OK. I am NOT a spicy person. Well, not in terms of food tastes at least ;) I often shy away from hot foods, but recently I have been working on my tolerance! I try really hard to eat more and more spicy things so I can start enjoying them instead of wanting to rip my face off and dunk it in a vat of milk.
So, one random evening when Nick wanted to buy Jalepeno poppers I suggested we make them ourselves instead. I had frozen a bunch of Jalapenos from the summer time at the farm, so we picked up some cream cheese and instead of breading them, decided to wrap them in bacon- because it is so much healthier of course.
So- not much to them, pretty much cut the peppers in half, take out the seeds, stuff with cream cheese and wrap in a half slice of bacon! then bake and 350 until they look yummy.
Of course they are MUCH more delicious than store bought- and no weird added preservatives and crap! BUT they are also MUCH hotter. By the end we were just eating the cream cheese and bacon. No shame.
 |
| HOT HOT HOT |
Lesson from this one? Experimenting is fun, but also taking something that you know already and finding a healthier way to make it is also fun, and can sometimes be even more rewarding. Let's all admit it. Even though we all know homemade should taste better, sometimes food from a box is just so delicious and satisfying because, well it has to be or people wouldn't buy it. So, being able to personally re-create something you always just automatically associate with "processed" makes you feel so accomplished- you just won at life by making something that is good store bought taste even better by making it yourself.
Snack time is anytime-and now it can be "green" too! I started making reusable snack baggies as gifts for my friends and family at Christmas. I immediately fell in love with the idea as someone who often carries snacks around with me, and because it seemed like a nice, simple introduction to sewing.
I've sewn before but mostly just with my Grandmother, so sewing these little guys made me feel very accomplished :)
Sewing has always been something that I have wanted to be good at. Both of my Grandmothers sew- one made my prom dress, and the other has helped me make a jumper, a skirt/top combo and more. Being able to make my own clothes, and turn old clothes into new things is a transformation that continually amazes me. Not only does it open up opportunities for me to push my creative limits, but it is also a useful skill which I intend on using for the rest of my life. Yes, my future children are the ones dressed in weird handmade clothes...
The baggies are a really simple pattern, and don't take much time at all (you can find the pattern here: http://offbeathome.com/2012/03/craft-replace-plastic-bags). Also they are perfect gifts since they're homemade and practical.
Also, what is better than a waste free lunch? That's right- NOTHING. This is just one more small thing that we can do to reduce our impact. A sustainable life is full of trial and error and doesn't come overnight. I sincerely believe that small things do make a difference. So experiment with sustainability. It could lead you to really cool places. Just like where these little baggies led me!
With the skills I learnt from my Grandmas, and with some help from Pinterest, I have entered the world of bartering! Since I started making the product, I have traded them with two people for different sets of earrings! It works perfectly- I enjoy making the baggies, and by trading them, I get some high quality and highly creative homemade goods in return!
SO if anyone is interested- I am super willing to barter some more snack pouches for anything you have to offer! Also, if you like the earrings I got in return, just let me know and I can point you in the right direction.
