Author Topic: What do you save that other people throw away?  (Read 20798 times)

Michread

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What do you save that other people throw away?
« on: February 27, 2014, 09:29:54 AM »
What do you save that other people throw away? How do you use it?

Envelopes (used from bills) - put the current coupons inside and grocery list on the outside & all purpose scratch paper
Vegs ends & bones - freeze to make soup stock later
Plastic/paper grocery bags - garbage bags for non-food items
Bacon fat - pour into jar & refrig. & use for cooking/frying
Plastic bag closure thing/twist ties - never have enough of these for keeping food bags closed


ketchup

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2014, 10:00:59 AM »
Glass bottles of any kinds - useful for homemade condiments or beverages.  Also as drinking glasses in a pinch (Yes, I'll drink milk out of a clean salsa jar.).

dodojojo

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2014, 10:10:11 AM »
I reuse plastic and ziplock bags for cat litter.  I keep card board boxes around for the cats also.  The boxes do get thrown out after some wear and tear but all appropriately sized boxes pass through this home as beds/lounges for the cats.  I reuse food/juice glass jars and bottles for storage and drinking.  I can't leave glasses and cups around as one cat will start dipping her paws, ugh.  So I use bottles and some of them are just old juice glass ones.  I think glass jars/bottles are gold. They can be washed repeatedly and are great for storing food/drinks airtight.

Edit: looks like Ketchup and I are in sync!

Lorin

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2014, 10:22:30 AM »
I keep card board boxes around for the cats also.  The boxes do get thrown out after some wear and tear but all appropriately sized boxes pass through this home as beds/lounges for the cats.

I save boxes too, but for my kids, not cats. I guess cats find boxes to be as much as a little kid does!

I also keep the same stuff you all do - envelopes, veggie scraps, etc.

stealmystapler

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2014, 10:23:58 AM »
Definitely ziploc and bread bags. We always end up freezing meat after we buy it, so we're always using ziploc bags to portion out frozen meat. Why keep buying bags when we can just wash and reuse? Same with old bread and tortilla bags - I make three loaves of sandwich bread at a time, so I have to freeze the other two and the bags are (of course) the perfect size!

irononmaiden

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2014, 10:46:14 AM »
Tissue paper--I'll never buy the stuff.
Starchy water from making rice--to feed the plants.
Old worn-out sweaters--to felt and sew for small projects (stuffed animals, bags, etc.).
Tubes from paper towels--for storing rolled-up sewing patterns.
Drippings from baked chicken--my cat LOVES them.

I also save the selvages of my fabric to crochet into market bags, leftover knit fabric to make into cloth rags, and leftover cotton/wool to make into quilts.

Oh, and I recently cut up a pair of worn-out pajamas to turn into cloth bags.

Frankies Girl

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #6 on: February 27, 2014, 10:48:05 AM »
Plastic/paper bags - I use them again at the grocery and recycle them when they're too messed up to use.

Storage baggies -(I don't buy the brand names!) I rinse and reuse.

Plastic containers from things like take out or grocery goods (butter tubs) - I use these for non-returnable leftovers for guests, or for leftovers in general. I just recently did a purge on them to the recycle bin as I had waaaay too many in storage.

Foil - I won't save it or wash it if it is gross, but will reuse if it just takes a wipe down to clean up. I recycle this as well.

Scrap paper - If it's got a clean side, I save paperwork for scribbling notes or lists.

Worn out socks - use them for dusting or padding

Catbert

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #7 on: February 27, 2014, 11:35:18 AM »
Freezer bags.  I mark some with a general category "Meat" or "Bread".  That way nothing else goes in a freezer bag previously used for meat.  After use I give a quick rinse to the Meat bags and store in the freezer for re-use.  Others tend to just get shaken out and again stored in the freezer.

I save the bags my newspaper come in (yes, a daily newspaper) and give to a friend who runs a doggy day care.  My toilet paper and other cardboard tubes go to a friend with large birds who chew things when they get bored.

I also do many of the things previously mentioned i.e., saving veggie/bone/meat scraps for stock, bacon fat for cooking, plastic bags, etc.

phred

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #8 on: February 27, 2014, 11:56:39 AM »
I save the plastic wrapper bags the bread comes in.  Then, when I brown up 5 pounds of hamburger, I divide the browned meat  into 10 portions, let it cool, put a portion into a bread wrapper,tie it shut and put into the freezer.  When I want spaghetti in a hurry, I take one bag of burger out of the freezer, dump the burger into the tomato sauce & it thaws while the sauce simmers.  I throw the re-used bag away.  Can use these bread wrappers as freezer bags, lunch bags -- just don't turn them inside out.

Doubled plastic grocery bags are great for carrying stuff home from the library.  Can also be used for non-food shopping; tell the cashier you don't need a sack, place the item in the grocery bags, loop the handles over your handlebars & off you go.  Slip a couple bags into your pocket when going hiking.  If you come across some berries you have a container to bring home a few quarts.

Clean grocery bags are good for temporary storage of lots of things.  My sister puts her smaller knitting projects into a grocery bag, and then places the bag inside her book-pack -- keeps the yarn clean and all together

tin cans useful for storing nuts & bolts by size.  Frequently used as plant pots.

wire clothes hangers: used as large staples to keep landscape fabric/cloth in place

books - way too many (sigh!)

GuitarStv

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #9 on: February 27, 2014, 12:29:55 PM »
Money.

Stacey

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #10 on: February 27, 2014, 12:42:29 PM »

Gerard

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #11 on: March 01, 2014, 02:20:12 PM »
The tough tops of lemon grass. Recipes always call for using the bottom, pale/soft 1/3, but the rest of it can be simmered for 5-10 minutes to make a really nice tea (with a bit of sugar or honey). Or you can use the resulting tea/broth to poach fish or steam mussels. Yum.

rocklebock

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #12 on: March 01, 2014, 03:45:43 PM »
Beet greens. They're great.

MDM

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #13 on: March 01, 2014, 03:56:55 PM »
Broccoli stems. 

Sliced thin and sauteed along with whatever other vegetables are in the recipe. 

Paul der Krake

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #14 on: March 01, 2014, 04:17:17 PM »
I'm a sperm donor.

Pell mell

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Pell mell

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #16 on: March 01, 2014, 04:34:31 PM »
Broccoli stems. 

Sliced thin and sauteed along with whatever other vegetables are in the recipe.

It would never occur to me to throw away broccoli stems. I just shave off the outer tough membrane and cook with the rest of the bunch.

NV Teacher

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #17 on: March 01, 2014, 04:48:11 PM »
What do you save that other people throw away? How do you use it?

Empty tissue boxes.  I keep one in the car to use for trash.  When it's full out it goes.

lexie2000

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #18 on: March 01, 2014, 08:44:13 PM »
Money.

That was my first thought too!!

lexie2000

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #19 on: March 01, 2014, 08:48:12 PM »
What do you save that other people throw away? How do you use it?

Envelopes (used from bills) - put the current coupons inside and grocery list on the outside & all purpose scratch paper
Vegs ends & bones - freeze to make soup stock later
Plastic/paper grocery bags - garbage bags for non-food items
Bacon fat - pour into jar & refrig. & use for cooking/frying
Plastic bag closure thing/twist ties - never have enough of these for keeping food bags closed

I save bacon fat too.  I use it instead of oil when I make pancakes and add it to pintos when I make refried beans.  I only buy bacon when I can find it for $2/lb. or less, get several and freeze.

Jamesqf

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #20 on: March 01, 2014, 08:57:58 PM »
Starchy water from making rice--to feed the plants.

Lost me on that one.  If you use the right proportions - 2 cups water to one cup rice - all the water is absorbed in cooking.

ashley

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #21 on: March 01, 2014, 09:00:30 PM »
Vegetable scraps. Save in a freezer bag to make stock.

Plastic grocery bags as trash bags.

Annamal

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #22 on: March 01, 2014, 09:41:22 PM »
Food waste for compost.
plastic bags for holding stuff

Rural

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #23 on: March 02, 2014, 04:53:24 AM »
What do you save that other people throw away? How do you use it?

Envelopes (used from bills) - put the current coupons inside and grocery list on the outside & all purpose scratch paper
Vegs ends & bones - freeze to make soup stock later
Plastic/paper grocery bags - garbage bags for non-food items
Bacon fat - pour into jar & refrig. & use for cooking/frying
Plastic bag closure thing/twist ties - never have enough of these for keeping food bags closed

I save bacon fat too.  I use it instead of oil when I make pancakes and add it to pintos when I make refried beans.  I only buy bacon when I can find it for $2/lb. or less, get several and freeze.

Wait, there are people who throw out bacon grease?

jdoolin

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greenmimama

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #25 on: March 02, 2014, 12:04:47 PM »
All of the old bags that are reusable but food comes in them, like shredded cheese, or frozen veggies, we just rinse and reuse for various things, they are usually pretty thick plastic.

Old plastic bags from the store when I forget my own reusable bags, we use them as trash bags or recycle them

We use kitchen towels and rags instead of paper towels

We reuse cloth diapers instead of disposables

Any kind of food scraps, goes to our chickens or rabbits, or mealworms, nothing is wasted in that way :)

When their is just a few spoonfuls of any veggie or meat, put in a glass quart jar that we keep in the freezer, when it is full, thaw and add chicken or beef stock and you have a delicious soup, it's so good!

After cooking a whole chicken in the crockpot, I cook bone broth, delicious and healthy.

Leftover rice, makes such delicious fried rice the next day.

Egg shells, I let them dry, then when I have a big bag of them, I put them in the blender, they can be mixed with chicken feed or used in the soil of the garden for extra calcium. You can blend them to a fine powder and take them in a drink for a calcium supplement also.

I don't throw away disposable pads, because I use cloth ones :)

Thats all I can think of for right now.

TomTX

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #26 on: March 02, 2014, 12:15:56 PM »
Broccoli stems. 

Sliced thin and sauteed along with whatever other vegetables are in the recipe.

It would never occur to me to throw away broccoli stems. I just shave off the outer tough membrane and cook with the rest of the bunch.

I don't bother shaving them. I cut up the stems first, start them cooking while I chop up the flower end. I add the flower end a couple of minutes before stuff is done.

aj_yooper

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #27 on: March 02, 2014, 12:22:26 PM »
Plastic eating utensils from occasional faster food.  Wash it and re-use. 

All organic food waste from kitchen goes to our compost.

Batteries get recycled.

BTW, in our area, aluminum foil is not recyclable.  Don't know why, but...

Wimsey1923

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #28 on: March 02, 2014, 12:23:42 PM »
Pallet wood from broken pallets at work.

FuckRx

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #29 on: March 02, 2014, 01:01:48 PM »

may i ask what you do with the wood pallets?

PMG

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #30 on: March 02, 2014, 01:23:29 PM »
Plants!

Ive got a sunroom full of green stuff.  Most recently I rescued two poinsettias that were being thrown out after Christmas.  A good soaking and they were perky and lovely as ever.  They aren't my favorite, but they are colorful and healthy and improving the air quality in my home.




Nancy

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #31 on: March 02, 2014, 04:42:43 PM »
Starchy water from making rice--to feed the plants.

Lost me on that one.  If you use the right proportions - 2 cups water to one cup rice - all the water is absorbed in cooking.
Sounds like the water from rinsing the excess starch from rice before cooking.

irononmaiden

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #32 on: March 02, 2014, 04:57:43 PM »
@Nancy: Exactly.

Pell mell

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #33 on: March 02, 2014, 07:09:02 PM »
Broccoli stems. 

Sliced thin and sauteed along with whatever other vegetables are in the recipe.

It would never occur to me to throw away broccoli stems. I just shave off the outer tough membrane and cook with the rest of the bunch.

I don't bother shaving them. I cut up the stems first, start them cooking while I chop up the flower end. I add the flower end a couple of minutes before stuff is done.

Good idea. That'll save me some time.

Milspecstache

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #34 on: March 02, 2014, 10:20:54 PM »
Cardboard (use in garden and around trees to kill weeds by putting pinestraw/woodchips on top of it)

Plastic bags (trashbags for small trashcans)

All vegetable/fruit scraps go to compost

My worn out clothes become rags for working on cars/painting/cleaning car parts/etc.

hybrid

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #35 on: March 03, 2014, 06:45:28 AM »
Time!

phred

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #36 on: March 03, 2014, 08:14:58 AM »
"Human urine is one of the fastest-acting, most excellent sources of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and trace elements for plants, delivered in a form that’s perfect for assimilation. Not only that, we all have a constant, year-round supply of it - and it's free!

Fresh human urine is sterile and so free from bacteria. In fact it is so sterile that it can be drunk when fresh; it’s only when it is older than 24 hours that the urea turns into ammonia, which is what causes the 'wee' smell. At this stage it will be too strong for use on plants, but poured neat on to the compost heap it makes a fabulous compost accelerator/activator, with the extra benefit of adding more nutrients.

Dilute one part urine to 10-15 parts water for application on plants in the growth stage. Dilute in 30-50 parts water for use on pot plants,"
a brief excerpt from the ecologist .org

Rachelocity

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #37 on: March 03, 2014, 09:51:56 AM »
Cats!  My three furry friends are all rescue cats. 

GuitarStv

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #38 on: March 03, 2014, 10:01:46 AM »
"Human urine is one of the fastest-acting, most excellent sources of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and trace elements for plants, delivered in a form that’s perfect for assimilation. Not only that, we all have a constant, year-round supply of it - and it's free!

Fresh human urine is sterile and so free from bacteria. In fact it is so sterile that it can be drunk when fresh; it’s only when it is older than 24 hours that the urea turns into ammonia, which is what causes the 'wee' smell. At this stage it will be too strong for use on plants, but poured neat on to the compost heap it makes a fabulous compost accelerator/activator, with the extra benefit of adding more nutrients.

Dilute one part urine to 10-15 parts water for application on plants in the growth stage. Dilute in 30-50 parts water for use on pot plants,"
a brief excerpt from the ecologist .org

Just an FYI . . . urine is not sterile, although that's a pretty commonly repeated myth.  (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120409164156.htm)

MayDay

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #39 on: March 03, 2014, 10:25:30 AM »
"Human urine is one of the fastest-acting, most excellent sources of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and trace elements for plants, delivered in a form that’s perfect for assimilation. Not only that, we all have a constant, year-round supply of it - and it's free!

Fresh human urine is sterile and so free from bacteria. In fact it is so sterile that it can be drunk when fresh; it’s only when it is older than 24 hours that the urea turns into ammonia, which is what causes the 'wee' smell. At this stage it will be too strong for use on plants, but poured neat on to the compost heap it makes a fabulous compost accelerator/activator, with the extra benefit of adding more nutrients.

Dilute one part urine to 10-15 parts water for application on plants in the growth stage. Dilute in 30-50 parts water for use on pot plants,"
a brief excerpt from the ecologist .org

I might start collecting my own pee, but I really do think my husband will divorce me if I try to collect his. 

The kids would probably think it was great good fun.  Save on toilet flushing too!

Prairie Stash

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #40 on: March 03, 2014, 10:27:30 AM »
Gift bags and tissue paper, I just folded up a bunch from my daughters 1st birthday
Egg shells for tomato plants - they need extra calcium
Water from my roof in recycled plastic rain barrels, paying to water plants seems crazy
Wine bottles to put home made wine in, can also be used for other fruit juices
Ashes from my fire pit, I get free wood. The ashes are a decent source of potassium for plants (potash)

I also try to urinate outside in the summer, free fertilizer. Just try not to let the neighbours see.

GuitarStv

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #41 on: March 03, 2014, 11:13:18 AM »
I also try to urinate outside in the summer, free fertilizer. Just try not to let the neighbours see.

Don't be so hasty . . . set up a webcam and you might well be able to set up an income generating *cough* stream, so to speak.

avonlea

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #42 on: March 03, 2014, 11:27:52 AM »
The threads on this forum almost always take a pretty entertaining turn.  GuitarStv, I so want to be you for a day. 

I have nothing witty to say, so I'll just add that I also save cereal boxes and other food boxes for my kids to use for their creative projects, as mentioned by another poster.
« Last Edit: March 03, 2014, 11:30:04 AM by avonlea »

sleepyguy

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #43 on: March 03, 2014, 12:43:04 PM »
Wood scraps at Homedepot.  I look for generally oak pieces when I'm there to buy something.  I ask the rep if it's ok to take and generally they are cool.  I use them to make train toys for my son, he loves them.

phred

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #44 on: March 03, 2014, 02:30:41 PM »
Don't be so hasty . . . set up a webcam and you might well be able to set up an income generating *cough* stream, so to speak.

If the entire family goes, you can have multiple streams of income

TheRedHead

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #45 on: March 03, 2014, 03:20:49 PM »
Any food scraps go to the hens and/or compost bin (our bin is in the chicken run so the hens eat what they want).
All garden clippings go into the bin rather than green waste.
I use the paper bags from Trader Joes to light fires (in the fireplace, not random places).
Stale bread can be cut up and frozen for croutons or bread puddings.
I love random glass jars for pantry storage.

gillstone

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #46 on: March 03, 2014, 04:02:01 PM »
The landfill in the neighboring rural county was having a problem of people throwing away like-new items rather than driving 30 miles to donate them in town or sell in a yard sale.  So when my DW's aunt started working there she started an "Up for Grabs Program" where items that arguably shouldn't be tossed get a 2 week reprieve from the big heap.  So far I've netted

- A brand-new Braun coffee maker still sealed in the box
- 4 bar stools that only needed some glue
- 2 dining room chairs that needed some touching up and glue
- a Craftsman circular saw from before the invention of plastic which runs perfectly
- Ditto for a jigsaw
- a lawnmower
- 2 dressers

Its sad that this much awesome stuff is getting tossed.


2ndTimer

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #47 on: October 06, 2014, 09:44:23 PM »
The wax paper envelopes from inside cereal boxes.  Just right for lunch sandwiches.
Our hair from home hair cuts.  Sprinkle around the garden to discourage animals
I might try peeing in a jar and putting it on the compost. 

stlbrah

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #48 on: October 06, 2014, 11:13:21 PM »
bones from pork chop or pork steak

That way if boneless pork goes on sale like it does often, i can throw the bones in a crock pot and slow cook boneless pork and it is almost just as good as bone-in.

121 Seconds

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Re: What do you save that other people throw away?
« Reply #49 on: October 07, 2014, 02:32:51 AM »
Our lime and mandarin tree also see their fair share of urine.

I once caught one of my house mates defecating at the base of the lime tree, I have tried to discourage this.