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Have a Lot of Food Waste? Here’s How To Start Composting

Author Maryann Morgan
TURIN, ITALY - JULY 28: Hand of Giuseppe Deplano, an Italian earthworm farmer, scatters fruit waste around soil at an earthworm farm on July 28, 2023 in Turin, Italy. Giuseppe Deprano, an Italian earthworm farmer, uses earthworms to produce organic humus using the waste of organic residues from local markets and urban gardens. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)

I am usually found in my garden tending to my flowers and herbs.  I am very frugal and hate wasting money on food that I have to throw away because we didn’t eat it in time! Composting offers an effective solution to combat food waste and enrich our garden soils.  Let’s explore the benefits of composting, how to get started, and some useful tips to make the process seamless.

The Benefits of Composting

Composting is the natural decomposition of organic materials, such as food scraps, yard waste, and certain paper products, into nutrient-rich soil known as humus. This process offers a plethora of benefits:

  1. Reduction of Food Waste: Composting diverts food scraps and other organic waste away from landfills, where they would otherwise release harmful methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.
  2. Nutrient-Rich Soil: Compost enriches soil with essential nutrients, enhancing plant growth and increasing soil fertility. This leads to healthier plants and more robust crop yields.
  3. Water Retention: Compost improves soil structure, helping it retain moisture and reducing the need for excessive watering.
  4. Carbon Sequestration: By composting organic matter, carbon is captured and stored in the soil, playing a role in mitigating climate change.
  5. Reduced Need for Chemical Fertilizers: Using compost reduces the reliance on synthetic fertilizers, which can harm ecosystems and waterways through runoff.

Getting Started with Composting

Starting your own composting journey is easier than you might think. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

  1. Select a Composting Method: Choose a composting method that suits your space and lifestyle. Options include backyard composting, vermicomposting (using worms), and indoor composting.
  2. Gather Materials: You’ll need a compost bin or pile, organic materials like fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and yard waste like leaves and grass clippings.
  3. Build Your Compost Pile or Bin: Start your compost pile with a layer of coarse materials like twigs, followed by alternating layers of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials. Green materials include kitchen scraps, while brown materials consist of leaves, newspaper, or cardboard.
  4. Maintain Your Compost: Regularly turn or mix your compost to aerate it and speed up the decomposition process. Keep the pile moist, but not overly wet.
  5. Harvest Your Compost: In a few months to a year, your compost will transform into dark, crumbly humus. Use it to enrich your garden soil, potting mix, or outdoor plant beds.

Helpful Composting Tips

  1. Balance Greens and Browns: Aim for a balance of roughly two parts brown materials to one part green materials in your compost pile.
  2. Avoid Certain Foods: Avoid adding meat, dairy, and oily foods to your compost pile, as they can attract pests.
  3. Chop and Shred: Smaller pieces of organic material break down faster, so chop or shred larger items before adding them to the compost.
  4. Layering: Alternate layers of green and brown materials to maintain airflow and promote decomposition.
  5. Patience is Key: Composting takes time. Be patient and allow nature to work its magic.

Whether you have a sprawling garden or a small apartment balcony, there’s a composting method that can fit your space and lifestyle. So, why not take the plunge and start composting today?

4 Fast-Food Restaurants Flavorful Plant-Based Picks

The once-challenging quest for vegan options at fast-food restaurants has gotten a lot easier in recent years. Gone are the days of painstakingly customizing orders to suit specific dietary needs. Or worse, just having French fries and lettuce. Fast-food chains have taken significant strides in recent years, expanding their menus to offer an array of plant-based choices.

Plenty of fast-food chains have recognized the shifting dietary preferences of their customers and have embraced the challenge of providing satisfying vegan options. The evolution of vegan choices at these establishments has been impressive. From the golden arches of well-known burger joints to the cozy corners of popular sandwich shops, the vegan revolution has made its mark.

Plant-based and vegan fast-food options

Vegans no longer have to rely solely on customizing existing meals to meet their dietary requirements. Instead, they can revel in the sheer variety that now graces the menus of fast-food chains. These establishments now proudly feature vegan burgers that sizzle and satisfy, dairy-free milkshakes, and even plant-based twists on classic comfort foods.

With an increasing number of people embracing plant-based lifestyles and seeking sustainable dining choices, the fast-food industry has risen to the occasion. These establishments understand that providing diverse options isn’t just about following a trend but about fostering inclusivity and catering to many people with specific tastes and needs. So, the next time you’re in a hurry and hunger strikes, rest assured that the vegan options at fast-food restaurants are not only abundant but also thoughtfully crafted to satisfy your cravings and nourish your values.

Whether you’re on a diet, dairy-free, vegetarian, or simply vegan there are fast-food places for you to grab a quick bite. Check out these fast-food vegan restaurant menu items. If you’re a very strict vegan, you might consider checking with the establishment regarding any potential cross-contamination with meat products when placing your order.

  • Taco Bell

    According to Taco Bell, most of their products are vegan. They say to order any item “fresco style”, which replaces mayo-based sauces, cheeses, and reduced-fat sour cream with freshly prepared diced tomatoes. Then, substitute the protein with black beans, refried beans, or potato bites. In June, the chain announced that they’re testing a new Vegan Crunchwrap which is meatless and dairy-free. If all goes well, you can soon see that on menus too.

  • Dunkin’

    For a restaurant known for its coffee, you may be surprised by the vegan options. Dunkin offers more than 20 vegan menu items, according to their site. Dunkin’ features avocado toast and a selection of non-dairy milk alternatives such as oat, almond, and coconut milk to accompany your coffee. In addition to avocado toast, vegans can enjoy other choices like avocado and roasted tomato toast, a bacon avocado tomato sandwich minus the bacon, various bagels including plain, cinnamon raisin, everything, and sesame without cream cheese, an English muffin, and hash browns.

  • Chipotle

    For those seeking plant-based options, Chipotle has consistently offered a reliable meal comprising rice, beans, fajita veggies, salsa, and guacamole. The year 2013 saw a transformative addition to Chipotle’s menu with the introduction of vegan sofritas. This was a game-changing choice; it features flavorful spicy braised tofu. As confirmed by the restaurant chain, their sofritas option has been given the seal of approval for both vegans and vegetarians alike.

  • Burger King

    Burger King offers the Impossible Burger patty, which is widely available across their fast-food outlets nationwide. The Impossible Whopper, just like the classic version, features an Impossible patty crafted from plant-based ingredients. Both Burger King and Impossible Foods representatives informed INSIDER that, upon request, the Impossible Whopper can be prepared separately to ensure it is not cooked on the same surface used for meat products. Additionally, Burger King has begun testing Impossible chicken nuggets.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CN-l-WQB0M5/

Meet Maryann, who has been chasing magic since the early 90s. Back then, she hosted a love and dedication show at nights on Magic. Talk about romantic vibes! Since then, she traded her evening slot for mornings. When she’s not talking to you on the air, she’s living the glamorous life of a chicken, duck, pigeon, and German Short-Haired Pointer mom. Since Joel can never follow what she says, there is an entire feature called " What are you Talking About" at 9:10. Running is her secret to staying out of trouble – or at least staying ahead of the extra pounds. She has a husband named Matt, and a son named Zack, who she says makes her world a little adventure.

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