Thanksgiving Menu!

I'm excited to be able to cook so much for Thanksgiving this year! Last Year I did the turkey which was fun but boring. The year before that I did some rolls and pies. That was fun.

I'm excited to have a wider range of things to cook this year! Other members of the family will be providing turkey, potatoes, greenbean casserole, and other staples. This year I get to make Glazed Carrots, Scalloped Cauliflower, Banana Bread, Pecan Pie, Cheesecake, Spinach Balls, and Cranberry sauce, and Cranberry garnish! Yum!

I should get back to cleaning so the apartment is ready for this massive food prep! What are you bringing to Thanksgiving this year?

Stay green,
Yasha

Mmm Leftovers!

I know I have my lunches for a week! Already the freezer and refrigerator is stocked full of ready made lunches for hubby and myself. Each lunch is stacked conveniently in a divided lunch container. I've only used leftovers from Thanksgiving for the first few, after that I use combinations of leftovers and frozen veggies to store in the freezer. I'm so happy I don't have to worry about any wasted leftovers since hubby never likes to make his own lunch and would rather grab one I've prepared for him.
I love the food that was cooked at Thanksgiving; the whole family chipped in. We had 2 types of cranberry sauce, 5 pies, 2 turkeys, a ham, dressing, sweet potatoes, scalloped corn, veggie trays, etc. No one left with what they made we all took home other people's left overs. Since we can replicate our own recipes we decided we'd give away what we made ourselves.

Once I got home All i had to do is replicate a couple of things I cooked that day. The rest of the packed lunches are pure leftover. Since I froze some of it we won't get tired of having turkey everyday.

Now what did I do with those veggie trays? All we had left was broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. What do you think I made? SOUP! Mmm, yummy, tasty soup. Hearty and filling. That will be our dinner for the next two nights, the rest of the soup will be dinner one night in January!

I just love Thanksgiving such a bountiful harvest of, love, family, and food!

Stay green,
Yasha

An Eco-friendly Thanksgiving?

How do you have an eco-friendly Thanksgiving?

Start by trying to buy local. The closer the product originates to you the less gas is wasted getting it to you.

Wash that dish! Try to avoid using disposable dishes when friends and family come over. If you feel you just can't do that many dishes try to find biodegradable plates, cups, and utensils.

Don't buy too much food! Fight the urge to over cook. Not only will you save more on your energy bill you won't have to throw food out that doesn't get eaten.

Eat your left overs! It costs a lot less to reheat your left overs than it does to cook a new meal or go out and buy one. Tired of Turkey for the fifth day in a row? Make turkey pot pies and freeze them for a later date.

Turn out that light! You may have a house full of people but I'm sure there is no one in your bedrooms! Go turn off lights in rooms that are empty. While you're at it go open the front room curtains. Uncle Bob complaining about the glare on the screen? Try to position your TV so there is no glare before the big day.

Know thy neighbor! Don't plan on having many people at your house? Save money by buying a turkey with a neighbor. Cook it together and split the deliciousness and the bill! On that note you can share prepared dishes too!

Try your pot luck! Always liked Aunt Gertie's green bean casserole? Ask your family and friends to bring one dish each. You'll find your energy bill has gone way down. Don't like Cousin Bill's cooking? Ask a select few to provide their 5 star dishes!

Recycle your waste! Pile up your empty bottles, cans, and cardboard to take to the center. Get the kids involved. They'll love to have something to do the next day.

Carpool to the day after sales!