I would personally like to thank everyone who took part in the Food Waste Challenge!  If we all do our part to be more aware of the food we waste, not only will we save money in our personal budgets, we will make a huge impact on the elimination of waste in our environment.

During this final challenge take a new look at your weekly food waste and compare it to the waste you found during your first week of the challenge.  Have your habits changed? Are you throwing away less?  What can you do to improve further?  Asking yourself these questions will help you evaluate your strengths and improve your weaknesses.

www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com visit for additional help, ideas, recipes and tools .
​Add sauces for additional zing to your recipes: 
SESAME CILANTRO ALMOND PESTO
1-1/2 cups fresh cilantro                                     3/4 C. raw almonds, slivered or sliced
​1/4 C. parmesan cheese                                      1/4 C. lime juice
1/4 C. vegetable or olive oil                                1 Tbsp. Asian sesame oil

Combine cilantro, almond and lime juice in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add Cheese and oils and pulse 1-2 minutes until blended. Cover and refrigerate until use.  Makes 1-1/8 cups.  Use with steak, stir fry, london broil. 

Be creative, have fun, waste less and save more!
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This week in the great food waste challenge it is time to "Get Your grill on!" show me your grilliance, this is your brilliance on the grill.  The above picture is my grilliance!  After all of your hard work it is time to reward yourself with a great steak on the grill.  Summer may be waning but the grill is just getting it's mojo started.

Remember these grilling tips: 1) Bring meat to room temperature 2) Add seasonings but no salt until you pull it off the grill this helps to keep the meat nice and juicy 3) Let it rest before eating to seal in all the amazing flavors and moisture.

For leftovers, if there are any, check out the website www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com for ideas and recipes.  Breakfast is a great way to use leftover steak.  Breakfast sandwiches, steak and eggs and for lunch try a layered beef salad.  Get creative!

This week do another fridge dive too to look at your expiration labels to see if you have rapidly expiring food.  If you do plan your meals around these ingredients so they don't go to waste.  Use your freezer as well to extend food that you don't think you will eat in a timely manner.  Freeze whatever you can it is much better than wasting it.

Fact:  91% of Americans throw food away prematurely due to confusion over food dates.  Beef held at 40 degrees is good for 3-5 days.  If you are throwing away too many fruits and vegetables, buy less more often and switch to frozen whenever it makes sense.  I use frozen fruit to make my morning smoothies.  The tropical frozen fruit not only tastes great but because it is frozen I don't have to add ice cubes to get it cold.

Take the time to be aware of your food habits and you will save money and the planet by doing your share cutting food waste!  COME ON..TAKE THE CHALLENGE..I DARE YOU!  A great steak is waiting.