Left overs and recycling thread.

[Nicos]

I thought it might be a good idea to share thoughts on our own recycling this coming year...whatever it is.
Might give other Grapes ideas too?

i'll start with the first 2 recycling idea this year.

-One of the pieces of wrapping paper I received has large glitter stars on it.
The paper is torn and too crumpled to be used again , so I'm going to cut out the stars and keep to decorate a gift later in the year.
I'll need to buy some plain brown wrapping paper from now on for wrapping gifts, but decorated brown paper can look really pretty and the recipient should value the effort involved!
(Naturally I shall reuse any other wrapping paper , and use up the ends of rolls I have)

-we're going to have quite a bit of Xmas pudding left over this year. Normally I would munch my way through it but was horrified to see how many calories in each portion!
Instead, I shall freeze small amounts and mix it in when making ice cream in the summer. Works well with crumbled mince pies and mincemeat too!

so...over to you please,
Shall we make 2019 a year of less waste?

[Chestnut]

Sounds like a great idea ;-)

My first suggestion is eating mince pies with custard, when they’re just a little too old/dry to be pleasant on their own.

My second is to make the most of the yellow stickered items in the supermarket- packaging and produce would otherwise have been thrown away.

[Scarlet]

Cheap cream!!!! In supermarkets at this time of year I often scout the shops for end of dates of double cream. No one buys it with a date soon to expire......one year I bought 60pots for 10p each. I've never been that lucky since
Anyway, take it home, leave it on the top for an hour to warm up a little and then get to work making butter.
Wrap up in greaseproof paper and freeze for making cakes etc for the rest of the year. Such a saving.

And it's simple to do....https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ml#post1634236

[nickdub]

Have a look at what you and your neighbours are chucking out and see if you can think of something better to do with it .


PS avoiding buying a load of stuff you and your family don't need, unless you have so much money it doesn't matter, is probably the best advice for the majority of people.

[Nicos]

I'm keeping some of the clementine peel. Freezing it, then, whilst making a new batch, adding it to homemade marmalade to change the flavour a tad.
Should make an interesting flavour!

[Scarlet]

Boil up the bones and turkey scraps to make stock....if you reduce it right down it won't take up much room in the freezer. Freeze in ice cube trays or small pots.

[Nicos]

You don't need to eat up all the chocolates!
Pop them in the freezer then grate over cakes, ice cream, fresh fruit salad....

[Nicos]

I've decided this week I'm going to go through all my Xmas decorations and offer any unwanted/or unused for a while ones, first to my children(memories) then family and friends then the rest can go to charity.
It's easier to do whilst all the boxes are down from the attic.
I think we have a couple of strings of fairy lights which don't have enough bulbs working, so I'll test those and give the working bulbs away, the green wiring should make good ties for garden plants.
Nothing will go in the bin if I can help it!

[veggiechicken]

As I have a glut of oranges, I'm finding ways to use up orange peel. This I what I've done so far:-

Shred off the outer peel (before eating the orange - as its easier) and add to rice whilst cooking;
Take the pith off the peel and microwave the peel until crisp. Makes the microwave smell nice and you could use the crispy stuff in cooking or potpourri.
Squeeze out the juice or eat the segments, then use the orange halves to clean the kitchen/bathroom sink. Works well on the greasy bits and taps and smells nice.

Only another 12 oranges to go...............

[Snoop Puss]

Use past their best veg to make more soup more often. I do it from time to time but not as often as I might.

Mr Snoop is the big recycler here. Using up food is my main responsibility. He does everything else. In fact, he's currently snipping at the edges of cardboard packaging to use as firelighters.

[veggiechicken]

Dried citrus peel is said to make good firelighters.

[Nicos]

I was looking at the plastic food sachet of catfood I give to Hibou.
I suppose I could make planters out of them (putting in a few drainage holes?)
Might change to buying tins of catfood instead, At least the tins can be fully recycled!

[Nicos]

Dried citrus peel is said to make good firelighters.

Dried Holly is brill too. You just have to use small amounts as it flares.

[Bren In Pots]

Dried Holly is brill too. You just have to use small amounts as it flares.

Ours will be going on the fire tomorrow when the decorations come down.

Rissoles are my amongst my favourite things to make with either leftover beef or lamb, its just minced meat, onion, breadcrumbs or oats with whatever herbs or spices you like held together with egg.
I like adding cinnamon and parsley.

[Chestnut]

As I have a glut of oranges, I'm finding ways to use up orange peel. This I what I've done so far:-

Shred off the outer peel (before eating the orange - as its easier) and add to rice whilst cooking;
Take the pith off the peel and microwave the peel until crisp. Makes the microwave smell nice and you could use the crispy stuff in cooking or potpourri.
Squeeze out the juice or eat the segments, then use the orange halves to clean the kitchen/bathroom sink. Works well on the greasy bits and taps and smells nice.

Only another 12 oranges to go...............

Why not make a batch of marmalade?