Many people think that an eco conscious routine is expensive, but it can in fact cost you less than your “regular” routine! It just needs a bit of time and effort so that new habits can be formed. As Antoine Lavoisier once said, “Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed" and we couldn’t agree more. Read on to discover some clever “transformations” you can make to put the $ back in your pocket!
Make a broth out of your veggie scraps
It’s quite easy to buy the little cubes of processed veggie/bone/meat broth but it's easy and and in fact, cheaper to do it yourself! During your usual cooking times, keep the veggies parts you usually throw away such as carrot head/skin, celery ends, garlic heads, onion skin. Pop the mixed scraps in your freezer.For storage, you could use the Organic Bread Swag or Produce Bag. Once you have about 500g-1kg+, it’s a pretty straightforward process. Just bring some water and salt to boil and add the scraps to it. Strain, compost what is left and keep the broth. If you want to use it straight afterward then perfect, otherwise freeze it in an ice cube tray and take it out whenever needed!
Dried egg shells for your plants
The average Australian eats approximately 4.5 eggs per week which equates to a lot of discarded eggshells r. Did you know that eggshells are full of calcium and are a gardener’s must have? Reduced into ashes, the eggshells are a great complement to your plant’s health and growth, but also an efficient pest repellent such as snails/slugs!
Keep reusable totes in your favorite bags
We’ve all been there; hands full of produce at the cashier counter, but no bags to store it all in? You think, “I’ve got so many of them at home and I don’t need another one to add to the plastic bag collection at home”. Oh, we hear you! Reusable bags are an easy carryall that doesn’t take much space and that is a must-have for unexpected errands. Keeping them in your car, at your front door (on the handle) or in your handbag, are useful ways to avoid forgetting this new habit!
Keep rice water for your plants
This could work for your pasta, rice, or egg water. Water is a scarce resource that needs to be appreciated and valued (especially in drought prone countries such as the US and Australia!). Whenever possible we should keep this -almost clean- water for watering our garden or household plants. Rice water is also a well known organic plant fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Be careful not to use water that’s been salted or it may harm your plants.
Make your own apple cider vinegar
Got some organic apple skins and cores left from your cooking sessions? Keep them to make your own apple cider vinegar. It is an easy recipe that doesn’t require much time but a little bit of monitoring here and there over a few months. Apple cider vinegar is great for so many reasons! An anti-inflammatory to a sore throat or wobbly gut, as salad dressing or as a beauty treatment to make your hair shinier and rid dandruff!
