Rebecca Kimbell

Washington County Staff

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
312 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

10

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

4.0

locally sourced meals

consumed
UP TO

8.0

zero-waste meals

consumed
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

6.5

pounds

food waste prevented
UP TO

2.0

conversations

with people

Rebecca's actions

Community

Watch a Documentary About Food

I will watch 1 videos or documentaries to learn about the scope and scale of food waste in this country.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Shopping

Buy From A Farmers Market

I will purchase produce and meat directly from a local farmers market and make 2 meals.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Planning

Sign up for Fridge Check Fridays

will sign up for Fridge Check Friday emails, sent by Hennepin County but open to everyone, to prompt me to check my fridge for food that needs to be used up and for hacks on storing food to keep it fresh.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Planning

Make Time for Meal Prep

I will set aside time to prepare meals in advance.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Shopping

Stick to Your Grocery List

I will only purchase the items on my grocery list and avoid impulse purchases.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Planning

Create a Weekly Meal Plan

I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu of meals and ingredients for my household of 2.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Planning

Plan a Leftovers Day

I will plan a meal to use up leftovers by creating a tasty smorgasbord or using a recipe that repurposes them.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Cooking

Save the Peels

When life gives me lemons (or other citrus peels), I will use the rinds to make a nontoxic cleaner.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Cooking

Make Soup Broth

I will store vegetable scraps or bones in my freezer and use them to make veggie stock or bone broth. I will make 2 batches.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Send it Down the Grape Vine

I will talk to 2 family members or friends about my experience with this challenge, food waste, and what I have learned.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

Rebecca Kimbell 8/29/2024 7:51 AM

This week is proving to be a bit challenging as I have had a stomach bug and the cooking, menu and plan have been scrapped for the time being. We also have an upcoming trip and family stress that are taking focus away from sticking to a routine. I feel that this is the "Challenge" part for me. Sticking to the goal while life gets hectic.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Shopping Buy From A Farmers Market

What food items do you prefer buying from a farmers market than a grocery store? Why?

Rebecca Kimbell 8/23/2024 11:11 AM

I like to purchase in-season vegetables, fruit and flowers from farmers markets - it is so much more flavorful than the grocery store. I purchased corn from a farm stand this week and used seasonable vegetables from my garden to make a fantastic veggie medley with couscous. I have been trying to freeze extra produce purchased at the farmers market to use in the cold winter months to boost the nutritional value of those winter soups, stews, sauces and casseroles.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Planning Create a Weekly Meal Plan

An average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. Does this surprise you? Where would you rather use this money? How has meal planning helped you avoid waste?

Rebecca Kimbell 8/19/2024 7:16 AM

I have noticed a $20-$30 savings each week that I have been sticking to a menu plan and list grocery shopping. It has reduced the number of "quick stop" grocery shopping during the week. I usually buy more snack items than necessary on those quick stops to pick up "a few items". More snack items usually means that veggies and fruits go to waste.

Read More
Rebecca Kimbell 8/10/2024 4:58 PM

I completed my weekly grocery shopping today and noticed that the bill was smaller due to menu planning, re-using items and freezing excess produce to use in future recipes. If I were to save 20% in food costs annually, that would make a big difference.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Planning Make Time for Meal Prep

Do you have days when you don't have time to spend making food? How has meal prep helped one those days?

Rebecca Kimbell 8/07/2024 7:22 AM

I have many days when I don't have time to spend making food after work. I find I am more successful eating well when I am able to use Sunday as a meal prep and food processing day. I will wash, cut and portion fruits and vegetables to have on hand and I will cook 2 meals that can also be portioned for a couple of lunches to grab and go.

This helps me eat healthier meals which makes me feel much better physically. This also keeps my veggies ready to eat, as they tend to get forgotten in the crisper. This leads to less spoiled produce being thrown out.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Planning Plan a Leftovers Day

What kinds of foods do you like to eat as leftovers? If you or your household members don't like eating leftovers, are there any foods you would be more willing to try than others?

Rebecca Kimbell 8/07/2024 7:17 AM

I like to eat most food as leftovers and I intentionally plan meals that will provide leftovers to use for lunches or a dinner after a late workday - when I would tend to grab fast food.

I find left over chicken is the easiest item to re-purpose into another meal. I like to add it to salads for a lunch or dinner item. It is a good way to incorporate protein. I usually plan a salad dinner at the end of the week to use up vegetables from the week as well.

Read More