Granny’s Gems offers simple solutions for everyday life to save our planet, ourselves, and future generations. These solutions will save money, save the environment, find alternatives, and reduce the chemicals all around us. Each one of us can reduce, reuse, and recycle. Never stop learning. Never stop trying. Have a simple solution? We’d love to hear from you.
Because large dog food bags with an inner plastic lining cannot be recycled on trash day, here are simple solutions for reusing these durable bags. Put them flat on the floor and use them for dirty shoes. They are especially useful in a garage for holding greasy rags or car parts. If you’re coming back from a day at the beach or pool, use them for wet towels and suits. Leave them open to air dry and use again.
You can reduce your FoodPrint with zero waste cooking by ignoring the trash can and finding a use for everything from peels to seeds. Steep leftover herbs in hot water for tea. Chop and sauté stems like Swiss chard and kale, add them to soups or puree into smoothies. Fennel stalks and broccoli stems can be roasted, grilled and sautéed. Radish, daikon, turnip, and beet greens can be tossed raw into salads or sautéed. Celery leaves, carrot or fennel fronds can be used like parsley in salads, soups and risotto. Pumpkin and squash seeds can be roasted for sauces, salads, and desserts. Cookbooks like the James Beard Foundation’s “Waste Not,” or Abra Berens “Ruffage” have many inspiring ideas