Posts: 91
6/27/11 10:41 P

Thank you everyone for your responses! I think I'm gonna try each of your suggestions and find what works best for me! I usually always get frozen veggies and i finally have learned how to keep my fresh strawberries longer (don't cut the "tops off" and store...cut "tops off" as needed)!
I'm so excited to start this way of life but I don't want to lose money in the process lol! Thanks again!!

current weight: 184.0

227 206.5 186 165.5

145

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Posts: 311
6/27/11 12:11 P

Thanks for the tips guys!

Posts: 249
6/26/11 4:58 P

While it may be a bit pricy to start out with, I love the fridge smart containers from Tupperware. You can store multiple types of produce in them, as long as the are in the same category. You have 2 vents - both closed, one open one closed, or both open. I LOVE these. I have very little produce go bad on me in these containers. And I'm not throwing any bags away. They allow me to make fewer trips to the store/farmer's market.

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Posts: 123
6/25/11 11:33 A

When on occasion I cannot make use of a veggie on time I chop it up and add it to a freezer container I keep set in there just for that purpose. When it gets full I make a batch of veggie soup.

I know that may not help with the prolonged storage bit, but I thought it might help for the times things do not store as long as needed.

current weight: 312.0

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Posts: 10,550
6/23/11 10:58 P

Here's some information:
www.mint.com/blog/saving/storing-produce-0
7072010/

and this is really cool. This is how I store my parsley and cilantro now
simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_store_par
sley_cilantro_and_other_fresh_herbs/

Posts: 10,550
6/23/11 10:54 P

One good thing to do is to squeeze as much air out of the bag as you can. I pull the open end together just leaving a hole with my hand big enough for the air to come out while I hold the bag against my tummy and press gently but steadily with my other arm 'till there's a vacuum happening. Then I just twist the end of the bag round a few turns, place the bag in the fridge with the twisted end hooked underneath to hold it. Or you can use a twist tie too. This will slow down oxidative damage to veggies--especially those beautiful leafy ones like lettuce, spinach, kale and the like.

Posts: 1,581
6/23/11 7:22 P

I have a chart that I clipped from a magazine a while back called "What to Store Where" so I know whether or not I should store something on the counter, or in the fridge, and whether or not I should wash it before I store it. I'm sure you could find a similar list online somewhere.

current weight: 155.0

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148

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Posts: 88
6/23/11 5:37 P

I've had great success using the green colored bags for sale in the produce aisle (currently using the Debbie Meyer brand). They keep greens, broccoli, etc. fresh for more than a week. You just have to make sure the produce is VERY DRY before putting into the bag and put only one type of veg or fruits in each bag. They are reuseable and although the package says they will last "8-10 times" I've used mine a lot longer than that!

current weight: 155.0

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140

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6/23/11 3:12 P

I do the same with red peppers (especially since I don't want my organic ones to go to waste). I buy bags of frozen, chopped, organic spinach from Costco. Root veggies will literally stay good for months if stored correctly.
I like to buy lettuce every 2-3 days or so. I have to anyhow, because it always gets eaten up so quickly.

Pounds lost: 23.0

0 8.75 17.5 26.25

35

Posts: 7,356
6/23/11 2:17 P

We make out a weekly menu and do the grocery shopping around that. I have found it has cut down on the waste. If something gets too ripe - freeze it and use it in a smoothie later.
Veggies are another story but I have cut up bell peppers and froze them and added them to omelets later.

current weight: 124.6

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6/23/11 1:04 P

That is wonderful! I hope to start some day soon as well!

Pounds lost: 95.0

0 36.75 73.5 110.25

147

Posts: 815
6/23/11 12:00 P

Great topic! I have been learning as I go.....I usually have to hit the store 3-4 times a week to get my fresh produce. Depends on what I am making. I usually make a huge salad and bag what we don't eat and then have it the next day. I am bad about planning meals so that is why I pick up my produce so often........I got tired of throwing things away because they were going bad. Just like today I need to plan dinner around some mushrooms that are on their last leg! LOL Looking forward to lots of wisdom on this!

Pounds lost: 3.6

0 7.5 15 22.5

30

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Posts: 21,063
6/23/11 11:17 A

Great thread and I will be learning along with you.

Posts: 91
6/23/11 11:05 A

Hello everyone! I'm going to start eating clean way of life this upcoming Sunday. I'm planning to do all of my shopping between now and Saturday. However, my issue is going to be keeping the produce fresh. What suggestions can you give me on keeping my produce as fresh as possible? I have a manual humidity controlled fruit and veggie drawer in my refrigerator and sometimes they work, sometimes they don't lol! I mainly buy frozen veggies, but the frozen fruit for me is only good in a smoothie lol!
Thanks everyone!!

current weight: 184.0

227 206.5 186 165.5

145