Last week, we looked at ways we can reduce food waste by careful planning. This week, we continue our discussion.

Plan your menus: This will allow you to decide on the items and the quantities you want to purchase before you do your grocery shopping. Purchasing the right quantities can give you big savings in time and money. Planning your menus also allows you to present food differently and reduce the likelihood of increasing your food waste because persons are tired of eating the same meal over and over again. You can also decide how to use leftovers ahead of time if you've done your planning. A good recipe book can also give you ideas for new meals.

Reuse your leftovers: Leftovers can be used for breakfast, lunch or dinner. This can be a main area of saving money which you can use elsewhere. Taking leftovers for lunch to work can also reduce your lunch bill. You can use some of the money you save to add new items to your menu. Make sure leftovers are refrigerated and not spoilt before you use them. If you are creative, you can reuse some of the leftovers to make new dishes. For example, leftover yam can be used for a yam salad; some meats can be used to make a sandwich and you can add vegetables for a nutritious breakfast or lunch. Plain rice can be combined with meats and vegetables and stir-fried to make a delicious one-pot meal. Use your imagination!

Reduce what you are throwing out: When preparing your meals, take a second look at what you usually throw out. If you remove the meat from the chicken bones, don't' throw out the bones. Bones and trimmings from meats can be used to make soup. Some cuttings from vegetables can also be used in stews and soups. Sometimes, the most nutritious parts are thrown into the garbage. Don't make that mistake. Also remember, some old-time traditions are still good. Drinking a cup of the 'pot water' from cooked vegetables or ground provisions is a good way to start your meal and warm your stomach.

Constantly look for ways to reduce waste as you plan and prepare your meals. This will reduce your waste (and maybe your waistline) and stretch your grocery money instead.

Ann Marie Rodriques

PeaceWater Services

Email: peacewaterservices@yahoo.com.