The average household in Denmark throws out 700 kg of edible food each year - to me that is a scary amount and such waste - both money wise but also food wise considering we live in a world where people still die from starvation every single day.
My mother (a very wise woman) gave me the advice when I complained about the kiddies never finishing their oatmeal or porridge, to save the leftovers and put it into the dough next time I baked bread. I do that now, a long with the pieces of banana Quinten leaves on his plate that goes brown, the applesauce Lily doesn't finish and the porridge each morning - everything in a container and into the freezer for next time I have to bake bread.
Leftover veggies from dinner also gets saved, put in a container and into the freezer for either to be blended into a pulp and added to the bread mix or added to the pastasauce.
Bread that has gone stale I either bake in the oven until crispy and then ground them up to make breadcrumbs for when making soufflé, crust for the chicken (legs, breast, you name it) OR I make bread-pudding. That's something that Steve has taught me and to be honest, he's the only one that eats it - I find it foul. But never the less, I put all the 'old' bread in a bowl, add sugar, coffee, raisins, half an grated appel and water and let it soak over night, mix it up until it resembles a bread dough. In to a baking pan (bread-style) and bake it for about 45 minutes. Normally I put chocolate on top but Steve does not like that (anymore) because it makes too much of a mess (don't ask)
The presents my kids get, either the ones that a double of something they already have or something that does not interest them, goes in a special cabinet, the gift cabinet, for when I am running out of time to find a little something for a cousin or when funds are low (and let's face it, we've all tried that) But a warning should be given: NEVER let the kids find out where the items are kept OR leave it unlocked. The consequences can be severe.
Clothes to the second hand shop: if it's of such a state that I wouldn't even dress my own children in it (I have only one standard: dry and not in threads) I cut it out to use the fabrics for some of my designs, my hubby's old jeans because some very nice hats for the kids for winter.
(to be updated)
