One of the most common answers for why people don’t eat healthy food is the high cost. Stocking up on fresh food, people end up throwing away a significant part of it, which means they are throwing money away. Fortunately, there are ways to keep supplies fresh for a long time. Say goodbye to wilted lettuce, moldy mushrooms and sprouted potatoes. And you will see that investing in healthy products is worth every penny.
Solution: Wrap banana stems in plastic wrap
There are fruits that, when ripe, emit ethylene gas – bananas are one of them. If you know you won’t eat them right away, just wrap the stems (where most of the gas is released) tightly with plastic wrap. This will slow down the ripening process and keep the fruit fresh for a long time. Bananas, melons, nectarines, pears, plums and tomatoes also emit ethylene and should be kept away from other foods.
Solution: Wrap in foil and store in the refrigerator
Celery is a product that can quickly become soft and sluggish from strong and crunchy. It only takes a few minutes to extend its service life. After washing and drying the stems, wrap it in aluminum foil. This will retain moisture, but will release ethylene, unlike plastic bags. In this way, you can keep celery fresh for several weeks.
Solution: Cover the bottom of the refrigerator container with paper towels.
Everyone wants to see a healthy crispy salad on the summer dinner table. But after a few days it fades. To prolong the shelf life of greens and other foods in your refrigerator, line the drawer with paper towels. Moisture is what makes fruits and vegetables sluggish. The paper in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator will absorb excess moisture and keep food fresh for a long period of time.
Solution: Rinse the berries in vinegar and refrigerate
In summer, store shelves are full of bright and juicy berries. Low seasonal prices for strawberries, blueberries, raspberries temptingly require you to take a larger package. But, if they are not eaten quickly, the berries become soft and sticky. To avoid this, wash the berries with a vinegar solution (one part vinegar to three parts water) and then clean water. After drying, store the berries in the refrigerator. Vinegar kills bacteria on the berries and prevents mold growth, allowing them to last longer.
Solution: Store potatoes with apple
A big sack of potatoes can be a lifesaver for a busy day. You can quickly make baked potatoes, french fries or pancakes from it. The downside to this stock is that the potatoes start to sprout. Store it in a cool dry place, away from sunlight and moisture. And one more trick: throw an apple into a bag of potatoes. There is no scientific explanation for this phenomenon, but the apple protects the potato from sprouting. Try it and judge for yourself.
Solution: Store mushrooms not in a plastic bag, but in a paper bag.
Mushrooms are a tasty and nutritious ingredient in many dishes, but nothing is more unappetizing than slimy mushrooms. To keep mushrooms fleshy and fresh for as long as possible, they need to be stored properly. We have a habit of packing everything in plastic bags, but mushrooms need paper. Plastic retains moisture and allows mold to develop, while paper breathes and allows moisture to pass through, and, therefore, slows down the spoilage of mushrooms.