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Zero-Waste Chef

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Posted on December 30, 2020by Anne-Marie Bonneau
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This summer, in the backyard, we tore out a few se This summer, in the backyard, we tore out a few sections of concrete (which we were able to recycle!). So now I’m picking out native plants to put here. I started planting natives after reading Natures Best Hope by entomologist Doug Tallamy @homegrownnationalpark. The 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) for Biodiversity began today in Montreal. During this two-week conference, leaders from around the world will work on a Paris Accord style of agreement to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. According to the UN, extinction threatens a million animal and plant species. According to the World Wildlife Fund, we’ve lost two-thirds of its wildlife since only 1970. Plants and animals keep our life support systems working. If they go, we go. So while we of course want our leaders to lead, we can do something in our own little corners of the world—plant more native plants (in yards, on balconies, in parks and campuses and business parks). Planting natives addresses the climate crisis (native plants require less water and fewer pesticides and fertilizers) while simultaneously addressing the extinction crisis (planting natives supports ecosystems and restores biodiversity). Planting natives requires different yet simple choices—native Goldenrod rather than introduced English Ivy (where I live anyway...English Ivy may be native where you live and Goldenrod not!). Stay tuned for more yard developments! 🍃🪴🌿
This Saturday! My sewing friends and I will hand o This Saturday! My sewing friends and I will hand out homemade reusable cloth produce bags at the Sunnyvale farmers’ market, starting around 10am. We have 250 but they go quickly so please stop by early if you’d like one. We sew these out of donated fabric that might otherwise go to waste. The bags not only cut down on single-use, fossil fuel-based plastic at the farmers’ market, they also spark conversations on plastic pollution. Would you like to start a sewing group of your own or find one? I have a map on my website of sewing groups around the world. Look for a group near you or start a group. Link in profile for more info. And if your group is on the map and you’d like to update the listing, please let me know. Thank you @lostinthedreaming and @bakery_squirrel for coming over to sew yesterday ❤️🧵
The temperature dipped to 31°F last night—cold The temperature dipped to 31°F last night—cold for here! My plants froze but this morning, warmed up and let off some steam. This area will be filled will native California poppies in the spring. The few growing here seem to be hanging on. Choosing native plants supports native insects and birds—which support us! If they go, we go. If you have a balcony but no yard, bees and butterflies will find native plants you put there.
Looking for a low-waste gift? Food disappears with Looking for a low-waste gift? Food disappears without a trace. Put it in a jar to dress it up and you're done. Jars are the little black dress of food. Everything looks good in them. Some ideas: 🫙 Homemade ginger beer or kombucha. You still have plenty of time! 🫙 Limoncello. This is so easy to make. Uses up lemon peels too. 🫙 Candied citrus peels. Another tasty use for citrus that ordinarily goes uneaten. 🫙 Preserved lemons. These add tons of flavor to dishes and look bright and cheery in a jar. 🫙 Fermented goodies. Kimchi, hot sauce, nut cheese... 🫙 Sourdough crackers. Make them now and freeze them to give away later. 🫙 Homemade chai blend. For the tea drinker on your list 🙋 🫙 Cookie mix. Or cookies! 🫙 Bulk staples in jars. No need to hide them in the cupboard, they look so good. 🫙 Granola. For snacking, for a topping or for breakfast. See my website for more info and recipes. Link @zerowastechef . . . . . #jars #masonjars #lemoncello #zerowastegift #zerowastegifts #ecotips #greentips #zerowastetips #zerowastemovement #zerowastelifestyle #zerowastejourney #zerowastechef #wastenotwantnot #sustainablelifestyle #simpleliving #wastefreeliving #plasticpollutes #breakfreefromplastic #plasticfreeliving #plasticfreelifestyle #lesswaste #lowwaste #lowwasteliving #intentionalliving #slowlivingmovement #artofslowliving #climatecrisis #thereisnoplanetb
This is another type of persimmon, the more squat This is another type of persimmon, the more squat Fuyu. Earlier this week, I posted tear-shaped Hachiyas that must be soft before eating. You don't have to wait for Fuyus to soften. You eat them when they are firm. Cut them into wedges or bite into them like an apple. Or if you have a pile of them, dehydrate slices in the oven to preserve the fruit—and prevent food from going to waste! Once they are dry, pack them into jars (they make a nice gift!). Check the jars every few days for condensation. If you see any, put them back in the oven. If you don't see any condensation, you're done. Store them in the cupboard at room temperature. Shown here: fresh Fuyu persimmons, a tray of them sliced and ready to dehydrate in the oven, the tray after dehydration and jars of the slices.
Pit composting requires a bit more work up front t Pit composting requires a bit more work up front than a compost pile does, but not that much. Simply dig holes in a bed or the yard, toss in food scraps, cover with soil and you’re done. You won’t need to turn a bin or mix the finished compost into soil because it’s already in there. Link in profile for composting indoors or out.
Firm Hachiya persimmons are very astringent—and Firm Hachiya persimmons are very astringent—and inedible. But after they ripen, they taste like candy. The fruit will become so soft, you may think it’s rotten. This is when you get out a spoon! Cut it in half and dig in.
Here is a list of 21 meaningful activities to enjo Here is a list of 21 meaningful activities to enjoy this Buy Nothing Day (formerly known as Black Friday). Save 100% today. Buy nothing! Photo credit: @adbusters.magazine (I think)
Have your pie and eat it plastic-free too. Have your pie and eat it plastic-free too.
Cracks in your pastry? Don’t panic! Simply pinch Cracks in your pastry? Don’t panic! Simply pinch the edges together and roll out the dough. Repeat as needed. If you have gaps in the pastry after lining the pie dish, patch those up with scraps. Pastry fundraiser workshop coming up on 12/8. We’ll make pastry and a galette together. All proceeds benefit flood victims in Pakistan. Link in profile.
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