Earth Day is Every Day When You Strive for Zero Waste

In light of today’s Fairfield, CT Earth Day Celebration, I have updated this post I wrote.

Hey, Fairfield, Reduce Your Waste for Sustainable, Simple Prosperity 

We are a family of five, including three growing children.  Our ranch style house is 1,100 square feet, with a 600 sq. ft. finished basement that has a full bathroom (thank goodness!).  We have been a one-modest-income family for nearly nine years.  We live debt-free in one of the most expensive counties in the United States.  Little did I realize that it all began with cutting down on waste – literally, garbage.

In 2003, our Smith and Hawken compost bin was a Consumer Reports Best Buy. Today, there are many affordable recycled plastic compost bins from which to choose. Better yet, DIY, do-it-yourself!

The first expense we cut was our garbage service.  (If you are reading this from out of town, you read that correctly.  Garbage service is not covered by city tax.)  At that time, we had two in diapers and a town dump run four times a month.  So for the first couple of years, it was only a savings of about $100 per year.  However, a couple of years later, after our third child was born, we did two things that affected our garbage disposal: established a compost bin and discovered Freecycle.

With a compost bin and worms from the backyard, our vegetable scraps turned to soil.  Composting eventually led to the start of a modest 4’ x 8’ ft. raised bed garden, which in two years lowered our food bill and raised our health quotient.

Cherry tomatoes, bush beans, butternut squash, rosemary, basil, sage, nasturtium, marigold and pumpkin grew in our side garden. Cucumber grew next to our roses in our front garden.

Freecycling decreased our need to purchase items.  I’ve gotten great toys and games, arts and crafts, bread machines, glass bakeware, winter boots and clothing -in great condition- for our family.  Conversely, by offering items Freecycle, I began the long, on-going process of de-cluttering our house.  With composting and Freecycling, our trips to the dump and our spending began to decrease even more.  Bonus: the environment benefited, too.

Other ways we began to cut down on waste and spending:  for the last five years, since my daughter started 1^st grade, we have been using cloth napkins, and much to my husband’s dismay, stopped using paper towels.  Instead, we reuse rags, wash with cold water and hang clothes on outdoor- and/or indoor- laundry lines.  Also, for the last eight years, we have belonged to an organic and natural food co-op. We save a lot by buying “dirty dozen” organic produce and buying at lower, bulk prices: organic grains, flour, sugar, dried herbs, and non-food items, such as detergent.  Buying in bulk not only saves money, but produces less garbage.  Over the years, cooking has become less mysterious and more of a joy.  Cooking from scratch is always cheaper.  See my Frugal Foodie Recipes !

Today, with composting, single-stream recycling (as of last summer – #1 – 7 plastics and paperboard boxes, such as toilet paper rolls and cereal boxes, can now be recycled), cooking from scratch, and just buying less, we go to the town dump once every four to five weeks!

Several months ago, an online news video story about the “Zero Waste Home” caught my eye.  Bea and Scott Johnson and their two growing boys downsized from a 3,000 square foot home to a 1,400 square foot home.  They went from filling two large rolling garbage cans per week to holding four months worth of garbage in two hands.

Their grocery bills have been cut by 25% by shopping locally and carefully planning meals.  Their utility bills have gone down even more.  ”Zero Waste is good for your wallet,” Bea says.  But most of all, they have achieved a well-being of health and happiness they did not enjoy with having more stuff.  This family is a living example of “LESS IS MORE” and “HEALTH IS WEALTH.”

Living in Fairfield, CT, in Fairfield County, one of the most expensive and affluent counties in the United States, is to be surrounded by a majority who believe that success is defined by having the most square footage, the most luxurious cars, and the latest “stuff”.  I challenge you, dear reader, especially Fairfielders, to help turn this definition around:  Let’s teach our children that success is defined by the ability to put people before things, and to refuse, reduce, reuse, and recycle.  Less IS more.  Health IS wealth.  Consider joining us on our journey toward simple prosperity.

Our town library is an extremely valuable resource!!!  Utilize and support it in every way you can. (Register for upcoming library workshops led by TFF’s Marilyn Syarto on Budgeting and Couponing.)

The Zero Waste Home video news story I stumbled upon.

Here’s The Zero Waste Home Blog that inspires me.

The “Dirty Dozen” Organic Produce list helps make eating organic fruits and veggies affordable.  Download the app or print the wallet-sized shopping guide here.

Learn to Cook for Good.

One of many resources on cooking and eating on a budget here AND here for budget food ideas.

Our organic and natural food buying club is open to new members.  Send me your email address to learn more.

~Aimee, TFF

Frugal Recipe: Pico de Gallo (fresh tomato salsa from scratch)

This is a recipe I regularly make, mostly in the summertime, when tomatoes are freshest.  It goes great with bean and cheese burritos, rice, beans, and cheese, or tacos.  It is also a great side dish for meat and fish entrees.  Chop and mix together the following:

4 Roma or Plum Tomatoes, seeded

¼  small white onion

1 serrano or jalapeno chili pepper

1 Tbsp whole cilantro leaves

½ tsp sugar

½ tsp salt

juice from ¼  of a lime

optional: pinch of oregano and pinch of cumin

As you may remember from an my first post on frugal kitchen investments, I mentioned that I received $40 of Kohls’ Cash for buying a bread machine last year.  At that same time “The Ninja Master Prep Professional Triple Play” was on sale for $45.  It was and still is rated as a Consumer Reports Best Buy.

Combining the Kohls Cash and 30% off coupon, I got the Ninja Master Blender Set for $4.00.  Couponing rocks!!

With this new blender, Pico de Gallo is even easier to make.  I highly recommend it.  Enjoy this recipe, with or without the blender!

~Aimee, TFF

Prep the ingredients. (Save the seeded middle of the tomato for salad or some other purpose)

Put all the ingredients in the blender.

Pulse for 5 short bursts...

Pico de Gallo in a less than 15 minutes!

Inspiration for a Simple Lifestyle — The Zero Waste Challenge in Fairfield, CT

The Zero Waste Challenge – Fairfield, Reduce Your Waste and Health and Wealth Will Follow

We are a family of five, including three growing children.  Our ranch style house is 1,100 square feet, with a 600 sq. ft. finished basement that has a full bathroom (thank goodness!).  We have been a one-modest-income family for nearly nine years.  We live debt-free in one of the most expensive counties in the United States.  Little did I realize that it all began with cutting down on waste – literally, garbage.

The first expense we cut was our garbage service.  (If you are reading this from out of town, you read that correctly.  Garbage service is not covered by city tax.)  At that time, we had two in diapers and a town dump run four times a month.  So for the first couple of years, it was only a savings of about $100 per year.  However, a couple of years later, after our third child was born, we did two things that affected our garbage disposal: established a compost bin and discovered Freecycle.

Image via Wikipedia

With a compost bin and worms from the backyard, our vegetable scraps turned to soil.  Composting eventually led to the start of a modest 4’ x 8’ ft. raised bed garden, which in two years lowered our food bill and raised our health quotient. Freecycling decreased our need to purchase items.  I’ve gotten great toys and games, arts and crafts, winter boots and clothing –in great condition- for our family.  Conversely, by offering items Freecycle, I began the long, on-going process of de-cluttering our house.  With composting and Freecycling, our trips to the dump and our spending began to decrease even more.  Bonus: the environment benefited, too.

Other ways we began to cut down on waste and spending:  for the last five years, since my daughter started 1^st grade, we have been using cloth napkins, and much to my husband’s dismay, stopped using paper towels.  Instead, we reuse rags, wash with cold water and hang clothes on outdoor- and/or indoor- laundry lines.  Also, for the last eight years, we have belonged to an organic and natural food buying club and buy food items such as the “dirty dozen” organic produce, grains, flour, sugar, and dried herbs, and non-food items, such as detergent in bulk at much lower prices than stores such as Mrs. Green’s, Whole Foods, and even Trader Joe’s.

Today, with composting, single-stream recycling (as of last summer – #1 – 7 plastics and paperboard boxes (cereal and tissue boxes) can now be recycled), and just buying less, we go to the town dump once every three weeks!

Several months ago, an online news video story about the “Zero Waste Home” caught my eye.  Bea and Scott Johnson and their two growing boys downsized from a 3,000 square foot home to a 1,400 square foot home.  They went from filling two large rolling garbage cans per week to holding four months worth of garbage in two hands.

Their grocery bills have been cut by 25% by shopping locally and carefully planning meals.  Their utility bills have gone down even more.  ”Zero Waste is good for your wallet,” Bea says.  But most of all, they have achieved a well-being of health and happiness they did not enjoy with having more stuff.  This family is a living example of “LESS IS MORE” and “HEALTH IS WEALTH.”

Living in Fairfield, CT, in Fairfield County, one of the most expensive and affluent counties in the United States, is being surrounded by a majority who believe that success is defined by having the most square footage, the most luxurious cars, and the latest “stuff”.  I challenge you, dear reader, especially Fairfielders, to help turn this definition around.  Let’s teach our children that success is defined by the ability to put people before things, and to refuse, reduce, reuse, and recycle.  Less IS more.  Health IS wealth.

Click here for The Zero Waste Home video news story I stumbled upon.

Here’s The Zero Waste Home Blog that inspires me.

The “Dirty Dozen” Organic Produce list helps make eating organic fruits and veggies affordable.  Download the app or print the wallet-sized shopping guide here.

One of many resources on cooking and eating on a budget here AND here for budget food ideas.

Our organic and natural food buying club is open to new members.  Send me your email address to learn more.

—Aimee, TFF

Shopping the Sales & Coupons at Whole Foods Market

I bought nine packages of antibiotic-free chicken drumsticks at Whole Foods because they were affordable at .99 cents a pound thanks to a 70% off sale. Good to know that even Whole Foods has super sales! Photo: TFF

TFF Takes a Value Tour at Whole Foods Market in Fairfield, CT. Surprise! If you have the right strategy, you can shop frugal here.

We’ve heard it thousands of times: Whole Paycheck. But Whole Foods Market also has good sales and good coupons. Who knew!! I sure didn’t until my TFF partner told me. If you are at least semi-concerned about where you buy your meat, fruit, and veggies, listen up!

Directly from the mouth of one of the down-to-earth check-out associates: “If you shop the sales, you can clean up this place.” She is right. (And by the way, the Fairfield store’s check-out associates are extremely nice, approachable, and they totally understand the frugal mindset.)

For example, the Fairfield store has chicken drumsticks on sale for .99 cents a pound. Okay–you can get the same deal at the other grocery stores, but well, you know the yuck factor when it comes to buying mainstream chicken that may have wallowed in waste and been fed a diet of unhealthy feed and antibiotics. Whole Foods’ drumsticks on sale are what the store calls a “level 2″ product and these chickens are supposed to have been raised in an “enriched environment” on a 100 percent vegetarian diet without antibiotics. (I sure hope so!) Usually, these particular drumsticks go for $3.39 a pound – so I bought them for 70 percent off the original cost.

I also bought Stoneyfield organic strawberry yogurt cups that were on sale: 3 packages (4 cups per pack–small cups, though) for $5. Not great until you add in the coupon of $1.00 off each pack! So, for .66 cents each pack, I had good organic strawberry yogurt for the kids–.17 cents a cup.

And, since my purchase was just a bit over $25, I was able to take advantage of the freebie package of organic baby carrots that would have cost $2.99.

If you’re interested in learning more, take a Value Tour at any Whole Foods in the country. The tours are meant to show customers that the store has healthy brands, meats, etc. that fit every budget. Even if the product isn’t necessarily organic, it is still supposed to be held to extremely high quality standards, said my tour guide and Fairfield store manager, Troy, so we shouldn’t have to worry about buying tainted or unhealthy food.

Troy said that generally ever week, there is a great sale on meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables. The bottom line is this: It can be expensive to do a lot of shopping there, but Whole Foods has pretty good sales, and if you can match the sale with one of their own coupons, or a manufacturer’s coupon, you can get some notable deals.

I plan to go back next week to see what meat is on sale…

~Marilyn, TFF

Fairway Market in Stamford, CT–A Frugal Shopper’s Paradise? Stay Tuned…

You can smell it from the parking lot! There's more cheese here than in all of Fairfield. the most expensive cheese is about $40 a pound for Stinking Bishop. Steve Jenkins is Fairway's famous cheese monger.

Mountains of fresh fruit greet you when you walk into the Fairway Market in Stamford, CT.

TFF was invited to take a press tour of the new Fairway Market at 699 Canal Street in Stamford. We didn’t want to go at first because we thought it was just one more new and overpriced upscale grocery store that recently hosted a Martha Stewart book signing and had aisles filled with young moms with money to burn. Well, there’s some of that…but there’s much more, as well.

Fairway’s gracious general manager, Robert Reinisch, a former Stop & Shop veteran, gave us the tour, plus some gourmet treats to take home. Yes, treating a blogger to gourmet treats is a definite plus, so we had to put some time between the day we toured and this post so we can come off of our Fairway high and get into the reality of the store.

Fairway bills itself as a combination of all the stores we love and then some. The market combines the best of Stew Leonard’s, Trader Joe’s, Stop & Shop (and all the mainstream supermarkets), and even PriceRite (still one of TFF’s favorites even though some prices are inching up and we never had a press tour there). There’s even a vitamin shop that rivals Mrs. Green’s. It’s quite the mix, with a restaurant-quality café, too. When we first walked in, we thought it had a bit of a B.J.’s look to the store’s architecture, too.

Bottom line: No matter which grocery store you prefer, there’s a bit of it built in to Fairway’s layout and design. Because of that, you’ll most likely feel right at home once you’re there.

Here’s more to chew on:

The Good:

• Fairway is right off of I95 and near the train station, but we wouldn’t walk there at night. During the day—it’s lovely, right in the heart of the new Harbor Pointe Development Excellent.
• Hassle-free and abundant parking.
• A coffee, olive oil, and cheese-lover’s paradise.
• If you want a selection of make-your-own natural peanut butter, you have to come to Fairway.
• The bakery—we love the bakery—we were able to spot one of our favorite cakes: a $10 coconut lemon cake that we used to get in Fairfield at the old Ambrosia bakery, but can’t find since.
• The store has a lot of items, but it is not filled with too much stimuli like Stew Leonard’s is known for. (Kids may like Stew’s better because of the dancing cows, but then again, you probably will be headache-free after shopping at Fairway.)
• Sausage made in-house by hand at $3.99 a pound–not a terrible price for quality sausage.
• In-house Kosher butcher and on-staff Rabbi to keep it Kosher.
• The best balsamic vinegar TFF has ever tasted! (Balsamic Vinegar of Modena/Fairway Premier brand.)
• Private label Fairway branded goods rival Trader Joe’s products in cost, but we’ll have to see about taste…

This is what TFF thinks is ultra special about Fairway and what we’ll use the store for in the future:

• If you entertain, and you’ve exhausted all of the Trader Joe’s cool finds, you’ll definitely find some ultra-unusual picks at Fairway Market, including the truffle cheese (about $35 a pound, but it’s not the most expensive cheese there…).
• This will be a great place to pick up some affordable gourmet holiday gifts! Fairway makes it a point to buy from local bakers, so you can pick up a $5 bundle of homemade cookies from Fairfield’s own Sweet & Simple—a beautiful presentation.
• We can’t go back to regular ol’ Folger’s coffee anymore after tasting a semi-costly Sumatra blend (about $6 a 1/2 pound…eeek, but delicious).
• What an excellent website! Check out the videos–lots of great information on how to choose chocolate, and more.

Need to Know:

• Wednesdays are the best days to shop since the store is quiet then.
• Saturday is the next best day.
• Sunday the store is swamped.
• Don’t expect to shop by unit pricing (a frugal shopper’s preferred method) because the store is exempt from using unit labels.
• Don’t expect to quickly dip in and out for a couple of items–the store and the selection is too large for that.
• Half of each aisle is “traditional groceries” and the other half is “organic.”
• There’s a beautiful spirits shop next to the store (much like the one at B.J.’s, but more extensive and larger). We’ll check out prices next time.

 The Questionable: We spotted some frugal buys, but we need to go back and dig for those excellent values that we were told do exist at Fairway. We will check back in with what we find, but we can’t let you know when since we have to go incognito!

Next: We want to check out and compare prices in the café, uncover and compare those frugal steals, and we want to find out more about the meats and fish. Prices, prices, prices…

This Just In: Free How-to-Garden Event at Fairfield Woods Library

Get your garden going with this free library how-to event.