Waste Not, Want Not!

8 tips to help you make the most from your leftovers & expired food.

As a nation, we are more environmentally conscious than ever before.

Making the most from the ingredients in your cupboard is not only great for the environment but can work wonders for your bank balance.

Here are 8 tips to help you make the most from your leftovers and some handy tricks for expired food.

1. Freezer Meals Are King

The first and most obvious way of getting the most from your leftovers is to use them for a packed lunch the following day. Where there is enough of a portion leftover, transfer to an airtight Tupperware container to make use of it in tomorrow’s lunch.

If you are not going to eat it within the following few days, transfer the dish into the freezer, where most items can be safely stored for up to six weeks. Remember to remove from the freezer twenty-four hours before you plan to eat, to give the dish a chance to thaw before reheating thoroughly.

2. Drink Your 5-A-Day

Smoothies and milkshakes can provide a much-needed boost of nutrients and prevent a considerable amount of food waste.

Most busy families are guilty of discovering half a pack of raspberries lurking in the bottom of the fridge or leaving fruit in the bowl to turn bad one too many times per month.

Whenever you see fruit begin to turn, you can easily blend into a healthy smoothie. Smoothies provide the perfect accompaniment to breakfast or lunch, delivering nutrients and hydration to help you function throughout the day.

For an even healthier alternative, add a handful of spinach or kale. This will provide an instant hit of Vitamins A and C. Simply mix the fruit and vegetables with either ice and water or a splash of milk for a tremendous fuss-free smoothie.

3. Leftover Dinner Becomes Tomorrow's Breakfast

An omelette is a healthy and tasty breakfast, guaranteed to keep you full through to lunchtime. The beauty of omelettes is that they can be packed with just about anything!

Any leftover meat or vegetables can be added to a few beaten eggs and fried in a small amount of butter to create a stunning breakfast option.

4. Clean the Oven with Mayonnaise

Often, this condiment goes out of date before many households can get to the end of the bottle. However, there is no need to throw your expired mayonnaise in the bin.

This probably is not the first product you imagine when scrubbing your home, but mayonnaise works as a fantastic cleaning product for stainless steel.

The high oil content effortlessly makes the steel gleam. Additionally, it allows you to clean the kitchen surfaces without any harsh chemical smells left behind.

5. Use Eggshells in The Garden

Rather than throwing eggshells into the bin, mix them into your soil to give it the nutrient hit it is craving.

Eggshells contain vital vitamins and minerals which will make your plants and soil thrive. The calcium in the shell will help balance the nutrients in the ground, allowing your plants to grow strong.

The best time to do this is in the autumn, as it can take a while for the nutrients to be absorbed fully. Meaning, by the springtime, the calcium will be fully absorbed, ready for your garden to come to life. However, it will not harm your garden to crush the shells throughout the year, allowing your soil to continue to flourish.

6. Make Use of Stale Bread

Stale bread often ends up straight in the bin, but a vast range of recipes require bread that has slightly passed its best.

Croutons, bruschetta, and crumb coated fish dishes can be quickly developed from this ingredient that would be otherwise discarded without a second thought.

7. Keep the Carcass

When roasting a whole chicken, be sure to keep hold of the bones.

You can boil the bones along with any leftover vegetables to create a beautiful, aromatic stock. More accessible, cheaper, and tastier than anything you will find on a supermarket shelf.

From soups, to stews, to ramen. Creating a hearty chicken stock is a great way to make full use of the animal, ensuring you get the most for your money.

8. Bad Avocado for Beautiful Hair

It is notoriously difficult to time avocado peeling perfectly!

Once an avocado has gone brown, there is very little the product is suitable for.

However, a beautiful hair mask can be developed by whisking the fruit and combining it with honey and olive oil.

Rub through the whole hair, leave for a few hours, and then shampoo as you usually would for supple, shiny hair.

See, we’re not just good at helping you move home!

Cardea Lettings and Management Ltd are your local HMO property experts for the Oxford area. Call us on 01865 570065 or email [email protected] to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team.