10 ways to give back to your community, your family and our environment!

10 ways to give back to your community, your family and our environment!

As we all know Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and with that comes A LOT of food and leftovers. Earlier this week we were able to participate in a cooking demonstration that not only showed us some unique cooking styles but also showed us what we can do with the leftovers.

1) Cook with your family and make it a family event and experience. There are so many memories that are created around food. This Thanksgiving come together by either marinating the turkey together, making some pumpkin pie or creating something fun with the leftovers.

2)Before going grocery shopping, shop your fridge first.

3)Don’t buy in bulk, buying more than what you eat ends up being wasted food.

4) Prepare a weekly meal list and include a left-over day as one of your meal days.

5) Learn and practice proper food storage techniques to extend the life of your food.

6) Buy local ingredients because they are a fresher option, you are supporting a local farmer or business and lastly the items last longer since they didn’t travel as far.

7) Don’t overthink it, use simple recipes.

8) Plan your weekly menu to save money, less food wasted is less money wasted.

9) Stick to your shopping list, if it’s not on the list don’t buy it. Check that cart before check out, chances are a little friend may have snuck an item or two in there.

10) Eat together as often as you can

Now speaking of left-overs, let’s chat Turkey Pot Pie and HOW EASY IT IS!

FAMILY POT PIE TURKEY SHOWDOWN

Make this a family event after the Thanksgiving meal is over. Give each family member 2 to 3 phyllo pastry squares to fill with the left-over TURKEY concoction.

Here’s what’s inside the TURKEY CONCOCTION:

2 cups of protein

1 ½ cup of veggies

1 cup of starchy veggie cooked potato, sweet potato, or squash

1 ½ cups of gravy

½ cup of milk

*Build some flavour by sautéing ½ cup of chopped onion, 1 garlic clove, 1 tsp paprika, 1 sprig of thyme, a pinch of salt with 2 tbsp of butter.

Directions:

• Fill a square pastry sheet with contents and roll it like a mini patty, then fork it around the edges to ensure everything stays inside.

• Brush with EGG wash and bake at 400 F for 30 to 35 minutes.

Other option:

Make a whole bunch and freeze them for future use!

These are the best party favours you can give your guests + make it a tradition by making memories with your family.

For more information visit: www.york.ca/goodfood

*This post was sponsored by The Regional Municipality of York Region; however, all thoughts and ideas are our own.