eating well Archives - Impressions

How to store apples

January 25, 2018 Rachel Sherwood

Save money at the store. Grocery shopping on a budget.

One of the biggest concerns my clients have is saving money while still eating well. It is a common misconception that “good” food is expensive food. In realty eating well can cost significantly less if you know what to look for and are a smart shopper. This led to last weeks post on how to save money while grocery shopping. The post is filled loads of tips on cutting costs on groceries without having to cut coupons or cutting out your favorite foods. Check out the article Grocery Shopping on a Budget here. However, as I was writing I came to the tip of saving money by know how to store food well. Simply put the best way to save money is to not waste food. In general about 40% of all the food in the United States ends up in the garbage. American families throw out between 14 and 25 percent of the food and beverages they buy. This can cost the average family between $1,365 to $2,275 annually. That’s a lot of money to be simply tossing away.

I could not list all the ways to properly store food well in that article so I started compiling a list of the most commonly used items and key tips on how to store these foods well. Needless to say I am still working on it because there is so much useful information I want to share and I don’t want to overwhelm you or cheat you out of good practical tips to save you money in the kitchen. I will share some of the most common items one at a time in future newsletters under the new Save Money, Store it Well section. Look for in in future releases. For this week we start with an all American favorite the Apple.

How to Store Apples

Apples are one of the most common and loved fruits and for good reason, not only do they come an amazing verity of colors, flavors and textures they are perfectly delicious eaten out of hand or used in a variety of cooking and baking applications from sweet to savory breakfast to dinner and dessert. It seems there are almost endless possibilities for the humble apple. Just like so many other perishable items they are only harvested one time of year and are at their peak for just a few weeks. So how do you best store apples? Here are a few tips to save money and store apples well.

When Shopping:

Look for apples free from bruises, cuts, bug damage and soft spots for longer storage. Use imperfect apples quickly for eating or use them in cooking for applesauce, apple juice, apple butter, cakes, muffins, apple pie or canning for long term storage.

Storage Location and Temperature:

Place unblemished apples in boxes or baskets in a cool basement, garage, shed, fruit cellar or refrigerator. The ideal storage temperature is 30-32°F with high humidity. Apples will ripen quickly, if the temperature is above 40.

Take Extra Care:

To maximize their storage life, wrap each apple in craft or newspaper before you place it in the basket. If one apple goes bad, the paper will protect the other apples from coming into contact with it and will keep soft spots to a minimum.

Keep an eye on it:

Check regularly for signs of spoilage, and remove any rotten apples before they have a chance to spoil others.

*Note that Apples and many other fruit produce an ethylene gas that is harmless but causes other items around it to ripen faster.

Do you have a favorite way for ideal apple storage? Do you have questions about how to best store a particular ingredient? Let me know, I am happy to help.

Vegetable Inspiration, Cookbook Giveaway!

August 18, 2017August 15, 2017 Rachel Sherwood

I don’t know about you but I love Free Stuff. Today I am sharing one of my new favorite cookbooks for tasty vegetable inspiration. You can win your copy for Free! All you need to do is like my facebook page and share this post to be entered to win.

So about this amazing book. I want to introduce you to Farm Girl Fresh. I originally bought this book because I liked their no nonsense approach to real food, cooking and recipes free from refined sugar. What I didn’t realize is this book is full of tasty vegetable inspiration, easy ways to use a variety of different vegetables. Making incorporating vegetables into a daily diet simple and interesting. The authors Joyce and Colleen are experienced, local, MN “Farm Girls’ they are sweet and know their stuff. They feel that, “eating well and having a sustainable healthy family lifestyle starts from the ground up (garden to table or farm to table). It is about taking back the kitchen and preparing simple, healthy meals with pure ingredients.” I could not agree more. I love sharing quality food with my family.

Kids love exploring the garden and are more inclined to try new food if they have a hand in growing or preparing it.

The more I do the more excited and willing they are to try new things. Involving children and spouses in the cooking process from the beginning is one way to broaden their tastes for new and healthy foods. Kids especially tend to be more excited to try something new if they had a hand in growing or preparing it.

"Cheesy" Roasted Cauliflower — “Cheesy” Roasted Cauliflower

This book has really useful, and practical tips for growing, preparing, cooking, canning, and freezing a variety of produce so you can get the best quality items all year. I also enjoyed the sections “Dig into This” that share interesting facts about specific produce like that you can ripen tomatoes indoors and tips on how to do it well. Also, “How Does Your Garden Grow” solutions for natural pest and weed control in your garden. Tips on how to plant a garden easily and well. Kids love playing in the dirt, and you can grow food even in something as a simple patio garden pot. You don’t need a lot of stuff or experience to have success with a few key vegetables. This book will help set you up both in and out of the kitchen.

Sweet Glazed Carrots are one example of the family friendly vegetable sides in this book.

Anyways, I love it and I thought you would too. Give this one a try for a guilt free treat. Zucchini Fudge Brownies, recipe below. Yes, these are gluten and dairy free too!

Or like the facebook page and share this post to be entered to win your free copy of Farm Girl Fresh, Eating Pure is a Processed Foods World. It is full of simple recipes with real foods that taste amazing like the Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Glazed Carrots that I know your family will love.

Looking for other solutions to help you eat well?

Get our FREE Guide to 7 Secrets to Meals Made Easy here!

Attended one of our upcoming live events like Eat Well for Less or join a hands on class like Dinner Made Easy.

Zucchini Fudge Brownies

1 1/2 cup grated zucchini

1 cup almond or peanut butter

1/2 cup honey

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease bottom and sides of an 8×8 glass pan. In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 35-40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. Cover and put into refrigerator to harden before cutting and serving- this is key. Store in refrigerator. Makes 16 servings.

Recipe from Farm Girl Fresh

Full Disclosure:

I do not receive compensation for promoting specific products. I will ONLY promote products that I love and currently use myself. I feature these products as they have made my life simpler or more enjoyable in some way. I share them with you only as a resource to better support you in enjoying a simply delicious and healthy lifestyle.

All reviews are my own words and opinions. I share them as an expert in the field and hope these products work for you and bring as much joy to your life as they have to mine.

I will occasionally link to specific sites to help you purchase similar or recommend products. I do not work for or have a relationship with these companies. There are a few companies that I am working on creating affiliate relationships with as I truly love and believe in their products. I will be sure to let you know what these items are or if I have them available for sale. Through these relationships I can usually get you discounts. As always it is my true effort to serve you please contact me if you have questions about this process or products I mention. I am happy to help.

Giveaway Rules:

One new Farm Girl Fresh Cookbook will be given away. To enter to win simply like the Impressions Facebook Page and share this post. You will receive one drawing entry for each qualified post share up to 10 entries per person. Winner will be announced through social media and on this site, impressionsathome.com on September 15th 2017. To claim your prize winner must be 18 years of age and provide contact information, including mailing address within 24 hours of announcement or another winner will be selected. Winner will be selected at random. Shipping is free if inside the continental United States. Thanks for participating!

Eating well, Food on the go

August 4, 2017August 4, 2017 Rachel Sherwood

Eating well at home can be challenging enough. But what do you do when you are hungry on the go or need to plan for an out of the house snack time or picnic lunch? I recently had a friend ask what are some of my best ideas for portable food. I have to be honest. I am a busy working mom so for food on the go I try not to over complicate things. I use a lot of thing that require no cooking at all, focusing on simple nutrient dense foods that can be packaged in advance for easy use and transportation. I like to keep it clean, simple and healthy. Here are a few of my favorite ideas for eating well on the go and how to do it easily.

Stock your Pantry with easy to use fruits, nuts, cheese and veggies.

Stock your pantry: Save time and money by stocking your pantry well. If you have items pre packaged and easily accessible it makes packing for the day much faster. Think of foods that are shelf stable and nutrient dense for the most versatility and ease of use.

Trail mix, nuts, seeds, or nut butter packs

Dried or freeze-dried fruits and veggies

Granola or nut/seed based bars

Poultry, salmon or meat jerky

Crackers, pita breads or dry cereals

Fruit or vegetable puree in squeezable pouches or items that can be eaten out of hand like apples, clementine and bananas.

For easy food on the go pack and freeze items if possible in individual servings.

For things that are more perishable freeze them if possible, things like muffins, homemade granola bars, pouches with puree like fruit, vegetables, smoothies, hummus and yogurt act like mini ice packs and thaw for use later in the day and keep other items like the ones listed below cool.

Cheese, cut in slices or cubes or use packaged string cheese

Sliced meats like turkey, ham salami or other cured sausages like peperoni

Cut fruits and veggies like peaches, pears, carrots, sliced bell peppers or roasted squash

Preserved items like olives and pickles.

Cold salads with hearty bases like grain, pasta or kale salads

Quiche

Fruit/vegetable/nut breads like banana, carrot, zucchini, or cashew bread

Also try freezing fresh grapes. These are a wonderful summer treat that act like a little ice pack as well.

Stock your car with a few easy to use and clean items like disposable wipes, especially if you have kids.

Stock your car for success: Eating on the go can be a bit messy. Stock you car with a few essentials to make easting on the go clean and easy.

Keep a few bottles of water for hydration or lightly rinsing hands or dishes if needed.

Wipes, moist towelettes or a small towel to clean hands and wipe up accidental spills.

Few small garbage bags are nice to have to catch trash or dirty dishes you want to clean later.

If you have young kids I also really like the disposal bibs and place mats. I love the place mats especially for tables because they have double-sided tape that sticks them to the surface. This way you can put food directly on it. With these you don’t need plates and no worries about your kids food touching a dirty table.

These are my favorite for short trips and daily use. I love the glass container and leak proof lids

Choose the right container: I think a huge part of eating on the go well is packing wisely not only to keep food cool and safe but also for easy of use to eat and dispose of. When packing food on the go here are a few of the thing I take into consideration.
Try to pack items in individual servings with the least amount of waste and easily disposable packaging. For items like granola bars or muffins a light plastic wrap works fine. I love to use my reusable glass containers but they can get heavy if I want to bring a lot of items. I especially love these Wean Green ones as they are great sizes with easy snap on lids that don’t leak.
<br />
What needs to be cool and for how long? Can I just take a frozen item and let it thaw or do I need ice packs and or a cooler for longer trips?

I love this container for day trips it keeps everything cool and contained in one area.

If I am going for an extended day I like to keep things simple with everything all in one storage piece like this lunch box from cool gear. It has individual sealed spaces and a built in ice pack. The center blue try can be taken out and frozen! When finished everything great sealed back in the container so no messy smelly dishes floating around the car.
<br />
For longer trips or traveling out of town I make it easy on myself and worry less about reusable containers that I have to keep with me for days and clean later. I will often look for small plastic items that I can fill and recycle later when we are done with it.

For longer tips keep it simple. Use recyclable plastics that can be disposed of on the go.

Keep is safe:
Remember that food safely is important both in an outside the home. If you are going to be away for a while pack items in a cooler with ice packs and keep it out of the sun.
Always follow good food safety practices. Remember that perishable food cannot be kept out in hot weather (90°F or higher) for more than one hour; in mild weather for more than two hours. Foods should be kept out of the “Danger Zone” Bacteria, need time, food and moisture to grow; but they won’t grow when the temperature of the food is colder than 40º F or hotter than 140º F. The temperatures in between 40º and 140º are in the “Danger Zone.” Keep potentially hazardous foods out of the “Danger Zone” by keeping them well chilled, heated properly and cooked thoroughly.

If you want to be more adventurous and pack items besides simple dried fruits, veggies, nuts, cheese and bars. Here are a few recipes to get you started. Looking for other ideas or inspiration just let me know. I am happy to help.

Smoked Salmon Spread, perfect with pita or crackers.

Simple Banana Bread, great for breakfast on the go or afternoon sweet snack.

Quiche, high in protein and good warm or cold great for breakfast or lunch on the go.

Hummus or Beet Hummus, good for sandwiches, or dip for crackers, bread or vegetables.

Marinated Quinoa Salad, I love this one for lunch on the go.

Italian Sun-dried Tomato Pasta Salad is a great addition to summer picnics.

Peanut Pasta Salad, is a great lunch or side item you can make it with out without the chicken depending on how hearty you want it.

Fruit and Nut Bars, these are perfect any time of day snacks that are so versatile mix and match to make your favorite version. They are best keep frozen for food on the go.

Looking for more easy food on the go ideas? You might also like The 6 Top Store Bought Time Savers.

The Top 8 Foods That Feed Your Heart

February 7, 2014November 2, 2014 Rachel Sherwood

February is not just a month about love because it contains Valentines Day. February is also American Heart Health Month.

This month, look out for your heart and of for the ones you love by incorporating these “Top 8 That are Great” heart-friendly foods into your diet.

1. Almonds. These nuts have heart-healthy nutrients like the antioxidant vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids. These “good” fats help lower cholesterol. Studies show that almonds may help improve the lining of the arteries as well. Almonds are a calorie-dense food, so stick to small portions for snacks or introduce them by grinding them up to add crunch in chicken breading, salads or oatmeal toppings.

2. Spinach. High in folate, potassium, fiber, calcium and co-enzyme Q10, spinach helps lower blood pressure and is essential for the strength of the muscles. With the heart being one of our larger and more important muscles in the body, this is key for keeping it strong and healthy. Popeye had it right; eat your spinach or other dark leafy vegetables every day. Substitute it for lettuce in salads and on sandwiches, add it to an omelet, lasagna, and soup, or even blend it in a smoothie.

3. Avocados. These are high in calories but loaded with healthy fats. Avocados have monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, vitamin E, fiber and folic acid, and avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and nutrients to the diet. Add a little guacamole to your dinner or a few slices to a salad or sandwich. You can even make chocolate avocado mousse for dessert.

4. Blueberries. Blueberries have an abundance of antioxidants. They are also a good source of beta-carotene, calcium, vitamin C and fiber that can help maintain a healthy heart. Blueberries are perfect eaten out of hand as a snack, or added to a salad, cereal or yogurt. They even freeze well for smoothies and baking.

5. Oatmeal. This versatile, healthy grain is known to lower cholesterol levels significantly. It is a great source of fiber, Omega 3s, vitamin B1 and magnesium. Lower cholesterol levels help support a healthy heart and cardiovascular system. Oatmeal is a neutral base, so add in some extra heart-healthy goodness by adding fresh berries and nuts.

6. Brown rice. Swap white rice for brown rice. It tastes similar and has much more added benefits than the stripped-away white rice varieties. Brown rice is high in manganese, a good source of vitamin B and iron. Brown rice provides cell protection, and works to lower cholesterol. Cooked rice is great as a side dish, in stir-fry dishes, or even mixed into desserts and eggs.

7. Salmon. Salmon is one of the best sources for Omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential to circulatory function. These “good fats” keep blood pressure levels within normal limits. Look for wild salmon over farmed for the best quality and nutrients. Bake or broil it with a little seasoning or dressings for dinner and use leftovers in a salad for lunch. Not into salmon? Try one of the other oily fish varieties for the same benefits, like mackerel, tuna, or sardines.

8. Legumes. Legumes are relatively inexpensive and shelf-stable, so keep a few cans on hand at all times. They are rich in protein soluble fiber, calcium and fatty acids. They help keep you feeling full and clean out all the old stuff that may be clinging to your artery walls. Mix a can into rice, soup or pasta for healthy, quick meals.