How Meal Prep Can Become a Cornerstone of a Green Lifestyle (February 2019)

Meal Prep Reduces Food Waste

An easy way to live and promote a green lifestyle is by reducing food waste.  Food waste can occur due to several circumstances.  First, food waste can result from food not being stored correctly and, as a result, spoiling.  In addition, food waste can result from people over-buying food and/ or over-preparing food for events and having an excess that is thrown in the garbage.  Food waste is very easy avoid, however.

One solution to food waste is to meal prep in order to plan and schedule out meals for an entire week.  This will save resources and ensure all food is consumed and stored properly.  Three green tips for meal prep are:

1) Plan out recipes in advance: The first step of meal prep is to plan out recipes for the week (or any set amount of time).  This is a great way to reduce food waste because grocery shopping will become more organized and streamlined: no excess ingredients are needed for set recipes.  Try to set up recipes for all meals.  Create a grocery list, or try an app, to even further plan out grocery shopping.

2) Organize and pack all meals at one time: Once the food is bought, the next step is to prepare all recipes.  It is best to cook all food at the same time.  That way, the meals will all be ready at the beginning of the week and food will not spoil before being prepared.  Once the meals are cooked and completed, pack them into containers and store in the refrigerator or freezer to ensure the food remains fresh.  Remember, a big contributing factor to food waste is food going bad and being thrown away.  Storing all meals properly will reduce this kind of waste.  In addition, label all containers with the meal type and date packed to ensure all meals are eaten timely.

3) Remember to incorporate leftovers: Have a birthday dinner, holiday celebration or family gathering to attend?  Occasionally meal prep will not fit into the schedule.  Remember to always incorporate any leftovers from special events and gatherings, if applicable, into future meal prep options.

Have advice for meal prep?  Comment below to let us know.

This blog post was originally published on Grady's GreenLiving Tips on February 6, 2018. 

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLiving: What Exactly Is Freecycle?

A Website That Makes Recycling Creative, Simple and Efficient

For those interested in GreenLiving and being eco-friendly, the following situations may sound familiar: always recycling water bottles and food cans after use, finding ways to reduce and reuse supplies as often as possible, and sorting trash from recyclables.  While these are all wonderful ways to live a green life, it may seem like there could be more ways to encourage greenlivng.

One way to promote greenliving is through the website Freecycle.

What is Freecycle?

Freecycle is an online platform in which individuals can list items to be "recycled" or picked up by people who want/ need that item.  For example, someone could be moving to a smaller apartment, and may not be able to bring their large couch.  That person can list the couch on Freecycle to be claimed by someone who needs a couch.

Freecycle is made up of "groups" organized by location, so those living in certain areas can see items listed only in their immediate community.

The website also allows members to list items they need, so they can connect with neighbors to schedule any pickups.

How can Freecycle promote greenliving?

While Freecycle is not "traditional" recycling, the website can still promote an eco-friendly lifestyle.  Materials and items, such as furniture, dvds, and pet supplies (that normally would be thrown away in the garbage) can be "recycled" and provided to a new home.  This saves resources and is the essence of the "reuse" motto of recycling.

How does one post on Freecycle?

Those interested in Freecycle can start a member account on the website.

Do you use Freecycle?  Comment below with your thoughts!

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.