TIP #12: USE PROPER STORAGE TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR FOOD
So you just bought a pint of strawberries and in what seems like hours, they are moldy. Or that bag of carrots is now a disgusting pile of slime. Or the lettuce you cut for a salad a few days back is now brown, wilty and unusable. And that hamburger you got on discount is now 20% freezer burn. And the worst of all, those leftovers you intended on using are now a guessing game of "What was this?" because it got lost in your fridge in a non-see-through container. Any of these is a waste of food, money and can be frustrating. But, by investing in some great storage containers now, can save you $$ later!
Here are a few on the market. If any of you have found others that you've liked, please feel free to share and I'll add them to the list!
~Rubbermaid Produce Savers
- Great for fruits & veggies~Fridge Smart by Tupperware - Same as above. Great for keeping baby carrots from going to slime!
~Lettuce Crisper by The Container Store - I love this! It's amazing how long it stays fresh!
~Debbie Meyer Green Bags
sold at most stores - I have not tried these but heard good things ~ Tupperware Cereal Saver
-Keeps your cereal from going stale~Banana Hanger w/ Fruit Basket
sold at various locations - Gives Bananas a little longer life~Ziploc
,Hefty, Glad Freezer/Storage Bags - Keeps non-perishables from going stale and keeps freezer items from getting freezer burn~FoodSaver,
Reynolds Handi Vac
or Ziploc etc versions - Great for sealing up foods for the freezer~Rubbermaid Premier Easy Find Lids
- Great clear containers that help you visually see your leftovers and they stack so great!!These are just a few containers to help stretch the life of your food. By keeping food fresh and tasty for when you need it ends up saving you $$ in the long-run!
Tune in tomorrow at 9AM CST for Tip #13!
My husband swears the only way to keep lettuce from going brown in by keeping the lettuce submerged in water, in the fridge. He's worked in the food industry a good part of his life, and let me tell you, it works. I'm wondering how well the lettuce crisper works (without water).
ReplyDeleteI read in this month's Prevention magazine that the Debbie Meyer green bags work well but the fruit must be dry before you put them in there. Moisture on the fruit apparently speeds up the ripening while in the bags.
ReplyDeleteLiz,
ReplyDeleteI own the lettuce crisper. It works wonderfully! I've cut a head of lettuce and it's stayed fresh and "brown-free" for over a week. Crispy and crunchy as the day I sliced it. It's the only thing I've found so far that works. I haven't tried the water thing with lettuce. But I have tried it with celery and carrots.
~Jaycie