Category: Tips & Tricks

FREE PRINTABLE FOOD WASTE WORKSHEET

6/14/2020

Hey friends!

You're likely all aware that the U.S. has a major food waste problem. According to the FDA, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted in the United States! Not only is this putting strain on our mother earth, but it's money you could've kept in your wallet and nourishment that could have gone to those in need. We can ALL do better. And what better time to start doing so than now -- when our pantries and freezers are likely overloaded due to the COVID-19 craze. Keep scrolling for my simple FOOD WASTE WORKSHEET that you can print off today!

As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I assist a lot of people with healthier eating habits and practices. It's my passion! But no matter the exact eating issue we're trying to tackle, some form of food journaling or assessment is typical to help us uncover all the "areas of improvement". :)

So, in similar fashion this FOOD WASTE WORKSHEET is designed to allow you to (A) track what and how much food you're currently wasting, and then (B) decide exactly how you're going to do better about food waste in the future. It's not enough to simply say, "I've got to stop wasting food!" -- we must uncover a "How are we going to reduce wasting food?" that's realistic to our households.

Here's an example of how I filled out my FOOD WASTE WORKSHEET. (I personally like including how much I paid for the item as it helps reinforce how much money I'm throwing away.)

And there is no right or wrong when it comes to your "Save It Strategy" -- try to settle on something that is easily achievable for you and your family. If you're having difficulty figuring out a way to prevent food waste with any particular item, feel free to reach out to us or your personal network of friends, family, and colleagues for ideas.

Printable Food Waste Worksheet_TheMealPlanningMethod.com
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File Type:	pdf

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Feel free to use this FOOD WASTE WORKSHEET in whatever way that ultimate assists you, but I would recommend going through your fridge (and pantry and freezer) for items that are on their way out before you make your next grocery store trip. Not only will this give you an opportunity to see what you already have on hand to hopefully prevent any potential food waste from happening immediately, but will also give you an extra reminder NOT to over-purchase or hoard items at your next grocery trip.

I'd love to hear what foods items you typically waste and how you plan on "saving" them in the future! Tell me in the comments below or tag us at @themealplanngingmethod on Facebook or Instagram.

lindsey

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APPS WE LOVE: IBOTTA

6/7/2020

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Hey friends!

Have you noticed the prices of groceries going up lately? I've noticed our weekly grocery bill being more than normal, but what's normal anymore haha. Apparently though, my observation isn't unfounded. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery prices grew 2.6% from March to April 2020 and 4.1% since April 2019! And as a "self-conscious shopper," this trend does not make me happy. How are we off-setting increased food prices? Meet ibotta -- the free app giving us cash back on items we're already buying.

DISCLOSURE: There are affiliate links contained in this post, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and sign-up for ibotta.

What is ibotta?

ibotta is a FREE smartphone app that gives cash back (not points or credit) on items you find in store and online. Their retailers currently include grocery stores like Kroger, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Walmart Grocery, as well other stores like Target, Walgreens, and Costco.

Is ibotta easy to use?

There are hundreds if not thousands of amazing apps, but are they really worth the valuable real estate on your smartphone AND the energy it takes to rack up the dough? My response is, "YES!"

Over the 2 years I've been using ibotta I've earned $111.81 in cash. No, I'm not swimming in cheddar, but to put these earnings into perspective... that's $111 more than I would have had than without the app. $111 back in the bank from stuff I'm already spending on.

Absolutely the app could further be improved to make the user-experience even easier, but once you get into the routine of (1) adding available ibotta offers before you shop and then (2) submitting your receipts (or linking your loyalty accounts) after shopping it becomes just like perusing the weekly ads for deals.

If you want to give ibotta a try, head on over to their website or easily download their app in your smartphone's app store. I'd love to hear what offers you're adding in the comments below!

lindsey

DISCLOSURE: There are affiliate links contained in this post, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and sign-up for ibotta.

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4 WAYS TO MAKE HOMEMADE SPAGHETTI HEALTHIER

1/2/2020

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Happy National Spaghetti Day, friends!

While January 4th officially marks this fabulous food holiday, I have to admit that my household enjoys spaghetti for dinner a couple times a month. Why so much spaghetti? This "master meal" is simple, hassle-free, and can easily be made healthier with just a few tweaks. Keep scrolling to find out how!

CAN SPAGHETTI BE HEALTHY?

100% spaghetti CAN be healthy! I truly believe that most meals can be made healthier if you're open and willing to make changes :)

HOW can spaghetti be healthy, you ask? It all comes down to the quality of your ingredients and the quantity of food you're enjoying. Check out these 4 ways you can make this family favorite a nutritious choice for any day of the week!

4 WAYS TO MAKE HOMEMADE
SPAGHETTI HEALTHIER

PICK A BETTER PASTA. Choose a more nutritious noodle by opting for: whole-grain spaghetti or a veggie-based option like Veggiecraft Farms (made with cauliflower) or Banza (made with chickpeas).
MAKEOVER YOUR MEAT. A healthier spaghetti doesn't have to be meat-free to be healthier.
1. I recommend using a lower-fat ground beef -- such as 90/10 or 93/7. (Learn all about the different ground beef grinds here.) Alternatively, you can also use a mix of leans meats if you'd like -- such as half ground turkey and half ground beef.
2. Our secret to keeping the meat mixture moist and flavorful however, is to blend in 1 package (~8 ounces) of finely chopped fresh mushrooms! Not only will this add in extra nutrition with Vitamin D and antioxidants, but you'll also work towards more servings of veggies in your day.
USE A SIMPLER SAUCE. While a homemade pasta sauce is ideal (so you can better control the ingredients that go into your sauce), it may not always be realistic or feasible for a busy lifestyle. So there's no shame at all in falling back on a store-bought sauce that contains little to no added sugar. Some of our favorite pasta sauce brands include: RAGU Simply or Rao’s Homemade.
START WITH A SIDE SALAD. Serving spaghetti with a pile of garlic bread may be standard protocol in your house, but I like to explain it this way -- when you get too much of one thing (in this case, grains), there's no room for other things your body needs (ahem, fruits and vegetables.) So next spaghetti night, sub that garlic bread -- which again, counts as additional servings of grain in your day on top of the pasta you're already enjoying -- for an Italian-inspired side salad. Have fun with topping your favorite salad greens with ingredients like sliced tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, roasted red peppers, olives, and/or pepperoncinis.

Do you have other ways you make spaghetti night healthier at home? Tell us in the comments below!

lindsey

P.S. Interested in other January holidays? Check 'em all out over on National Today!