Don't Throw Away Those Jars!



Here at Living Large on Less we have shared many uses for glass jars.  Hang on! we've found a couple new ones, leftover storage and drinking glasses.  Instead of using plastics which emit cancer causing agents when used in the freezer or when heated, put leftovers in glass jars.  Not only is doing this healthier, contents are visible resulting in less containers filled with unrecognizable lumps hiding in the back of the frig.  Drinks always taste better out of glass.  I don't know why, they just do.  I must confess that my family prefers quart canning jars for their drinks, but I have been putting the nix on this as I wanted to reserve the canning jars for canning.  I don't know why it never crossed my mind to use any of the jars from the recycle shelf...?  Former  Baby Pickle jars work perfectly, and they come with their own lid.  If appearance is an issue, lids can be painted to coordinate with dishes, and labels are easily removed with hot water.  Anyway, everyone is happy now; family gets to drink out of glass jars and canning jars are used for canning.  Maybe, just maybe I can sneak all of those gigantic plastic cups into the trash now.  That might be an adventure for another post. *grin*  We've been trying these uses out at our house for several months now with successful results.  
 
Yes, there are many people with issues about practicing this sort of thrift.  They feel that it's just way too "out there" or "too hippie" to be drinking out of "old jars".  I know, I know, I was right there with you not that long ago.  However...after reading around on the world wide web, and pricing supposedly inexpensive glassware, I have laid aside my pride and disdain; believe it or not, nothing terrible has happened because my family is drinking out of glass jars.  As a matter of fact, the glass jars are much handier than water bottles for travel.  We fill 'em up with ice, water, screw the lid on, and out the door we go.  The glass keeps our water colder for much longer too, and iced tea...aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh, nothing's better than iced tea out of a jar.  When serving warm/hot beverages remember that canning jars are made to have hot liquids poured in them so they can be used without fear of exploding.   
 
Another couple tidbits to share: 
  • Canning jars for beverages would complement an Autumn/Harvest gathering perfectly this Fall.
  • Glass jars can also be used to cold brew coffee in the refrigerator.  Basically, it's just like coldbrewing iced tea.  Place coffee and water in a glass jar using a 2 to 1 ratio, put the lid on, and allow to brew in the refrigerator for at least four hours.  Viola!  Strong coffee.  For iced coffee, place desired amount of coffee mix(coffee will be very strong, we recommend starting with less and adding more as needed) in glass, add milk, ice, flavorings, and you're set.
The more we use glass jars, the more uses we discover for them.  We may never be overrun with glass jars again.  I've even caught myself trying to find products that come in glass containers rather than plastic at the grocery store, ok, that might be a little excessive, but have you seen all of the cute shapes of glass containers there are at the grocery?  Also, if you happen to come across a gallon glass jar, SAVE IT!!!  don't let it get away from you.  With the resurgence in recycling, reusing, and thrift our country is experiencing, gallon glass jars are becoming much more difficult to find.  When recently looking for the gallon sized pickle jar, for the pickles, we couldn't find one that wasn't plastic.  Even if you personally don't have a use for the larger sized glass jars, someone will.  So please don't throw any away.  Glass jars, one of our greatest helpers in Living Large on Less.
 
***There will be a post sharing a new use for the leftover jars from jar candles with lids coming soon.  This may very well be one of my favorite ideas for these handy lidded jars, not to mention a marvelous Christmas gift idea that would delight anyone on your gift-giving list.  Stay tuned for more gift-giving ideas coming throughout the Harvest Season.

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