Food For Thought

I’m sure we’ve all heard our own mother’s at one point chiding us for throwing away something that they felt was useful. I know I did and I know that I do it myself to my own kids.

I’ve never lived through a depression the likes of the one the U.S. went through in the 1930s, but our family has had its share of lean times. My grandparents all lived through the depression and worse and came away well despite their losses. I think most people have an inner strength that helps pull them through those times along with a dose of common sense and tips & tricks taught to them by their parents and grandparents.

Here is my own list of what to hang on to … you know, just in case:

1. Bread – When we get to the end of a loaf of bread or have leftover ends, I toss them in a freezer bag and keep them there for all sorts of yummy dishes: strata, bread pudding, bread crumbs and croutons are a few ideas.

2. Egg shells – Add to compost or around the base of plants you want to keep worms and slugs away from. The shells are harsh and damaging to soft, slimy critters. Use half an egg shell to plant seedlings in. You can always add them to your coffee grinds, but I’ve never found a real difference in the flavor of our coffee when using them. Make sidewalk chalk from them: http://www.make-stuff.com/kids/eggshell_chalk.html

3. Vegetable bits – I keep even small half and quarter cupfuls of vegetables for all manner of things: soup, fritters, stews, Shepherd’s Pie and salads. A little bit goes a long way!

4. Bacon grease – I remember my mom saving up her bacon grease in a tin can on the stove. Once it was full she would discard it, but I’ve learned to save bacon grease and keep it fresh in the freezer. I add it to soups, stews, green beans, refried beans and cornbread to name a few things. The extra flavor without the extra cost of real bacon stretches your budget well.

5. Pieces of soap – We don’t throw soap away here or mama gets real mad. I bind them all together in the end of a clean nylon stocking foot (another thing to keep!) and tie it close to the soap bundle. hang this near outside spigots to make cleaning your hands after gardening a real breeze. I also sometimes gather the soap scraps and put them in a pump-type soap dispenser. Add water and let it sit for a few days to make your own liquid hand soap.

6. Old stockings or pantyhose (see above) – Keep these around to use for netting (wrap around a wire hanger), to tie your tomato plants to the stake (they’re easy on the stalk) or to make dolls with – remember the original Cabbage Patch dolls? Cut the legs into one-inch strips to make instant hair ties that won’t damage your tresses.

7. Cheese and meat ends – Some of the best sandwich spreads I’ve had have been cheese, meat, may and relish tossed into a blender and whirred into velvety smoothness. Keep cheese bits to make homemade mac & cheese with and you’ll be surprised at the flavor combinations you can come up with.

8. Gravy – Pop it into the freezer and you have instant flavoring for soups and stews or a quick meal when paired with ground beef or chunks of leftover meat or poultry and served on toast, biscuits or rice. Now is a good time to add in those little bits of veggies, too!

9. You name it! Let me know what your favorite thing to save is and let’s see just how long we can make this list.