No Waste Wednesday #3–Popcorn

Reference:  2013 Resolution posted 12/31/2012

“Advancement” in our society is not always better.  We say microwave popcorn is NOT better.  Half the popcorn pops, the insides are loaded with artificial butter and microwave version usually contains tons of salt.  (There are low fat, low salt versions—ugh)  Then a bulky paper bag is left to be placed in the trash. 

Although many enjoy the air-poppers, we found the old-fashioned stove top popper with a stir mechanism makes the best popcorn (purchased on eBay for $10.99—it was new).  And you know what?  The popping time is no longer than the microwave.  We pour on real butter and the amount of salt to our liking.   No trash.  Better tasting.

We purchase popcorn in bulk from our local grocer (filling a bag we bring to the store).  Makes it mucho cheaper.

Digitize

A few years before we retired and moved into the 5th wheel RV, I began a campaign to scan in all our snapshots.  All 12,000 of them.  I did not finish before we began our travels, but I did complete the scanning a few weeks ago.  They are saved “in the cloud”, on an external hard drive and on the laptop.  All pictures are cataloged in folders and tagged with key words allowing multiple sorting. 

Then, I threw away the hard copies.

You may be gasping, but I feel 10 pounds lighter and relieved.   Those photos have been taking up loads of space, hardly ever looked at, and fading fast.  Photos can now be viewed easily online, friends and family can view and they are probably safer than in the storage boxes.  (Please note:  older black and white “historical” photos and formal photos were kept)

This is so empowering, especially for those living on the road.  Think about it--our music is digitized, movies are digitized, our records are digitized—no more bulk.   The amount of physical space we need is shrinking every day. 

Fortune Star

Craved some Chinese noodle soup today and popped into the Fortune Star Restaurant for lunch.  While slurping up a delicious hot and spicy bowl, we heard a soft classical piano piece playing in the background.  “What nice background music.  Not the usual for the restaurant today, is it? 

Leaving the restaurant, in the atrium, was an small, elderly woman playing a baby grand piano.  (Why didn’t I notice the piano before?)  She was smiling with her eyes closed--clearly enjoying the sharing of her gift.  Just lovely.  Left a small tip in the jar. 

Hope she is there again when we get hungry for soup.

No Waste Wednesday #2–Kitchen “Composter”

Reference:  2013 Resolution posted 12/31/2012

Once “organics” like potato peelings, egg shells, or dinner remains are placed in the kitchen trash, they begin to decay and stink.  If they happen to make their way into a fresh garbage bag at the bottom, it will begin to smell long before it is full.  The usual answer to this, is to take a semi-full bag out—resulting in many large plastic bags headed for the landfill.

So, we searched for a solution and found the kitchen composter (see picture).

Two weeks ago we purchased the kitchen composter and it is perfect for our scrap collection. A one gallon compost pail can hold two weeks’ worth of food scraps (depending on how many fruit and vegetable cast-offs we have).   It includes an activated carbon filter inside the vented lid for odor removal—no smells whatsoever.  It sits conveniently next to the sink.

This is an easy and efficient way to collect/recycle kitchen food scraps that will later be transferred to the big trash bag.  Or if you are really with it, the scraps can be transferred to worm compost bins or other composters in a natural garden.   Some day the outdoor composter may be a purchase—more research needed to make sure this will work out for us.

This little composter will be fantastic in our RV.  Such close quarters, you smell anything sour immediately.  Definitely will be packed along with us as we travel.

Mike was really skeptical about this new tactic, but we are both loving it.  Not only reduces our waste, but keeps the kitchen area fresh.  Highly recommended.

Need.To.Travel

Love living on the Olympic Peninsula, and it IS beautiful here all year round, it is not crazy cold and lots of indoor social activities with friends during the winter.  BUT, we are missing the full-time RV life and traveling, in general.  Staying the winter here this year on the “O”, but next year we are heading out.  To repeat a local phrase, “If you are here, you are not all there.”  Which normally means we are in the perfect spot.  Ha.

Will start looking for a house sitter and workamping jobs for next year and get it all lined up.

Fun in Florida last winter, but the destination will be a little closer to home in the Borrego Springs area of California or somewhere in Arizona.  Must be near hiking and a golf course, and not too heavily populated.  Like to spend some more time in Napa, California on the way down and visit a few new Utah locations in the spring (after the cold; before the heat) on the way back north. 

SO…workamping is a new experience for us.  Will be investigating the methods for applying and open positions.  Wish me luck!

No Waste Wednesday #1–Grocery Bags

Reference:  2013 Resolution posted 12/31/2012

Bea Johnson’s “Zero Waste Home” focuses on refusal as her first line of defense (www.zerowastehome.com).  One of the easiest ways to cut down on trash is using your own grocery bags.  We learned very quickly living in the RV that those plastic grocery bags provided by the grocery store can take over our space and clog the trash can.  We have been practicing the following trick for a few years now.  By keeping 5-6 canvas bags handy in the back of the vehicle for a quick grab before charging into the store, the groceries can be bundled up and safely carried to the car.  Most stores even encourage the canvas bag use by giving you a 5 cent credit on your bill for each bag. 

And do not forget this applies to all shopping, not just groceries. 

First tip of the year – REFUSE plastic bags by providing your own.

Now, that was easy!

Resolution for 2013–Zero Waste Home

Okay, roll your eyes upward and shake your head…here’s this year’s resolution…

The Olympic Peninsula does not actually have a landfill--our garbage is taken to a transfer station and then shipped to somewhere in eastern Oregon.  Knowing the impact trash has on our area and understanding the amount of waste everyone produces across the country, we are stepping up our effort to reduce our small carbon footprint.  Our resolution for 2013 will be to work towards a zero waste home; or more realistically reduce our waste to a bag of trash a month by the end of the year. 

But, before you think we are going too granola, there are other selfish goals we are hoping to gain by doing this.  Fewer trips to take out the garbage, reduced cost for trash pickup, lower grocery costs by buying “scratch” products without packaging, and maybe lose a few pounds by avoiding processed foods which are usually double-wrapped in plastic and cardboard.

Inspiration for this goal came from an article on the Sunset magazine website and presented in a video, “Zero Waste Home”.  Some of the ideas are not appetizing to us, such as asking the grocer to place “wet” food items (meats, cheeses) into glass jars you bring to the store.  Just.  Cannot.  Do.  It.  The best we can do is have the meat items wrapped in wax paper rather than a plastic tray and cellophaned. 

Each week on Wednesday, “No Waste Wednesdays”, I will highlight a new tactic we try to reach our goal.  The new habit may be abandoned if it is not working, but at least we will give it a go.  Love to inspire you to do the same.  Some of this will be difficult and some methods, I suspect, will be surprisingly easy.

Come on, give it a try!