My war on waste!!!

EstherH

Ok. I will let you know. I'm going to get it out of the freezer now so if it tastes ok when it's defrosted it can go in a chicken casserole tomorrow. Esther xx

EstherH

Ok, I tasted the defrosted stock this morning and it tasted ok. By the time I had added more water as it is a large slowcooker full it will be watered down even more but I have the satisfaction of knowing there is some extra goodness in there. Esther xx

NewShadow

Has anyone else has a problem with courgettes lately?

I've had an issue twice now (veg from different markets) where the courgette has been almost bleachy.

First was pan fried in an omelette, second roasted with other 'Mediterranean' veg.

With the second one from each batch I licked the skin (ooh-er missus) which seemed fine, and washed them before using just in case, but as soon as you bit into them the 'juices' were really foul and soapy.

Lidl gave a refund on the remainder without hassle, but I didn't want to try the bloke in the market in town the first time.

silvasava

Just popping in with a tip for those of you with wood burners/open fires. I've been clearing out the dreaded mountain of paperwork that's years old - got fed up with shredding it and now I roll the papers as tightly as I can and stuff them down old toilet roll tubes. It makes good kindling for the fire and stops the paper slipping & sliding and drifting. I get a great sense of satisfaction from the moment of warmth from rubbish!!

[Deleted User]

reminds me of when I was a little girl and every scrap of paper was twisted very tightly and used as kindling in my Mum's big black kitchen range.There was an oven to the right where in the winter your school shoes were stuffed with paper and set in there with the door open to dry them out.The open fire bit always had a kettle sitting on top boiling up the water and on a Saturday night Mum would cut thick slices of bread and I'd sit with the long toasting fork and the bread on the end watching it turn a golden brown.Toast has never tasted as good from an electric toaster :)

greenbee

Toilet roll innards stuffed with shredded paper burn well too. The only problem with burning paper is the amount of ash produced, which means you have to empty the grate more frequently.

Serendipitious

JackieO wrote: »

reminds me of when I was a little girl and every scrap of paper was twisted very tightly and used as kindling in my Mum's big black kitchen range.There was an oven to the right where in the winter your school shoes were stuffed with paper and set in there with the door open to dry them out.The open fire bit always had a kettle sitting on top boiling up the water and on a Saturday night Mum would cut thick slices of bread and I'd sit with the long toasting fork and the bread on the end watching it turn a golden brown.Toast has never tasted as good from an electric toaster :)

I still miss my open fire. When I lived in the back of beyond I often used to make toast on it. Nothing like a wintry afternoon with the coals glowing red and a fireside afternoon tea! Had to relocate in 2010 and haven't had one since. One day, hopefully, I shall return to this.

FunBrum

silvasava wrote: »

Just popping in with a tip for those of you with wood burners/open fires. I've been clearing out the dreaded mountain of paperwork that's years old - got fed up with shredding it and now I roll the papers as tightly as I can and stuff them down old toilet roll tubes. It makes good kindling for the fire and stops the paper slipping & sliding and drifting. I get a great sense of satisfaction from the moment of warmth from rubbish!!

I really wish I had an open fire! If there is one thing I learned as a child, was watching my lovely dad making up the fire in the morning. Just like JackieO, he used twisted newspaper to start it.:A
I do have a chiminea in the back garden so I think I'm going to do the stuffed toilet roll thing and stoke it up!:D

I'm seriously into not wasting any water. Now that I'm on a water meter, I'm even more vigilant. When I was boiling pasta the other night, I put the left over water into the hot water bottle! When it was cold I used it to flush the toilet!:eek::rotfl:

katkin

After having a review of the waste coming into the house, we've found it difficult to address cutting that down - so baby steps have been taken with our meat / fish purchasing. Recycling the waste back out is now easier than ever so it's our shopping habits that need to be changed.

I usually buy meat, poultry and fish from the supermarket but went to the butchers and fishmongers next door (that was expensive :eek:) and the butcher asked me if I wanted things wrapped individually or altogether if I was portioning up and freezing! Wow:cool: he asked me! Each item was wrapped in a little plastic wrap then rolled all together in waxed paper then handed to me to put in my own bag. No plastic trays, no meat sponge thingy or plastic film and paper label etc.

The only negative was the cost. However, everything looks high quality and comes from local farms. I know how to stretch it so will.

I can't see me keeping the fish monger up, the price difference is too much and we like our fish.

Next baby step is fruit and veg. Apparently the indoor market has a stall but I've been told they don't like you rustling through things so I'll see how I get on when I next go shopping.


Keep up the good work everyone x

meritaten

katkin - I hope you don't think I am being patronising.....but, do you stick to Cod, Plaice and the other well-known and loved types of fish?
if not, then please ignore the rest of this post! and perhaps some newbies could garner some tips?
there are many cheaper alternatives to these fish - many of them even more tasty!
you may not have heard of some and be afraid to try them - like Megrim (think I spelt it wrong!), John Dory, Monkfish, Pollack and your friendly fishmonger can help you find the right (cheaper) replacement for your usual Cod, Salmon or Haddock.

my OH obviously cant tell the difference between Cod and Pollack - unless I find cod at a good price that's what I buy. or Monkfish.
I have become more 'adventurous' and no longer believe sardines only come in tins with oil round them! fresh sardines are gorgeous grilled esp on the barby in summer. and not that expensive.