Food Waste Weekly

[marvholly]

I generally check my fridge before I do my major weekly shopping. I would guess many of us do UNLESS you have teen or young adult males in your households (incredibe eating machines = no leftovers).

We all do it.  Forget or ignore that container of leftovers or bag of limp lettuce or gotten moldy tomato based stuff.  Since my freezer recently died I found pkg of meat going back to fall 2010.  I hve a relative shose DH REFUSES to eat leftovers even repurposed ones (like roast chicken becoming burrito filling).  They eat out a LOT.

This week I tossed an entire cantaloupe because I got too lazy to cut it up before it went bad.  I also have about 3 inches of zuchinni I NEED to use FAST.  I have had to toss 203 clementines over the last couple weeks.

On the other had (not wasted) I cut up & froze 2/3 of a container of strawberries before they went bad.  I will eat them with plain, nonfat yogurt or with cool whip on waffles,

Join me here in admitting the error of our ways and resolving to do better.

[Blonde Granny]

There are few things that irritate me more than throwing out food. Whether it's because I'm lazy or just the fact that neither of us want to cook, it just such a waste of money.

203 clementines? WOW I haven't eaten that many in total since they have become popular.

I'm getting better using up some leftovers.  Last night was creamed ham & green olives over hamburger buns.  Normally I would toast bread, but the burger buns worked just great.  I know I have a yellow and red pepper that I'm going to have to toss, and the jalapeno doesn't look good either.  At least the jalapenos are cheap.

Come to think of it, I have some mini-meat loaves in the freezer, I think I'll take 2 out for us and saute some peppers with onions as a side dish for tonight.

[Peace77]

203 clementines -- Is that a typo?  Maybe buy a little less fresh fruit.

[Shooby]

Well, we are not a big fan of leftovers either. I tried to push them on DH and the kids but even I am not a big fan of leftovers. So, instead of trying to make everyone eat what they don't want and then wind up tossing, I just now cook smaller quantities of fresher food instead. I do not buy in bulk.  I try to buy mostly only what we need and will actually use. Buying in bulk just leads me to buy more than we will ever use in reality.

[Tiny]

I have the most trouble with fruits/veggies going bad.  I do try to not buy too much. But, atleast once a month I have something that needs to hit the trash. I'm also a bit of a 'gleaner' - Just cause part of the last banana is not something I would normally eat doesn't mean I couldn't smush the smaller still OK to eat part to put in my oatmeal (or plain yogurt).         

I'm ok with leftovers - mostly because I've worked them into my 'menu plan' for the week.  Leftovers for me aren't necessarily a 'complete' meal - it's usually an ingredient or two from a previous meal.

If I'm stuck throwing away a lot of food - it generally means I've had too many unplanned 'eating out' meals.    Which isn't a good thing for me.

I've found that even with my best efforts and planning that I will usually have 2 or 3 unplanned meals a week that are 'purchased on the fly'.   So, now I just plan for that... I usually have a couple of 'quick and easy' things to eat if, some how miraculously I miss one of the "eating out" meals.  Adding in that flexibility cut down on a lot of my food waste. 

    

[constanz22]

It is hard NOT to have a lot of waste when you're single.  I try to make small meals, and I don't mind leftovers at all for 1-2 more meals, but by then I'm done with it.  My biggest issue is with produce.  I can not believe how much I end up throwing out!  

[dogmom]

I admit, we try really hard not to have waste.  I do repurpose leftovers for my lunch during the week.  Anything that I have bits and pieces of goes for Monday night leftovers.  Tuesday is garbage day.  Fortunately, not so much goes into it except when I over buy produce.  That's the absolute worst.

[Shooby]

I have taken to buying bags of frozen veggies. I love peas and green beans. I can just stick a bowl of those in the microwave for a few mins and eat some good veggieys.

[Deleted]

Frozen veggies here too. The girls are finicky eaters and will try to only eat what they are "in the mood for". It's our biggest ongoing battle because they will make portions that are too large and then won't eat the leftovers. It's getting to the point that I only buy what I like to eat because I will be the one eating the leftovers.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

I buy a fair amount of lettuce, tomatoes & onions (both regular and green), new potatoes, fresh sweet corn (in late summer brought in locally from a nearby town that grows the best in the province/nation).

I grow baby carrots, also green onion in summer in a small garden plot - along with chives (which can be dried), and several herbs.

The lettuce/tomatoes I buy can be used in salads, sandwiches, or shredded/dice for tacos, tomatoes & onions on home-made pizza or burgers, potatoes boiled, mashed, baked pan-fried, or scalloped - or even French Fries.

Other veggies (broccoli, peas, caulifower, etc )I buy frozen and nuke or add to stews, casseroles, etc - or serve as a side-dish.

[Deleted]

We hardly waste any food and our fridge is pretty much cleaned out at the end of every week.  We're actually running out of a lot of stuff by Wed/Thurs and then we'll make a quick trip to the store to fill in what we need.  

My parents were REALLY bad about cleaning out their fridge and it always really annoyed me that you had to check the date of everything in there.  I know in my house that everything is fresh so no second guessing.   

[marvholly]

Blond Grannie
TYPO: s/b 2-3 clementines.

Constanz22
I AM a single but do try to plan to use stuff up or freeze for later use, esp my batch cooks.

Shooby
I STONGLY prefer fresh veggies. In fact my good fruit veg market had all my favs (broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, brussel sprouts)on sale this week so I am heavy on veggies but eating several times/day

Daveboo
Do you have teens, especially boys (plus friends of course)?.

[Shooby]

Feb 24, 2014 5:26:56 GMT -5 marvholly said:

Blond Grannie
TYPO: s/b 2-3 clementines.

Constanz22
I AM a single but do try to plan to use stuff up or freeze for later use, esp my batch cooks.

Shooby
I STONGLY prefer fresh veggies. In fact my good fruit veg market had all my favs (broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, brussel sprouts)on sale this week so I am heavy on veggies but eating several times/day

Daveboo
Do you have teens, especially boys (plus friends of course)?.

  If you prefer fresh veggies, buy them.  But, for me, I don't eat them fast enough.  I love green beans but I won't eat up a fresh batch fast enough so the frozen ones work great for me.  Do what works for you.

[coffeegrl]

I HATE having to stop by the grocery store more than once/week.  I used to have a really hard time with produce going bad before I could use it all.  What I used to do was buy my produce then end up throwing half of it away.  So now I compromise. When I go to the grocery store, I buy 3-4 days worth of fresh produce (unless it's something I know lasts quite awhile, like apples or oranges).  Then I always keep frozen veggies and those small containers of no added sugar fruit cups to finish out the week.  No, it doesn't taste quite as good.  And yes, it is more expensive.  But it was more expensive for me to be throwing out fresh produce and then not having any fruits or veggies for several days.

[Iggy aka IG]

marvholly, you hit the nail on the head re: not cutting up the cantaloupe in time.  When I toss food, it's usually a forgotten 1/2 cucumber or zuch in the fridge drawer, hiding under something.  What helps me is if I process the fresh fruit and veggies on Sundays for the upcoming week.  Last night I boiled and peeled 14 eggs, hulled strawberries, sliced an orange bell pepper for DH, and prepared 2 fresh romaine salads for me, including peeled and sliced cucumbers, Roma tomatoes, and a few black olives. 

The store bought zuchs are tiny here, so they tend to get used up in one meal.

What also helps is our weekly leftover night.    We had one last night:  I made beef brats, and served them w/ leftover potatoes and carrots, and sliced chuck beef.  DH had his brat on leftover sourdough from my BD party.    I spread the plastic containers out on the counter, and let DH dish up himself what he's in the mood for.

And, because I said something a month or two ago, DH bought a roll of freezer tape, which helps identify leftovers once they've frozen.

[marvholly]

Shooby
I buy my fresh veggies at specialty fruit/veg markets. I can (and do) buy as much/little as I wish in any week: green beans is usually 1/3 lb, broccoli 1 lb, cauliflower I generally search for a small one-3 lb, zucchini is usually 4-5/lb & I buy 2………

Iggy
I have pages of labels from back in my working days that staff did not need or use.

I bought a bunch of mushrooms over the last 2-3 weeks. Planned to use in a soup BUT have not made the soup. Sliced up 1 lb yesterday & froze them. They will be fine for cooking – not good for salads.

The zucchini did die. However, I have 1 ½ lb of cabbage in the fridge. I usually make cole slaw but have enough salad stuff which I prefer. Found a recipe for smothered cabbage & I have everything on hand Veggie for tonight.

[Sam_2.0]

DH refuses leftovers, and now I can't stand a lot of them (re-heated meat makes me ill). DD will still eat leftovers for lunch so we funnel a lot of them through her. The dog also loves our leftovers - especially the veggies! So she gets whatever food is pet safe, which reduces our waste and stretches out her dog food. I try to keep that to 1 meal every other day though to avoid any potential tummy issues for her. But she's a ravenous lab who would eat just about anything I throw in her bowl.

[bean29]

Feb 25, 2014 11:51:23 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

DH refuses leftovers, and now I can't stand a lot of them (re-heated meat makes me ill). DD will still eat leftovers for lunch so we funnel a lot of them through her. The dog also loves our leftovers - especially the veggies! So she gets whatever food is pet safe, which reduces our waste and stretches out her dog food. I try to keep that to 1 meal every other day though to avoid any potential tummy issues for her. But she's a ravenous lab who would eat just about anything I throw in her bowl.

Sam, my DH says microwaved meat is gross.  He wraps it in foil and re-heats on the griddle.  Chicken he will shred and rewarm in a little olive oil.  We do lots of tacos/tortillas.

Last night my MIL sent me a few burritos and some rice.  I am not a picky eater - I can cook but I am lazy so if I have an easy option I will take it.  I have a houseful of finicy eaters but I am so-so on accomadating them.

I throw a lot of food away.  I tend to buy food for DH to cook - my DH is a food critic and I absolutely hate to cook if he is going to eat it.    So I wait for him to cook - if he does not I am happy with a lean quisine dinner.

We also never eat frozen veggies.  The only canned veggie served in my house is Lesur Peas.  My family does eat the fuit cups if there is not fresh fruit, but I buy lots of strawberries, blueberries, lemons, limes, cucumbers, melon, apples, oranges and bannanas. 

WE waste a lot of stuff in our house, we should do better with food, but I am big on providing the choices and am ok if things go in the garbage occasionally.  At least my kids are not offered chips and candy and cookies as diet staples.

[Blonde Granny]

Yea me! We finished the last 2 hotdogs and buns for lunch today. Finally, something gone without being tossed out.

[whoisjohngalt]

Well, I made a promise and vow this year to stop wasting food and money on food.  And I can not  believe it, but I am actually doing relatively well.

That being said, I keep throwing away clementines bc they are going bad VERY VERY fast.  I've never had this happen before.  I just don't get it.  There are very few fruits that I buy during winter months and it pains me, but I won't be buying them anymore.  Just a total and complete waste

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

That being said, I keep throwing away clementines bc they are going bad VERY VERY fast

That's probably because right now, they're out of season. No doubt they've been kept in 'cold storage' for a fair while before being shipped to your market. By the time they're in your store in the produce bins, they're near their "expiry" date. Best to buy fruits like that when they're in-season.

[whoisjohngalt]

Feb 25, 2014 19:56:12 GMT -5 ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ said:

That being said, I keep throwing away clementines bc they are going bad VERY VERY fast

That's probably because right now, they're out of season. No doubt they've been kept in 'cold storage' for a fair while before being shipped to your market. By the time they're in your store in the produce bins, they're near their "expiry" date. Best to buy fruits like that when they're in-season.

My kids keep asking for their "desert" and I just have nothing to give them except apples, bananas and oranges. 

While I love living in New England and I love winter, I HATE not having 10 different kinds of fruit for them.

And no, I won't buy frozen, I find them yucky.  Although....my husband does use frozen strawberries in smoothies. 

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

I love frozen strawberries - especially the ones that come packed in strawberry juices/syrup. When thawed, they can be used to top pancakes, waffles or cakes/cupcakes.

I can't get enough frozen strawberries - they're awesome for "dressing up" a warm breakfast. You can even strain them and use them to top oatmeal or any other cereal.

The uses are endless. Even on an ice-cream sundae or used in a blender for smoothies/milkshakes.

[marvholly]

Whois
It is VERY late in the season for clementines. Eventhe ones in the market are small and soft or dry.

[Deleted]

Feb 25, 2014 19:56:12 GMT -5 ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ said:

That being said, I keep throwing away clementines bc they are going bad VERY VERY fast

That's probably because right now, they're out of season. No doubt they've been kept in 'cold storage' for a fair while before being shipped to your market. By the time they're in your store in the produce bins, they're near their "expiry" date. Best to buy fruits like that when they're in-season.

really?  we go through 7 clementines a day - both my kids and I take them for lunch and currently DS1's girlfriend is here so she gets some for lunch too.....

[saveinla]

I thoughts halos and cuties (clementines) were in season now - at least here is SoCal. I have been eating them every day for the past 2 weeks and none of them have gone bad. 

[Deleted]

Feb 26, 2014 0:51:22 GMT -5 ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ said:

I love frozen strawberries - especially the ones that come packed in strawberry juices/syrup. When thawed, they can be used to top pancakes, waffles or cakes/cupcakes.

I can't get enough frozen strawberries - they're awesome for "dressing up" a warm breakfast. You can even strain them and use them to top oatmeal or any other cereal.

The uses are endless. Even on an ice-cream sundae or used in a blender for smoothies/milkshakes.

We've been making this as a topping for French toast.  We like the fresh taste and it's not over-the-top sweet.

1 cup frozen strawberries
1/8 cup water
1 tsp. sugar 

Cook strawberries and water in a small saucepan over low heat until thawed and saucy, about 2-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in sugar.  

I've heard that you can do the same thing with frozen mixed berries for a change of pace.

[Happy prose]

I really try not to throw food away. I wash my berries etc in white vinegar and water, and they last all week. If you put your bananas in the refrigerator, they won't ripen as fast. The peel gets funny looking (dark), but the bananas are fine. If i buy salad stuff, I'll bring one to work everyday. If i throw food away, it negates all the coupons I use.

[motherto2]

I try to not through things away, but alas, I too find myself getting rid of things. I'm not sure why I do this, but I will have something that was really, really good, and I'll look at it every time I open the fridge, but won't finish it up. I have tried to figure it out, but the only thing I can come up with is like when you have decorative soaps and such, and you look at it, but won't use it. Weird, I know

[marvholly]

Had to tosds another bad clementine this morning. Checked the rest of the bag 95 left) & they are all good. It is the time of the year that I will not be buying grapefruit, other citrus fruit or apples. They are just NOT good.

Oh well, strawberries are VERY cheap this week.