Reuse Those Tea Bags

by The "Green' Franciscan Sister, Janet Corcoran, OSF

For those who drink tea, there are many ways one may reuse the tea bags instead of disposing of them. The following are some examples: • Reuse a tea bag by breaking it and feeding outdoor plant(s) by sprinkling the tea around the soil. This increases nitrogen levels and also gives earthworms (fertilizer) something delicious to eat. Also, the tea bags are great organic fertilizer for potted house plants. • Use an alternative to baking soda as a deodorizer by placing a used tea bag in a porous container, like a cotton bag, and let the tea absorb the odors of the refrigerator. Also, by emptying the used tea bags in your vacuum cleaner, the next time you vacuum your carpet will smell nice. • Effectively remove grease and grime on mirrors, floors, and even linoleum by using your old tea bags. Make a cold brew, with your used teabags and then use it as a cleaning solution, i.e. on counter tops, etc. • Add used teabags to the compost pile. Some teabags compost faster than others depending on the bag material. You can also bury the bag in the ground for the enhancement of soil. In our day-to-day life, there are many ways to be environmentally friendly and this tip regarding reuse of tea bags is just one of them. May we continue to reuse, reduce, recycle, and conserve the goods of our sister, Mother Earth.

dairy-free Pumpkin Custard

Recipe: 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (or fresh made) / 1 tsp cinnamon / ¼ tsp ground ginger / pinch of sea salt / 2 pinches of grated nutmeg / 2 eggs (or egg substitute) / ¼ cup grade B maple syrup / 1 tsp vanilla extract / 1 cup coconut milk. Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Set a pot of water on to boil (enough water to fill the baking pan as directed below). Combine pumpkin and all spices in one bowl. In a smaller bowl, beat the eggs lightly then whisk in the maple syrup, vanilla and coconut milk. Whisk the egg mixture into the pumpkin mixture until well combined. Pour custard into baking dish. Place the baking dish in a baking pan and add enough boiling water to come up 2 inches high around it. Carefully place in the oven and bake for 60 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center of the custard comes out clean.