Veggies When Out of Sight are Out of Mind (and rotting)

Now that everyone is making detailed meal menus, complete shopping lists and coming home to the organized kitchen, it's time for a new tip. Putting Away the Groceries.

Yes, putting away the groceries.  I know you all have areas clearly labeled and marked for the different items so what else is there to do? Is there a certain hand to use? Make sure you unload the cold first? No (but seriously, put up the eggs and chicken!), I'd like to show you a way to get your kids to eat their veggies simply by putting away the groceries my way.

When you get home, fill up your sink with water. Now add the apples, grapes, oranges (because when you slice into that orange, you are adding whatever was on the skin into the fruit), berries or any other ready to eat fruit. Place paper towels by the sink. While unloading cold items (except ready to eat veggies), let the fruit sit in the water and then clean off all the fruit with a damp paper towel. Let dry.

Drain sink, clean off and add new water. Now take the veggies you can eat plain like celery, carrots, cucumber and peppers. Give them a quick dunk and then slice off the parts you can't eat (bonus idea--save these scraps in a plastic bag for a veggie stock base). Do not cut them into bite pieces, yet. Place veggies back in sink. Unload the rest of the groceries.

Take out veggies, giving a quick check to make sure all is clean. Chop the veggies into ready eat size (ie cucumber slices, pepper slices). Make sure they are dry and place in labeled baggies or clear containers with the date (do not forget the date, please). Place the containers/bags at kiddo eye level in the refrigerator--usually the first shelf.

Now for the fruits that should be nice and dry at this point. If you have a produce drawer, clear it out and place paper towels (or even newspaper--the ink is safe on food) on the bottom. Label the drawer, 'washed' and place the fruit inside. 

And you are done. 

When the kids get home from school or are hungry, direct them to the ready to eat fruit and veggies. You won't have to get off the computer to wash or cut anything!

The added bonus here is that the produce is right in eye sight and not hidden behind a bunch of other items. it will be eaten and not turn into some crazy scientist experiment.