Celebration
Photo by Nicole Michalou (Pexels.com)
Let’s talk turkey. Christmas has become the season of excess. Food waste is a major contributor to our environmental woes. Some food-waste issues are systemic, but 43% comes from homes, and the holidays are especially waste-filled. So, focus on “enough” rather than on “bounty” at your celebrations.
Let’s talk turkey. Avoid food waste, which in landfills becomes methane and exacerbates the climate crisis. Consume less in the first place. Across the globe, near and far, too many people are hungry. Consuming too much and wasting what’s left over aren’t healthy for people or planet. Justice means ensuring enough for all.
Let’s talk turkey. Poultry—turkey, chicken, duck—has a 9-times smaller greenhouse gas impact than beef. Poultry is also the heart-healthier option and less expensive for a larger gathering. Plus, the leftovers are as good, maybe better, than the first pass. Put together turkey pot pie or turkey noodle soup and enjoy another great meal.
The #1 food item thrown away is bread (over 240 million slices annually). Before any mold begins, before all the loaf is consumed, put any partial loaves in the freezer. Look up recipes for bread dressing and bread pudding that can add to your holiday feast. Fill the guests, not the landfill.
Creation Justice ident
Compost the food scraps from preparation and leftovers. If you are not set up to compost easily, check with your guests, a farmer or gardener friend, or your local government for options. Between the time the scraps are made and when they can be taken to a compost site, put them in a container out of the way or in the fridge or freezer, preferably in a compostable bag. Check online for bag options.
This holiday, visit family and friends electronically. Save emissions with Zoom visits or Facetime. Save trees and manufacturing water waste with digital cards. Explore Jacquie Lawson’s collection.
Be mindful of water. Too many places are experiencing drought, which endangers food crops, wildlife, and people whose livelihood suffers. Don’t run the faucet while cleaning vegetables. Rinse them instead in a bowl full of clean water. Then use the water on your indoor or outdoor plants. Likewise, when filling your dishwasher, don’t “pre-wash” with running water. A good scraping—preferably into a compost bucket—or just a splash of water is plenty.
Save trees at your holiday events. Use cloth napkins, which you can simply toss in the washing machine with other items. Check with thrift stores; they may have holiday themed napkins. If you need to use paper ones, arrange for them and any paper towels to be composted. Once alive as trees, they can be composted and then used to feed the soil. Keep the circle of life going.
Make a statement with party favors that give back. Look for something plantable, like herbs, succulents, or seed packets. Or display a sign indicating that in honor of your guests, you’ve given a monetary gift, such as planting new trees in an area harmed by wildfires. Any such option can lead to conversations about caring for God’s earthly garden.
Engage children in treating the birds to a Christmas feast. Gather large pinecones, twine or medium gauge string, scissors, peanut butter, spatula, a large tray, and birdseed (with no red millet or oats). Invite the children to carefully tie the twine around the pinecones, use a spatula to coat the pinecones with peanut butter, roll it in birdseed, and hang it on a branch outside. Talk about caring for all God’s critters.