Wednesday Waste – Page 2 – Z Life Homestead

Since starting this blog a few weeks ago, I’ve become even more aware of what we have vs. what we need.

I check the fridge more often to make sure there aren’t expiration dates running out, or that I have veggies going bad in the bottom drawer.

It’s like I’m in a constant inventory mode at home making sure that we have what we need, and if we can use something else “in place” of what we don’t have.

I find myself thinking more about how I can reuse something instead of throwing it in the garbage.

No, I’m not turning into a hoarder, I’m just becoming more aware, and realizing that we really do have a lot of stuff.

For example. This week the rim of our cookie jar (you know, the one that holds the granola) got chipped. So, instead of throwing the jar out, I’m trying to think of a way I can fit some type of gasket around the top of the jar to protect our fingers from possible cuts and prevent the lid from further breaking the lip of the jar (being glass on glass).

I’ll come up with something. I don’t want to throw the jar away, that would be a waste.

And, since we are talking about waste, I’m proud to say that the only thing that got tossed this week was a bag of homemade croutons. But, they got tossed out into the yard to feed the birds, so I don’t feel bad about that at all. And, the birds have really enjoyed them with all the ice and snow we’ve had.

You might be wondering why we had croutons to toss out. Well, in our stopping smoking adventures you might recall that I mentioned in an earlier post that the ZMan and I have pulled through some testy times with short fuses and “even dodged the threat of croutons being thrown at each other” Remember?

We have noticed that our sense of taste (and smell) have really changed and from that the ZMan has decided that he doesn’t like croutons on his salads anymore.

NO CROUTONS FOR YOU ZMAN!!!!!

Yet, I still love wine… go figure. 🙂 🙂

OK, now back to Wednesday Waste…

This might look like waste…

But it’s not. I keep a gallon bag in the freezer and when I’m chopping celery, carrots or onions I throw the end pieces in the bag to use for stock. I also put chicken bones and trimmings in the bag, so when I need to make stock I just dump the bag into a pot and add water (salt and pepper corns) and cook it down.

I’ll admit that I used to buy chicken stock all the time. But not anymore. Why would I pay almost $3 for a box of stock when I can buy a whole chicken for about $4 and get all the meat for a meal or two and then make stock with the bones. I also don’t use a perfectly good onion, celery or carrot to make stock when the end pieces work beautifully. That’s just my 2¢ (that I’m saving).

How about you? Have you checked your fridge and pantry lately to see if you need to use something before it goes bad on you?

Y’all take care!

Lori

Before we get into Wednesday Waste, first I would like to talk about yesterday’s post.

I know there are a lot of Women and Men out there that struggle with body image, including myself. I’m not going to lie and act like that picture didn’t make me very anxious. Actually, I tossed and turned all night in my sleep wondering if I should include it in my post.

This is how Psychology Today defines body image…

Body image is the mental representation we create of what we think we look like; it may or may not bear a close relation to how others actually see us. That is, it is subject to all kinds of distortion from internal elements like our emotions, moods, early experiences, attitudes of our parents, and much more. Nevertheless, it strongly influences behavior. Preoccupation with and distortions of body image are widespread among American women (and, to a lesser extent, among males), but they are driving forces in eating disorders, feeding severe anxiety that can be assuaged only by dieting.

I ultimately left the picture in. As much as I didn’t want to because of my own fears, it just felt like the right thing to do. The extra 15 – 20 lbs I’m carrying right now does not define who I am.

Maybe someone out there needed to see and hear that too.

I’ll tell you that when the Zman saw the picture, he said “that doesn’t even look like you” (I do love that Man). There is your proof. He sees me for me. He doesn’t see the extra weight, he sees me. I am the luckiest woman in the world!

Body image… well lets all just try to let it go. We can strive for healthy and happy. Eat good food, do some fun exercise and forget about the number on the scale or the size of our clothes.

Let’s make that our goal. Cool?

OK, now on to Wednesday Waste….

I read that the average household waste comes to about $1,500.00 every year. Can you imagine it??? $1,500.00 That’s a chunk of change! I despise waste. There is no worse expense than buying something and then throwing it in the trash. But, sometimes it does happen. So, I’m going to put myself out on a limb (just for you) and share with you what I have wasted, what I’m throwing away. Hopefully it will be little if nothing at all. HOPEFULLY!

Take a look in the back of your fridge, and in the veggie drawer. What do you have in there that needs to be used before it goes bad. Do you have veggies that look like they need viagra? Turn them into soup. Do you have a loaf of bread that’s on the edge? Cut it into cubes, sprinkle with olive oil and any seasoning you like and toast them in a low temp oven until they are crisp. There you go… you just made croutons. Croutons that are better than any store brand, and you didn’t waste food.

This is what I had to toss this week

I had to toss out about a cup of yogurt because the expiration date slipped by me. I also tossed about 2 cups of chicken chili that got pushed to the back of the fridge and forgotten about.

I would love to know how you did this week too?

Y’all take care!

Lori