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.
That’s because the thing I need to throw away today is not exactly my fault. It’s a single serving of leftovers that I sent in Mr. FG’s lunch. I think they ended up having lunch delivered at his work (or he went out with friends. Or something.), and somehow his lunchbox sat (out of the fridge) all afternoon.
Though I’m committed to fighting against food waste and though I bake with sour milk, cut bad spots off of cheese, and peel rotten sections off of produce, I draw the line at eating meat-containing foods when they’ve sat out all day. Especially if it’s the kind of thing that can’t really be boiled before eating. So, into the trash it goes.
I also think I might have some very dry mushrooms in my kitchen drawer, but it’s too dark to take a picture. And besides, I just might try to hydrate them and throw them onto some pizza tomorrow. If I find they’re beyond redemption, though, I’ll add a photo when the sun comes up.
And that’s all I’ve got to say about food waste for the moment. But come back this afternoon for another post (I know! Two days in a row with two posts. What has come over me?? I just have too much to say lately.).
________________________________________________
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.
__________________
Today’s 365 post: The M&Ms up on that shelf….
Joshua’s 365 post: Connect 4
Shelley Essaunce
Monday 7th of May 2012
Hi there, my first blog here. I love this concept of reducing and eliminating food waste. This year this idea has really spread and I am becoming more conscious of what food we have and using it creatively to avoid food waste. I don't feel the pressure to go and buy more food if the fridge is not full. I grew up in a home where we went without food for a day or two each month. As an adult, I compensated by having tons of food in my house. In fact a restaurant owner once told me that I had more food in my pantry than he had in his. However, today there is more of a balance in my cupboards, fridge, freezer and pantry. Thanks for the inspiration!
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
Friday 1st of April 2011
I am really inspired by your minimal amount of food waste. I never really realized it until I started reading more about food waste, but we have a ways to go to get to where you are! At least we compost the produce peelings and produce that may go bad b/c it got forgotten about (we're getting better about that though!)
Kristen
Saturday 2nd of April 2011
It's definitely a process! I've been at this for 3 years now, and I still waste something almost every week.
That's really awesome that you compost your scraps...so much better than sending them to the landfill.
Elizabeth@ReadySetSimplify
Friday 1st of April 2011
OK, so my food waste is not just from this week. It is from the last several months. I couldn't even list it all. I don't even know what all of it is! It's bad, but I am trying to get better! This is my first time linking up to Food Waste Friday! Woo hoo!
Alice
Friday 1st of April 2011
I love partially dehydrated mushrooms! I use them in stews, spaghetti sauces, or to fry up to serve on anything that takes fried mushrooms... like your wonderful Aussie Chicken!
Michelle
Friday 1st of April 2011
Love this project. All week I was very conscious of what we were using and what was lingering in the fridge. Very important to let others in house know of projects though. My dh tossed something earlier in the week without me getting a photo...lol.