As the week progresses, I feel like living without foods in plastic is completely attainable for longer than just one week. Food without plastic really takes some thought... but it's only because new habits are in the process of forming.
For breakfast, I made my husband an omelet... my daughter had an egg (if you recall, we have our own egg laying hens... but if I do buy eggs I choose paper cartons). My youngest had a leftover pancake (when I make pancakes... I always make too many and freeze the leftovers). AND, I made biscuit cinnamon rolls. I wasn't too crazy about them, but my bread loving 8 year old devoured them...
For lunch, I made more whole-wheat tortillas and the kids and I had PB&J roll ups (peanut butter ground fresh... put in my own glass jar) with fresh fruit-- apples and bananas. My husband ate the leftover Vegetable Barley Soup and french bread (from day 2).
AND... for dinner?!?!!!...I don't know why I get most excited about dinner. Maybe it's because it's the end of the day and it is in some sense a culmination of the day's work... my "chef d'oeuvre" to a plastic-free food day.... it's my reminder of what I am accomplishing...
Day 3 Plastic-free Dinner Menu
Romaine Salad with carrots and red onion
Here's how I made it all plastic-free:
I bought the portobello mushrooms, carrots and onions in bulk (using my own bag). I didn't have any "mock beef broth" so I just used water. I also didn't use the basil because I don't buy dried basil and I didn't have any fresh. For the shells and cheese-- which I have to say that I was the most excited about!!-- I bought the pasta bulk (using my own container), I used local milk in reusable glass containers (the cap is plastic), and the gouda was wrapped in paper (per my request). As far as the salad goes, I chopped up a head of romaine with loose carrots and red onion.
AND... besides being plastic-free... it was on the table in UNDER 20 minutes AND it was all SO YUMMY!!!!
What you're doing is truly inspiring! I'm loving reading your progress. Wanted to share I use my homemade yogurt for smoothies- I make it in quart canning jars, & it's easy-peasy. With vegi stock, I save up all my vegi scraps in the freezer until I get enough to make it worthwhile, then make stock. It uses up all the bits, like ends of carrots, onions, garlic, asparagus, tops of tomatoes... Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteI often use water in that recipe too. The mock beef boullion I use sometimes comes in a jar, which I like. The cutes always seems like they produce more waste (even if there is no plastic). I also think it's wonderful you were able to get your other ingredients in glass/paper.
ReplyDelete@ Laurie... Thank you so much!! I've been wondering about homemade yogurt...I've read some ways to do it... but I'm always left feeling that somehow I'd mess it up... I'd love to know how you make yours. AND... I'll have to save all my veg scraps and use them for stock before they hit the compost bin!!
ReplyDelete@Lindsay!! I pulled out the mock bouillon cubes that I have (wrapped in "paper") and went to use one only to realize that the paper was lined with plastic!! The water worked just fine though... your recipe is SO YUMMY!!!! Going to make your apple muffins tomorrow for breakfast... you know how much I LOVE muffins!!! ;)