Part 3: Unsolicited Advice From Someone Else's Mother

As advice goes, there are three things that go together for me--food, travel and trash.  Eating at home gives you more money to travel.  We like to travel to places that are devoid of filth (except for a few places that I won't name).  

As you grow older, food, travel and trash can have an impact on your social life.  If you are eating at home, you will eventually invite others into your home.  If you are traveling, you will probably not do it alone.  And whether it really goes together or not, I suggest being aware of your environment.

Don’t Be A Dirty Cook

What is a dirty cook?  It is a person who makes a colossal mess, doesn’t clean as they cook, and contributes to the spread of salmonella.  We aren’t talking just dirty dishes.  We are talking dirty everything.  Here are a few tips for cooking clean (not the same as clean eating).

• Start with a clean kitchen including clean counter tops and a clean sink
• Cook the most time consuming items first.  This will allow you to...
• Clean as you go…  you’ll enjoy your food more if you have less to clean after you eat
• Use storage containers for leftovers.  Pack small portions for lunch, dinner or shareables.

Travel, Travel, Travel

There is no time like the present to enjoy life.  Having said that, don’t be afraid to travel. Perhaps you can’t travel first class, perhaps you can’t travel every weekend, but you can and should travel.  Whether it be alone or with friends, plan to travel once or twice per year.  There is plenty to see in the great US of A that is easily accessed via low-cost plane fare or on a tank of gas.  Don’t be afraid to travel abroad with a few friends…  use a travel agent or someone who’s been to the area to help you plan.  When you get to your destination, 

• Eat like the locals.  Don't travel to the other side of the country and eat from chain restaurants.  Look for a low key place where all of the seats are filled and get in line.
• Visit a place that awes you.  One of my friends insists that you visit some place that is a part of history.  Plan your trip around free or low cost entry times.
• Spend some time outdoors.  If you travel and spend all of your time indoors, you are probably missing something.  Head outside for a stroll, enjoy the scenery and smile.
   

Plan to Save the Planet

Reduce, reuse, recycle. Trash is not your friend.  I especially get unnerved when I see a trash can filled beyond capacity.  How can one possibly acquire so much trash?  By throwing everything away.  There are easy ways to reduce your trash pile and your carbon footprint.

• Reduce the amount of stuff that you purchase.  Other than for special occasions, try to get just what you need.  Avoid stockpiling things that you probably won’t use.
• Reuse what you can.  If possible, upcycle items.  For instance, use lunch meat containers to store lunches, giveaway wine bottles to people who make their own, and use old towels for pets and car washes.
• Recycle everything that you can.  Paper, aluminum, plastics, batteries, toner cartridges, glass, and more.  If your community doesn’t have curbside recycling, find out about local drop-off centers or businesses that accept recyclable materials.

The longer that we are graced with life, the more wisdom that we can share with others.  Stay tuned for more advice from a mom who's not your own!