3-Point Plan for Sustainable Eating III

The third installation of my project update finds me patiently observing the effects of my compost, grappling with my self-imposed rain barrel budget, and sticking to the basics with my plant-based meals. Even though my personal project has momentarily taken the backseat to preparing for midterms, I continue to contribute a little time each week to making some progress.

Composting

My pile is at risk of being oversaturated with coffee grounds, filters, and tea bags. Those green materials have been stacking up rather quickly (mostly attributed to my studies), therefore autumn has arrived at the perfect time. I am in need of more brown materials to layer onto the pile. Composting has made me reflect much on how much food I eat and waste. As hard as I try, I have not been able to keep up with my spinach leaves and other green veggies. Many of them spoil before I can make a dent in my fridge stock. Though it is good for my compost pile, I have to reevaluate how much I buy at the grocery store or how much of my meals are incorporating fresh vegetables. I have an inkling I’m not very creative at incorporating vegetables into my lunches and dinners, and I cannot think outside the box (the frozen, process food box, that is). That leads me to my plant-based meals, which I will discuss shortly.

Here are the two very informative compost sources I have been using:

• Composting 101

• Home Composting Made Easy

Both lend helpful hints on how to get the most out of your pile. I consult them both when I am weary about my carbon to nitrogen ratio. For my first stab at it, I think I am doing okay, mixing the pile a couple times a week. In the future, it would be great to really pay attention to layers and incorporate worms.

Here are some photos of my progress (riveting, right?):

Rain Barrel

Oh rain barrel, how I wish to acquire you. My $20 budget was intended to be a challenge, and it has succeeded in doing so. Since I refuse to use PVC pipes, I have to resort to the more expensive metal tubing materials. The more robust materials and sealant are pricey, but I am optimistic that it can still be done! When I have asked around at the larger supermarkets for any extra or unused food barrels, they are either confused or do not have any. I have only reached out in passing, but intend to phone other types of establishments in the near future. I have a feeling that I’ll get luckily with some of the car washes around town. My $20 budget will not suffice without obtaining a barrel for no cost. To be continued…

Plant-Based Meals

Although this part of the project was aimed at cooking up some delicious cuisines, my time constrained diet and laziness have gotten the best of me. Lately, I have relied mainly on spinach salads (though I still can’t get through the entire bag before it goes bad, does this happen to any of you?) and bell peppers with hummus. No the hummus is not homemade! But I intend to improve this part of my project. Cereal for dinner must cease. Tonight I plan to prepare Fennel Mushrooms.
The recipe appeared on my Gmail ticker earlier this week and I have been thinking about it ever since. I will be sure to let you know how it tastes!