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Wondering how to reduce your food waste? Do you � nd this a di� cult challenge? Here are three top tips from Earth Day Canada to help you change your habits, one small step at a time. Tip #1: Plan your meals for the week in zero- waste mode Do you sometimes lack the inspiration to vary your meals during the week? If you're wonder- ing what to add to your grocery basket to cook varied, balanced, and inexpensive menus, here are a few suggestions to help you plan your shopping list. Take 4 hours a week to eat better… Ideally, groceries should only be purchased once a week and a meal preparation session should always be planned for when you return home. If grocery shopping takes about an hour, you could set aside the next three hours to do the prep for the week. Consider cooking up the basics ingredients that you will only need to reheat or mix together during your week. It's a time investment up front, yes, but you'll recoup that time on the weekday nights when you're tired. What's more, you'll save energy (by using the oven less) and, as a bonus, you'll do fewer dishes! Your prep could look like this: • Cook one or two starchy foods • Grill the wilted vegetables from the previous week • Marinate the proteins and, if possible, cook them in preparation for the week. • Trim the vegetables Tip #2: A grocery list with a hole in it… 2-3 types of fresh fruit 2-3 types of fresh vegetables 1-2 types of fresh herbs You could write this on your grocery list. There's no point in buying too many fresh fruits or vegetables that will go to waste during the week. A good habit to get into is to choose only two to three kinds and buy them according to the bargains and the seasons. That way, you can even buy them in larger quantities and process or store them for later use out of season. By being more � exible about your buying behaviour, you will be inspired to cook them creatively, avoiding waste. Tip # 3: Combine one protein per day of the week Have you ever thought of associating each weekday eve- ning with a di� erent protein or menu? Just try the experiment for a month and you'll be convinced of its e� ectiveness. What's more, if you are lucky enough to buy a large quantity of meat at a reduced price, you can freeze it in order to stock up. Don't hesitate to marinate it in advance to simplify a future meal. Also, plan cooking sessions so there are left- overs that can conveniently be used for lunches. Leftover meat or protein makes a great base for a sandwich, salad or pizza. - Article provided by Earth Day Canada (earthday.ca) ake 4 hours a week to eat better… Ideally, groceries should only be purchased once a week and them in preparation for the week. • Trim the vegetables Tip #2: A grocery list with a hole in it… list. There's no point in buying too many fresh fruits or vegetables that will go to Use these three top tips to increase your ability to reduce your food waste Monday: Beef Tuesday: Lentils Wednesday: Pork Thursday: Fish Friday: Chicken Saturday: Homemade fast-food Sunday: Vegetarian hesitate to marinate it in advance to simplify a 25 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,A pril 22,2021 insidehalton.com Stephen Crawford MPP for Oakville Constituency Office: stephen.crawfordco@pc.ola.org (905) 827-5141 74 Rebecca St. Oakville www.stephencrawfordmpp.ca @SCrawfordforOakville @stcrawford2 @stephen_crawford_for_oakville Celebrating Earth Day! Protecting Ontario's Environment Strengthened protections on ground water takings. Investing $20 million over the next four years to conserve, restore, and manage natural areas. Providing $12 million over the next three years to protect, promote, and improve the Greenbelt in the Golden Horseshoe region. Introduced the first-ever hydrogen strategy to reduce carbon dioxide. Concluded consultations to expand the Greenbelt. Requiring an increase of renewable content in regular-grade gasoline to 15 per cent, which is equal to taking 300,000 cars off the road.