The Less Waste No Fuss Kitchen

by Lindsay Miles

Our kitchens are ground zero when it comes to food waste, excess packaging and confusing ethical choices. What you buy, cook and eat has a much bigger impact than the bag you carry it in. Inspiring, practical and above all simple, The Less Waste No Fuss Kitchen is designed for busy people who want to make simple changes without rethinking their whole lives.

Lindsay Miles, of Treading My Own Path and Less Stuff, will help you to:

Avoid single-use packaging, even at the supermarket.
Switch up your daily staples to reduce your carbon footprint.
Make the most of your pantry, fridge and freezer to avoid food waste.
Confidently adapt recipes to use what you have.

There really might be such thing as a (waste) free lunch.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Environment, Sustainability, Self Help

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2020

About the author

Lindsay Miles is an educator, speaker, author and passionate zero waste/plastic-free living advocate helping others live more meaningful lives with less waste and less stuff. She has been sharing ideas, tips, tricks and strategies on her website Treading My Own Path since 2013. Her first book, Less Stuff, was published in 2019 and her second, The Less Waste No Fuss Kitchen was published in June. Originally from the UK, Lindsay now lives in Perth, Western Australia.

Reviews

[Liisa Aavik]

As a low waste coach and someone who experiments a lot with cooking, this book had many things that I already knew and so I skipped a lot of parts. But this is how it is meant to be used: you go to what you need, sometimes repeatedly. I still got some good additions/reminders to my already existing knowledge: (1) additional ideas about using leftovers, (2) specific and simple recipes, (3) basics of chutneys (I have not made any yet), (4) basics of pickling, (5) nutritional information, (6) reviving produce, (7) existence of a wax pencil, (8) what spoils food in the pantry, (9) making your own spice mixes. I think that if you are an okay cook and know a lot already about reducing your waste, you will still find something useful.

[Tammy Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic! 👏🏻 Well done Lindsay Miles (@treadingmyownpath).
For anyone looking for help on how to be more sustainable and reduce waste in the kitchen then this book is for you. Seriously. I really think Lindsay has managed to capture all the facets of reducing food waste and present it in an easily digestible form (pun intended). As well as being easy to read and comprehensive, it’s also realistic, practical and filled with choices based on where you’re at and your circumstances. There’s no guilt tripping here, just cheers to do your best. One of my favourite sections is around ingredient substitutions because that’s something I’m trying to get better at. I used to think I couldn’t make something because I didn’t have the obscure spice that was in the recipe. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ It’s also worth mentioning that I also love the texture, graphics and size of the book. An all round job well done.

[Joanne Baulderstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

The “Less waste no fuss kitchen” by Lindsay Miles (2020) is my perfect kitchen companion - thorough, yet easy to read, logical and highly informative. It’s a great “read it from beginning to end”, yet an “essential reference” book, full of simple steps for anyone wanting to live more sustainably when they “shop, cook and eat”! As someone who is trying to reduce my carbon footprint, and waste in general, this book increased my understanding, and gave me so many new ideas to reduce waste simply, in the kitchen - which is not my natural habitat! I highly recommend this book for anyone (well anyone who shops, cooks and/or eats!!), to buy and keep and use, and pass down (or gift) the generations as a ‘classic’. As a parent of two soon-to-be independent young adults, I think this will be essential for them as they start out their sustainable lives. Thanks for writing this book Lindsay!

[Erin Rhoads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated and well written guide to reducing waste in the kitchen. Whether you are starting out or are familiar with zero-waste I can guarantee you’ll learn something from Lindsay Mile’s second book. It will help answer those niggling questions beyond packaging and bulk food stores like food miles, carbon footprints, that can make decisions fickle and hard at the start. The type of foods you’ll encounter at a bulk food store and what to do with them. Tips for reducing food waste to landfill. Basic recipes and food preservation to get you started in your less waste no fuss kitchen. Lindsay’s balanced friendly approach will help you find the right choices for your life, without any goading or preaching. This book is a welcome addition to my kitchen I’ll be reaching for again and again.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Miles' usual non-judgemental style, this book provides all the information you need to consider how much effort (fuss) you want to make to minimise your carbon footprint and waste footprint in terms of what you eat. I didn't find the information or imagery were presented in as enjoyable a way as Sarah Wilson's SIMPLICIOUS FLOW, which covers more or less the same content, but THE LESS WASTE NO FUSS KITCHEN is an easy ready and the book itself isn't bulky. I liked the way THE LESS WASTE NO FUSS KITCHEN explains the often competing ideals we are trying to achieve: we want to limit our carbon footprint (minimise food miles by buying local), prioritise our health by consuming organic food and whole foods, and limit the amount of single-use packaging we buy (to limit waste).

[Nancy Valentino]

This book isn't really meant to be read cover to cover, but that's what I did and I still enjoyed it. I love how realistic it is - it's full of great tips to reduce your environmental impact but the author is always empathetic and understanding that these changes aren't necessarily easy. Everything is divided into "fuss levels" e.g. least fuss, medium fuss and most fuss. It makes it easy to choose what you can implement into your routine. I may have read it cover to cover, but I'll definitely be returning to this book as a reference when I'm ready to make more little changes in the kitchen.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even if you know a lot about reducing waste, this book will have hints and tips. Lots in here. Like the concept of the three key ways we can make change, and that action in one may not be good for another area - plastic & packaging, carbon footprint & climate change, food waste and landfill.

[Peta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource, nothing too extreme and beautifully illustrated.

[Amy Warne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is super practical, easy to read, beautifully laid out and basically really, really helpful. You can tell that all topics covered have been well researched - I learnt so much! It's also obvious the author is speaking from personal experience and that she is passionate about waste and how to avoid it! I highly recommend it!

[Ashley Brookes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly modern book in its guidance and knowledge. I've been cutting my waste for 4years step by step and this booked helped me cut a bit more. The author really knows her stuff. Great for starters and experienced people.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine. I already practice a lot of this stuff, but was most interested in preservation. This is likely a good jumping off point for some people though.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great. I've been on a waste and plastic minimising path for a while but I was able to learn so many great tips. I appreciate most of all how this book is abiut more than just personal behaviour change but also systemic change. A must have resource for all!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Cília Comella Correa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leída la traducción al español.
Tengo sentimientos encontrados con este libro. Voy a dejar a un lado que s ha escrito des de la perspectiva inglesa/ australiana/ estadounidense (no me queda claro el origen de la autora, pero menciona estos tres paises) y que algunos de los productos o "sistemas" que menciona en el libro no existen en España.
La lectura no me ha resultado demasiado amena: los consejos se intercalan con la teoria y se me ha hecho dificil verlos a simple vista. Algunas paginas, como las guias de diferentes alimentos o las recetas, podrian estar ilustradas, ya que no tienen muy sentido que ayuden a diferenciar alimentos si no te haces una idea de como son físicamente.
Como elementos positivos, la información que transmite es de valor y me ha gustado el enfoque flexible y optimista: sin imponer, dando opciones y siendo consciente de que los inicios de la vida 0 waste son difíciles e imperfectos. Ofrece muchos consejos prácticos, opciones y iniciativas por los que todo el mundo puede empezar.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book did not fully live up to its name for me. Less waste, yes. No fuss, no. The author offers a lot of practical suggestions to reduce waste, plastic, and carbon use, but they do require effort. Many of the suggestions are ranked by the amount of effort required, which is a nice jumping off point. I would have appreciated a similar ranking of impact, along with a more explanation of how the impact is calculated. The book was light on details. For example, if I follow the suggestion to save the peels from my vegetables and roast them to make veggie chips, does the carbon used to heat the oven outweigh any benefit from not treating the peels as waste, especially if I compost them? These trade-offs are something I always wonder about when reading tips on sustainability and it is never explained to my satisfaction. I did appreciate the author's non-judgy approach and encouragement to tackle what you can and not feel that you need to do it all. On the other hand, I found the use of first person pronouns we/our/us to be irritating and slightly patronizing. It was a mixed bag for me!

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and informative book about self reliance, and living a waste and plastic free life. Our kitchens are ground zero when it comes to food waste, excess packaging and confusing ethical choices. What you buy, cook and eat has a much bigger impact than the bag you carry it in. This book is inspiring, practical and simple. It is designed for busy people who want to make changes without rethinking their lives. It helps us to avoid single use packaging, even at supermarkets, switch up our daily staples to reduce carbon footprint, make the most of pantries, fridges and freezers to avoid food waste, and confidently adapt recipes to use what you have. There really might be such thing as a (waste)free lunch.

[Niki Malysiak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Less Waste No Fuss Kitchen is a great starting point to help people understand the impact their own kitchens can have on the environment. It provides a large number of options for making a kitchen more eco-friendly, in a non-judgmental space. Lindsay Miles does a fantastic job of providing an array of ideas and ways to try and be more green in the kitchen, from simple swap outs to whole system changes. There is something for everyone who is looking at being more sustainable.

Overall, this is a very practical book and broken down in easy to read sections. It is easy to skip sections that you might not be able to change or you already have changed. I enjoyed this book and the illustrations were really cute.

[Sharka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It's not only packed with practical tips on how to avoid waste but it's also charmingly beautiful. I switched to Audible a few years back but this one is worth having in physical form. (Illustrations are georgous!)
It's a resource I will keep re-reading as I will try to implement more of the zero-waste things in our lives.
It's very well researched and even though I'd like to consider myself a waste/recycling buff I learnt many new things I haven't come across before. Especially about storing and keeping some of the veggies.
Definitely recommend buying and sharing among your family!

[Alena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I‘m surprised how deep the author got into things and analyzed less waste cooking/living from all angles. Great ideas, some things I already do, some things that never entered my mind.

Not really a cookery book (although it includes more recipes than I thought it would), more a how to and reference book on reducing waste and carbon footprint. Will keep close by for reference.

The author is Australian an provides detailed information for AUS, UK, USA, but provides a great starting point for anyone for specific research.

Very accessible writing, not talking down to anyone.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love! This is an easy 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is such a great book for those wanting to learn new ways to reduce their food waste and the impact it can have on our plant. So many great ideas and methods to make climate-friendly choices. Lindsey Miles did a wonderful job with this book and I definitely recommend it.

I have to say I have bought a copy as a gift to someone I think needs an extra push to make better choices and he messaged me earlier this week saying how much he has altered his kitchen habits after receiving this book.

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super helpful book! I loved the layout of the book and the level of information for each chapter, while still being readable. I already have a mostly low waste kitchen, but this book inspired me to go further. The tips about storing fruits and vegetables was very helpful and, once I return my library copy, I’ll be buying my own to keep in the kitchen. Excellent advice throughout and I learned a great deal. Though not a completely plant-based book, it’s primarily geared towards fruits, vegetables, grains and beans. Essential for any low waste kitchen!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro for a newbie and good read also for the more experienced!

I find this book a great introduction for anyone wishing to explore the path of less waste. It is an easy read (providing a good overview without getting too technical) and great as a reference book as well. Though I am already on the path of less waste for some years now, I still learnt so many new things from the book and it made me consider new perspectives.

[A.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A whole lot simplistic, but I guess if she gives people the lowest and smallest step to take, it is something, right? So it is a very good first level of everything. Even down to thinking about appliances you really need in your kitchen; isn’t it one of the worst places for gadgets and tools, that most often are not necessary.

3 glad these things exist stars

So far this year my library saved me $2854.49

[Lauren Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book personally more gratifying than the last of Lindsay's (being Less Stuff), with great practical bits like composting comparison and not just recipes but loose formulas. It was another of those preaching-to-the-choir but worthwhile reminder-reinforcement books for me. It's been readable community.

[Dushan Hanuska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic advice and that’s exactly what we need. Some obvious areas of improvement for us are made visible to the point that one smacks his forehead and says “that’s obvious” but it was not until one read this book.

[Carol McLeod-Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. Very well written and easy to read and very informative. The recipes are easy to follow. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Susan]

Finally got around to reading and it was not what I thought exactly. This work was more about composting and such, I was looking more for pantry organization and staples.

[Lauren M Finnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first few chapters weren't that exciting or new, but the final chapter had so many inspiring recipes and ideas for avoiding packaging and minimizing food waste.

[Jaq · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an important book to add to your Library. Written in an informative and practical manner this book takes you through the important steps we all need to take.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was full of good information, but a lot of it I already knew. But it did inspire me to look into buying toilet paper made from bamboo or recycled materials. So if you come to my house, be sure to visit the bathroom and try it out for yourself! I may convert you too!