Anyone who knows me knows that my kitchen is my happy place. It always has been. Not just my own – anyone’s kitchen, really.
As a child, the kitchen was the centre of our home. Everyone in my family hung out in or near the kitchen, watching my grandmother prepare a feast. I didn’t know it back then, but she would become my inspiration and the reason for where I am today. Pauline, my grandmother, is an incredible cook. She never wastes a thing - the poster child for sustainable living. Frugal, smart, resourceful. She is thoughtful and generous and can make a beautiful gift from things most would throw away.
This attitude is one that I try to apply to every aspect of my life – but it is a life that is still centred around cooking and food.
Here are five ideas for taking steps towards a zero-waste, chemical-free kitchen and larder.
Here’s a fantastic way to use up the last of your ground spices and also make a great gift, presented in a well-sealed glass jar.
2. Carrot top pesto
Source: The Art of The Natural Home
You will never throw those tops away again.
3. Veggie scrap crackers
Source: The Art of The Natural Home
Make these with the pulp from juicing, or if you don’t own a juicer, you can just grate up some veggies or use leftover ends of things.
4. No-waste ice cubes and frozen oils
Ice-cube trays make fantastic mortars for leftover fruits, herbs and more.
Source: The Art of The Natural Home
Apparently over 2.25 billion cups of coffee are drunk around the world every day - that's a lot of used coffee grinds going into the rubbish. There are so many things they can be used for. Try these ten ideas, from using it as an exfoliant for your hair to warding off bugs and feral cats in the garden.
Edited extract and images from The Art of the Natural Home by Rebecca Sullivan (Kyle Books, $39.99).
Source: Kyle Books
