Making your groceries last longer
- Thread starter Denim Deb
- Start date
frustratedearthmother
Sustainability Master
We have a saying around here that "nothing is wasted on the farm". I like to 'cook big.' It saves me time and we don't mind eating a couple of meals with the same ingredients. If we get tired of it - I'm ok feeding it to the dogs or the chickens. I don't feel that it's wasted that way. I know others might not feel the same way. 
I don't sell a lot of eggs, even though I collect between 2.5 and 3 dozen a day. Once a week I take the eggs that haven't sold or that we haven't used and I boil them. Then every day the dogs get a couple, but most of those go back to the chickens or pigs (if I have some at that time). It's a good source of protein and it does help on the feed bill. The baby chicks thrive when eggs are a part of their daily diet and pigs think they are candy.
Animals are great at converting leftovers to either food for me, fertilizer, or compost. Simple yet effective.
But, I will be the first to admit that if I didn't have an outlet for the leftovers, I woud feel horrible about throwing it in the trash.
I don't sell a lot of eggs, even though I collect between 2.5 and 3 dozen a day. Once a week I take the eggs that haven't sold or that we haven't used and I boil them. Then every day the dogs get a couple, but most of those go back to the chickens or pigs (if I have some at that time). It's a good source of protein and it does help on the feed bill. The baby chicks thrive when eggs are a part of their daily diet and pigs think they are candy.
Animals are great at converting leftovers to either food for me, fertilizer, or compost. Simple yet effective.
But, I will be the first to admit that if I didn't have an outlet for the leftovers, I woud feel horrible about throwing it in the trash.
baymule
Sustainability Master
We waste very little around here. I have divided plastic plates with snap on lids that I make "frozen dinners" with the little dabs of leftovers. Vegetable trimmings goes to the chickens, other stuff to the dogs. Egg shells to the garden or compost.
These wasteful people should hang out with some of us for awhile. They might learn something.
These wasteful people should hang out with some of us for awhile. They might learn something.
Milk doesn't last long enough to go sour around here--we go through 2 gallons per week. That will change drastically when the kids head off to university in the next few years, hubs and I don't use milk for much. So then we'll do more freezing, I have tons of mason jars and the plastic storage lids.
I also make yogurt each week, which hubs and I both do eat every morning at breakfast with our muesli so that uses some of it up. Should look more seriously into making cheese, but not sure there's a cost-saving there, plus we get lovely local artisan cheese at our farmer's market.
The lettuce in the mason jar thing really only works if you vacuum seal the jars--I did a test a couple of years ago and that makes a huge difference. But we've taken to growing a tray of lettuce/romaine/spinach on the kitchen windowsill year-round. The leaves are small in the darker winter months, but a tasty fresh addition to our diet
I also make yogurt each week, which hubs and I both do eat every morning at breakfast with our muesli so that uses some of it up. Should look more seriously into making cheese, but not sure there's a cost-saving there, plus we get lovely local artisan cheese at our farmer's market.
The lettuce in the mason jar thing really only works if you vacuum seal the jars--I did a test a couple of years ago and that makes a huge difference. But we've taken to growing a tray of lettuce/romaine/spinach on the kitchen windowsill year-round. The leaves are small in the darker winter months, but a tasty fresh addition to our diet
Wannabefree
Little Miss Sunshine
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2010
- Messages
- 13,397
- Reaction score
- 712
- Points
- 417
I will definately use the cheese idea, and probably the banana one too. We don't waste a lot of food around here, but these tips will keep my stuff fresher longer. We cut the mold off cheese and make pizza, and freeze the bananas for bread when they begin to go bad. Very little waste, but bananas are my convenience food, and I want them fresh!!
Blaundee
Power Conserver
The vinegar wash for veggies is a great idea! As for the bread and cheese- I store mine in the freezer. We live 2 hours from town, so freeze milk, cheese, lunchmeat, bread, etc. Rarely have fresh veggies that we dont grow!
Marianne
Super Self-Sufficient
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2011
- Messages
- 3,269
- Reaction score
- 355
- Points
- 287
- Location
- rural Abilene, KS, 67410 USA
I'm in the 'nothing goes to waste around here' group. I was shocked when I read their estimate that we waste 20 lbs of food a month. I'd like to say that I don't believe it, but I do have a sorta-friend that has nothing but styrafoam containers in her frig - she says every so often she throws them all away so there's room for more take out. 
I don't have any trouble w/ celery going bad and I have never wrapped it in foil (I try to be as paper free as I can), but a friend swears by it. Celery has always lasted a long time for me. Once in a while I'll cut it into smaller pieces to go into a bag or jar with water to crisp up again. You can also dry it in a dehydrator.
I, too, like the vegetable wash.
I don't have any trouble w/ celery going bad and I have never wrapped it in foil (I try to be as paper free as I can), but a friend swears by it. Celery has always lasted a long time for me. Once in a while I'll cut it into smaller pieces to go into a bag or jar with water to crisp up again. You can also dry it in a dehydrator.
I, too, like the vegetable wash.
FarmerChick
Super Self-Sufficient
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2008
- Messages
- 11,417
- Reaction score
- 14
- Points
- 248
I share with my mom for celery. I only eat it. mom and dad can't finish a whole one so when I visit I bring home 1/2 of her celery.
that way we never waste it.
I hate throwing out food. drives me nutso cause that is money going in the trash bin literally. I make less food now also. cook what is needed. leftovers are not big on the list around my home. so I am just more careful about what I make and what I buy and how much.
I only eat it. mom and dad can't finish a whole one so when I visit I bring home 1/2 of her celery.that way we never waste it.
I hate throwing out food. drives me nutso cause that is money going in the trash bin literally. I make less food now also. cook what is needed. leftovers are not big on the list around my home. so I am just more careful about what I make and what I buy and how much.
