Your mission, if you choose to accept, is to avoid drinking from plastic as much as possible. One way to be both healthy in body AND good to the environment in the kitchen is to make sure the materials you're using aren't dangerous to either. There's a lot of buzz about plastics lately, mostly focusing on BPA, or Bisphenol A. My general theory is that if there's a question about something's safety, and it's easy and frugal to make a change away from that item, I should do it. I've been … [Read more...]
A Reduced Produce Primer
Go Green at the Grocery! Does your supermarket have a reduced produce section? ...Not that they sell fewer fruits and veggies than they used to, but that they reclaim bruised or nicked items and sell them at a reduced price to their customers. My store has a sign saying, "Just as good for many uses." I agree. I'm a big fan of the reduced shelves, and I check them out every time I go. Here's a short primer on what to look for in the reduced produce section and a letter to share with your store … [Read more...]
The Ultimate Guide to Making Your Freezer Work for You (without a batch cooking day)
I tried a "cook for a month" sort of cooking day once, and it was EXHAUSTING. 3 days' work. Not my thing - but I do love my freezer to make healthy, real food meals possible and quick!!! Once I start cooking, it's a whirlwind from start to finish. As a mother of young children, it's important to save steps as much as possible. I want dinner on the table quickly...but I don't want to rely on fast food or packaged dinners. I like to think outside the box. What works for me? Call me the freezer … [Read more...]
No Sugar for Lent: a Mary and Martha Moment
Give Up or Do More? The query, "What are you giving up for Lent?" just doesn't cut it with me. It falls short of recognizing the three-fold purpose of Lent: prayer, fasting, AND almsgiving. I always try to say, "What are you DOING for Lent?" and I used to post my third graders' "Lenten promises" on the bulletin board, rather than "Lenten sacrifices." I make it a point to tackle at least one goal from each category each Lent. Three Ways to Change I add to or regularize my prayer life. … [Read more...]
Monday Mission: Use your Dishwasher Wisely
Your mission, if you choose to accept, is to focus on being master of your dishwasher: getting it to do its best to serve you with clean dishes and serve the environment by using the least energy and resources possible. 1. Cut down on the detergent you use. (click to skip down) 2. Exchange your Jet Dry for a white vinegar rinse. (click to skip down) 3. Rinse your dishes with pre-used water. (click to skip down) 4. Only run the dishwasher FULL. (click to skip down) 5. Challenge … [Read more...]
Tuscan Bean Soup Recipe
This Tuscan Bean Soup recipe is as nourishing as it is frugal. Healthy food doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, and you can have dinner on the table in 15 minutes! Super foods: 4 Cost: $2.00-4.50, depending on if you use canned or dry beans and homemade or store-bought broth Timesavers: Cook your dry beans in the pot you're going to use for soup. I say cook the whole bag and freeze the leftovers in 1 1/2 cup portions (equal to one can) for use in future recipes. Drain the beans in a … [Read more...]
Food for Thought: The Cost of Using Your Kitchen Appliances
I've been thinking about energy usage in the kitchen and how to reduce the cost of using kitchen appliances. This includes oven, range-top, microwave, toaster oven, lights (over your sink, your stove, ceiling lights, etc), refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, garbage disposal and hot water from the tap. Clearly some of these are going to be bigger energy-drainers than others, but we can be conscious about all of them and cut our use to save the planet and reduce the cost of using them. What's the … [Read more...]
How To Make The Most Out of Stale Bread: Croutons, Bread Crumbs, and Other Delicious Methods to Avoid Food Waste
Your mission, if you choose to accept, is to reduce food waste. By completing this mission you'll not only save money, but you'll also be doing the earth a favor! I'm going to help you repurpose two common food waste categories: bread heels and cooked vegetables. Save your bread heels and stale bread to make croutons and breadcrumbs. Start a "soup vegetables" bag in your freezer. I'll teach you how to make bread crumbs (and then homemade chicken nuggets) or croutons from the … [Read more...]
Mary and Martha: Capturing Kitchen Prayer Moments
Silent Prayer I will be the first to tell you that everyone needs time for silent prayer during the day. I will also be the first to admit that this is oh! so hard for me to accomplish! Therefore, I am a huge advocate of what my friend calls "moving prayer". For mommies and other people on the move, it is essential to remain connected to God throughout the day, even as you engage in other tasks. Kitchen Moving Prayer I am especially aware of the available mental energy for "moving prayer" as … [Read more...]
The Fate of Returned Food in Grocery Stores
I remember sitting down at the computer to write this story with a brick in my chest, hoping that God had a plan for the events of my recent trip to the grocery store. During a week in which I had asked people to be conscious of the food they waste, I had just caused ten unopened boxes of perfectly fine food to be thrown away by a grocery store. What happens food that's returned to the grocery store? I purchased the items a few weeks ago at Family Fare - they were an amazing deal after a … [Read more...]
