Frugal Tips to Help Food Last Longer

December 31, 2007 · Filed Under · 5 Comments 

christmas_food.jpgSorry for not blogging in a while, I found it very hard to type with a double stuffed potato in one hand and a piece of fudge in the other! Actually, that sounds kinda gross. But anyways, I have gained several pounds the last couple weeks and it is time to get back into my exercise routine. Desserts and sweets keep showing up at our house and I just would feel terrible if they went to waste. So I eat and eat until I think I am full then I eat some more. Tis’ the season! But the good news is that over the last month I have stumbled across some frugal and often healthy ways to make food in your house last longer along with some great dessert and snack ideas for the family. Here are a few that might help:

  •  Don’t throw out that extra celery from Christmas dinner. If celery becomes limp, don’t toss it! Instead put it in some cold water and toss it back in the fridge for an hour. It will get back a lot of its crispiness.
  • Yummy carrot sticks. If you think that is an oxymoron try peeling the carrots, cut them into desired size then immerse in tall container of water with some artificial sweetener (couple small packages will do). Chill for an hour or two, and what an improvement. (for me anyways!)
  • Make your own ice cream sandwiches. Slice off squares of your favorite ice cream and place them between graham crackers (cinnamon & sugar are the best!) and put them in the freezer. Awesome treats!
  • Watching your calorie intake? If so, try beating together 1 egg white, 1 small ripe banana, and 1/4 teaspoon of lemon juice until fluffy. Use immediately as a tasty replacement to whipped cream.
  • Peanut butter, the old stand by. This is a classic: spread beanut butter on apples wedges or fill celery with peanut butter for a tasty snack.
  • Get fancy with chocolate curls. Ever wonder how to make those fancy chocolate curls? Easy, warm a bar of chocolate slightly, then shave with a sharp knife to make those desserts come alive.
  • Make the marshmallows last. We are constantly throwing out half used bags of rotten marshmallows from our pantry. I stumbled across the tip of keeping opened bags of marshmallows in the freezer to keep them from getting hard and sticky. They really do stay fresh this way!
  • Oh, and as for the leftovers! Make sure to cover your plate of leftovers in the microwave. If you forget, place 1 cup of water in the microwave, heat for a minute or 2, then let it set for a few minutes. This will steam your microwave and make it easy to wipe off food splatters and explosions. Don’t ask me how I know this….

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Comments

5 Responses to “Frugal Tips to Help Food Last Longer”

  1. Jennifer on December 31st, 2007 1:51 pm

    Great tips. And if the celery is going to be cooked anyway, like in stuffing or a casserole, no need to revive it before using it.

  2. Elizabeth on December 31st, 2007 7:42 pm

    These are really good tips ds loves marshmellows but he is th only one so we will use that tip.

  3. ed on January 1st, 2008 7:14 pm

    Good post. This time of year we always have a bit of left over bread hanging around. French loaves, end pieces from white bread, et cetera. I toss them in a little olive oil and basil and put them on a rack in the oven at 200 for a couple of minutes.

    They dry out nice and well. Since there is less moisture they won’t grow mold as easily as normal bread and you can pop them into everything from chili to soup, to salads!

  4. Silverstar on January 2nd, 2008 7:14 am

    Hey, great tips, thanks! (We also have problems with food going bad quickly in our fridge)

    Can I ask a favor? Could you please post some tips on how to save up for a house, since that is something I am trying to do at the moment and I’m sure you have lots of great ideas! Thanks.:)

  5. Kyle on January 3rd, 2008 10:45 am

    Silverstar, great idea. I will start working on it!

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