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As the holiday season approaches, you might find yourself a bit overwhelmed – by excitement, stress, or both. Amidst all the holiday activity, considering your environmental impact may be low on the to-do list, but it is very important and putting some thought into your celebration’s impact may save you some extra stress and money, both before and after the festivities begin.
In the United States, the largest waste category in landfills is food. Did you know that, during the holiday season, average household garbage increases by 25%? During the week of Thanksgiving, alone, 200 million pounds of turkey gets tossed out and enough water is wasted to supply New York City for 100 days! As you plan for your upcoming holiday gatherings, consider how you and your loved ones can reduce this footprint during your celebrations.
Consider these tips to get you started with your low-waste holiday meal planning:
- When planning what dishes to serve, challenge yourself and your guests to coordinate and only make planned dishes, so you avoid making more food than you can eat.
- A great way to reduce energy usage around the holidays is to search for locally-sourced ingredient options – maybe visit a farmer’s market or keep an eye-out for butchers, shops, or supermarkets that source their meat, produce, and baked goods from local farms and other small businesses.
- Making some dishes from scratch can also cut down on the waste associated with packaging or shipping meal items across the country. You could even consider trying to prepare a meat-free holiday feast, since meat consumption tends to have a large environmental impact.
- Finally, choosing reusable serving and food storage options can reduce the amount of single-use trash produced by your gathering. Even compostable products would be a great alternative, as they’ll break down much faster in a landfill.
November is a great time to clean-out cupboards. An ingredient you need might just be hiding in the back! While shopping, resist the urge to buy that "emergency" pie, snack, side dish, etc. Only purchase what you know you can use before it spoils. Afterwards, choose recipes that use-up leftovers in other meals, so they don't take-up room in your fridge or go bad before you get a chance to use them. Check out the recipe lists below to get started with planning how to use your leftovers:
- Ahead of Thyme – 25 Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
- The Food Network – Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
- Pioneer Woman – Using Your Thanksgiving Leftovers
- Delish – Genius Ways to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers
As we celebrate everything we’re thankful for this season, let’s not forget that extra dry and canned food items, such as canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, pie fillings, soup, peanut butter, rice, pastas, flour, spices, etc. would be greatly appreciated by those experiencing food insecurity. The Anne Arundel County Food Bank, located just 15 minutes away from The Beacon, is a great place to support neighbors in need!
Every little bit we can do to reduce our consumption and waste, particularly around the holidays, makes a big difference!
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Sometimes it is difficult to make plans when you don’t want to leave your dog home alone for the day. Luckily, The Beacon is conveniently located near a number of destinations you can enjoy with friends, family, and fur babies. Check-out the options below and let us know if you have any additional suggestions!
Towsers Branch Park – 3min
This is the closest dog park to us, a 3min drive or 20min walk away. Make a right on Evergreen Road, which runs behind Wegman’s, continue for a few blocks, then make a left on to Jackson Road. The park will be on your left.
Two Rivers Dog Park – 11min
When exiting the Waugh Chapel Towne Center, turn right onto MD-3 South and continue until the first traffic light by the Aldi. Turn right onto Conway Road and continue for a little over 2mi. Turn left onto Two Rivers Blvd and continue until you see the dog park on your left.
Bell Branch Park – 12min
Located in Crofton, this park has a lot of amenities for you to enjoy, like picnic areas, trails, and playgrounds. For more information visit: www.aacounty.org/locations-and-directions/bell-branch-park
Montpelier Farm – 21min
This pet-friendly attraction offers fun for the whole family. You can enjoy the picnic areas, playgrounds, special events, and more. Open Summer Sundays June 5 – July 31 then re-opening for the annual Sunflower Festival August 12,13, 14, 19, 20, and 21. Come Autumn, the farm will open September 17 – November 6 for the annual Fall Festival. Remember, dogs must remain on a leash while visiting the farm. For more information visit: www.montpelierfarms.com/
Watermark Journey Annapolis and Baltimore – 25min
Take a cruise (leased dogs are welcome) in Annapolis or Baltimore and enjoy the day on the Chesapeake Bay. For more information, visit: www.watermarkjourney.com/category-event/public-cruises-water-taxi/
Downs Park & Quiet Water Park – 25min
Ready to soak up the sun? Check out these two dog-friendly beaches along the Chesapeake Bay to enjoy a picnic, concerts, and events in the calm water of the shore. Please visit their websites for more info: www.aacounty.org/departments/recreation-parks/parks/downs/index.html
www.aacounty.org/departments/recreation-parks/parks/quiet-waters/
We hope you enjoy your next day out with your furry friend and don’t forget to tag us @thebeaconatwaugh in any pictures you share enjoying these local outings!
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When we think about Cinco de Mayo, we may picture parties and margaritas. But, what is the history behind the holiday? Many people think this holiday celebrates Mexico’s Independence Day, like the 4th of July in the United States, but Mexico’s real Independence Day is September 16th. On that day in 1810, priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the church bells in Dolores Hidalgo in the middle of the night calling Mexicans to fight for their liberty and against the Spanish throne. Mexico’s War for Independence lasted 11 years and ended in 1821.
Cinco de Mayo is the day that Mexicans remember their 1862 victory against the French army in the Battle of Puebla. It’s a story of overcoming extreme odds, as the smaller Mexican army gained victory over the better-equipped French force. So, how did Cinco de Mayo become such a big celebration in the United States? During the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, Mexican-Americans re-embraced Cinco de Mayo celebrations as a way to show pride for their ethnicity and a reminder that they could overcome the obstacles they faced.
If you would like to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the broader community, walk on over to Querétaro in the Waugh Chapel Towne Center (1406 S Main Chapel Way 110). We’ve been told they will be having drink specials to celebrate the holiday. Or stay in and relax with a delicious margarita on your balcony. Check-out one of our favorite margarita recipes below!
Ingredients:
- Shaker
- Glass
- Slices of lime
- Salt
- Ice cubes
- Your favorite Tequila or Mezcal
- Orange liquor
- Orange juice
- Natural Syrup
To start, frost the top the glass with lime and salt. Next, add 5 ice cubes, 1oz of tequila or mezcal, ¾ oz orange liquor, ½ oz lime juice, and ½ oz simple syrup to your shaker and shake it like a maraca. Pour into your glass, adding more ice if desired, and enjoy your frosty margarita.
Viva Mexico and Happy Cinco de Mayo to all our residents at Beacon Waugh Chapel!
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