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Keep Fruits and Vegetables Fresh Longer

Keep foods that spoil relatively fast, such as dairy products or soft fruit, in the front of your fridge or on the counter in plains sight so you will use then first. If a recipe calls for one ingredient but you have another similar item in your refrigerator, use it instead. You can substitute like items such raspberries for strawberries in a fruit pie or compote. Shop weekly or more often buying smaller quantities so that your produce stays fresher longer, preventing spoilage.

Pin your grocery receipt to your refrigerator door so you know exactly what you have purchased and plan your meals for at least a week from this list. If you buy in bulk center several meals around your bulk purchases. Use leftover meats for taco's and casseroles. Freeze your leftover rice and pasta for use during the week with soups, casseroles and other dishes. Use leftover fresh and cooked vegetables in a stir fry instead of tossing leftover pieces away and serve with the leftover rice you put in the freezer. Cold rice makes excellent fried rice as well. Freeze leftover stock for soups. You can also freeze stock in ice cube trays for use when smaller amounts are needed. This also works will for left over wine to use in sauces for recipes that call for wine.

Store your produce correctly. Leave a few fresh fruits out for eating right away and refrigerate the remaining apricots, berries, apples, melons and plums. Refrigerate your cucumbers, broccoli, radishes, green onions, brussels sprouts, cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, greens and lettuce. Put your nectarines, peaches and bananas out for snacking. Banana's will last longer if you place wrap or foil over the stem leaving them on the stalk and hanging them. Bananas can be frozen when getting overly ripe to use in smoothies and breads. Avocados can remain out if used before going soft. If they are fully ripe they will keep a little longer in the fridge. You can buy under ripe avocados and refrigerate until needed. Just remember to set them out at least a day before using to ripen. Place your potatoes, garlic and onion in a cool dark place. A crock with lid is ideal. If storing in the pantry keep them separated to prevent them from absorbing odors from the other produce.

You’ll eat better and keep more money in your wallet thanks to the smart strategies. Trying to trick to keep yours meaning green. Natural nut butters will separate in the cupboard. Turn them upside down after using and stirring so the oil will remain on the bottom for your next use. If there are foods in your cupboard that you know you won’t use by the expiration date then donate them to a local food pantry. If you don’t want to add another errand to your to do list consider ordering online.