Avoid that Holiday Food Waste
Much like any meal, holiday dinners can be full of many diverse dishes, such asdesserts, dinners and of course there may be leftovers which may lead to possible food waste. In the time you spend reading this article you will learn tips and tricks on how to avoid wasting any food this holiday season.
The first thing to do is make your grocery list for the holiday meals. Make sure to only buy enough ingredients for the recipes needed. Buying extra ingredients can often cause waste for the bin. So when it’s time to grocery shop stick to the list and only buy what is on that list specifically. Don’t be tempted to by extra items that are not needed. The best way to avoid this is also to avoid being hungry when you go shopping.
If you find that you have extra scraps from the meals that are prepared like tuna, try adding that to a pasta bake for the next meal or add pasta and make it a tuna casserole. Cooked vegetables can also be used as a base for a crock-pot meal or vegetable broth. This will not only help avoid food waste during the holiday season but will offer a way to use past ingredients for new dishes for the following day.
When hosting a holiday party place a buffet line, this will allow guests to eat as often as they would like and as often as they would like without having to ask “pass the potatoes.” By keeping everything at arm’s reach, friends, family and other dinner guests will be able to eat at any time and keep themselves full. With each guest and passing moment more food will be consumed and there will be less food waste.
If none of these options are available, turn your food waste into compost for the garden. It’s quick and easy; get a compost bin if you don’t have one and begin putting compost-only items into it. Another option is to use your orange rinds, or lemon wedges in order to make cleanser for your home. This will help after the meal is over too, giving a nice citrus scent to freshen up the entire house.
With these simple tips it is easy to avoid having too much waste during the holiday season. Remember friends and family may enjoy being able to eat the leftovers from holiday dinner so don’t be afraid to share. Happy holidays.
