Issue Nº 503

Tuesday

In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:

• Reducing food waste at home

• A new way to protect nature, all from the comfort of home

• An innovative use for peanut shells

• How to make homemade lotion bars

Did You Know?

Every year, enough food is wasted in the US to feed ___ people.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

Save Scraps, Cash, and the Planet: How to Reduce Food Waste at Home

A staggering 60 million tons of food is thrown away in the US every year, most of which is created by households. When this food rots, it emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that’s speeding up the worrying warming of our world. But we can all help combat this by taking steps to cut down the waste that comes out of our kitchens. Here are 5 tips for more sustainable meal planning, prepping, and shopping - as a bonus, they’ll also help you save both time and money.

1. Make a List and Check It Twice

We’ve all done it - bought something we were sure we needed, only to discover a packet lying at the back of the cupboard. Keep a list stuck to your fridge of everything you have in your kitchen and cross-check it against your grocery list, so you never make this mistake again.

2. Plan Your Meals

Thinking ahead about what you’re going to cook in the upcoming week will keep you organized and stop you from shopping in a haphazard way, where you risk buying stuff you’ll never eat. You don’t need a fancy color-coded spreadsheet to meal plan effectively - any kind of scribbled list will do.

3. Make the Freezer Your Friend

If you’ve made a big meal, you don’t have to eat the leftovers in the days after - having the same thing for dinner for days on end might get boring. Instead, buy some Tupperware, label it, and stick your food in the freezer.

4. Look For Unloved Fruit and Veg

Wonky and misshapen fruits and vegetables are often passed over by shoppers. But they’re perfectly fine to eat, as long as they aren’t bruised or spoiled.

5. Liven Up Your Leftovers

For instance, turn your old fruit into smoothies or add to overnight oats, use leftover vegetables to cook warming soups, make bread pudding from the ends of loaves, and create stocks from peelings and scraps.

Protect Nature from Home – And See Your Impact in Videos

Picture this.

You’re watching a video of how a baby bear was saved.

You also know that you helped it happen.

That’s the Planet Wild experience.

If you want to save nature and protect animals, oceans and forests, and see your impact in monthly video reports – join us.

We’re a community of people who crowdfund powerful nature protection projects worldwide.

Get your first month for free with the code CANOPY9 – start your Planet Wild membership today.

Thank you to Planet Wild for sponsoring The Canopy.

Transforming Peanut Shells Into Plant-Based Meat

With animal agriculture responsible for 14.5% of global emissions, the race is on to develop a sustainable alternative to meat that doesn’t cost the earth. From soy to fungi, all kinds of creative sources have been used to make plant-based meat. Now, US scientists have figured out a way to turn peanut shells into an innovative new edible protein.

46 million tonnes of peanuts are produced every year, with shells accounting for 22% of this, and typically upcycled into animal feed and packaging material. But since these shells can be eaten by humans, processing them into protein-rich and fiber-rich peanut shell flour means they can be used to make baked goods, as well as in both plant-based meats and cultivated (lab-grown) meat. The possibilities are far from peanuts!

Nourish Your Skin With DIY Lotion Bars

The seasons are changing, and the colder October weather can take a toll on our skin. So why not indulge in these easy-to-make lotion bars? They’re totally free from chemicals, just use an essential oil of your choice for an amazing-smelling bar that makes a great homemade gift.

Ingredients:

• Half a cup of coconut oil

• Half a cup of cocoa butter

• Half a cup of beeswax pellets

• 15 drops of essential oil 

Method:

• If you don’t have your own double boiler, place a glass bowl over a medium-sized saucepan. Fill the saucepan with water and put all of the ingredients in the bowl, minus the essential oil.

• Bring the water to a boil and allow the ingredients to melt together.

• Take the bowl off the heat and let it cool a little.

• Stir in your essential oil. 

• Pour the mixture into metal salve tins or silicon molds.

• Allow to cool completely and, if using a mold, pop the bar out.

These bars will last for up to a year in an air-tight container - so they’ll keep your skin moisturized and restored throughout the winter.

Final Thoughts

Protect nature from the comfort of your home with Planet Wild. Get your first month for free with the code CANOPY9 – start your Planet Wild membership today.

Reflections:

• 🌎 Did You Know: Every year, enough food is wasted to feed 150 million people.

• 🌅 Sunset Of The Day: The sun can provide the most beautiful photography. That's why we're eager to see your favorite sunrise or sunset photos. Reply to this email with your best sun-based pictures for a chance to be featured in next Tuesday's newsletter!