Every week, I post a picture of the food that has gone bad over the last seven days. Why do I do this? Because in March of 2008, I finally got fed up with the amount of food I was wasting, and I thought that showing my waste to other people would motivate me to use up my food instead of wasting it. Because this often embarrassing practice was so helpful for me, I invited other bloggers to join me in posting their food waste photos, and Food Waste Friday was born. If you’re not a blogger but still want some food waste accountability, feel free to participate by leaving a comment.
Sometime in the last month, my sister gave me some boneless, skinless chicken thighs. She bought them, cooked a few, and she and her family ended up not liking them. So, she handed them off to me, and I used them to make Teriyaki Chicken. The only problem is, usually I use thighs with skin on them to make this dish, and I think the chicken got kind of dried out under the broiler.
So, the leftover chicken wasn’t really that appetizing. And besides, I had a HUGE amount of leftovers from the Cajun Chicken Pasta dish I tried last week, and since I was the only one who liked the recipe, eating the leftovers fell to me.
I’m please to report that not a single bit of the pasta dish went to waste (and I probably will not want Cajun Chicken Pasta again for a very long time!), but the chicken did fall to the wayside.
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How did you do this week? If you blogged about your food waste, link us up by entering your info into the widget below. You’ll save money, reduce your trash output, and get a little publicity for your blog! And if you don’t blog, you can still share about your food waste by leaving a comment.
April Ellis
Saturday 14th of January 2012
Oh! I meant to ask - can you make yogurt out of canned dehydrated milk?
Kristen
Saturday 14th of January 2012
I have no idea! Maybe do some googling?
April Ellis
Saturday 14th of January 2012
Wow...I have a ways to go! This past year has seen our family into rough times and I've been learning how to live with less and eat well on less money. We are a family of 4 but our little ones are 2 1/2 and 6 months so we are able to keep our food budget between $100 - $150/month (that's with the help of WIC). Soooo...we get roughly 9 gallons of milk and dear me WE CAN'T DRINK IT ALL!! Because I don't like to waste (especially when it's been given to me!) I've decided to try my hand at yogurt! Now I can add trying to decrease our food waste every week. We do pretty good already because we have so little I hate to waste even a bit, but we aren't perfect either... I go through my cupboards every 2 weeks and write down what we have then combine that with the fridge and freezer to figure out what meals can be made. I then make up a grocery list to fill in the gaps and buy produce. Luckily we have a great super market near us where I can by produce for cheap (as long as I buy it in 5lb batches). Which is okay with me because I dehydrate some, eat some, and then make baby food with the rest! Keep up the good work and thanks for the inspiration!
Deb
Saturday 15th of May 2010
Lastly, lest any of you think me self rightous - an inspection of my own neglected fridge reveals the following food waste:
Half baggie of semi liquified spinach; chunk of moldie jack cheese that I wouldn't let my dog eat; an ancient half used container of plain yogurt that I have been avoiding and finally now, upon reluctant inspection, I see has indeed become a science project; and several long dead rubber carrots with shriveled stems.
And, I further confess this. Long ago, I once put some raw broccoli, cauliflower and carrots in water into a rubbermaid tub with a tight sealing lid and shoved it in the fridge. Intended to have healthy snacks. Instead, pretended it wasn't there and continued feasting on junk food. Weeks went by. Finally one morning I walked into the kitchen and detected an odd smell. When I opened the the fridge door, I was hit square in the face by the most obnoxious rotten farty egg smell ever. Upon inspection, I found that the veggie container just couldn't take the pressure anymore. The rim of the lid held tight to the container, but the center of the lid had literally split and peeled away and exploded from the veggie gas pressure. My best food waste confession ever!
WilliamB
Sunday 16th of May 2010
That's a fabulous story. You should write the manufacturer to tell them how strong their seal is. And next time you tell the story don't forget the appropriate soundtrack: Queen's "Under Pressure."
Kristen
Sunday 16th of May 2010
Hee. I thought you were going to say that it exploded all over your kitchen. Now THAT would be gross!
Deb
Saturday 15th of May 2010
Kristen, I've never for a moment thought you are flippant over food waste. Are you kidding - YOU are the one who has inspired me to keep my fridge better organized so that we don't waste as much food! You've inspired me, my friend!
I was only emphasizing how we should all be more responsible when it comes to MEAT in particular. It was once a live creature, I think it would do all of us and our families a lot of good if we remember that. I'm not perfect or holier than thou, trust me!
My family eats a lot less meat now than we used to. We now purchase local, organic family raised poultry & pork (no red meat). Costs a lot more for certain, but that's another incentive to use less and waste less for us.
You're doing a great job, Kristen!
@Casey, I agree with you entirely - which is why I enjoy the food waste posts. It's not just about saving money, it's also about the resources and carbon footprint of getting that food to our tables.
Kristen
Sunday 16th of May 2010
Ah, gotcha. Thanks for clarifying. :)
Angela
Friday 14th of May 2010
Not such a great week for us. Greens, snap peas, and herbs. At least they're compostable, but I did feel bad about the waste.