Comments on: Plastic Challenge: Serena Renner, Week 2

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Mon, 09 May 2011 19:49:15 +0000

Hi Benne. I hate to break the bad news, but those “waxed” paper cartons are actually coated with plastic, not wax. They actually haven’t been coated with wax since the 50′s. And the plastic on the cardboard makes them harder to recycle/compost.

I just stick with eating whole fruit or juicing my own oranges.

By: Fonda LaShay

Fonda LaShay — Mon, 09 May 2011 19:39:31 +0000

@Benne, Awe now! It was the cutest older little Latino lady who had been making them since she was a kid. I am sad it is gone since I still reference it often.

This one is similar, but looks to make many – so you might want to half the recipe… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfBEY0bvQ7E

From my memory, here are some of the things the cute little older lady said was important: The water does not have to be boiling, so you can use your hands. Also, once you break the dough into balls (especially is your making whole wheat) they need to rest at least 10+ minutes or they will not work as well. You can easily add to much water and ruin the batch, so better to add it in slowly. A skillet works just fine to cook them on. And she says lard is the best fat to use.

Good Luck!

By: Benne'

Benne' — Mon, 09 May 2011 18:00:30 +0000

On orange juice, I’ve been purchasing waxed paper cartons. They have a pull ring but that is less plastic than in a plastic container. I’m trying to find a juicer that is mostly stainless steel and will start making my own.

By: Benne'

Benne' — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:58:09 +0000

Fonda, I really wanted to see the video on making tortillas. Unfortunately, it has been take down. I’ve been making my own bread as well…as often as I have time.

By: Fonda LaShay

Fonda LaShay — Sun, 08 May 2011 18:15:17 +0000

I have started making my own tortillas. It is shockingly very easy. Here is a video of a cute lady that teaches how it is done. I make a batch of tortillas every tuesday after work for Taco Tuesday. It takes 5 minutes to mix up and 10 to rest (while you do other things) then just rolling them and cooking them which once you get the hang of it is like 7-10 minutes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf5l2L74nnM

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:14:34 +0000

I do have suggestions. :-)

Electronics — some of these things are necessary, but have you considered looking for them secondhand? CEX on Durant Street has some great used electronics. No packaging and no new products. Here’s my post about the computer I’m using right now:

http://myplasticfreelife.com/2010/11/good-bye-toshiba-laptop-hello-secondhand-sony-vaio/

Orange juice — I just eat oranges. I feel like they are healthier than juice anyway, since they contain all the fiber. We actually had a whole discussion about juice vs. fruit on this very blog a while back. Here is the post. Read the comments:

http://myplasticfreelife.com/showyourplastic/2011/01/yaga-and-trev-week-1/

And gum? You know the gum itself is plastic too, right?

http://myplasticfreelife.com/2010/01/chewing-on-plastic-yum/

Serena, I hope you’ll do more challenge weeks. And let me know what you find out about Walnut Creek recycling.