Monday, February 2, 2009

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.

18 comments:

Gretchen said...

Great Tips!

Burgh Baby said...

You're assuming I even manage to make it home with the fruits and veggies, but Alexis usually eats them in the store and car! I would buy more, but then you know she'd stop eating them. That's how toddler Karma works.

Amanda said...

I always have a plate of grapes all washed in the bottom of the fridge at kid level. But it is a great idea to wash and get the rest of the stuff ready too.
Love,
Amanda x

dani said...

those are great tips, lisa:)
love,
dani

CC said...

Wait. I have to put them AWAY??? Doesn't thrown on the counter count??

Momo Fali said...

I do make sure that I wash a cut up the fruit and veggies right away, or else it will never get eaten. I don't know why it makes a difference, but if I don't do it right away (like if I have to run right back out to pick up kids, etc.), it never gets done and I end up throwing things away! It makes me so mad, but it never fails to happen again!

Sonya said...

That's a great idea! We're alsways good about eating the fruit, but the veggies that I buy and "intend" to turn into carrot sticks, etc. usually get forgotten (or cooked into carrot souffle!)

Jules from "The Roost" said...

Now that is the way to feed the kiddo's! :)

Unknown said...

Wow, this is a great idea. I've never thought to do it that way!! You rock Lisa!

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Anonymous said...

I still need you to come with me and show me how to do it.

Anti-Supermom said...

Hey Lisa, I always thought that you should just wash what you are going to eat at that time otherwise produce doesn't last as long,

so that isn't true?

thanks for all the tips - my kitchen is still jealous of yours :)

Brian and Staci said...

WOW! I keep saying' it...but I'm gonna say it again...YOU are somethin'!!! Great info! Brian gives me a hard time about my 8 point inspection on the fruit...especially grapes...it's a WHOLE process for me...if they mushy in the least bit...or can't hang on to the vine...they don't make my cut :) I feed them to the critters out here in Oklahoma :) Seriously though...great tips! Thanks girl!

EatPlayLove said...

just went shopping today, must do this tomorrow!

RuensOnTheRun said...

Great tips, now I need to follow through with all of it!

McMommy said...

Lisa, so not only do you have 4 kids....but you are a grocery shopping, putting away, slicing and dicing GENIUS!!

Jackie said...

You seriously have some of the best and most practical tips ever...this is another one I'll have to adopt. Thanks!!

Purple Teacup said...

I do this too! It works wonderfully.