Zero Waste Week 2014 kicked off yesterday.
I’m an ambassador don’tcha know 😉 Thanks Rachelle for asking me!
My quest to reduce food waste is ongoing. I participate each week in Food Waste Friday. But I have good weeks and not so impressive weeks. Overall I do the best I can to meal plan, use what I have and stick to my No Waste Tastes Great plan.
For a while, however, there’s something that has been playing on my mind.
I purchase a lot of products wrapped in non-recyclable plastic.
When I found out that this years #ZeroWasteWeek theme was about ‘one more thing’ that we can do to reduce our waste output, I knew it was an opportunity to look once again at how I shop.
So I got naked.
Not me personally, but the ingredients for our family dinner last night.
Armed with my basket and Pyrex container I hit the local butchers and farm.
My local butcher was very obliging in using the Pyrex.
And the local farmer was happy to sell me naked potatoes and leeks.
Feeling accomplished I set about rustling up a balanced, nutritious, simple and economical meal. Oh and did I mention ‘tasty’ also?
This meal is a firm favourite at Chez Wright. Although in this instance I did omit the spinach, as the farm didn’t have any. Instead I added a little garlic to add to the flavours.
There was so much chicken for my money that I have some left for tonight’s meal. Time to load my slow cooker.
I’m enjoying the challenge of reducing plastic packaging so far. Fingers crossed the rest of #ZeroWasteWeek goes so well.
Any advice you can share on shopping naked very much appreciated!
What a successful shopping trip. It all looks so fresh too. Glad you had such a great day!
Thanks Rae!
What a successful shopping trip. It all looks so fresh too. Glad you had such a great day!
Thanks Rae!
Hi Jo…. Reading and running as per…..
My method
Meal Plan!!!
List for butchers, pyrex dishes like you did…
One of the ‘big’ supermarkets, using net bags get all fruit and veg. I have 10 of these. I usually buy potatoes carrotts broccoli (no bag needed) f apples hand picked, bannans, then seasonal stuff, clementines peches etc. I then add in anything that the kids have asked for, grapes etc, this is where my waste comes in, but for this week it can be omitted 🙂
Then onto bread, i buy (25!!) ciabttas, again into nett bags.
Youghourts, pasta, rice, always pose a problem but we eat porridge in paper bags.
i go to the farm shop for eggs every couple of weeks and re use the tray, i always have a nose to see what else i can get there. My local farm shop have freeezers with ‘loose’ peas, fishcakes and other bits. again using net bags.
So in summary our waste has been reduced by 3/4 but i still have problems with some products i have gone so far as emailing companys but the response has been disappointing. There are some products we are not willing to give up on… Just yet!! (Who said Wine??!!)
Good Luck Jo
Sharron x
Sharron – you are so organised – you should be very proud of yourself. I’d thought about net bags, but didn’t get round to sorting so have used a basket instead. But your comment has made me think! 🙂
Hi Jo…. Reading and running as per…..
My method
Meal Plan!!!
List for butchers, pyrex dishes like you did…
One of the ‘big’ supermarkets, using net bags get all fruit and veg. I have 10 of these. I usually buy potatoes carrotts broccoli (no bag needed) f apples hand picked, bannans, then seasonal stuff, clementines peches etc. I then add in anything that the kids have asked for, grapes etc, this is where my waste comes in, but for this week it can be omitted 🙂
Then onto bread, i buy (25!!) ciabttas, again into nett bags.
Youghourts, pasta, rice, always pose a problem but we eat porridge in paper bags.
i go to the farm shop for eggs every couple of weeks and re use the tray, i always have a nose to see what else i can get there. My local farm shop have freeezers with ‘loose’ peas, fishcakes and other bits. again using net bags.
So in summary our waste has been reduced by 3/4 but i still have problems with some products i have gone so far as emailing companys but the response has been disappointing. There are some products we are not willing to give up on… Just yet!! (Who said Wine??!!)
Good Luck Jo
Sharron x
Sharron – you are so organised – you should be very proud of yourself. I’d thought about net bags, but didn’t get round to sorting so have used a basket instead. But your comment has made me think! 🙂
Oh forgot to say we have jucie and milk from the milkman, in returnable bottle of course. and i’m so making chicken jacket potatos and leeks for tea this week 🙂
Sharron
I like the idea of having milk etc… delivered! Hope you enjoy the meal…
Oh forgot to say we have jucie and milk from the milkman, in returnable bottle of course. and i’m so making chicken jacket potatos and leeks for tea this week 🙂
Sharron
I like the idea of having milk etc… delivered! Hope you enjoy the meal…
Jo, this meal looks simple but amazing – please could you share how you cooked it? I’m not an experienced cook, but you have helped me learn many great recipes including how to use my slow cooker! Thanks so much x
Hi Gill – I photographed the preparation and cooking. When I came to upload and include I had problems with my software so I delayed the recipe. But it will be making an appearance. Jo
Jo, this meal looks simple but amazing – please could you share how you cooked it? I’m not an experienced cook, but you have helped me learn many great recipes including how to use my slow cooker! Thanks so much x
Hi Gill – I photographed the preparation and cooking. When I came to upload and include I had problems with my software so I delayed the recipe. But it will be making an appearance. Jo
Meant to also say… just love the naked shopping idea – let’s all bring our baskets!!!
😉
Meant to also say… just love the naked shopping idea – let’s all bring our baskets!!!
😉
I’ve been meaning to try these – have heard good reports about them http://www.onyabags.co.uk/index.php/products?cat=58
I’ve been meaning to try these – have heard good reports about them http://www.onyabags.co.uk/index.php/products?cat=58