3 Ways Your Christmas Tree Can Live On After the Holidays
Learn how to recycle yourChristmas tree and reap benefits forthe environment
It seems like a rather sad ending for a beautiful Christmas tree to be lying at the curb,stripped of its holiday finery,waiting for the garbage truck to haul it off to the nearest landfill.That is the unfortunate end awaiting many Christmas trees once the holidays are over.But there can be a different end for your tree,one in which it serves a useful purpose that will benefit nature.Now,maybe your natural tree can’t be put away in a box and saved for the next Christmas season once it has been taken down,but thankfully your old tree can be recycled for avariety of uses.Many municipalities collect Christmas trees and use them to improve soil,create paths and stabilize waterways,among other things.
1.Mulch Chipping old Christmas trees into mulch is perhaps the most popular way to reuse them.The mulch is excellent for use around shrubs and trees,where it preserves soil moisture and moderates temperature.As the mulch slowly decomposes,it releases nutrients into the soil.Many municipalities haul off Christmas trees or offer drop-off sites during the weeks following Christmas.The trees are put through a chipper,which leaves behind a nice wood mulch that is used in parks and around government buildings.Some cities even offer to chip trees for free and let the tree bringers take the mulch home to use in their own gardens.
2.Mini Bird Sanctuaries Set your tree out in the backyard,where birds and small mammals will enjoy seeking refuge in its branches.Hang peanut butter-covered pine cones and you’ll enjoy the antics of the wildlife that come to visit.
3.Protection for Delicate Plants Instead of chipping your tree,you can remove its branches and place them around and over your delicate perennials and shrubs to provide protection from heavy snowdrifts.As the branches decompose,they will add nutrients to your soil.
Recipes for Turkey leftovers that will keep you gobbling for days...
Texas Toast Turkey Sammie
INGREDIENTS(makes 4 servings)
large(12 ounce)sweet potato,sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 8ounces of brussel sprouts,trimmed and thinly sliced
kosher salt
3/4 cup Mayonnaise
8 thick slices of white pullman or country bread
2 cups Stuffing
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
2 cups red and/or white cabbage,finely shredded
1 carrot,peeled and sliced into thin matchsticks
12 slices of turkey breast,1/8-in thin
3/4 cup cranberry sauce
PREPARATION
Step 1-Preheat oven to 425°.Toss sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon oil.Toss brussels sprouts with 1 tablespoon oil.Arrange each on one half of rimmed baking sheet;season with salt and pepper.Roast until golden,25 minutes.
Step 2-Heat large skillet over medium.Spread mayonnaise on both sides of bread.Working in batches,toast until golden.
Step 3-Increase heat to medium-high.Add remaining oil and stuffing.Cook,turning occasionally,until crisp.
Step 4-Whisk 1 tablespoon oil with vinegar.Toss with cabbage and carrot;season with salt and pepper.
Step 5-Assemble sandwich:Spread mayo on one side of each slice toasted bread.Top 4 slices with slaw,turkey,brussels sprouts,sweet potatoes,cranberry sauce&stuffing.
ENJOY!
Turkey Pot Pie Ingredients
INGREDIENTS(makes 4 servings)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
6 ounces button mushrooms,stems trimmed,caps cut in half then thickly sliced crosswise
1 cup thinly sliced peeled carrots(about 2 carrots)
1/2 cup diced leftover cooked vegetables(optional)
1 1/2 cups diced cooked turkey(7 to 8 ounces)
1 to 1 1/4 cups gravy
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/4 cup frozen green peas,thawed
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley plus additional parsley leaves for crust
1 egg white,beaten to blend with 1 teaspoon water(for glaze)
1 9-inch purchased pie crust Cranberry sauce
PREPARATION
Step 1-Melt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.Add chopped onion and sautéuntil golden,7 to 8 minutes.Add sliced mushrooms;sprinkle with salt and pepper.Sautéuntil browned and tender,about 4 minutes.Add sliced carrots;cover and cook until carrots soften slightly,about 2 minutes.Add leftover vegetables,if desired.Add diced turkey,gravy,and chopped fresh thyme.Bring filling mixture to boil;reduce heat to low and simmer to thicken if necessary.Season to taste with salt and pepper.Mix in peas and chopped parsley.Pour filling into 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish and refrigerate until cool,about 30 minutes.
Step 2-Lightly brush rim(both top and underside)of filled pie dish with egg glaze.Place crust atop filling and fold edge of dough over edge of pie dish.Pinch dough rim to seal crust all around.Press down on top edge of crust with fork tines to seal decoratively.Chill 10 minutes.
Step 3-Preheat oven to 400°F.Lightly brush top of pie with glaze.Make three to four 1/4-inch slits in center of pie to allow steam to escape.Press some fresh parsley leaves onto crust.Bake pie until crust is golden and filling is bubbling,30 to 35 minutes.Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes.Serve with cranberry sauce.
