Caroline Grothues
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 397 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO13food itemsproperly stored
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UP TO756gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO14poundsfood waste prevented
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UP TO2.3poundsfood waste recorded
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UP TO31pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO2.0zero-waste mealsconsumed
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UP TO2.0zero waste recipescooked
Caroline's actions
Cooking
Swap This for That
Missing an ingredient for a recipe? Check this list to find the best substitutes.
Storage
Potatoes
Store potatoes with an apple to avoid early sprouting. Keep them away from onions and in a cool, dark place. I will properly store 2 potatoes.
Storage
Avocados
Allow green, unripe avocados to ripen on the counter, then transfer to the refrigerator. Once cut, keep the pit in and rub with lemon or oil to reduce browning. I will properly store 2 avocados.
Storage
Bananas
To keep bananas from browning quickly, break up the bunch and separate. Don’t store bananas with apples, which speed up ripening. If the stems came covered in plastic wrap, do not remove the plastic until ready to eat as this will slow the release of ethylene gas. I will properly store 5 bananas.
Community
Dumpster Diving Discovery
Watch this video and get a glimpse of what is actually getting thrown away in our trash cans and dumpsters.
Community
Watch Save The Food San Diego Videos
I will watch 2 Save the Food San Diego videos.
Cooking
Fruit Smoothies
Freeze fruits nearing their end and use in smoothies. You can even try freezing avocados (see Resource)!
Storage
Leafy Greens
Roll unwashed lettuce in a dry towel, then store in a sealed bag in the refrigerator. I will properly store 4 leafy greens.
Planning
Eat Me First
I will create an "Eat Me First" area in my fridge to prioritize food that needs to be used right away.
Planning
Fridge Inventory
I will keep a fridge inventory to stay up to date with what I have in my fridge before I go grocery shopping.
Shopping
Shop with Recipes In Mind
Create a shopping list with specific recipes and meals in mind. Purchase only what's on the list when you do groceries.
Planning
Date Labels Demystified
I will not toss food once it is past the best buy date. "Expiration" dates misleadingly refer to quality, not safety. Use your senses and best judgement.
Planning
Portion Planning
Use a portion size guide to ensure appropriate portions when cooking. I will cook 5 portion-appropriate meals.
Shopping
Shop the Bulk Bins
Grains, nuts, and other dry goods are often sold in bulk bins that allow you to purchase only the quantity you need.
Shopping
Keep it Local
Purchase local, seasonal produce, which will likely stay fresh longer as it was picked more recently than supermarket produce.
Shopping
Skip the Cart
Bigger carts make us feel like we need to fill them! Use a hand basket to improve grocery store discipline and prevent over-purchasing.
Shopping
Eat Before Shopping
Those who grocery shop on an empty stomach spend 64% more than not-hungry shoppers. Resist impulse buys by shopping with a full stomach. Eat a snack or a meal before going grocery shopping.
Planning
Eat the Leftovers
I will plan an Eat the Leftovers night by creating a tasty “smorgasbord" or using a recipe that repurposes leftovers. I will eat 2 meals using leftovers.
Planning
Befriend the Freezer
The freezer is your friend! Store any leftover food in the freezer for a quick weekday meal or freeze fruits that are getting ripe to use for a delicious smoothie later. I will freeze 5 food item(s).
Planning
Meal Prep Mania
I will meal prep 7 meals.
Food Waste Tracking
Food Waste Tracking
Ready. Set. Record!
For each day during the food waste tracking week, record your food waste. This action accepts one entry per day, so be sure to enter one total for food waste across all of your meals, or weigh all of your food waste once at the end of each day. Please use ounces for unit of measurement.
Participant Feed
Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.
To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?