MAY DAY TRADITIONS

The first day of the month of May is known as May Day. It is the time of year when warmer weather begins and flowers and trees start to blossom. It is said to be a time of love and romance. It is when people celebrate the coming of summer with lots of different customs that are expressions of joy and hope after a long winter. copyright of protectbritain.com

Maypole Dancing – a traditional dance at this time of year

Roman festival of Flora
Although summer does not officially begin until June, May Day really marks its beginning. May Day celebrations have their origins in the Roman festival of Flora, goddess of fruit and flowers, which marked the beginning of summer. It was held annually from April 28th to May 3rd.

Interesting Fact

Although May Day is now the first day of the month of May, before 1752, when the calendar was changed, it was 11 days earlier.

Maypole Dancing

A traditional May day dance is known as Maypole Dancing. On May day, people used to cut down young trees and stick them in the ground in the village to mark the arrival of summer. People danced around them in celebration of the end of winter and the start of the fine weather that would allow planting to begin. copyright of protectbritain.com

Maypoles were once common all over England and were kept from one year to the next. Schools would practice skipping round the pole for weeks before the final show on the village greens. The end results would be either a beautiful plaited pattern of ribbons round the pole or a tangled cat’s cradle, depending on how much rehearsing had been done. copyright of protectbritain.com

More pictures of Maypole dancing

Many English villages still have a maypole, and on May 1st, the villagers dance around it.

Interesting Fact

The tallest maypole is said to have been erected in London on the Strand in 1661; it stood over 143 feet high. It was felled in 1717, when it was used by Isaac Newton to support Huygen’s new reflecting telescope.

Another traditional dance you will often see from May is Morris Dancing.

May Day Bank Holiday

The month of May has many traditions and celebrations. For the convenience of the general public, many May Day activities have now been moved to the new May Day holiday on the first Monday of the month. This Monday is a bank holiday, a day off school and work.

Many of the May Day celebrations take place at the weekend as well as on the ‘May Day’ Monday. The weekend is know as bank holiday weekend because it comes with the extra day holiday on the Monday. copyright of protectbritain.com

How was May Day Celebrated in the past?

It was custom for every one to go a-Maying early on May Day. Herrick, a 17th century English poet wrote:

There’s not a budding boy, or girl, this day,
But is got up, and gone to bring in May.

Decorating Houses

May Day began early in the morning. People would go out before sunrise in order to gather flowers and greenery to decorate their houses and villages with in the belief that the vegetation spirits would bring good fortune.

Washing in the early morning dew

Girls would make a special point of washing their faces in the dew of the early morning. They believed this made them very beautiful for the following year. copyright of protectbritain.com

May Queen

The rest of the day was given over to various festivities. There was dancing on the village green, archery contest and exhibitions of strength. The highlight of the day was thecrowning of the May Queen, the human replica of Flora. By tradition she took no part in the games or dancing, but sat like a queen in a flower-decked chair to watch her ‘subjects’.

May Day Garlands

Young girls would make May Garlands. They covered two hoops, one at right angles inside the other, with leaves and flowers, and sometimes they put a doll inside to represent the goddess of Spring.

In some parts of Britain, May 1st is called Garland Day.

The first of May is Garland Day
So please remember the garland.
We don’t come here but once a year,
So please remember the garland.

May Day Lifting

There was once a tradition in England of ‘lifting’ where a gang of young men would lift a pretty girl in a flower bedecked chair on May day. Then the girl would choose a boy on May 2nd.

May Day Tricks

In the North of England, the first of May was a kind of late ‘April Fooling‘ when all sorts of pranks would take place and ‘May Gosling’ was the shout if you managed to trick someone. The response would be:

‘May Goslings past and gone. You’re the fool for making me one!’

May Day Celebrations today

In some places, May Day celebrations still begin at sunset on 30 April. They include lots of floral decorations and processions through towns and villages.

Charlton-on-Otmoor, a village near Oxford

A May-Day festival is held involving all the children from the Primary School. It starts with a special May-day song followed by a procession to the church. Everyone wears white and carries garlands of flowers. The girls wear straw bands and posies and ribbons in their hair.

In the church, the posies are laid in a great spread below the Rood Screen, which is specially decorated with a Rood-Cross completely wrapped in Yew leaves and branches. 

After a very full special service, all the children process back to their school with all their families and friends. They dance a number of May-day dances and Maypole ones too before tucking into a great MAY Day feast.

Rochester Sweeps Festival

Rochester’s annual Sweep Festival celebrates the traditional holiday that chimney sweeps used to enjoy on 1 May. It was the one time of the year when the sweeps could put away their tools and have some fun.

The Sweeps Festival is a colourful mix of music, dancing and entertainment. An opportunity to see some of the traditional dances and hear the songs which have been past down from generation to generation.

Find out more and see the photographs.

Padstow ‘Obby ‘Oss

The oldest May Day celebration still taking place to day, is the Padstow ‘Obby ‘Oss celebration in Cornwall. Its roots date back to the 14th century. Every May Day thousands of people come to see the two famous Hobby Horses, the Old Oss and the Blue Ribbon Oss.

Celebrations in Padstow officially start the night before at midnight, when a groups of ‘mayers’ meet outside the Golden Lion Inn to serenade the owner with their Night Song:

Rise up, Mr. Rickard, and joy to you betide,
For summer is a-come in today; 
And bright is your bride, that lays down by your side 
In the merry morning of May.

The whole town is ablaze with bluebells, forget-me-nots, cowslips, and sycamore twigs. Dancing and other celebrations take place all day.
Find out more

Morris Dancing

Another traditional dance seen throughout the month of May is Morris Dancing. The dancing is very lively and often accompanied by an accordion player.

Morris dancers are usually men and wear different clothes depending on the part of the country in which they dance. They are often dressed in white with coloured baldrics (coloured belts) across their chests.

There are usually six or eight dancers arranged in two lines or in a circle facing each other. The dancers may carry white handkerchiefs that they shake, or short sticks that they bang against each other as they dance.

There are also single dancers who wear special costumes.
See more photographs of the different types of Morris Dancers

Well Dressing

The custom of well-dressing is popular all over Derbyshire.

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May Baskets

 

Let us take our baskets early
To the meadows green,
While the wild-flowers still are pearly
With the dewdrops’ sheen.

Fill them full of blossoms rosy,
Violets and gay
Cowslips, every pretty posy
Welcoming the May.

Then our lovely loads we’ll carry
Down the village street,
On each door, with laughter merry,
Hang a basket sweet.

Hey-a-day-day! It is spring now,
Lazy folks, awake!
See the pretty things we bring now
For the May Day’s sake!

by Evaleen Stein

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10 Ways to Get Kids to Eat Healthy Food

Want to raise food-smart kids? Here’s how to create a positive eating environment

Creating an environment where your kids can make healthy nutritional choices is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure the health of your child.

By fostering a supportive environment, you and your family can develop a positive relationship with healthy food. You can lead them by your example.

Here are 10 tips for getting children to eat healthy food and form wise nutritional habits, offered by Melinda Sothern, PhD, co-author of Trim Kids and director of the childhood obesity prevention laboratory at Louisiana State University.

1. Avoid placing restrictions on food.

Restricting food increases the risk your child may develop eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia later in life. It can also have a negative effect on growth and development. Instead of banning foods, talk about all the healthy, nutritional options there are — encouraging your family to chose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy, while avoiding heavily processed, low-quality junk foods.

2. Keep healthy food at hand.

Children will eat what’s available. Keep fruit in a bowl on the counter, not buried in the crisper section of your fridge. Remember, your child can only choose foods that you stock in the house. And have an apple for your own snack. “Your actions scream louder than anything you will ever tell them,” says Sothern.

3. Don’t label foods as “good” or “bad.”

Instead, tie foods to the things your child cares about, such as sports or doing well in school. Let your child know that lean protein such as turkey and calcium in dairy products give them strength for sports. The antioxidants in fruits and vegetables add luster to skin and hair. And eating a healthy breakfast can help them keep focus in class.

4. Praise healthy choices.

Give your children a proud smile and praise when they choose healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, or low-fat dairy.

5. Don’t nag about unhealthy choices.

When children choose fatty, fried, unhealthy foods, redirect them by suggesting a healthier option.

•   Instead of regular potato chips and dip, offer baked tortilla chips and salsa.
•   If your child wants candy, try dipping fresh strawberries in a little chocolate sauce. Too busy? Keep naturally sweet dried fruit at home for quick snacks.
•   Instead of buying French fries, try roasting cut up potatoes in the oven (tossed in just a bit of oil).

6. Never use food as a reward.

This could create weight problems in later life. Instead, reward your children with something physical and fun — perhaps a trip to the park or a quick game of catch.

7. Sit down to family dinners at night.

If this isn’t a tradition in your home, make it one. Research shows that children who eat dinners at the table with their parents have better nutrition and are less likely to get in serious trouble as teenagers. Start with one night a week, and then work up to three or four, to gradually build the habit.

Want to raise food-smart kids? Here’s how to create a positive eating environment.

WebMD Feature Archive

8. Prepare plates in the kitchen.

You can put the right portion of each item on everyone’s dinner plate, instead of offering up a food buffet or serve-yourself style. This way your children will learn to recognize healthy portion sizes. If adjusting to healthier portion sizes means smaller portions for your family, help make the switch seem less shocking by using smaller plates.

9. Give the kids some control.

Ask your children to take three bites of all the foods on their plate and give each one a grade, such as A, B, C, D, or F. When healthy foods — especially certain vegetables — get high marks, serve them more often. Offer the items your children don’t like less frequently. This lets your children participate in decision making. After all, dining is a family affair.

10. Consult your pediatrician.

Always talk with your child’s doctor before putting your child on a weight loss diet, trying to help your child gain weight, or making any significant changes in the type of foods your child eats. Never diagnose your child as too heavy or too thin by yourself.

 

“It’s all about gradual changes. It’s not overnight, and it’s an uphill battle for parents,” Sothern tells WebMD. “Everything outside of the home is trying to make kids overweight. The minute they walk out of the home, there are people trying to make them eat too much and serving them too much.”

The food smarts your children will learn from you can protect them for a lifetime.

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5 Easy Weight Loss Tips

Plateful Nutrition

Hello friends!

As summer is approaching we all want to look and feel better. And here I am with a few weight loss tips that can be easily incorporated into your daily diet. They are really easy and simple and most of all, effective! 😉 The small changes we make in our daily life and repeat day after day are the ones that ultimately are going to make a difference. Starting extreme diets and putting your body under immense stress to achieve quick results is not good for your health, and ultimately will not keep that extra weight off in the long-term. So start small and incorporate healthier habits along the way for long-lasting results.

Here are 5 tips that will lead you to a healthier you and will help with weight loss as well.

1. Eat foods rich in fiber. Fiber is your friend.

Fiber can be called a complex…

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“Detox” fad

A very interesting article crossed my desk earlier today, one which actually gets to the problematic epicentre of this whole “detox” fad. (You can read the whole article here :https://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/does-hot-water-lemon-really-help-detox-142100872.html.) In it, the author goes through, step by step, why lemon juice has been decided upon as our holy grail for health and weight loss. And while he doesn’t necessarily disagree with everything being said about lemon, he does have a few issues with some of the terms being tossed around.

On the first two points, he says the literature could support the interpretation. Lemon is supposed to aid digestion – because it contains citric acid. Citric acid has been shown to boost the absorption of the active ingredient in most antacids. However, citric acid can also irritate some people, and it doesn’t necessarily encourage optimal digestive flora (although some people argue it does). Vitamin C (aka citric acid) also has the effect of boosting mineral absorption – which is why it helps with digestion, because the active ingredient in most antacids is mineral-based (aluminum hydroxide).

So that’s great, but don’t forget that citric acid occurs in tons of fruits and vegetables. Lemons happen to have one of the higher concentrates, but other citrus fruit – like oranges, grapefruits, and limes – also have high levels of Vitamin C. Kale, spinach, and carrots also have quite a bit of ye olde C.

Okay, how about the final claim: Lemon detoxifies our systems. Welllll, here’s where we run into a huge issue. What the eff do we mean by “detoxify?”

In a strict sense, we mean a process of eliminating toxins from our bodies. That sounds really healthy, right? It sounds like something you want to do. Toxins are bad and getting rid of them is good.

That’s generally true, but nobody has ever actually defined toxins or noted which toxins lemon supposedly gets rid of. We tend to think of “detox” as this sort of purifying process where we get rid of all kinds of “nasty” chemicals and “toxins” that are doing huge damage to our bodies, building up and causing all kinds of health problems.

If you want to use a very loose definition of toxin, though, caffeine is a toxin. In fact, so are most things we put into our bodies. Caffeine is a good example here, though: It’srelatively benign, in that it doesn’t do a heck of a lot of damage and it’s usually eliminated from our systems in short order anyway. You have to drink a lot of coffee to notice much long-term damage, although caffeine has been implicated in certain cancers and other diseases. (It also has been indicated in preventing certain diseases, so basically, nature is a crapshoot and you should just stick to the moderation manifesto – do what you want, but don’t go crazy, eh?) And furthermore, the body eliminates this “toxin” anyway – it’s removed in our waste products.

What about calcium? We normally think of this mineral as being incredibly important – our bodies use it to build bones and teeth, and it’s important in preventing osteoporosis. But did you know too much calcium is harmful? If there’s too much calcium in your system, you can get things like bone spurs – where the body just keeps building bone, ‘cause it can, resulting in protrusions that are often very painful and have to be surgically removed. And calcium is also implicated in the formation of kidney stones. So is calcium a toxin that we need to get rid of? Sure – lemonade is one remedy for kidney stones, since the acid tends to help break apart the calcium that’s causing the stones to form. So yes, calcium is a toxin, and yes, lemon juice will detoxify you – provided we’re talking about removing calcium from the system or flushing the kidneys.

But nobody knows that’s what we’re saying. We toss around these nebulous, ill-defined terms like “toxins” or “detoxify” and nobody actually knows what they mean. We just sort of toss them out there and we all get super-excited because, gosh, it sounds really good. Toxic is bad! We’d better get it out. But do we even know what we’re trying to get out?

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The Health Benefits of Blackberries

Journey To A Better Me

Today I wanted to share with you the health benefits of blackberries.  Last summer while I was living at my parents house, waiting to move to Russellville to start back to school, I would frequently visit my friends Alicia and Johnny who live way out in the country and out in the woods.

A couple evenings last summer we would hop on their four-wheeler’s and go hunting for blackberries.  We would take a couple plastic bowls with us and off we would ride.  Our trips were always productive and we’d come back with bowls full of blackberries.  Well maybe not bowl’s full since we would eat as we picked, but plenty none the less.  🙂  Good memories for sure.

Thanks to the websites healthyeating.sfgate.com and Health Diaries for the information below on the health benefits of blackberries.  As always I appreciate it very much.

So now for the benefits of…

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The Health Benefits of Strawberries

Journey To A Better Me

Today I wanted to share with you the health benefits of strawberries.  Boy do I love me some strawberries.  They are another one of my favorite fruits and are great in a fruit salad or just by themselves.

Below are some of the health benefits of strawberries.  I love the fact that not only are the fruits and vegetables I’ve been covering good for you, but they taste good too.

Thanks to the website health.india.com for the information below.  It is much appreciated as always.  Giving credit where credit is due.

1.  Strawberries are packed with Vitamin C, which helps boost your immunity and protects you from infections. Just one cup of strawberries meets 100% of your daily requirement of Vitamin C. This alone makes it a fruit that you should not miss out on, specially during the strawberry season.

2.  Strawberries are a great source of fiber, which…

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A Look at Eating Disorders and Treatment Options

In these modern times, many individuals across the country suffer from a wide variety of eating disorders. Whether we are referring to anorexia, bulimia or an addiction to food itself, these illnesses can severely affect quality of life and                          some can even be deadly. Some recent new stories illustrate how prevalent these conditions are in our society.

The Main Types of Eating Disorders

Most medical professionals divide the types of food-related illnesses into three classifications. While each is different in its nature, it is important to appreciate that self-esteem, body image and mental health are all the primary contributing factors.

Anorexia

The first type of illness is known as anorexia. This condition is characterized by extreme food restriction, a distorted body image and the compulsive fear of gaining weight. Sufferers will severely limit their food intake while never being satisfied that they are thin enough. More information on this condition is available on the Advice 4 Consumers’ anorexia page.

Bulimia

Bulimia is another common illness. This mental health disorder is defined by an individual eating large amounts of food (known as binge eating) only to subsequently purge this food in the form of vomiting. Once again, one of the underlying causes is the irrational compulsion to lose weight. Side effects will not only be the insufficient uptake of nutrients but the possible erosion of the oesophagus and increased rates of tooth decay. Further information on bulimia is available on our bulimia page.

Compulsive Eating

On the other end of the spectrum, some individuals engage in compulsive eating. This food addiction causes a sufferer to ingest unhealthy portions of food at one sitting. The result can be massive weight gain, unhealthy levels of cholesterol and potential heart problems. Note that binge eating can also fall into this category.

Symptoms

Some common warning signs that someone may suffer from these conditions can include:

• Sudden, unexplained weight gain or loss.
• Poor dental hygiene due to the teeth being exposed to stomach acid during purging sessions.
• A disproportionate amount of importance placed on outward appearances.
• A severely lowered immune system.
• Feelings of malaise or depression.

Eating Disorder Treatment Options

As these types of mental health disorder may have significantly different causal factors, there are several methods available to restore a healthy balance to one’s life.

The first option is seeking traditional therapeutic counselling. This can be done on a face-to-face basis or in a group setting. Counsellors will provide tools and skills that can help patients cope with their fears, re-establish a positive body image, establish a healthy diet and realize when they may be slipping back into a negative habit. Sessions tend to be quite effective although they may take time to show results. Avoid mental health centres that seem overly expensive and yet come with few objective recommendations. Instead, perform an online search of any practitioners in the area and determine whether they have received positive reviews.

A second option is the administration of certain carefully monitored medications. Such forms can include tricyclic antidepressants or other medications that can properly regulate certain chemicals in the brain that may be imbalanced. These can only be prescribed by a psychiatrist and the patient will concurrently see an eating disorder specialist.

Another popular option is to attend eating disorder groups such as Overeater’s Anonymous. These groups offer a robust support system where individuals in similar situation can relate their experiences, gauge each others’ progress and offer much-needed advice when necessary. Such groups are free to attend and are administered by a licensed therapist; he or she most likely having suffered from a similar ailment in the past.

If someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, talk to the person suffering from the illness and explain that they need the help of a trained doctor who can provide the correct type of therapy to help them overcome their battle. Try to begin to have them understand that conditions such as food addiction or bulimia nervosa do not represent a weakness of character but rather a true medical condition. Finally and perhaps most importantly, it is essential that the sufferer is comfortable with the doctor they are seeing, as otherwise the help received may be ineffective and they will rebound into their old habits.

Three of the most effective eating disorder treatment techniques are:

• Personalized counselling.
• The administration of certain types of medication.
• Group sessions.
• Talk to the sufferer and support them through their treatment.

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Manners Bear Comes To Town With His New Book

Manners Bear Comes To Town With His New Book.Make friends with The Manners Bear at:allaboutmanners.wordpress.com

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Do We WASTE Too Much Food?

 

At the Store

1. Shop smart. Plan meals, use grocery lists, and avoid impulse buys. This way, you’re less likely to buy things you don’t need and that you’re unlikely to actually consume. Buy items only when you have a plan for using them, and wait until perishables are all used up before buying more. Check out these apps for extra-easy meal planning.

2. Buy exactly what you need. For example, if a recipe calls for two carrots, don’t buy a whole bag. Instead, buy loose produce so you can purchase the exact number you’ll use. Likewise, try buying grains, nuts, and spices from bulk bins so you can measure out exactly what you need and don’t over-buy (Just note that there’s a difference between buying in bulk and buying from bulk bins; the first one can actually create more waste if we buy more than we can realistically use). Bonus: This tip will save some cash, to boot.

3. Be realistic. If you live alone, you won’t need the same number of apples as a family of four (unless you really like apples). If you rarely cook, don’t stock up on goods that have to be cooked in order to be consumed (such as baking supplies or dried grains and beans).

4. Buy funny-looking produce. Many fruits and vegetables are thrown away because their size, shape, or colors don’t quite match what we think these items “should” look like. But for the most part these items are perfectly good to eat, and buying them at a farmer’s market or the grocery store helps use up food that might otherwise be tossed.

5. Have a Plan B. Let’s say you buy Camembert to make a fancy dish for that fancy dinner party — and then the dinner party is canceled. Don’t toss the cheese! Instead, come up with a backup recipe and use it in a different dish (or just eat it plain, because c’mon — it’s cheese).

At Home

6. Practice FIFO. It stands for First In, First Out. When unpacking groceries, move older products to the front of the fridge/freezer/pantry and put new products in the back. This way, you’re more likely to use up the older stuff before it expires.

7. Monitor what you throw away. Designate a week in which you write down everything you throw out on a regular basis. Tossing half a loaf of bread each week? Maybe it’s time to start freezing half that loaf the moment you buy it so it doesn’t go stale before you’re able to eat it.

8. Take stock. Note upcoming expiration dates on foods you already have at home, and plan meals around the products that are closest to their expiration. On a similar note, keep a list of what’s in the freezer and when each item was frozen. Place this on the freezer door for easy reference and use items before they pass their prime.

9. Designate one dinner each week as a “use-it-up” meal. Instead of cooking a new meal, look around in the cupboards and fridge for leftovers and other food that might otherwise get overlooked.

10. Eat leftovers! Brown-bag them for work or school for a free packed lunch. If you don’t want to eat leftovers the day after they’re cooked, freeze and save them for later (just remember to note when you froze them so you can use them up in a timely fashion).

11. Use it all. When cooking, use every piece of whatever food you’re cooking with, whenever possible. For example, leave the skin on cucumbers and potatoes, sauté broccoli stems along with the florets (they taste good too; we promise!), and so on. Bonus: Skins and stems often have provide additional nutrients for our bodies.

12. Store better. If you regularly throw away stale chips/cereal/crackers/etc., trystoring them in airtight containers — this should help them keep longer (or, of course, just buy fewer of these products).

13. Repurpose leftovers scraps. Use vegetable and meat scraps in homemade stocks, and use citrus fruit rinds and zest to add flavor to other meals. Want more ideas? Check out these resources for using up food scraps.

14. Check the fridge. Make sure it’s functioning at maximum efficiency. Look for tight seals, proper temperature, etc. — this will ensure that the fridge keeps food fresh as long as possible.

15. Preserve produce. Produce doesn’t have to be tossed just because it’s reaching the end of its peak. Soft fruit can be used in smoothies; wilting vegetables can be used in soups, etc. And both wilting fruits and veggies can be turned into delicious, nutritious juice.

16. Donate what you won’t use. Never going to eat that can of beans? Donate it to a food kitchen before it expires so it can be consumed by someone who needs it. Check out this resource to locate a food bank near you.

17. Donate the gross stuff, too! Many farmers happily accept food scraps for feeding pigs or adding to a compost heap. To find farms near you, check out one of these resources.

18. Store food properly in the fridge. Learn how and where to store specific products in the fridge, and they’re likely to keep longer (hint: they don’t call it the “produce drawer” for nothin’!).

19. Store things properly in the freezer. Same as above: How and where westore products in the freezer makes a difference in how long they’ll last.

20. Can it. Got more fruit than you know what to do with? Try canning it so it’ll last for months to come. (Plus, who doesn’t love eating “fresh” peaches in winter?)

21. Pickle it. Both fruits and vegetables can be preserved through an easy pickling process.

22. Understand expiration dates. Turns out those expiration dates don’t always have to do with food safety; rather, they’re usually manufacturers’ suggestions for peak quality. If stored properly, most foods (even meat) stay fresh several days past the “use-by” date. If a food looks, smells, and tastes okay, it should be fine. If any of these elements are off, then it’s time to toss it.

23. Compost! Hate potato skins? Don’t feel like turning wilted vegetables into soup stock? No worries; food scraps still don’t need to be tossed. Just start a compost pile in the backyard or even under the sink, and convert food waste into a useful resource.

During Mealtime

24. Check in with your belly. Here it is, ladies and gentlemen: The solution to the “clean your plate!” issue. Simply take a moment to ask your body what it wants to eat, and how much — and then serve yourself that. Or simply start with less food on your plate. If you want more, you can always go back for it — but this way you won’t find out that you’re full and still have a heap of food in front of you. In fact, one study found that reducing portion sizes is an easy way to reduce food waste [1].

25. Split the dish. If eating out, split a dish with a friend so you don’t waste half of the giant portion sizes found at many restaurants.

26. Take home leftovers. Even if you’re not into splitting meals, those portion sizes don’t have to be wasted. Just ask to take leftovers home (bonus eco points if you bring your own reusable container!), and you’ve got yourself a free lunch the next day.

27. Share. Made a quadruple recipe of a casserole you ended up disliking? Gift it to friends, family, or neighbors — they’re likely to be grateful for the saved money and time.

28. Go trayless. When eating in a cafeteria, skip the tray. Doing so is associated with a reduction in food waste, possibly because it’s harder for people to carry more food than they can actually eat.

29. Educate other people. Sure, nobody likes a Debbie Downer at the dinner table. But turns out simply being aware of the issue of food waste can help make people more attentive to wasting less [2].

How do you save on your weekly food bill?  Send your tips. Share with us. Make a comment.

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Five easy and amazing things to do with… spoiled(ish) milk

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