Checking the contents of my fridge recently I discovered a few tubs of natural yogurt lurking in the back. When I checked the use-by date it was that day.
I knew I would not get a chance to use it them and was loathe to throw them out. So I decided to find out if I could freeze them. It turns out you can. I popped them, in their containers, into the freezer. A few weeks later I decided to cook a curry and needed, yes, you guessed correctly, natural yogurt! I defrosted it in the fridge overnight and gave it a good stir before adding it to my dish. Yes, the curry was delicious... Yogurt separates when thawed from frozen, so it must be stirred well before use. You could add it to smoothies, salad dressings, cakes, buns etc. I also learnt that you can freeze small batches in an ice-cube tray. Till next time… Geraldine Fitzpatrick
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Don't let a dollop of jam go to waste! Transform your leftover jam into a zero-waste wonder, embracing sustainability in the kitchen. Let's explore creative ways to make the most of every jar and indulge in eco-friendly delights.
Embrace the zero-waste magic in your kitchen by reimagining leftover jam. With a dash of creativity, each jar holds the potential for new culinary adventures, proving that sustainability can be both delicious and inventive. Geraldine Fitzpatrick Giving Your Plants a Caffeine Boost with Used Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds can be repurposed as a natural fertilizer, a sustainable gardening hack and a green ritual for both you and your plants. They are a great addition to compost, providing nutrient-rich soil for plants to thrive. Coffee grounds have a high nitrogen content, wet organic matter, potassium, and phosphate. They can be safely used in gardens by adding them to compost containers or worm bins. Composting is essential for good soil and plants, and coffee grounds are an excellent compost ingredient when mixed with dry and woody waste. A balanced mix is essential for good composting, and the nutrients from coffee grounds are recycled back into soil when used as mulch or compost. Coffee grounds are suitable for acid-loving plants like hydrangeas and nutrient-hungry plants like roses. They are also known to repel slugs and can be used around hostas. However, caffeine in coffee grounds can stunt plant development and prevent seedlings from germinating. Dogs may become poisoned by caffeine, so it is recommended to place the grounds in compost bins or bury them underground instead of spreading them on the ground. Geraldine Fitzpatrick What are the 5 rules of zero waste?
The 5 R's: “Refuse what you do not need; reduce what you do need; reuse what you consume; recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce and reuse; or transform the rest.” – Bea Johnson. Weigh, Fill, Pay - The Sustainable Way Forward This sustainable practice involves customers bringing their own containers to a store offering zero waste products. The process is simple: customers weigh their empty containers at home or in the shop, mark the weight, fill them with the desired product in-store, and then only pay for the net weight of the product, excluding the container's weight. This innovative approach encourages reusable packaging, reduces waste, and empowers customers to actively participate in a zero waste lifestyle. This helps you reduce packaging, one of the 5 R's. We now offer the Weigh, Fill, Pay service. Looking forward to seeing you in the store with your own containers. Ask any member of staff for help. Geraldine Fitzpatrick Please send your upcycling or zero-waste ideas bookings@theurbanco-op.ie Geraldine This holiday season, let's make our Christmas a bit greener. Going for a zero-waste vibe not only keeps things jolly but also makes our planet happy. Check out these easy tips for a festive and eco-friendly Christmas bash!
This Christmas, let's keep it eco-friendly. Unwrap the gift of sustainability and make every moment a happy, green memory! 🌲✨ Geraldine Fitzpatrick In the journey toward a zero waste lifestyle, there's a hidden world of flavor in the most unlikely of places: your vegetable peelings. Those humble peels you've been discarding can be transformed into culinary gems, reducing waste while maximizing taste. Try your hand at creating delicious vegetable peel soup and crispy veggie peel snacks with these simple steps.
For Vegetable Peel Soup:
By making use of vegetable peelings for soup or crisps, you're not just reducing food waste, you're elevating your culinary prowess. This zero waste approach uncovers the hidden potential in every vegetable peel and adds a burst of flavor to your cooking. So, peel no more and savor the essence of waste-free creativity in your kitchen. Geraldine Fitzpatrick In a world where environmental sustainability is paramount, every small step we take towards reducing waste and conserving resources matters. One such sustainable practice that's gaining momentum is returning glass for cash, and at The Urban Co-op, we're proud to be a part of this eco-conscious movement.
How Does It Work? Returning glass for cash is a simple yet impactful way to encourage recycling. Here's how it typically works:
Why It's Sustainable
Our Commitment At The Urban Co-op, we're passionate about sustainability, and returning glass for cash aligns perfectly with our values. Here's what we're doing:
Your Role in the Sustainable Cycle As a conscious consumer, here's how you can be a part of this sustainable cycle:
Thank You for Your Commitment to Sustainability! Every action you take, no matter how small, contributes to a cleaner, greener planet. Let's continue to return glass for cash and inspire positive change in our community and beyond. Congratulations, you have helped us return 6,500+ bottles to suppliers for reuse. Geraldine Choosing bulk and loose products can offer several benefits. Firstly, they often have less packaging, reducing waste and environmental impact. Secondly, buying in bulk can be more cost-effective since you're not paying for fancy packaging. Additionally, it allows you to purchase the exact quantity you need, reducing food waste.
We offer 99% of our fruit & veg with no packaging. Some of our other bulk items include:
Why not try to reduce plastic by bringing your own bottle or bag for the bulk items. Geraldine Fitzpatrick |
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March 2024
AuthorsRecipes from Katie Verling & Jacques |