Six months into our life in Spain, Never Retire is shifting gears—less wanderlust, more real talk about how we spend, work, and live without burning out.
I love this idea that if you shop more frequently and in smaller quantities, then waste is lower.
We have been able to change our habits from doing a huge weekly shop for four, with two kids now out of the house we simply buy what we need when we need it. I have the time to take care of that.
Time is definitely a factor, so I can understand that people still buy in large qualities need them have deliveries or do a single big shop in a large supermarket
Definitely agree on time. And even if you have the time it's not feasible in the US, due to the cost and quality. We did a larger shopping once a week in the US and daily runs for "fresh" and last minute stuff.
Now, it's the market 3 to 5 times a week and the supermarket the same.
Lately I've become painfully aware of how much plastic comes in and out of the house. I'm trying hard to cut down even thought I feel overwhelmed by the problem. ( and my efforts gravely insignificant ) What does it feel like in Spain? And what is the attitude over there about the problem.
Great question. I can only speak from what I see and experience.
The recycling system on the street here is pretty great. Separate bins for cans/plastic, glass, paper/cardboard, organic material, trash and even oil. So I guess they take it seriously!
We definitely use less packaging, in part because we buy so much at the market. Cherries come in a little plastic tub and these little lettuce heads we buy are in plastic. Otherwise not much else.
In the supermarket, I can say that in a Mercadona or Consum that's typically 2 or 3 times the size of Trader Joe's, there has to be half of the unnecessary plastic.
We waste much less of everything here. In fact, we rarely throw food away. Probably 80-90% less food waste than in LA where tried to conscious but there was more plastic and stuff often went bad way faster.
Bag of roasted peanuts + blender=peanut butter. Additions of oil or honey to taste. 😉Barcelona seemed to be a peanut butter desert in the early 90s for the ex patriots who craved it so we made our own. The children were especially relieved.
Thanks for the idea. Some olive oil and a little honey sounds amazing. Though I have to say, I really don't miss peanut butter like I thought I would. That was among my biggest fears around moving!!
When you are looking at the food issues a little deeper, I am curious if Spanish and European farmers can actually make a living without the constant fear of bankruptcy and debt that face most N. American farmers, big and small. My guess is less corporate control of the food chain there, but I could be dead wrong.
I love this idea that if you shop more frequently and in smaller quantities, then waste is lower.
We have been able to change our habits from doing a huge weekly shop for four, with two kids now out of the house we simply buy what we need when we need it. I have the time to take care of that.
Time is definitely a factor, so I can understand that people still buy in large qualities need them have deliveries or do a single big shop in a large supermarket
Definitely agree on time. And even if you have the time it's not feasible in the US, due to the cost and quality. We did a larger shopping once a week in the US and daily runs for "fresh" and last minute stuff.
Now, it's the market 3 to 5 times a week and the supermarket the same.
I love food shopping so that helps!!
Lately I've become painfully aware of how much plastic comes in and out of the house. I'm trying hard to cut down even thought I feel overwhelmed by the problem. ( and my efforts gravely insignificant ) What does it feel like in Spain? And what is the attitude over there about the problem.
Great question. I can only speak from what I see and experience.
The recycling system on the street here is pretty great. Separate bins for cans/plastic, glass, paper/cardboard, organic material, trash and even oil. So I guess they take it seriously!
We definitely use less packaging, in part because we buy so much at the market. Cherries come in a little plastic tub and these little lettuce heads we buy are in plastic. Otherwise not much else.
In the supermarket, I can say that in a Mercadona or Consum that's typically 2 or 3 times the size of Trader Joe's, there has to be half of the unnecessary plastic.
We waste much less of everything here. In fact, we rarely throw food away. Probably 80-90% less food waste than in LA where tried to conscious but there was more plastic and stuff often went bad way faster.
Bag of roasted peanuts + blender=peanut butter. Additions of oil or honey to taste. 😉Barcelona seemed to be a peanut butter desert in the early 90s for the ex patriots who craved it so we made our own. The children were especially relieved.
Thanks for the idea. Some olive oil and a little honey sounds amazing. Though I have to say, I really don't miss peanut butter like I thought I would. That was among my biggest fears around moving!!
When you are looking at the food issues a little deeper, I am curious if Spanish and European farmers can actually make a living without the constant fear of bankruptcy and debt that face most N. American farmers, big and small. My guess is less corporate control of the food chain there, but I could be dead wrong.