The aim of this blog is to give you the opportunity to share and reflect on the main things you have learned during the challenge and what your plans are for the future.
Apart from just being more aware of the impact of my food choices, the biggest change to my behaviour from this challenge is compacting the rubbish I am recycling. I guess I have been so concerned about what I can recycle, it never occured to me that crushing cans and squishing plastic containers make the whole transport of recycled materials more efficient. I’m finding it fun too and I don’t have to empty my kitchen bin as often!
The biggest impact has definitely been a huge decrease in our landfill waste at home. We’ve always recycled the obvious things, but the challenge has really opened my eyes to the extent of waste that can be recycled. In fact, since week 2 of the challenge, we haven’t taken the wheelie bin out, because there’s been virtually nothing in it! I really enjoyed the challenge in week 3 too. Another big eye-opener.
I am promoting a natural antimicrobial I have developed as a way to both, improve food safety AND reduce food waste. Herbal-Active is made from culinary herb extracts and is a natural alternative to chemical preservatives in a raft of applications.
I have some information on it but in essence, using it as a dipping solution kills food pathogens and food spoilage organisms and extends shelf life of fresh produce accordingly. Most fruits and vegetables can then do better than 2 to 10 times the un-dipped controls. Additionally, the nutritional value of the foods are maintained as molds and fungi are not consuming the free sugars and other carbs in the foods.
I have always been a coupon user since back in the early 1970 s. I try on a daily basis to save money in every aspect of our lives. From groceries to gas, trips, and daily needs. I sign up for all the remindered coupon sites, match couponing sites and visit other sites for free samples such as All You! I go to the extreme to collect as many Sunday Newspapers that I can for all the coupons inside. I have family, friends and coworkers bring in their coupons from their papers. I go to McDonalds on Sunday mornings as they offer free Newspaper to customers and guess what is inside more coupon. Yes! Never enough coupons, I then go on line daily and print out as many coupons as I now I will use with in the expiration dates. If coupons go by I mail them overseas to the troops as they can use expired coupons up to 6 months past the date. I have also incorporated my daughter and granddaughter into helping me cut coupons, print out coupons and save money using coupons. It has become so much family fun! Thank you for the opportunity to brag about couponing. Lori Baird