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  1. Thursday, January 30, 2020

    2020 New Year’s Resolution: Waste Less Food

    Happy New Year! (I can still say that, right? This isn’t Larry David’s blog so I’m going with it.) Since we still have one more day left in January, I’ve decided it’s not too late to share my new year’s resolution supporting the blog’s Eat Well, Heal the Planet annual goals. Drumroll, please…

    2016 New Year's Resolution: Compost and Waste Less Food @janemaynard

    That’s right, Waste Less Food is back! I am repeating my 2016 resolution because it’s an incredibly important and impactful one, and I personally could do with recommitting to this goal. If you are new to the blog, each year I choose a resolution where our family’s actions in the kitchen impact the environment in a positive way. For 2020 it is all about wasting less food!

    Local Tomatoes from Cyclops Farms | Photo from @janemaynard

    First and foremost, go check out the post I wrote in 2016 the first time I made this my new year’s resolution. There is a ton of great information in that article, including more on the negative impact food waste has on the environment.

    Today I want to build on that original post, providing tips for attacking food waste effectively.

    #1: SHOP SMART

    Being smart about the food you buy is definitely Step 1 in wasting less food.

    Yes, that is Cate is 2009. She is now 15. Unreal.

    Here are a few things to keep in mind:

    • Create a grocery list before you hit the store. This will help tremendously, both with food waste and budgeting.
    • Buy ugly produce. It tastes the same, I promise. I often will pick up a piece of produce and go to put it back if it’s not perfect, then force myself to put it in the cart. The ugly fruit wants to be loved, too!
    • Buy food from companies like Imperfect Foods. Imperfect Foods sources food that won’t be sold in stores, whether because it is surplus or imperfect (i.e. ugly). I’ve been ordering from Imperfect Foods for quite some time now and love the service. Click here to sign up! (Note: this is my referral link, which means we both get $10 with your first order.)

    Infographic explaining how the company Imperfect Produce works - they source imperfect and surplus fruit from farmers and deliver directly to customers

    #2: FOOD LABEL DATES ARE NOT GOSPEL

    Ignore dates on packaging. Seriously. The only food that the FDA requires a use-by date for is infant formula – no other food has date labeling requirements. The “use by” and “best by” dates printed on food packaging are a guide for enjoying food at peak quality and is not related to food safety. A “sell by” date tells stores how long to display products and, again, is not related to safety.  

    Best Buy Food Label Date on a container of sour cream

    When it comes to determining if a food is safe to eat, use logic, not the date on the package. Color, smell and texture will tell you what you need to know. And always make sure you store food properly to maximize safety and freshness. The USDA has a fantastic article that explains the dating systems used, as well as great tips for knowing if food has spoiled or not: click here to read it! 

    #3: COOK AT HOME AND USE LEFTOVERS

    Cooking at home has huge positive impacts when it comes to food waste and trash. When our family has had busy weeks where we’ve eaten takeout more, our trash bin fills up significantly more quickly, both with from food containers and random bits of food. There are many reasons why cooking at home is a great choice (Michael Pollan lists a few of them in this interview with the Boston Globe), and reducing food waste is one of my favorites! 

    #FairMoments Fair Trade Mexican Brownies recipe from @janemaynard

    Leftovers are also huge when it comes to food waste. I used to be terrible about using up leftovers, but now (sometimes to my family’s chagrin) I am a champ getting those leftovers eaten! Whether it’s for my own lunch or dinner for the whole family, leftovers are super handy. 

    #4: COMPOST!

    The first time I made food waste a new year’s resolution, I also committed to composting. Composting is great because if you do end up with some food waste, you are putting it to good use! Rather than sending food waste to the landfill where it will create more greenhouse gases, composting food scraps at home skips the whole extra greenhouse gas problem and you end up with beautiful compost for your yard or garden. You can even compost in a small house or apartment using raised, rotating bins, as they don’t attract critters or cause a stink.  

    I searched my blog and realized that I never followed up with you all about our family’s composting experience. I did in fact start composting in 2016 and we still do it! I decided to compost using raised, rotating bins. I highly recommend them! If you decide to go the rotating bin route, make sure the bin has two chambers, one for “cooking” and one for adding materials while the other side cooks.

    Dual Barrel Rotating Compost Bin from Gardener's Supply

    Click here for a great Composting 101 article from Gardener’s Supply Company. Related, I love Gardener’s Supply Company’s dual-chamber rotating compost bin, which you can buy here

    #5: MEAL PLANNING IS THE BEST!

    Meal planning to the rescue once again! I know I’m biased, what with a blog called “This Week for Dinner” and all, but seriously, people, meal planning is huge when it comes to wasting less food. If your grocery list is based on your meal plan, you are automatically ahead of the game. Buying food that you have a plan for is huge in the fight against waste. If you aren’t meal planning already, hop to it! It’s the best!

    Are you ready to waste less food? So am I! Happy 2020!


  2. Sunday, January 26, 2020

    Week 660 Weekly Menu

    Time to plan this week’s menu! I have a few carry-overs from last week’s menu, but I did actually cook, so don’t know why! I am traveling this week a few times, so the menu may have to be flexible. Wish me luck! 

    Week 660 Weekly Dinner Menu: Monday - Salmon; Tuesday - Sausage Hoagies; Wednesday - Tacos; Thursday - Leftovers; Friday - English Muffin Pizzas; Saturday - Eat out; Sunday - Super Bowl Snacks

    MONDAY:
    – Salmon (roasted in oven, using the rub from this recipe)
    – Rice and salad

    TUESDAY:
    – Italian Sausage Hoagies

    WEDNESDAY:
    – Pollo Adobado Tacos (masa and meat from El Nopalito Market) on Fresh Masa Tortillas

    THURSDAY:
    – Leftovers

    FRIDAY:
    – English Muffin Pizzas

    SATURDAY:
    – Eat out

    SUNDAY:
    – Super Bowl Feast! Food mostly TBD but for sure I have to make Sweet Chex Mix or I will have a family mutiny on my hands

    You know the drill! Share those weekly menus in the comments below!


  3. Sunday, January 19, 2020

    Week 659 Weekly Menu

    Happy Sunday! (Or whatever day you happen to come share your menu!) Let’s just get down to business…

    Week 659 Weekly Dinner Menu: Monday - Shepherd's Pie; Tuesday - Corn Chowder; Wednesday - Pollo Adobado Tacos; Thursday - Sausage Hoagies; Friday - Eat out; Saturday - Leftovers; Sunday - Thai Basil Beef

    MONDAY:
    Shepherd’s Pie

    TUESDAY:
    Corn Chowder
    Grilled Cheese

    WEDNESDAY:
    – Pollo Adobado Tacos (masa and meat from El Nopalito Market) on Fresh Masa Tortillas

    THURSDAY:
    Italian Sausage Hoagies

    FRIDAY:
    – Eat out

    SATURDAY:
    – Leftovers

    SUNDAY:
    Thai Basil Beef

    Can’t wait to see what you all have planned for the week…please share in the comments below! As always, thank you…your menus are so helpful every week when I sit down to plan!


  4. Sunday, January 12, 2020

    Week 658 Weekly Menu

    Hello everyone! Menu time!

    Week 658 Weekly Dinner Menu: Monday - Orange chicken; Tuesday - Baked Potatoes; Wednesday - Island Pork Loin; Thursday - Indian Butter Chicken; Friday - Leftovers; Saturday - Eat out; Sunday - Grill Night

    MONDAY:
    Grammy’s Orange Chicken
    – Rice and salad

    TUESDAY:
    – Baked Potato Bar

    WEDNESDAY:
    Island Pork with Coconut Rice
    – Salad

    THURSDAY:
    Indian Butter Chicken
    – Rice and Roasted Vegetables

    FRIDAY:
    – Leftovers

    SATURDAY:
    – Eat out night

    SUNDAY:
    – Grill Night with Salad

    Okay, awesome people, share your menus in the comments below. Ready, set, GO!


  5. Sunday, January 5, 2020

    Week 657 Weekly Menu

    Happy New Year! Might I suggest meal planning as an awesome resolution, including posting your meal plan here every week to keep yourself accountable? Sounds like a great idea to me! πŸ˜‰ Here’s my menu for the week. Comment section below is begging for you to share yours, too!

    Week 657 Weekly Dinner Menu: Monday - Chicken Gumbo; Tuesday - Blackened Fish; Wednesday - Tacos; Thursday - Leftovers; Friday - Sausage Hoagies; Saturday - Eat out; Sunday - Grill Night

    MONDAY:
    Chicken Gumbo with Tasso and Andouille Sausage

    TUESDAY:
    – Blackened Fish (whatever’s on sale and looks good at the butcher counter)
    – Long Grain & Wild Rice and Salad

    WEDNESDAY:
    Cora’s Mexican Ground Turkey Tacos

    THURSDAY:
    – Leftovers

    FRIDAY:
    Sausage, Peppers & Onions Sandwiches

    SATURDAY:
    – Eat out night

    SUNDAY:
    – Grill Night with Salad

    Thank you for sharing your menus and have a great week!