My Food Waste Friday Routine 2016

I thought it was time to go back to basics on Food Waste Friday.

What better way than to go through my Food Waste Friday routine now it’s 2016.

Being introduced to Food Waste Friday back in 2010 by the original founder Kristen aka The Frugal Girl, my routine has changed and evolved. The fundamentals of reducing food waste, meal planning and being mindful of what I buy, and consume, has not changed.

I’m hoping you too will share how your Food Waste Friday routine has changed over the years.

My Food Waste Friday Routine 2016

1. Empty the fridge
2. Put all items plus any store-cupboard perishables on the counter top
3. Clean fridge
4. Place all items with life left in them yet back in the fridge
5. Identify any items that potentially could go to waste
6. Devise a No Waste Tastes Great meal (or 2) to use the items up over the next couple of days
7. Meal plan for the forthcoming week
8. Write a grocery list based on the meal plan
9. Do a grocery shop
10. Replenish fridge

You can watch part of my Food Waste Friday routine on YouTube

My Friday routine has not changed that much over the last 5 years.

Notable changes are:

1. On a Friday night if there was food to use up, I’d rustle up a No Waste Tastes Great dinner for us all. This doesn’t work any more, as we have started a Friday night tradition of Mum making Chinese food. Therefore the No Waste Tastes Great recipes are spread over the weekend, and sometimes are whipped up and frozen for later use.
2. I don’t always do a grocery shop on a Friday due to other commitments. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. For example I did a shop last night, as I actually did my Friday routine after dinner (Thursday) knowing I had a free evening to go and get the groceries, but that I had plans this Friday morning. Therefore in reality my Friday routine can be late on a Thursday, any time on a Friday, or occasionally early on a Saturday – there’s a 36 hour window. But to keep it simple it’ll always be known as my Food Waste Friday routine.

As I did my routine last night, my Friday fridge is replenished and ready to go.

I’ve done my meal plan for the forthcoming week – you can read how I meal plan here.

I do have some leftovers this week, that need a destination. Can you help?

Coincidentally I was given a joint of high quality beef last Sunday. I say coincidentally because just a few days before I’d posted this as part of Love Food Hate Waste’s Meaty Issues campaign. Now I know the donor does not read my blog so it could be called coincidence, or like me you may believe more in synchronicity (read this post if unsure what on earth I’m talking about).

The beef was roasted on Tuesday (you may have seen it on Facebook) but it’s time for the remainder to be eaten up. I’m making a beef salad for lunch (a variation on the Chicken salad I made) but there will still be a little left.

Do you have any suggestions for a No Waste Tastes Great dish using up this roast beef?

I’m not the only one looking for your recipes. Don’t forget there are 3 slow cookers up for grabs over at Love Food Hate Waste for the best meaty leftover recipes. You still have until this Sunday to take part.