Cut back on Thanksgiving waste

With the traditional emphasis on a bountiful harvest, Americans tend to equate Thanksgiving with lots and lots of food. However, about 25 percent of food prepared ends up uneaten, according to U.S. News and World Report, which offers the following tips (and more at money.usnews.com) to lessen holiday waste:

• Less is more: The spread needn’t be inspired by a Norman Rockwell painting. Cut out foods that are not as healthful as they could be; for instance, ditch the can-shaped cranberry-sauce loaf for a homemade version.

• Use smaller plates: People can always go back for seconds, but uneaten food too often goes straight into the trash.