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Katie T’s Cottage Home Fun Fact #29

Fun fact time! This is a new section I’m including on my blog posts so my readers can get to know me on a personal level!

So, for my 29th fun fact, I want to share that I am going camping this weekend! 

Every year, my family has a campout at my parent’s house. Between swimming in the lake across the street, eating good food, and seeing family and friends! We always have a great time!

So now, let’s jump into how to use a lemon for zero waste in the kitchen!

Lemon Juice for Baking and Cooking

There are so many recipes that call for lemon juice! Besides the traditional lemon blueberry muffins, like the ones I made, there are countless recipes to add lemon juice to!

This has everything to do with food science. Adding lemon, an acidic food, enhances the flavors of the dish. 

This is true for cooking with fish, condiments such as mayo, or tenderizing meats such as chicken. Building on that, adding lemon juice to a marinade is a great way to tenderize meat.

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Lemon juice, like vinegar, is an acid that helps break down the meat protein fibers. Just be mindful of the other ingredients you mix with the marinade.

If it’s dairy-based, adding an acid will curdle the cream. 

Another thing to keep in mind if you are water bath canning is that lemon juice is often used in recipes to prevent bacterial growth that causes botulism.

This is because water bath (vs. pressure canning) requires a specific pH to do it safely. Also note that in this case, it is recommended to use bottled lemon juice from the store.

Each bottle has a standard acidity level, and when it comes to canning, you want to be precise to be sure you aren’t allowing the food to grow any unwanted bacteria.

Lemon Simple Syrup

The second thing you can do with lemon peels for zero waste in the kitchen is to boil them in water and sugar to make simple syrup!

This can be stored in the refrigerator or frozen to make drinks down the road.

I enjoy adding simple syrup to my cocktails, but you can also make regular lemonade. 

As far as a recipe goes, all you need is:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup of water
• About 3-4 lemon peels cut into small pieces

Bring all ingredients to a boil and let it simmer on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let it steep for an additional 30 min.

Once steeping is complete, you can strain the liquid from the peels. But don’t throw them away (see next section for how to use them!!) 

I’ve also used this process to make orange and lavender simple syrup (separately, of course).

So if you feel like experimenting, think 1 part water and 1 part sugar and add the produce of choice. Simmer, then let steep. And bam, you have a simple syrup!!

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Lemon Peel Candies

Next up on using lemons for zero waste in the kitchen is candy the peels! Yes, that’s right, you heard me! And this is the next step after making the simple syrup.

They taste like gummy worms if you ask me!

Instructions are as follows.

Once you’ve removed the peels from the liquid, set aside to dry. You may need to take a napkin and pat it. The big part here is to make sure they are dry so the sugar doesn’t get them soggy.

So, once the peels are dry, add them to a bowl of sugar and toss them around with a fork. Once completely coated with sugar, set aside.

You have just made yourself lemon peel candies! 

A couple of things to note here. Before making the simple syrup, try to cut off the white parts of the peel.

It doesn’t make a huge difference in taste but does leave a slightly bitter taste in the gummies. If you skip this step, don’t worry. I have done so with oranges, and I find it doesn’t make a huge difference.

Also, when you coat the peels with sugar, I’d let them sit out for a bit.

If the peels don’t get soggy by the sugar, then you must be a natural because I can’t seem to get mine to dry enough the first time around.

The solution, if this happens to you, is to dry your lemon peels again and repeat the process. 

Freshly Squeezed Lemonade

Next up on how to use lemons for zero waste in the kitchen is to freshly squeeze the lemons to make lemonade! 

I find the most efficient way to make lemonade is to put about half a peeled lemon with about 4 cups of water in a blender (add some other fruit, like strawberries, at this time if you want to add flavor). 

Once completely blended, strain it into a pitcher using a cheesecloth. I usually place my cheesecloth over a small strainer and pour the liquid.

Once it’s poured, I pick up the cheesecloth by the edges and apply pressure to separate the liquid from the pulp. 

At this point, you can add sugar and additional water to match your liking. I’ve also added honey as a sugar replacement for a more nutritious drink! 

The nice thing about adding strawberries to the lemonade is it’s a natural sweetener. Plus, the frothy top makes the drink taste fresh!

Lemon Zest

The fifth use of lemons for zero waste in the kitchen is to use it for lemon zest! 

This is perfect to top dishes with, like my blueberry muffins. You can also add them to salad dressings or cooked dishes. 

I’ve also added lemon zest to homemade soap bars before. There are conflicting opinions due to the nature of the fruit zest and spoiling the soap. I didn’t seem to have a problem when I did it, however, if you’re making soap and it’s hot and humid weather, I can see how that may increase the chances of the soap going bad.

I plan on making a soap post soon and will update this section with a link.

In it, I’ll experiment and see if I can dehydrate the zest to create a better alternative. In the meantime, check out my post on the 7 items to include in your vanity bathroom tray. In it I make a homemade liquid soap!

Lemon Peel Cleaner

The 6th use of lemons for zero waste in the kitchen is to make a cleaner with them! This is such a simple process!

All you need is vinegar, water, and lemon peels!

I don’t like my vinegar solution to smell like vinegar (I know it sounds silly), so I mixed 1 part water and 1 part vinegar with the lemon peels and let it sit for a couple of weeks. After it sat, I strained the lemon peels from the liquid and topped it with more water. 

Just don’t do what I did and stuff the lemon peels in a glass bottle like this! I then had to remove the peels from the bottle, which was a slight pain. 

So, if you do it, put it in a bottle that you can easily strain the water out of after. 

And also, as promised, here is a link to a free vinegar solution label! I printed mine on waterproof adhesive paper. It still looks good a couple of years later! 

Dried Lemon Peels and Powder

The last use of lemons for zero waste in the kitchen is to dry them for later use! 

I dehydrated the remaining parts of my strawberry lemonade that I made earlier and then blended it to make a powder. I wanted to see if I could reconstitute it to make a lemonade powder, and let’s just say that it did not taste well at all! 

In hindsight, it makes sense. You remove the pulp, dry it to make a powder, only to reconstitute it in water, and now you have pulp water.

Whomp.

But I’m not going to give up on it! I’m thinking I can add it to vanilla ice cream, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on what I should test it with! Drop it in the comments!

But, you can dehydrate lemon peels and put them in hot water to make lemon tea! 

Lately, I’ve been making lemon lavender tea with a latte twist. All you need is:

• Dried lemon peels
• Dried lavender buds
• 1 tsp of burdock root
• Splash of vanilla extract
• 1 tsp of honey
• About a ¼ cup of milk

Let the lemon, lavender, and burdock roots steep in hot water. Then add the milk, vanilla, and honey and blend it with an immersion blender until the milk has become frothy (definitely do this step in a larger container so you don’t spill everywhere).

Then pour the tea into your mug, and voila! You have a beautifully crafted lemon lavender tea with a latte twist! Top with lavender buds as seen fit.

Zero Waste in the Kitchen: 7 Clever Ways to Use Extra Lemons for Sustainable Living

There you have it! The 7 uses of lemons for zero waste in the kitchen! I hope you’ve enjoyed this post! Don’t forget to comment below and share this post with others! 

Love,

Katie

The post Zero Waste in the Kitchen: 7 Clever Ways to Use Extra Lemons for Sustainable Living first appeared on Katie T's Home.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.

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In this article, we’ll guide you through the simple process of making your food-grade wood sealer, allowing you to say goodbye to harmful chemicals and hello to a natural and sustainable alternative. Whether you’re a woodworking enthusiast or simply looking to enhance the beauty of your wooden projects, this is a game-changer you won’t want to miss. 

Also, don’t forget to read the bonus tip at the bottom of this post!

So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

Understanding the Importance of a Food-Safe Wood Finish

To create a natural wood sealer that is safe for contact with food, it is crucial to understand a few things. 

While traditional wood finishes may provide some level of protection, they often contain harmful chemicals that can leach into food or pose health risks to you and your loved ones. 

This is where a food-safe wood finish comes in, offering a solution that prioritizes the safety and well-being of your family. While sealing your wooden project properly.

This sealer should be used on items like cutting boards, countertops, utensils, or any wooden item that comes in direct contact with food. 

For example, I made this charcuterie board with food-safe stain and marble vinyl. I wanted to add a protective layer to it, but wanted it to be food-safe. This is what inspired me to write this post for you guys! 

Choosing the Right Ingredients for Your Natural Wood Sealer

Creating a food safe wood finish also aligns with the growing trend towards sustainability and eco-friendliness. By opting for a natural and non-toxic, handmade wood finish, you are making a conscious choice to reduce your environmental footprint and become more self-sufficient. 

In this world of consumerism and convenience, self-sufficiency is becoming a dying art. So, if there is an area where I can combat this downward trend, I will. 

So, to create a natural wood sealer that is both effective and safe, it is crucial to choose the right ingredients. The ingredients you select will determine the quality and longevity of your wood finish, as well as its ability to provide adequate protection.

When selecting the ingredients for your natural wood sealer, there are several key factors to consider. First and foremost, you want to ensure that the ingredients you choose are food-safe and non-toxic. 

This means avoiding any chemicals or additives that may pose a health risk. Look for ingredients that are natural and derived from sustainable sources, such as plant-based oils and waxes.

Another important consideration is the specific properties of the ingredients. Different oils and waxes offer different levels of protection and enhance the natural beauty of wood in different ways. 

For example, tung oil is known for its excellent water resistance, while linseed oil enhances the richness of the wood grain. Be sure to research the properties of each ingredient and choose ones that align with your desired outcome for the wood sealer.

For the wood finish I made, I chose organic beeswax pellets and butcherblock oil. These two ingredients were used for a couple of reasons.

First and foremost, it’s what I had on hand. If you’re new to this blog, I’m all about being resourceful and using what I already have to achieve a desired outcome.

And I just so happen to have these two ingredients so it seemed perfect.

The second reason (and why I had this on hand) is because of the antibacterial properties of beeswax. I’m a big advocate of beeswax in everyday items whether it’s a homemade candle, beeswax wrap, or perhaps in beauty products. 

Lastly, the butcherblock oil is designed to be made for cutting boards (a.k.a butcher block). So the oil is not only food safe, but it’s also a better oil to use in this type of application because it doesn’t go rancid as quickly compared to other oils. 

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Step-by-Step Guide: Making Your Food-Grade Wood Finish

Once you have carefully selected your ingredients, it’s time to follow this easy step-by-step process to create your food-grade wood finish. 

If you are choosing the same ingredients as I did, all you need to do is melt the beeswax and mix it with the butcher block oil.

I used a double broiler method to melt the beeswax (I go into more detail on how to clean the pans in the bonus section below). The thought process here was using a slower method to avoid overheating.

So once I melted about a 1/2 cup of beeswax pellets I added 3/4 of a 12 fl oz bottle of butcher block oil. I then transferred the mixture into a glass container and let it sit while stirring occasionally until it hardened to a gel-like substance.

Testing and Applying Your Homemade Wood Sealer

Once the sealant has completely hardened, you can apply it to your wooden project using a clean cloth or paper towel. 

After completely applying the sealer, let it dry overnight. Then remove any access the following day with a dry paper towel. 

For added layers of protection, you can repeat this process and apply multiple coats. I, however, only did one as this charcuterie board is one of many so it probably won’t be used daily. 

Bonus Tip: How to Wash Wood with this Sealer

Now that you have successfully applied your homemade sealer, you’re in for a treat with this bonus tip on how to wash your brand-new wood project!

This is a hand-wash-only type of sealer, but that is nothing special as all of my wooden kitchen serveware is handwash only. 

The important part, however, is not to let the water sit for a long time on the wooden surface.

And what I mean by that is, when you wash it, the water will naturally bead up (which is how you’ll know that the sealer is doing its job). However, I tend to let the dishes air dry vs. drying them off right away with a towel.

And because there were residual beads of water on the charcuterie board, they did soak in with time and slightly stain the wood. 

Not enough where it’s super noticeable, but enough to be annoying, so learn from my mistakes!!

Also, when cleaning the double broiler or pots, don’t add water to it. At least, not until the pot has completely dried and you can chip off any residual beeswax. Trust me on this one, it is SO much easier to do it this way!

Food Safe Wood Finish: The Secret to Making a Natural Wood Sealer

Creating a food safe wood finish doesn’t have to be daunting or expensive. With the right ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make your natural wood sealer that not only protects your projects but also ensures the safety of your food.

Be sure to sign up to the newsletter for more DIY and sustainable projects like this one!!

The post Food Safe Wood Finish: The Secret to Making a Natural Wood Sealer first appeared on Katie T's Home.