Here' s a heavenly sandwich recipe!
Toast some multigrain bread--it has to be multigrain because the seeds and the grains in the bread just burst with flavor when they're toasted. Yum!
Smear bread with avocado or guacamole
Add some artichoke dip (recipe follows)
Add some smoked Salmon (one of my favorite foods!)
Top with some fresh tomatoes and lettuce
Enjoy!!
Artichoke Dip:
Heat artichoke hearts steamed until soft, ricotta or feta cheese, freshly grated parmesan, and some cheddar with plain yogurt on stovetop until cheese is melted and creamy. Take of the stove, let cool and blend until smooth. Reheat over stovetop with some thawed frozen spinach. Add a bit more yogurt if too thick. Enjoy!
Friday, November 29, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Note to all
Please see tabs across the top for specific and detailed info regarding all the different aspects of cooking and sustainability! Feel free to comment or ask questions as needed! If you want suggestions or recipes, just ask! I'm just starting with what I think is useful base information.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Sustainability
Buy Local
Buy seasonal
Eat less meat and get it from local farmers
Buy in bulk, cut back on packaging and cost
If you are using the oven, fit as much as you can in the oven at one time to save energy
Do your dishes by hand in a soap bath in the sink
Start your own kitchen garden in your back/front yard--see resource page for help
Join a community garden--see resource page
Join a CSA--see resource page
Join a Co-op--see resource page
Go to Farmer's Markets (Mill City goes on monthly through the winter)
Buy seasonal
Eat less meat and get it from local farmers
Buy in bulk, cut back on packaging and cost
If you are using the oven, fit as much as you can in the oven at one time to save energy
Do your dishes by hand in a soap bath in the sink
Start your own kitchen garden in your back/front yard--see resource page for help
Join a community garden--see resource page
Join a CSA--see resource page
Join a Co-op--see resource page
Go to Farmer's Markets (Mill City goes on monthly through the winter)
Monday, November 4, 2013
Grocery Shopping
Once you've decided on a menu for the week, go through all your recipes and write down all that you'll need on a list. Don't forget breakfast, lunch, and snack items as well.
You don't have to stick to your list exactly. A lot of times, if there are specials on certain items, I will change up my list last minute to save money. Be flexible! and know your substitutions. If you planned a leek and potato soup, but they have a special on kale, don't be afraid to use kale in addition to or instead of leeks.
Organize your lists so they are easy to read and you won't miss anything. Everyone is different, but I usually group things based on the order I go through the store. For example, most grocery stores have the fresh produce in front, so I put that on the top left. Next, I hit dairy and deli, so those items go bottom left. Next, I hit the bulk section--top right, then on the bottom right I put everything else.
For fresh produce, only buy what you'll use for the week--you don't want it to go bad on you. If there is a special in the store, you might want to stock up. In that case, plan on freezing some of it, pickling, or canning, all super simple, easy, and fun options which I will give advice for in other posts.
Things like pasta, grains, nuts, spices, baking supplies (sugar, flour, flax, yeast), nut butters, honey, can all be bought in bulk! Even eggs! This way, you cut back on all the packaging, and you can get the amounts you need. With spices, you probably won't need an entire jar of every spice you use, so you can just fill a small bag with what you need for a given recipe. For things that you'll definitely need a lot of and last a while like flour and sugar and nuts, go ahead and stock up. When you do have to refill, just make sure you label your bags so you can just refill them.
Bring your own carton for eggs. At most co-ops, you'll get a discount for having your own, and if you don't need a full carton, you don't have to buy one.
Get your meat fresh from the deli. They will cut it right in front of you to order so that it is fresh, you can see exactly where it comes from, and you can get the amount you need for the week. Also, it saves on packaging and usually tastes better! Look for weekly specials in the store to determine what meats you eat that week so you can save money.
You don't have to stick to your list exactly. A lot of times, if there are specials on certain items, I will change up my list last minute to save money. Be flexible! and know your substitutions. If you planned a leek and potato soup, but they have a special on kale, don't be afraid to use kale in addition to or instead of leeks.
Organize your lists so they are easy to read and you won't miss anything. Everyone is different, but I usually group things based on the order I go through the store. For example, most grocery stores have the fresh produce in front, so I put that on the top left. Next, I hit dairy and deli, so those items go bottom left. Next, I hit the bulk section--top right, then on the bottom right I put everything else.
For fresh produce, only buy what you'll use for the week--you don't want it to go bad on you. If there is a special in the store, you might want to stock up. In that case, plan on freezing some of it, pickling, or canning, all super simple, easy, and fun options which I will give advice for in other posts.
Things like pasta, grains, nuts, spices, baking supplies (sugar, flour, flax, yeast), nut butters, honey, can all be bought in bulk! Even eggs! This way, you cut back on all the packaging, and you can get the amounts you need. With spices, you probably won't need an entire jar of every spice you use, so you can just fill a small bag with what you need for a given recipe. For things that you'll definitely need a lot of and last a while like flour and sugar and nuts, go ahead and stock up. When you do have to refill, just make sure you label your bags so you can just refill them.
Bring your own carton for eggs. At most co-ops, you'll get a discount for having your own, and if you don't need a full carton, you don't have to buy one.
Get your meat fresh from the deli. They will cut it right in front of you to order so that it is fresh, you can see exactly where it comes from, and you can get the amount you need for the week. Also, it saves on packaging and usually tastes better! Look for weekly specials in the store to determine what meats you eat that week so you can save money.
Making a Menu
Plan out your meals one week at a time, starting on the day when you get groceries.
Plan on having one or two leftover days, and mark those on your menu.
Add variety to your meals. For example, if you have soup one day, try salad, wraps or sandwiches the next to change things up.
Try making meat the main part of the dish only once or twice per week, and make it something special since meat can be expensive, especially if you're getting the good stuff.
Sometimes, you can get creative and use leftovers to make something new with little effort. For example, you could take leftover stir-fry and turn it into a taco or burrito filling. Take leftover rice and add it to chili, make a paella, or fried rice.
Plan seasonally! If it's fall, plan on meals with a lot of squash, apples, brussel sprouts, beets, radishes, rutabaga, etc. Here's a great site for finding seasonal foods to look for:
Don't look at your plan as set in stone. Be prepared to change it based on sales at the store.
Plan on having one or two leftover days, and mark those on your menu.
Add variety to your meals. For example, if you have soup one day, try salad, wraps or sandwiches the next to change things up.
Try making meat the main part of the dish only once or twice per week, and make it something special since meat can be expensive, especially if you're getting the good stuff.
Sometimes, you can get creative and use leftovers to make something new with little effort. For example, you could take leftover stir-fry and turn it into a taco or burrito filling. Take leftover rice and add it to chili, make a paella, or fried rice.
Plan seasonally! If it's fall, plan on meals with a lot of squash, apples, brussel sprouts, beets, radishes, rutabaga, etc. Here's a great site for finding seasonal foods to look for:
Don't look at your plan as set in stone. Be prepared to change it based on sales at the store.
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