Waste not ~ Want not

I really didn't realize the extent to which I was doing this until my parents were here to visit.  My Dad kept coming into the kitchen on different days curious as to what I was doing.  The crockpot of turkey parts that sat on the counter overnight really seemed to baffle him. Then he laughed when mom and I made turkey soup out of all the leftover turkey dinner (including the gravy and stuffing) and I made potato pancakes with the left over mashed potatoes.  

At one point he told me I should have a cooking show about how to turn one food into another food.  But it's really not a novel concept. Well, maybe in today's times of disposable everything and take out menus.  And I'm not saying that we don't partake in those things, because we do.  We are far from the sustainable living that I would like to see in our family.  For example, the recycling system in this town is really lacking.  There is some recycling, but not as much as when we lived in Simi.  But, I have really tried lately to reduce the amount of waste in our food supply.  We still spend a significant amount on groceries, it's hard not to with rising costs and a family of five.  My style of cooking doesn't require a lot of pre packaged stuff.  I prefer to cook from scratch with whole food ingredients. Again, not that I don't ever make boxed mac and cheese (because I do - the kids still like it - ick) but I really try to stay away from it.

I'm not alone in this, so don't think I'm doing anything extraordinary.  Far from it.  There are many out there that inspire and motivate me to do even more.  One way this blogger is making ends meet is by making the most of the meat she bought.  We've been doing a similar thing with the several turkeys we've cooked in the past month.  Once we feast on the freshly roasted turkey, I then pick off all the good meat and put it in the fridge.  Then as I'm doing this I throw every single other part, skin, and bone into the crock pot.  Fill it up with water and let it simmer over night.  The next morning I strain it and pick out all the rest of the good meat.  Throw that into the fridge.  The rest of the soft parts get thrown in a pile and the bare bones then get trashed.  The soft parts are then checked again for bone parts and then I make a stew of sorts for the dogs.  It's a big pot of what ever left over stuff I have that's suitable for them. - a carrot, potato, freezer burned veggies, rice, oats, ect.  Then I freeze it in cups for them to chew on.  They get one a day and love it.  We call them 'stew chews'.  It's a little gross looking, but we are using all available stuff that might otherwise go in the trash and at the same time feeding the dogs a healthy meal. This also cuts back on our dog food bill a bit.

Today I am going to go through our cupboards, fridge, and freezers to see what we have going on.  I know there is a ham bone in the freezer from the ham my mom bought while she was here.  That is going to be split pea soup this week.  I haven't planned a weekly menu for more than a month, so I'm going to do that today.  It will consist of what we have here and a grocery list of what we will need to complete it. This is my 'job'.  Managing the kitchen and inventory of it.  If I didn't do this then my family would live on take out and processed frozen food.  Those things are ok to have sometimes.  But they weren't meant to live on.  There are other ways to be frugal and earth friendly outside of the kitchen, but this is my forte so that's what I'm going with! ;)

Happy Sunday!

Comments

[Tim]

You rock Honey! I am so happy for what you do in our kitchen. Yes everyone, I even show my appreciation by doing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen several times a week. But I like cleaning anyway so bonus for you Babe! I wonder where I got that gene from? ; )

[BMFSV]

Wow Tara. I'm so encouraged by your sharing your commitment to learning & trying new & different things to make your family happy & healthy. You are the true example of makin lemonade outa lemons. You are also a great inspiration to all of us to make the best of with what we have to work with - instead of complaining that you have to "make do"!!! I have so much respect & love for you - my "favorite daughter-in-law. much love, mike

[Joy McGowan]

Tara,

You have made me take pause and see what we waste and how we could possibly use it. You continue to amaze me in all that you do. -Joy