Buying goods in glass jars gives you the opportunity to use them again once they are empty. But for what? Most likely you have a shelf full of glass jars for that
“one day”
when you find a use for them.
“Glass jars are some of the most environmentally friendly forms of packaging – they are 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without losing quality, plus they are also perfect for upcycling. The possibilities are endless, especially in winter,” explains Thokozane Radebe, brand manager for Douwe Egberts.
When it comes to glass jars and winter, there are countless ways in which you can upcycle your jar. The Douwe Egberts glass jars with its airtight tight lid is perfect for storing and preserving food. With the cold weather, one easy and essential use of glass jars is to make dry soup mixes which can be stored until ready to be used, cutting down on future cooking time. The Douwe Egberts jars are large enough to incorporate all of your mix, and keep it sealed tight. Some soup mix ideas include:
Split pea soup mix: 2 cups of split green peas, ½ teaspoon celery seed, 1 tablespoon dried chopped onions, 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic, 1 bay leaf and 1 chicken bouillon cube.
Chicken noodle soup mix: 1 tablespoon dried chopped onions, 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic, 1 bay leaf, ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, ½ teaspoon dried sage, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon celery seed, 1 chicken bouillon cube, 2 cups wide egg noodles.
“Simply layer the ingredients in order in your Douwe Egberts jar and keep for later use,” explains Radebe.
Another option when it comes to storing dry ingredients in a jar is for creative gifting:
Toffee coffee in a jar: 1 cup of instant coffee (Douwe Egberts has various blends), 1 cup powdered coffee creamer, 1 cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil.
If you are looking for other uses for your glass jars in winter, why not try the following?:
Use glass jars to save small plants from the cold this winter, especially seedlings or when growing plants from root cuttings. Wash the jar properly and place it upside down over the plant to keep out the cold weather.
Another gardening idea is to use your glass jar as herb planters. You can place them on your kitchen windowsill to keep them safe from the dropping temps, plus you can even use rope to create a hanging display in your kitchen.
Keep your children entertained when the weather is too cold to be outside, or when they have exceeded their screen time. Arts and crafts allows for the imagination to flow and
get little minds wondering.
The first option is to create an activity station. Use glass jars to hold colouring pencils, paint brushes, objects such as buttons and wool for creative play and even odds and ends that can be used later. This will keep them busy for hours and gives them the space to create.
The second option is to use the glass jar to make their very own snow globe. Have them decided on what type of “scene” they would like to create and place related options inside – you can turn the jar upside down and stick the scenery on the inside of the lid, so that the glass dome covers it when screwed on. Use fake snow to give it that snowing effect.
With loadshedding, why not turn your glass jar into candle holders? Decorate it with non-flammable items so that it stands out for all the right reasons in your home. If you would prefer to have candles in your home, fill them with fairy lights to create a magical look.
Upcycling glass jars can provide various opportunities when it comes to storage – for practical purposes and for aesthetic purposes. If you are storing food make sure to use a strong jar with the option of an airtight lid when preserving food, as when done properly this can cut down on prep and cooking time.
For more information on Douwe Egberts please see the below:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DouweEgbertsSA
Instagram: www.instagram.com/douweegbertssa/
Website: www.douwe-egberts.co.za/
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