Holidays are jam-packed with events, gifts and all sorts of merriment (desserts!). So maybe this is a good time to take a moment and reduce our global "footprint" on the earth. Use less material things and give more of our time, our wisdom, our companionship..
Check out this article from Planet Green on Reducing Holiday Waste..it's got some great ideas :o)
9 Tips for Reducing Holiday Waste
1. Cook from Scratch - If you're not buying packaged, processed foods, you'll cut your waste by a lot. While you're at it, avoid frozen or canned foods if you can.
2. Skip the Wrapping Paper - There are tons of great wrapping paper alternatives. Try gift bags, boxes or fabric, or if you just can't give up the wrap, upcycle old paper products such as newspapers, magazines and even maps as "wrapping paper." 3. Buy in Bulk - Individually wrapped products use excessive amounts of packaging. Look for products you can buy in bulk or in larger quantities with minimal packaging.
4. Buy Only What Your Need - Buying in bulk is not always the best option - if you don't need 50 pounds of potatoes, you should resist the urge to save a few dollars on the giant bag, as anything you saved will probably go to waste before you can use it.
5. Don't Eat With Your Eyes - How many of us take too much at the holidays, only to throw a lot out? Start with small portions - you can always take more!
6. Share Leftovers - Whether you send a plate home with friends or family, invite a few friends over for some post-holiday party snacking, or take some foods to the office for co-workers to nibble on, make sure you use those leftovers up so they don't go to waste.
7. Do DIY Gifts - This season, when families have smaller holiday budgets, DIY is a great option for reducing your environmental impact. Make gifts personal and useful. Layer ingredients for your famous cookies in a mason jar, or upcycle teacups as candles for friends. Personal touches make a big impact, and they don't have to cost much.
8. Don't Buy Junk - Everyone has a story about small gifts that collect dust in a basement or on a shelf. If you have less money to spend this year, stretch your dollars by buying less things but investing in quality. Even most kids would rather have one great toy than a bunch of little things that they'll soon bore of.
9. Ban Single-Use Products - Set a household ban on single-use products. No paper plates, no plastic cutlery, no aluminum foil, no plastic wrap, no paper towels, no disposable roasting pans, no ... you get the picture.
I have been living in a "Fire-drill" at work lately, so one of the few comforts I have is television (and twitter unfortunately). I have to say I have really found the show World's Strictest Parents quite fascinating.
I don't remember ever getting allowance - We had to do chores around the house and if we wanted money we had to work for it (outside of school hours of course). I am guessing that my childhood was not unique?
Check out this link & watch some of the show's greatest showdowns between spoiled teens and normal "classified as strict" parents..
As Thanksgiving approaches, I am not sure what I am going to be able to make for dinner without an oven or stove. Our kitchen remodel is moving forward nicely, but we will not be ready until late December.
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite meals to make..and I absolutely love making stuffing! (and eating stuffing too). It won't be the same without a turkey..
It's been awhile since I posted a recipe on the blog..I think this is due to the fact that my kitchen is still under remodel and I am only reheating food from our temporary kitchen in the garage (i.e. microwave & toaster oven getting lots of action).
To wake me from my food prison, I thought this recipe sounded yummy and perfect for the fall season. If you have a chance to make it, please let me know how it tastes ;o)
Pumpkin Crumb Cakes
from The Kitchn
makes one 13x9 cake or 18 individual cakes
Dry Mix
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
Cake Batter
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 dry mix
Pumpkin Filling
3 eggs
1 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup dark brown sugar
2/3 cup milk
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Crumb Topping
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1 tablespoon water
1/2 dry mixture (see above)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Heat the oven to 350°F. Sift together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder for the dry mix.
Beat the butter until whipped and creamy and then beat in the eggs and vanilla. Beat in about half of the dry mix of flour and sugar. Set aside.
Whip together the eggs, pumpkin puree, milk, brown sugar and spices for the pumpkin filling. Set aside.
Mix the rest of the dry mix with a stick of butter, an extra half cup of flour, and the spices. Add a tablespoon of water and mix with fingers until loose and crumbly.
To make a full pan of crumb cake, grease a 9x13 baking pan and pat the dough into the bottom. Pour the pumpkin filling over top and sprinkle the crumb topping over it. To make individual cakes instead, repeat using 4-ounce paper souffle cups. After they are baked, let the individual cups cool for an hour then cut the paper cups away with scissors for individual cakes.
Bake for about 45 minutes or until the filling is set inside. Let cool for at least an hour before slicing.