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Why We Need to Make Mealtime More Sustainable

Modified on September 19, 2022 at 10:40 PM

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Taking care of the planet requires a joint effort between governments, businesses and individuals. Leading scientists warn people have only 11 years remaining to make a meaningful difference on climate change.

What can you do to do your part besides recycling and cutting back on unnecessary driving? Why not start in the kitchen? Your dining choices can go far in making your lifestyle more sustainable. Here’s why you need to make mealtime more sustainable and five ways to do so.

1. Cutting Down on Processed Foods

Processed foods harm your health and the planet. It may be convenient for you to pop a ready-made meal in the microwave, but many contain saturated and trans fats — particularly deep-fried foods and TV dinners.

White flour appears in nearly all such meals, a doubly problematic substance. The manufacturing process uses enormous energy to strip away the nutrient-rich bran and chaff, leaving you with empty calories that absorb quickly. Worse, processing results in some nasty byproducts like potassium bromate and alloxan. The combination is a one-two punch toward your health — and you contributed to emissions.

What’s the solution? It’s better for you and the planet to stick to whole foods close to their natural forms. When selecting flour, look for whole grain — it undergoes less processing and is far healthier for you and your family. It also provides nutrients and filling fiber.

2. Shopping at Farmers Markets

You can’t do better than your local farmers market regarding inexpensive whole foods. If you’re a savvy shopper, you can save even more pennies. Try going toward the end of the day when vendors begin closing shop. Many would rather sell their produce at a discount than take it home and risk it going bad before the next market day.

How does attending your local farmers market help the planet? It all comes down to emissions. Goods shipped from other parts of the country or globe must travel countless miles via planes, trains and trucks to reach their destination. Compare that to your farmers market, where individual vendors line their stalls with fruits and vegetables grown on their farms down the road.

3. Planting a Garden

Did you miss out on the pandemic gardening craze? It’s never too late to get out there with the kids and start digging in the good earth. You don’t produce emissions when your store exists in your backyard. Try reducing waste even further by learning to save the seeds from the products you buy, sprouting seedlings in the spring. 

What if you don’t have a yard? You might have a sunny patio you can line with containers. Many species such as tomatoes and green beans thrive in such conditions. Plus, you don’t have to invest as much time, energy and water. 

Why not get involved in a community garden project? Many such endeavors charge only a modest fee for admittance, giving you access to a dedicated plot. Better yet, you can always find someone to water your crops when you go out of town — that’s the beauty of people working together to make the world cleaner and greener.

4. Cutting Back on Meat Products

People could solve multiple problems by cutting back on their meat consumption. There’s a housing crisis in America, but 77% of available agricultural land is used for cattle, pork and chickens. Converting some of the space to tiny home communities full of gardens — and perhaps a few chickens — could help end homelessness and lift those struggling to afford rent out of hardship.

It may sound funny, but cows emit a lot of methane. This gas is 25 times more efficient at trapping heat in the atmosphere, contributing to planetary warming.

Do you have to go vegan? You don’t have to get that extreme — reducing your overall meat consumption will help. Celebrate meatless Mondays and double-up by adding a pescatarian fish Friday. It’s okay to throw in the occasional vegetarian dish midweek, too. Who doesn’t love spaghetti with marinara sauce or fettuccine alfredo? 

5. Reducing Food Waste

Food waste also contributes to global warming. While all organic waste eventually breaks down, the conditions in landfills don’t allow it to do so. Instead, it converts into methane gas — and you already know what trouble that causes. 

Fortunately, anyone with a garden can enrich their soil and save money at the nursery by composting. You can find or build inexpensive bins to fit your lifestyle. There are even countertop models if you only have a few houseplants.

The trickiest part may be learning what to include. Plant-based scraps are fine, but there are a few items you should not add to your compost. You can put in untreated wood, finely chipped, non-glossy paper, unbleached coffee filters and organic tea bags. Avoid adding animal waste and meat products besides bedding from vegetarian animals like hamsters and rabbits. 

Making Mealtime More Sustainable

The race is on to save the planet. What can you do to pull your weight? Try making a few changes in how you eat.

Try the five tips above to make mealtime more sustainable. You and your family will eat healthier, save money and know you’re doing your part to heal the climate crisis.

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Posted By The Fashionable Housewife
on September 19, 2022 at 10:40 PM
Filed Under: Food & Snacks
Tagged With: dinner, dinner time, family meals, family mealtime, mealtime, mealtime prep

About The Fashionable Housewife

Sarah-Jean Ballard is the Editor in Chief of The Fashionable Housewife blog and Founder of Fashionable Media. Married to a sexy Molecular Biologist, housewife, mom to 5, homeschooler, Certified Personal Nutritionist and entrepreneur who's mission is to help moms just like you look and feel GREAT! Other interests include dancing, yoga, positive intactivism, natural birth and breastfeeding support, babywearing, paleo & gluten-free cooking, and promoting an overall healthy lifestyle to all.

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Sarah-Jean Ballard

Hi! I’m Sarah-Jean. I’m a Christian, the wife of a handsome Molecular Biologist, and the homeschooling mother of 5 beautiful kids!

I enjoy homesteading, reading, writing, cooking, baking, crafting, home decorating, Xtend Barre, and of course, fashion!

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You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

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If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

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Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

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These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

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You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
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