Category: Uncategorized

What Is This Plastic Trickery?


Halloween is just around the corner, and this fun and exciting event usually brings out all kinds of creativity and imagination. From the outrageous and adorable costumes parading down the streets, to the extravagant decorations, and of course the over abundance of candy and treats, it’s no wonder that Halloween is such a popular “holiday”.

I love Halloween and look forward to it each year. But I don’t love the excess candy waste and plastic waste that ends up in landfills. While Halloween is traditionally celebrated to ward off evil, society has made this event into a big extravaganza. Houses are decorated from top to bottom, parties and trunk-or-treats every weekend, and even “tricks” being played by kids and teenagers regardless of the reason. After the big day is over, streets are cluttered with candy wrappers, plastic toys, and extra waste.

So what can we do to prevent less waste on Halloween? I admit, it can be an incredibly fun event, especially for school-aged children. But we also have to consider what we buy and use during this holiday that puts a strain on our environment. Below I’ve listed some ways to reduce waste, and how you can prevent excess waste before and after Halloween.

mon and son getting ready for trunk-o-treat

TIPS TO REDUCE WASTE THIS HALLOWEEN:

  • Set up a recycling center at home, school, office, and neighborhood. During Halloween, and many days after when you’re trying to eat all the leftover candy, there will be lots of candy, chips, and cookie wrappers. Most of these wrappers are not readily recyclable, and they end up in the city’s landfill. But you can ship these wrappers to a dedicated facility, and the most popular one is called TerraCycle (https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/). They take back almost everything imaginable and find ways to either repurpose them or recycle the products. You can purchase their ZeroWaste boxes or mailer bags and send them your waste.

  • Reuse costumes from previous years, do a friends costume swap, or search for local free and inexpensive neighborhood costume exchanges.

  • Throwing away an old bedsheet? Make a traditional ghost costume by cutting out two holes for eyes and let your imagination go wild! Leftover delivery boxes? Make a robot out of the boxes or anything else that’s easy to make. You can find many ways to upcycle what you already have at home to make fun and unique costumes.

  • Instead of candy and the ominous candy wrappers, buy useful treats that kids of appropriate ages will use. Pencils, fun erasers, and notepads are just a few ideas. Giving out rolls of pennies or quarters are also a welcomed treat for little and big kids.

  • If you’re hosting a Halloween party, try to limit plastic waste. Use real glass, candlesticks, and dinnerware. If you must use disposable party decorations and dinnerware, try using paper products or items you can reuse for many years.

  • After the Halloween festivities are over, look for organizations that will take your excess candy. There are non-profit groups that will ship candy to the military, or donate to low income communities.

  • Compost your pumpkins after you’ve taken out the seeds. Use the seeds as a snack, or save them to plant for next year’s pumpkin harvest. Also, you can check local farms to see if they’ll take your leftover pumpkins to feed their livestock.

There are many ways to conserve this Halloween season, and to reduce overall waste. We can all have fun but still be mindful of the environment that we all share.

Have a happy and safe HALLOWEEN!!!

*photos courtesy of Ferry-Morse, and Parents magazine

 

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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I’m Not Stressed, You’re Stressed! – Back to School Sanity Tips

Do you have a child that hates going back to school after a long, and relaxing summer? We’ve all been there, and it’s not because they’re no longer able to stay up late while channeling their nocturnal instincts, or having to rise up at the crack of dawn just to get ready. It’s because they need to go back to a regular school routine, and the daily grind of going to school can be dreadful and stressful to both child and parent.

For parents, going back to school can be just as stressful. You’re also getting up early with the kids, getting their breakfast ready, packing their lunch boxes, shuffling them to school, and going back to work or starting your day. While summer was the time to recoup and rest for the kids, getting them back to a regular routine is a task no one looks forward to.

But there is no need to stress this school year. Whether you’re a working parent, stay at home parent, or something in between, there are always ways to make the school year easier for everyone – including the teachers!

Tips For a Successful School Year:

  1. Routine is the key to a successful school year. Start schooltime routines as soon as kids are ready for school. Establish a regular routine that works for your family and practice it on a daily basis. Routine helps monitor behavioral and emotional changes that can occur as your children gets older. Be flexible in your routines, and allow adjustments throughout their school years.

  2. Communicate with teachers and school staff throughout the year. Depending on the age of your child, regular communication with their teachers helps prevent misunderstandings and lets teachers and admins know if there are issues that need to be addressed early. While your child’s teacher is your first line of contact, it’s good to establish a healthy relationship with the school Principal, secretary, and any other important adult figures at the school.

  3. Healthy habits established when your children are young helps them continue with these good choices later on. Healthy habits such as eating healthy food – including school snacks, healthy bedtime routine, and healthy minds, give children the best opportunities to learn and grow as students and individuals.

  4. Respecting self and others at school. No one likes a bully at school, and no one wants to be picked on by a bully either. Teach children to respect themselves and others while they’re at school. Schools around the world usually has some form of bully intolerance policy, but if not, make sure your children are aware of other students who might not have the mindset or ability to regulate their actions.

  5. Set aside a spending rule before school, during school, and summer break. Money can be a huge issue in many households. And depending on the age of your children, they might ask for clothes, toys, and the latest gadgets just to fit in with their classmates and friends. Establish a special school household budget during the school year so you can track what is necessary for a successful school year, and what could be a waste of money.

  6. Give grace to yourself and your children. Whether your children are just starting school, or heading off to college, everyone deserves to give themselves some grace. We are all doing the best we can to help our children become successful individuals. As parents, we can struggle with doing the right thing for our children versus doing what we need to do. Know that it’s not easy being a parent, just as it’s not easy being a school-aged child. Laugh, learn, and love yourself through the process.

  7. Understand homework reality. Depending on your state and school district, homework requirements vary by grade. Be aware of homework expectations from the teachers and reach out to teachers if homework gets overwhelming. Most schools have a set amount of homework expectation so refer to the school handbook for more info. Most teachers will assign additional homework along with any unfinished classwork.

  8. Extracurricular activities. We all want our children to succeed at school but also live a fulfilling life. But be mindful of too many afterschool activities that can interfere with their sleep habits, homework, and prepping for any class quizzes and tests.

  9. Friendships at school is important for social and emotional growth, but sometimes our children have a difficult time making and keeping friends. Depending on the age of your child, friends can be hard to establish and maintain throughout the school years. If your child is having a difficult time finding friends, try and communicate the reasons behind it and see if there are any bullying involved, if there are any activities during Recess and Lunch, and how they interact with other students in the same class.

  10. Seek help when possible. We all need some help during the school year, whether you’re a student, parent, or sibling. If you feel overwhelmed with school life and life at home, try and seek help from professionals or someone who can understand your problems. Don’t wait until stress exacerbates into something worse. Seek help whenever possible.

This school year, take time to look at the “big” picture and be prepared as much as possible.

Have a wonderful school year!

 

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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10 Ways to Live Sustainably

Growing up with my parents was a real eye opener. It wasn’t until later when I had my own child that all the things I did in my youth would later transfer to my role as a parent. Sometimes the most difficult lessons to learn isn’t until later on in life; rather, it’s through all the experiences you gained while growing through your own process.

My dad came from a farming and medical family so everything he learned was through hard labor and a thriving dedication to have food on the table. What he taught me in growing my own food to learning how to increase the harvest every year has helped me tremendously in my adult life. My mom came from a diplomatic family, and being resourceful and thorough taught me to be more conscientous and mindful of my choices.

We can all make choices in our daily lives to live more sustainably. But what does it really mean to live a sustainable life? We live in a world where convenience comes a close second to personal freedom. And while convenience is necessary in most instances, it is through these conveniences that we tend to forget how wasteful everything can be. If you look at worldwide pollution, you can see how wasteful this world has become. We live in a plastic world full of convenient and unnecessary packaging of products. And while we can get practically anything shipped to us from around the globe, we should really stop and think how much of these products affect our lives.

I fall prey to convenience as well as the next person. It’s easy to grab a bottled water at Starbucks or order takeout every day. Who doesn’t like convenience? But it’s exactly through these mundane acts that lead up to unnecessary waste and pollution.

Before the end of the year, let’s look at some ways our actions can impact less waste around the world, and most specifically in our community.

10 Ways to Live Sustainably:

1- Start at HOME – Find at least 3 things you can do to eliminate extra waste in your home. Small steps can lead to a bigger impact: 1- You can reduce your carbon footprint by buying a water filtration system instead of buying single use plastic water bottles. 2- Set a timer for showering to reduce your water consumption. Experts suggest at most 5 minute showers are enough for the average household. 3- Check your refrigerator and pantries for food before grocery shopping. It’s easy to forget we bought those extra bags of potato chips or those containers of strawberries that are hiding in the back of the fridge. Do a food checkup to determine what you really need and eliminate food that your family will not likely eat.

2 – Sustainable WORK PLACE – Whether you have your own office, work at home, or sit in a tiny cubicle, there are many ways to do sustainable acts at your work place. Choose reusable water bottles that are insulated for extra cold or hot beverages, walk to work or carpool as often as possible, and put in recycling bins in the offices/buildings and encourage people to recycle their aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastic bottles. See if management will allow other ways of recycling such as paper recycling, ink and toner recycling, and so forth. Check out Plastic Free July for more inspiration: https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/resources/solutions/

3 – Do a WHOLE house audit – There’s no such thing as a perfectly sustainable house. If you live in a house, you’re going to use electricity, water, gas, and any other utility. But do you want to know how to reduce your utility bills? Try a whole house audit to find out where you can reduce, or eliminate unnecessary usages: https://earth911.com/home-garden/home-energy-audit-basics/

4 – Start a GARDEN – Gardening is truly one of the easiest ways to reduce waste and improve your carbon footprint. You don’t have to live on a 10-acre farm or have a green thumb. You can start a space-saving garden with planter pots or find a small patch in your backyard. Start off with starter plants to get your gardening groove going. Easy to grow plants are herbs, seasonal vegetables such as radishes, carrots, and beans, and small or dwarf citrus plants. Once you’re accustomed to growing your own food, you can escalate your skills by growing from seeds and propogating your plants. Find out your planting zone for best crop results: https://www.almanac.com/what-are-plant-hardiness-zones

5 – Reduce PLASTIC WASTE – While plastic has many benefits, they can also cause detrimental damage to our planet. You’ve probably already heard and seen plastic pollution waste in our oceans, our landfills, and even in your neighborhood. Single-use plastic waste is buying and using a product that can not and should not be reused, or more importantly, they are made to last through only one use. Their life cycles are tremendously long and do not break down easily. Plus the danger of microplastic leaking into your containers can be a health risk as well. You can reduce your plastic waste by bringing your own beverage containers at coffee shops, buy loose produce instead of ones already packaged, and bring your own reusable grocery bag or tote. These are all simple and effective ways of reducing plastic usage.

6 – Start a SCHOOL ECO CLUB – Young children have bright futures and big ideas. Give them the opportunity to help their planet by starting an environmental club. Whether it’s in elementary school, middle school, high school, or even college, kids can benefit by learning how to take care of the environment and teach others the same concepts and skills. A great place to start is with Grades of Green (https://gradesofgreen.org/who-we-are/), a non-profit, education and project based program that helps schools around the world become more eco-friendly.

7 – EMPOWER Yourself – If you encounter people who scoff at you bringing your own lunch instead of ordering takeout, or argue that global warming is a hoax, then it’s time to empower yourself. Fact-based data is one of the best ways in proving your stance, but you can also tell people to look around their own environment to see that waste and pollution is all around us. You can make your own choices in how you want to be more environmentally aware and in turn, help others understand the need to do so.

8 – Say NO to extra packaging – If you walk into a local grocery store you’ll most likely find fruits in plastic packaging, vegetables wrapped in plastic, and bags upon bags of convenient foods. It makes me sad when I see vegetable wrapped in plastic, because they are most likely shipped from somewhere far. Do we really need our cucumbers to be wrapped in plastic or bell peppers jammed inside a plastic container? We can easily pick our own fruits and vegetables in the produce section, and in doing so, it tells stores and manufacturers we don’t want our fresh produce to be unnecessarily wrapped. Be sure to bring your own cloth produce bags for fresh fruits and vegetables, and bulk bins whenever possible.

9 – UPCYCLE What You Have –  As consumers we have the power to choose what we want to buy and which brands to support. As convenience goes, it’s easy to throw something out and buy a new item the next day. But before you throw something out, think whether it can be upcycled. Upcycling is a form of repurposing what you have to give it a second or third life. Clothing are easily upcycled and swappable. For instance, you can turn your old t-shirts into tote bags and cleaning cloths. Other ways of upcycling include turning milk cartons and plastic containers into seed starters, or paint them to hold pens and pencils. If you’re a skilled crafter, you can upcycle old furniture into something new. You can find many things to upcycle if you just look around your house. For more upcycling ideas, be sure to check out Pinterest.

10 – RECYCLE and DONATE – The last resort to living a sustainable life is to recycle and donate what you have. Recycling isn’t always the best option, but it is one of the options to living a sustainable life. Check your local municiple to see where recycling centers are and find out what you can recycle there. You can also donate your gently used goods for others who might need them. The best places to donate your items are at school fundraiser drives, thrift stores, and non-profit charities who usually end up giving your donations away for free instead of selling them.

Living a sustainable life doesn’t mean giving up what you love. It’s about making responsible and conscientious choices that benefit yourself, your home, and the planet. Start with these simple 10 ideas and soon you’ll find other ways to increase your sustainability efforts.

*photos courtesy of Earth911.com

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

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Summer Gains, Winter Losses

In Southern California the heat rises, temperture flares, and outdoor plants wither. Oftentimes, I’d rather drink a cool beverage than slave over a hot stovetop.  The great thing that can come from hot summers is losing extra weight that was gained during the colder seasons. I’m not promoting eating less to lose extreme weight, but it’s easy to miss a meal or two when it’s too darn hot to cook or stand by a hot oven. Our own body temperatures fluctuate with the changing seasons, and we tend to feel sluggish and tired when the climate is hot, dry, or humid. The only caveat to eating less in hotter weather is that we might gain everything back again when the temperature cools down.

Tips during the summer months to help you through winter:

  • Realizing how important hydration is. Oftentimes we get too busy to hydrate ourselves, or too  tired to get up for some water. I bought a really cool new reusable tumbler that has an attached straw. It’s easy to fill up with ice and water and drink throughout the day.

 

  • Water isn’t the only type of hydration. Some people don’t like drinking plain water and will substitute it with juice and soda. But that isn’t the healthiest approach. If you’re not a plain water drinker, know that you can still get plenty of water intake from certain fruits with high water content: watermelon, strawberries, citrus fruits, kiwi, cantaloupe, grapes, and peaches just to name a few.

  • The importance of exercise. I exercise at home because I’m not a gym type of person, and sometimes I get lazy and don’t want to exercise or move around. But I know that isn’t great either, so I do at least minimal 20 minutes of exercise. Find the right type of exercise for your body and needs and participate at least 20 minutes a day. Exercise best when it’s early in the morning as your body is just waking up, or in the evening right before bedtime as your body is winding down.

 

  • Eat seasonally. While summer weather can get pretty crazy depending on where you live, it’s also my favorite season because of the fresh seasonal fruits. Living in the West coast can bring some really delicious and wholesome seasonal fruits and vegetables. Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, peaches, cherries, apples, and cucumbers are all fresh and easy to find where I live. Take advantage of your regional area and find fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season. They are mostly decently priced and taste a whole lot better than when out of season.

 

  • Less sugar for longevity and slimmer bodies. I’m not a big sweets person, but I do love sweet food now and then. Sugar can cause and prolong various diseases in your body, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, skin problems, weight gain, and dental issues, to name a few. Sugar can be disguised in many forms and raise blood pressure that leads to many other health problems. Watch your intake of unnecessary added sugar especially in your food and beverages.

 

  • Start a new hobby. If you have school-aged children and they’re not at school or in camp, you might find summer to be the best time to learn something new with your children. Find something that you and your kids can enjoy and extend the hobby throughout their lifetimes, or at least through the year. Try planting a garden, learn how to use AI, learn a new craft, learn a new language, and try a new type of exercise such as martial arts, dance, etc. just to name a few.

 

  • Write down your goals for the rest of the year. When school starts again, my days blur into each other and oftentimes I’m left wondering how I can accomplish even the simplest of tasks. While I freelance at home and work at a school, time is essential to getting things done. Summer is a great time to write down your goals for the rest of the year. Your plans from earlier this year might have changed or needs adjustment. It’s okay to make changes to what fits best with your lifestyle.

Summertime quote by Wilma Rudolph

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

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In a World Full of T-Rexes Be a Brachiosaurus

Vegans and vegetarians get bad reps. People joke about them eating grass or are treehuggers, or any other combination of misunderstood allegations. So what exactly are the definitions of vegans and vegetarians? According to the Vegan Society (https://www.vegansociety.com/): Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.                      A vegetarian has a similar philosophy except some vegetarians will include eggs and dairy in their diet and choose to not eat meat and seafood as a health choice. A plant-based diet is usually the normal food choice for vegetarians.

Being a vegan or vegetarian isn’t an easy choice, and oftentimes it takes years of self-discipline and practice to make it work. I became a vegetarian at a very young age, and if you’ve read any of my previous posts, you’ll know that I chose not to eat meat due to witnessing animal cruelty. While choosing a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle isn’t for everyone, it can be one of the best ways of staying healthy with the right diet, exercise, and mindset.

As a vegetarian, I have found eating the right balance of food quite a challenge. Many years ago when there weren’t a lot of food choices for me, I had to get really creative. Now that the new generations are trying to be more health conscious – whether as a trend or just general upgrading of life – you can find many alternatives to protein and other products that keep us healthy and thriving. For any beginner vegans or vegetarians, I’ve compiled a list of foods that are alternatives to eating meat. Even if you don’t choose this lifestyle, you can still see what other food choices you can make to keep your body and mind healthy.

Vegan and Vegetarian Protein:

  • Potato

  • Brown Rice

  • Spinach

  • Quinoa

  • Mushrooms of any type

  • Kidney Beans

  • Pinto Beans

  • Green Peas

  • Macadamia Nuts

  • Lima Beans

  • Wheat Bread

  • Garbanzo Beans

  • Lentils

  • Pecans

  • Soybeans

  • Walnuts

  • Hazelnuts

  • Cashew Nutts

  • Chia Seeds

  • Oats

  • Tofu

  • Flaxseed

  • Pistachio Nuts

  • Almonds

  • Hemp Seed

  • Peanut Butter

  • Pumpkin Seeds

You can add any of these plant proteins into your daily diet. Certain plants are high in amino acids which can generally be found in animal meat, but can also be found in these type of foods:

  • Chia Seeds

  • Yogurt

  • Vegetables that include Cabbage, Broccoli, Carrots, Eggplants, and Corn

  • Fruits that include Apples, Bananas, Cherries, Grapes, and Peaches

  • Soybean

  • Beans, Legumes, and Whole Grain

  • Mushrooms

  • Quinoa

  • Dairy and eggs for vegetarians who consume them

Whatever your reasons are for not eating meat and choosing a plant based diet, know that there are many wonderful food choices out there. Whether you’re doing it for ethical purposes or for health reasons, there are many benefits to eating a vegan and vegetarian diet.

Start off slowly by eliminating certain types of meat and slowly incorporating more plant based food. If you have specific dietary or health risks, please make sure you check with a health professional before going completely vegan or vegetarian.

Wishing you all a healthy 2024!!!

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

 

***photos courtesy of ohmyveggies.com, Marthastewart.com, EatingWell

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Reimagining Food Waste

When we think about food waste, what do you imagine? An abundant heap of food tossed into the landfills or throwing out barely expired food from your own kitchen? Well, all of those factors contribute to excess food that gets thrown in the trash which inevitably ends up in our streets, oceans, and clogs up our planet’s resources. Food waste is one of the leading causes of environmental degradation in the world. In fact, excess food waste is an ongoing major global problem and it’s up to us to find solutions to prevent it.

As parents we laboriously cook meals for our children, whether it’s an extravagant meal or something quickly thrown together. We hope our children finish the food off their plates and appreciate what we provide for them on the dinner table. But what happens to all the food that don’t get eaten or cooked?

Why is food waste such a problem, especially in the United States?  According to Foodprint.org, the US accounts up to 40% of food wasted and up to 160 billion pounds of food that gets thrown away. Add in to food lost that happens with bad weather at farms, fisheries, and manufacturing facilities, it’s incredible how much valuable food gets lost in the system. Consider that food insecurity is also a major problem around the world, what can one individual do to help prevent food waste?

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP PREVENT FOOD WASTE?

  • Create a Zero-Waste kitchen. Start with planning all your meals in advance and make shopping lists. Check your refrigerator and pantry before grocery shopping. Date certain foods on the containers or if you plan on freezing them. Cycle older foods to the front of the fridge so you can use them up first.

  • Compost. One of the easiest way of reducing your carbon footprint is to compost. While this may not be a miracle saver of preventing food waste, composting helps reduce waste in the landfills and can benefit the plants in your garden.

  • Check the “best by” date, rather than the “expired date”. Many companies have changed their labeling to indicate a best by date since households around the world have various food preservation methods. In the past, food were wasted because consumers were afraid of eating food past the expiration date. Most food can last several days past the expiration date but to be sure, check for any type of mold, discoloration, or foul smell before consuming.

  • Eat out less. Eating out is convenient and easy, but is also a big contributor to food waste. Consider that we don’t necessarily finish everything on our plates or want to take food home to eat later. Even taking food home doesn’t always equate to eating the leftovers. Restaurants waste a lot of food on a regular basis and we can do our best to eat out less whenever possible.

  • Preserve food scraps. What happens to all the scraps of vegetable skins, fruit cores, and excess bones? Try making broths or stock from leftover meat, vegetables, and make jams from fruit skins and cores.

  • Cook proportionally. Oftentimes families cook big meals because they want leftovers. While that may work for some families, for others cooking large portions end up wasted because food gets forgotten in the fridge or children decide they don’t want to eat the same food again. Cook according to your family size and proportion meals to age of your children. Younger children tend to eat less so big portions don’t really work for them.

  • Support local and farm-to-table establishments. Many local eateries are small businesses who thrive on making fresh food and providing local options. Plus, in order to keep their finances in check, these small business restaurants and eateries are careful with what they purchase and produce.

  • Donate. If you do end up with more food than you can eat, consider donating unopened food to food rescue centers. Food rescue center (or commonly known as food shelters) rely on donated food items. If you have canned food that are near the expiration dates, you can donate them to your local food rescue centers. Check ahead if they also take fresh produce as sometimes unpackaged food are not accepted.

  • Grow your own food. The benefits of growing your own food are abundant. You are in control of what you grow, how you eat what you grow, and also giving them away to friends, family, and neighbors. It’s also a much healthier option than store-bought food.

  • Don’t throw away unnecessarily. School-aged children might bring food from home for snacks and lunch. But I’ve witnessed tons of uneaten food thrown away or thrown in the trash after a couple of bites. Teach your children to bring home any leftovers, and pack accordingly to portion size. Remember that school-aged children don’t get a lot of time to eat during school hours, so they don’t need a five-course meal to take to school.

There are many ways to prevent food waste and food lost. Support local farms, contact city and state officials, grow your own food, and talk about the harmful effects of food waste with family and friends. Not only are you helping to prevent food waste, but also preventing wasting money on food that gets tossed out or you changed your mind on. The more we are aware of this devasting concern, the sooner we can help clean up our planet.

***photos provided by Foodprint.org and Shutterstock

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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