Cooking from Scratch, Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.

I have been reading the news on climate change, and the conference in Paris. I know there are many things to be concerned about in this day and age. I'm aware I can do my part to help the planet and a few neighbours. I can't help the rest of the world sort out their disputes, I'll focus on what I can change.

I was off in my own little world today, which means my imagination gets going. I have a few posts which are incomplete and which have not been published yet as I don't have pictures of the finished result, or, I didn't write down the temperature I cooked it at, so will wait until I make it again.

I was thinking about what I could say about cooking from scratch...the following phrase came to me:

"Quick!!! Everyone on board!! 

                 It's time to save the planet!!!

There are somethings to consider about making your meals from scratch, not just for your own health, but the health of the planet too.

My husband and I had Homemade Chicken Soup and Grilled Cheese yesterday for dinner. The Bread was Homemade as was the Chicken Stock I used to make the final soup.





This is how it helps our planet:

• I composted any unused portions of my vegetables which I used to make the soup. I don't need to purchase Compost from a plastic bag from the Gardening store in the Spring, I have access to the compost to replenish my garden soil. I have an urban garden in my front yard.
• I didn't by a container of Chicken Stock or Pre-made Soup, this saved two more containers from recycling.
• The soup was stored in my freezer in a re-usable container, which is now washed and back in the cupboard for when I make the next bulk batch.
•  I saved on 2 plastic bags, 1 from the grocery store, 1 from buying bread. The plastic bag I had stored the bread in is being re-used to catch recycling materials in my home and is being recycled. 
• I use paper bags whenever possible for distributing the loaves I made the day I make them.
• I use aluminum foil containers for distributing to neighbours, which can be washed and re-used on our barbecue when grilling onions and mushrooms, we recycle them afterwards. 
• Neighbours also return re-usable containers when possible to be re-filled with the goods I make.

Our rule of thumb... never return an empty container. It's how our trading works.

Soup Stock, Why and How
Homemade Bread from a Starter
Homemade Bread with Instant Yeast

 I make pasta from Scratch too :

• No Boxes for the Flat Sheets or Spaghetti are needed. 
• When I make Ravioli or Cannelloni, there is no preformed plastic containers required to keep the contents fresh.
• There was no transport truck with plastic wrapped cartons of refrigerated product driven to a distribution centre or store.
• The flour I buy comes in paper sacks which are recycled when I'm done.
• I buy free range eggs in cardboard containers, no styrofoam to throw away and fill the landfills.

Pasta From Scratch







I do obviously have an energy foot print when I cook, I use electricity to bake and cook. I do use plastic wrap, but trust me, the amount of plastic I used to make and store my bread and pasta compared to what is required to wrap the boxes of pre-packed food, is definitely less. I additionally started switching to wax paper for freezing certain things.



So, those are my thoughts. I do use energy, but if you compare my tactics to that of a large producer, I use far less, help more people and have less waste. I also know EXACTLY what I am eating.

As one person, I'm not going to make a huge difference to the overall impact of global warming, but, if 200 others tried it, and it caught on...who knows, maybe it would  help.

Just my thoughts for the day. I hope you enjoy yours!

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