Reconnection.
Aug. 8th, 2013 09:53 pmThe eggplant is finally being productive. I have rosa biancas, which means they are smaller, fruit-sized, and more rounded, as well as following a brighter, almost magenta (and sometimes lavender) color at times. They are also very mild in flavor and have none of the bitterness that supermarket eggplants do. They're about the perfect size to toss in with a stir fry or a curry. The plant itself is gorgeous.
The basil plants are still on overdrive, my mint is doing the usual takeover that mint is renowned for, and I transplanted my parsley to a larger pot where it is taking advantage of the space and enjoying time away from the mint. I really miss my zucchini, though (I don't remember if I wrote about it here, but I lost it to squash vine borers...the ants were the first sign, but I guess I didn't get them out soon enough).
I've been really happy with my goals of reducing food waste this week. I did much of my meal planning on Saturday by completely scouring the fridge, cabinets, and freezer. On my Saturday run, I only spent about $27. (We usually spend around $100-$140.) We've been out once or twice since then to pick up small things I didn't account for (when my spices run out, they run out in threes), but I still think we're well-under our usual cost.
One of the things I really focused on was trying to find ways to incorporate leftovers from previous meals or vegetable cuttings into new meals. I have a bad habit of intending to do this, but then things go pear-shaped and I find that slimy cilantro in the veg bin, which, yechh. This week, though, I went ahead and planned that into the menu (uhm, the leftovers, not the slimy cilantro), which has helped me to make good use of things like leftover baked potatoes, cabbage (it really pays to shred the entire head at once and keep it in airtight containers), rice (put in the freezer, it thaws nicely), tofu, pasta, soup, you name it. The freezer is panting. I've also made use of the fresh tomatoes in place of canned (and taking![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
pinesandmaples advice, I've chopped and frozen some of these when they started developing bad spots).
One thing that's been really helpful is that I've kept a paper inventory on the freezer door detailing the contents ([X] bags of black beans, [Y] bags of vegetable broth, etc.). It's been very helpful because it helps me to keep track of when I need to start planning to soak and cook more beans, or to transfer the veggie scraps I save to a pot to make broth. I think it would be awesome if I had a wipe-erase board for this, but really, paper and pencil is doing well for now.
One thing I would like to get back into is composting the food bits that can't be saved. Part of the reason I haven't been is because the bin I was using busted wide open late last fall. A compost-plosion, if you will. I'm thinking I'd like to do a more organic bin this time, if I can get hold of some wooden pallets or crates to tear apart (or nail together, perhaps). I'm not sure if our local home improvement store is into giving those sorts of things away or if I will have to scout around on trash day.
I need a good organic gardening/sustainable/self-reliant living book. I do have a birthday coming up in a few weeks. :) It's that time of year when I start reflecting on what I want to learn and achieve in the coming year. (I have some thoughts in mind already, but that's fodder for a future post.)
♥
The basil plants are still on overdrive, my mint is doing the usual takeover that mint is renowned for, and I transplanted my parsley to a larger pot where it is taking advantage of the space and enjoying time away from the mint. I really miss my zucchini, though (I don't remember if I wrote about it here, but I lost it to squash vine borers...the ants were the first sign, but I guess I didn't get them out soon enough).
I've been really happy with my goals of reducing food waste this week. I did much of my meal planning on Saturday by completely scouring the fridge, cabinets, and freezer. On my Saturday run, I only spent about $27. (We usually spend around $100-$140.) We've been out once or twice since then to pick up small things I didn't account for (when my spices run out, they run out in threes), but I still think we're well-under our usual cost.
One of the things I really focused on was trying to find ways to incorporate leftovers from previous meals or vegetable cuttings into new meals. I have a bad habit of intending to do this, but then things go pear-shaped and I find that slimy cilantro in the veg bin, which, yechh. This week, though, I went ahead and planned that into the menu (uhm, the leftovers, not the slimy cilantro), which has helped me to make good use of things like leftover baked potatoes, cabbage (it really pays to shred the entire head at once and keep it in airtight containers), rice (put in the freezer, it thaws nicely), tofu, pasta, soup, you name it. The freezer is panting. I've also made use of the fresh tomatoes in place of canned (and taking
pinesandmaples advice, I've chopped and frozen some of these when they started developing bad spots).One thing that's been really helpful is that I've kept a paper inventory on the freezer door detailing the contents ([X] bags of black beans, [Y] bags of vegetable broth, etc.). It's been very helpful because it helps me to keep track of when I need to start planning to soak and cook more beans, or to transfer the veggie scraps I save to a pot to make broth. I think it would be awesome if I had a wipe-erase board for this, but really, paper and pencil is doing well for now.
One thing I would like to get back into is composting the food bits that can't be saved. Part of the reason I haven't been is because the bin I was using busted wide open late last fall. A compost-plosion, if you will. I'm thinking I'd like to do a more organic bin this time, if I can get hold of some wooden pallets or crates to tear apart (or nail together, perhaps). I'm not sure if our local home improvement store is into giving those sorts of things away or if I will have to scout around on trash day.
I need a good organic gardening/sustainable/self-reliant living book. I do have a birthday coming up in a few weeks. :) It's that time of year when I start reflecting on what I want to learn and achieve in the coming year. (I have some thoughts in mind already, but that's fodder for a future post.)
♥
