Reducing Food Waste

I noticed lately, there has been a lot of food waste in our household. Actually, waste in general, but as far as food goes, it has been about 10-20% of our food in unused leftovers, frozen food that is collecting freezer burn, and stale grain items.  I decided the other day, before I buy food, I need to see what we already have and use that first, so I made out a menu plan using those items.  This is a habit that was highly encouraged during both WWI and WWII, as rationing was required in both wars due to shortages.

I inventoried what we had in the chest freezer, the basement pantry and our kitchen storage.  I found the following:

2# Beef Roast. 8 Chicken Drumsticks, 2-1#pkgs of Ground Beef, 5 Chicken Wings, a couple boneless/skinless Chicken breasts, a 1# Pkg of Hot Dogs, Frozen Stew Veggies (carrots, celery, potatoes, and pearl onions), 2 # Frozen Collards, 1 pkg Frozen Broccoli, 3-4 pkg Green Beans (why I keep buying them, I don't know), and 1 pkg each frozen Blueberries, Blackberries, Mixed Berries, and Peaches.  I also found canned mixed fruit, peaches, apricots, pears, baked beans, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, several pkgs of pasta, a cake mix, pie fillings, canned and dried beans, rice, and various grains.  In the fridge there were a couple fresh pears, celery, carrots, leftover squash, leftover baked beans, cheese and eggs. I also found dried fruits, nuts, fresh potatoes, onions, and sweet potatoes.  I also have the staples of  flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, spices, margarine, shortening, tea, coffee, condiments, etc. Taking ALL these items into consideration, I came up with the following menu. 

June Week 1 Menu
(Click to view full size) 

So far, so good.  Sometimes, there are little gremlins in the kitchen that like to eat foods I anticipate for other meals, like the "cheese napper", the "egg scrambler" and the "fresh fruit muncher". Wartime homemakers had a similar issue in that they would make out a menu, and an item they needed was not available due to shortages, so they would have to make on-the-fly menu changes, and still try to provide their families nourishing and satisfying meals.  I try to be adaptable as well. Most baked goods can still be made, should I run out of eggs, and dried fruits can make good additions to meals too.  I primarily use cheese as a flavoring, and less as a source of protein, making sure there is plenty of protein in other elements in the meal, from whole grains and legumes.  I try to use the fresh fruits and veggies first, and I anticipate leftovers in the meal plan. 

I'll have to let you know how this works out at the end of the week.  I am hoping in the future, by doing my shopping and cooking more carefully, and making a conscious effort to NOT waste, I not only will eliminate some of our waste, but also, shrink our grocery bill a bit.

Cheap easy antacid

I have heartburn, chronic, annoying heartburn.  Found a recipe in one of my LIFE magazines that actually works! This is not to be used often not more than once or twice a day as it is a little high in sodium, but boy, does it work!  It is also the basis of Alka Seltzer, fizz and all.

• 6 oz water (the colder, the better for taste)
• 2T Lemon or Lime juice
• 1/4t Baking Soda

Combine and stir until soda is dissolved.  Drink all at once.

Victory Garden 2014

   Well, its that time of year again, and boy are we ready!! After the weird winter and spring in our neck of the woods, foods prices are expected to be high, especially produce.  It is almost a necessity to grow your own food if you want to make the most of your grocery budget. During WWII, with food being shared with the troops and allies, the government encouraged people to garden, no matter what kind of space they had to spare.  Container gardening became very popular, as every little bit of soil became a commodity. The government put out free publications instructing the Homefront gardener on creating Victory Gardens, no matter where they may live. Here is just one of many books (available in digital form on Archive.org) that was offered by the Dept. of Agriculture.

https://archive.org/details/VictoryGardenLeadersHandbook

(Click image for PDF format)

     When planting a garden, give a good mind to where the plants are going.  Is it sunny, partly shaded, very shaded?  What does your family eat?  It would be silly to plant turnips and parsnips if your family refuses to eat them! Also take the area available into consideration.  Don't grow watermelon or pumpkins in a 4'x4' garden!! Your taxes pay for all kinds of gardening resources and information.  It should be taken advantage of.  Here is a link to just a few resources:

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=GARDENING&parentnav=CONSUMER_CITIZEN&navtype=RT

      As we have been doing the last few years, we are also growing a Victory Garden.  We decided on Beets, as the greens and the root are both edible (and delicious!). We are also doing spinach in the garden bed, because it can be eaten raw or cooked, and is very versatile (and full of nutrition).  We are thinking we might do one or two others, but have not decided as of yet what to plant (though I am thinking onions).  In a container, we are doing bush tomatoes. There is no need to use cages or supports, as they do well in smaller containers.  In hanging baskets we have strawberries as well.

   

Bush Tomatoes

Step one: clear out the weeds!!

      There is one more advantage to creating a Victory Garden that is never taken into consideration, your health! Gardening is an excellent form of exercise. Plus it gets the gardener outdoors in the sunshine, helping the body make lots of vitamin D.  During WWII, there were no video games, almost no TV's or TV stations, so families spent much of their time puttering around the yard.  Gardening can bring a 21st Century family together as well, teaching kids there is more to life than indoor pursuits.  Children feel a real sense of accomplishment when they tend a garden and see the actual fruits (and vegetables) of their labor!!

    For more information on gardening in your climate and other questions about the Homefront Kitchen, contact me via comments below or on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/HomefrontKitchen.