: Providing there is bread around.