Cutting down on kitchen waste doesn’t have to be some massive, life-altering project. With a few smart tricks, you can reduce all that trash without breaking a sweat. These are easy changes that you’ll barely notice but will make a big difference. You’ll save food, money and maybe even your sanity. So if you’re tired of throwing out that half-bag of wilted spinach (again), these tips are here to help—without turning your kitchen into a zero-waste boot camp.
Embrace Whole Vegetable Cooking
Utilize every part of the vegetables you buy, including stems and leaves that many discard. For example, sauté beet greens for a nutritious side, use broccoli stems in stir-fries or make pesto from radish greens. This method maximizes your food usage and introduces you to new, delicious possibilities.
Plan Your Meals
Start by planning your weekly meals to guide your shopping list. This approach lessens impulsive buys and helps you use every item you purchase, dramatically reducing waste. Plan meals around similar ingredients to ensure you use produce in its entirety before buying more.
Make Vegetable Broth with Scraps
Save your vegetable peels, ends, and scraps by freezing them until you have enough to make a broth. Boiling these in water creates a nutritious base for soups and stews, adding depth to your cooking and value to your purchases.
Buy in Bulk Using Reusable Containers
Purchase dry goods and spices from bulk bins and use your own containers. This reduces packaging waste and lets you buy just the amount you need, saving money and reducing excess.
Compost Organic Waste
Composting organic leftovers turns waste into resource, enriching soil and reducing landfill emissions. Whether it’s fruit peels or coffee grounds, composting is an effective step towards a zero-waste kitchen.
Preserve and Can Seasonal Produce
Extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables through canning and preserving. This old-school technique lets you enjoy seasonal flavors all year round and avoids the waste of surplus produce.
Regrow Vegetables from Scraps
Some vegetables like green onions and celery can be regrown from their scraps. Just place the roots in water and they will rejuvenate. It’s a simple way to reduce waste and multiply your supply of fresh herbs and veggies.
Store Food Properly
Effective storage prolongs the freshness and edibility of your groceries. For instance, keep herbs lush by storing them in water and apples away from other fruits to avoid premature ripening. Proper storage techniques are easy wins in the battle against food waste.
Use Leftovers Creatively
Turn your leftovers into exciting new meals to ensure nothing goes to waste. Old vegetables can find new life in stews, and that half-used jar of sauce could be the base of a great marinade. This not only saves money but also sparks creativity in the kitchen.
Educate Yourself on Expiration Dates
Misunderstanding expiration labels like “sell by” and “use by” leads to unnecessary waste. Foods often remain safe past these dates, so trusting your senses can save food from being discarded too early and teach you a lot about food safety.
Grow Your Own Herbs
Planting your own herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley is easy and lets you have fresh flavors at your fingertips. Growing herbs at home means you can skip those plastic-wrapped herbs from the store, cutting down on waste.
Feed the Dog or Cat
If you have safe leftovers like lean meats or certain fruits and veggies (think pumpkin, sweet potatoes, or apples), consider treating your pet. These foods can be healthy in moderation, potentially boosting their coat shine thanks to foods like eggs. Always check which foods are safe for pets and enjoy turning waste into tasty pet treats!
Add Food to Your Beauty Routine
Many kitchen scraps have surprising beauty benefits. Ginger root can treat acne, while turmeric, matcha, and some teas make excellent face masks or serums. Even avocado can be mashed for a nourishing DIY facial. It’s a smart, satisfying way to use up leftovers and enhance your skin care routine with natural products.
12 Leftover Hacks To Make The Most Of Your Food
We’ve all been caught staring into the fridge at the sad remains of last night’s dinner, wondering if those limp carrots can be salvaged or that forgotten yogurt is best suited for the trash. But before you toss those potential ingredients, hold on! With a few clever tricks, you can transform those leftovers and forgotten bits into delicious new meals.
Read it Here: 12 Leftover Hacks To Make The Most Of Your Food
10 Simple Hacks To Keep Your Produce Fresh Longer
No one likes finding wilted greens or moldy berries in their fridge. Keeping produce fresh can be tricky, but with a few simple hacks, you can extend the life of your fruits and veggies. These easy tricks will help you keep your produce fresh and delicious for longer.
Read it Here: 10 Simple Hacks To Keep Your Produce Fresh Longer
Select images provided by Depositphotos.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
