Food: Waste Not, Want Not

by Rebecca on November 25   ///   3 Comments

I wanted to share this fantastic video from GOOD on our habits with food just in time for Thanksgiving. GOOD magazine always does a great job with presenting important information with great graphics.

The video reports that the average American wastes more than half a pound of food each day and suggests a few ways to cut down on your waste. One tip is to “make extra, and freeze the individual portions,” and there’s no one better to teach you how to do this than Crystal Paine over at Money Saving Mom. If you haven’t checked out her “Baking Days,” go now.

For instance, in one recent baking day, Crystal made 21 dinners for the freezer plus at least 14 breakfasts, and some snacks and sides. I haven’t tried this method myself, but it seems like a great way to save time, save money, and cut down on food waste.

What do you think? Are you careful not to waste food? How do you go about it? What are your tips to save time and money with food?

  

  • magieperdu

    We both HATE wasting food. . .on the other hand, we both sorta detest leftovers, particularly if we have to choke them down more than once. My kids are grown and gone and actually live in another state, so if/when I cook at home, I’m only cooking for 2. I’ve been known to package stuff up and go knocking on neighbors’ doors!

    This is a real conundrum come BIG, SPECTACULAR, FOOD-RELATED holidays (like Thanksgiving and Christmas)! I’m food-oriented, that is, to me a holidy absolutely requires a related food (Thanksgiving = turkey, Christmas=rib roast, Easter=ham, etc., etc.) Is that a tad obsessive/compulsive? Perhaps, but I feel sooo out of sync and somewhat deprived if I can’t cook for a holiday. This is the first year I will be able to cook Thanksgiving food without feeling guilty (sharing the meal of a friend with a large family, so I’m free to cook BIG) ;)

    Happy Thanksgiving, all. . .remember everything we have to be thankful for. (I’m thankful for friends and for “ALICE”!)

  • magieperdu

    I forgot to mention that when I was raising my kids, I often spent my entire weekends shopping and “cooking ahead” for the entire week. It saved time over the week, but involved a lot of planning and totally consumed my weekends.

  • http://vickyandjen.com jen@vickyandjen.com

    I have been really thinking about this practicing some good tips – doubling up to freeze, using what we have in the pantry (creativity needed here) and having more “MustGo” Meals (basically leftovers).

    It is definitely the little things. They add up.

    Jen

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