Crazy Cool Costco Catches

Costco could probably keep my family happily fed, and nourished with just these few favorites!

Organic frozen raspberries

These are one of the most delightful foods in my whole world!  A bowl of these berries is a wonderful dessert, with a happy aftertaste and after-feel (like no bellyaches or yucky feelings).  They just melt in my mouth!

Organic frozen broccoli

A pound or two each day has become a staple for my family.  We all happily eat them up each night for a powerful daily dose of cancer prevention and we love it!

Organic Garofolo whole wheat pasta

I normally get WHOLE WHEAT pasta from Costco, and ORGANIC whole wheat pasta from Trader Joe's. Now, I can have ORGANIC WHOLE WHEAT pasta from Costco, for $1.30/lb!  It tastes great too!  Here are some yummy pasta alternates and recipes!

Unsalted cashews

These are delicious! I do enjoy salted cashews, but after a bite or two, that saltiness is too much for me, and it makes stinginess on my lips, and of course who needs all that sodium?!  Try some Cashew Cookie Laraballs or Tasty Tofu Stir-Fry or Lemon Bar Laraballs or or some Morning Power Smoothie!

Hass Avocados

Avocados are such a favorite that I must give them a quick shout out!  Just remember to buy them hard, set them out until softened, but still firm, and then refrigerate them until you are ready for their delightfulness!  Some avocado recipes are here (don't mind the posts without avocado recipes).

Deglet Noor Dates (restocked after a long wait...again!)

This is the ultimate sweetness!  Fiber, no refining, no artificial sweeteners, AND this particular brand is pitted (huge time-saver) and cheap (little over $2/lb)!  Check out these sweet date recipes!

Here is another post about other things I like from Costco!

Samoas Bites (Healthy Version of the Girl Scout Cookies)

These were a big hit at my nutrition class last night! Thanks ladies for being open-minded to open your mouths to so many new foods and combinations :) This is a healthy version of Samoas Girl Scout cookies so healthy that you could eat them for breakfast! I've enjoyed Samoas Girl Scouts Cookies long before I labeled myself as a person who likes coconut.  Here you go!

Samoas Bites (Healthy Version of the Girl Scout Cookies)

1-3/4 c walnuts
1 c raisins, unsweetened
1/2 c cocoa, unsweetened
1/2 c rolled oats, we use Old Fashioned
1/6 c chia seeds
1/3 c water
1/2 c coconut, shredded, unsweetened, plus extra for outer coating :)

Blend all but the coconut in a food processor for a minute, then add coconut. Process until mixture comes together as a dough. Transfer to plastic bag and form into balls. Roll in shredded coconut to add a bit of fanciness :)

HEALTH OF COCONUT 

As often as possible, I try to choose unprocessed, plant foods, so coconut is in the mix. Unsweetened, shredded coconut provides a unique FLAVOR and some FIBER. However, the jury is still out regarding the health benefits. While there are endless lists of all that coconut can do for you, they aren't always backed by scientific data. Due to saturated fat content, reliable sources even put coconut in the same category as animal fat. Since animal products have many other harmful components, I would definitely limit meat well before I would limit coconut. On the other hand, there is no need to try to learn to like coconut in an attempt to be healthy. If you enjoy the taste, choose UNSWEETENED, and appreciate it!

There are plenty of awesome fats that are especially HEALTHY, which include nuts, seeds (especially chia and ground flaxseeds), and avocados!  WHY EAT HEALTHY FATS!

Unfortunately, when choosing which "butter-type" fats to consume, there doesn't seem to be a magic bullet, a best option. While all are saturated, options include COCONUT butter, EARTH BALANCE BUTTERY SPREAD, and EARTH BALANCE VEGAN BUTTERY STICKS. Always use as little as possible, treat as a treat.

Here is an interesting Huffington Post article by Dr Katz, director or Yale Prevention Research Center: Is All Saturated Fat the Same? which provides a sort of "history of macronutrient trends".

Miracle Paper by Fenugreen

Sick of your veggies and fruits going bad?  Try this awesome paper, FreshPaper, and your produce will last two to four times longer before going rotten!

It all started when the inventor, Kavita Shukla, was visiting her grandma in India, drank some untreated water, and her grandma made her a concoction of spices to drink, and amazingly Kavita didn't get sick!

Fenugreen FreshPaper should be placed under or within any produce package and the organic Indian spices will significantly slow bacterial growth!

Every time you buy a pack, Whole Foods makes it possible to donate a pack to a food shelter!  So when you buy, you're helping others!

Lots of people, besides me, think it's really cool too!  For example, Oprah Magazine said, "The best non-diet tip we've ever heard!".  Check it all out in this brief CNN clip below:

There is also a TED talk by Kavita which is when I first learned about this product.  Remember www.TED.com?  It is this awesome website that I just love!

FreshPaper is sold at Whole Foods and other in-store locations (though they didn't haven't it at Woodmere when I went last week -- boo!), and www.fenugreen.com.

Before you get some of this paper, or instead, you can always use a VINEGAR AND WATER solution to wash produce, removing the bacteria that causes food to go bad.  I have found this technique to be quite effective!

Basically, a 1:3 ratio of vinegar-to-water works well, though measuring isn't important.  Two methods work well, including filling a spray bottle to squirt on your fruits and veggies.  The other method is to give your fruits and veggies a quick soak/swish in a bowl of the solution.  According to Cook's Illustrated, vinegar has been shown to kill 98% of the bacteria on produce!

BONUS TIP: Once ripe, store avocados in your refrigerator until you use them; they'll keep for weeks this way!  Click here for other quick tips for the kitchen.

Creamy Avocado Pasta!

This recipe was from Angela and her amazing blog!  www.ohsheglows.com

She is a truly amazing genius in the kitchen!  SO creative with healthy ingredients!

Here how I made her 15-Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta!

First I cook the pasta, whole wheat! or DeBoles Jerusalem Artichoke :)
Then I prepare the sauce -- super easy!  No cooking even!

Combine until smooth in a food processor:
1 1/2 avocados
4 packets of True Lemon (that stuff rocks!) + 1/4 water (or juice of 1/2 a lemon)
1 heaping tsp garlic, minced
2 tsp basil (I use 2 cubes of Dorot's) I also LOVE Dorot's frozen herb cubes!
Salt and pepper, to taste
Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (optional)

Drain pasta, mix sauce and pasta in pasta pan, and enjoy!

Pairs perfectly with a sweet potato!

Now you see it!

Now you don't!

Huge hit for our family of five!

COMMENTS: What quick and easy pasta dishes do you love?!

Pomegranate Power!

Looking for a healthy "movie snack"?

POMEGRANATE!

This fruit is perfect for slowly nibbling away on something sweet while you watch your favorite show, movie, or one of the recommendations that I will be suggesting soon!  It takes me a good hour to sit and take my time eating a whole pomegranate!  If you want to get this fruit fast read below.

Have you ever heard that you actually burn calories eating celery (as in more than you're eating)?  I AM CERTAIN that must be the case for pomegranate!

Top 5 Reasons this fruit is Powerful!

#1 Dr Roizen says: Heart health -- improving good cholesterol (HDL), and reducing BLOOD PRESSURE and triglycerides!

#2 Dr Dean Ornish says: Cancer PREVENTION -- particularly prostate cancer, by reducing damage to DNA.  Others also note inhibition of leukemia, breast, and colon cancer.

#3 UCLA says: SKIN health -- increases effectiveness of sunscreen in humans AND inhibits skin cancer in mice!

#4 Dr Mark Liponis says: Help you lose BELLY fat!

#5 Dr Joel Fuhrman says: it can help treat and prevent DIABETES, erectile dysfunction, INFECTIONS, and ANTIBIOTIC resistance through antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.  He also notes potential to decrease depression AND build BONE mass.

HOW TO? and POMEGRANATE TIPS

• It's messy!  
• Each red, corn-kernel-like piece is called an anril.  
• Cut the fruit open and pick anrils out one at a time; there are sections within the fruit.  Separate the red and white pieces and white paper-like sectional dividers.  
• Eat each anril entirely, including the small, crunchy seed in the center.  
• The whole fruit lasts up to two weeks at room temperature.  
• You can extend shelf life by refrigerating (as with avocados!); plus, it TASTES great cold!

Get it FAST: Costco sells a great frozen bag of mixed berries which includes pomegranate anrils!  Trader Joe's also sells them all prepared in a bag in the fresh fruit section!  Trader Joe's has so many awesome things!

COMING SOON: movie recommendations

COMMENTS: What have YOU been up to for the last few weeks?  My brother was in intensive care, after a bicycle accident (without a helmet), and is finally on the mend, thank heavens!  Please wear a helmet when you ride a bicycle!

Forever Fresh Basil!

SO cool -- store your fresh herbs in a vase (or beer mug!)!

They may NEVER go bad!

Seriously!  Thanks to my cousin, Kim, for sharing her delicious fresh basil!  She gave me LOTS and sent it home with the bottom wrapped in a wet paper towel and told me to keep it in water.

Oh my goodness, so awesome!

I feel like I am going out and picking fresh basil from my yard each night from this one great supply!

It's a few weeks later, and I still have some!!

Tomatoes came from another friend with a green thumb -- you should see the bold redness inside those delicious babies!!

Since then, I've bought some cilantro, and popped it in another cup, and it looks better than it did the day I purchased it!

While I have even recommended this tip in the past, putting the tip to use...is like an exciting discovery, and money saver!  Like with avocados! ...read here avocado storage tips, as well as other quick tips for the kitchen!

Try your fresh basil in this Penne Italiana!

Or in a nice caprese salad (fresh mozzarella and tomatoes olive oil and salt and pepper) or Tomato Cashew Soup (COMING SOON!)

Also, while you've got all this delicious summertime fresh basil, you really ought to try PRACTICAL PESTO ...it contains a nutritional bonus in there if you dare!  In the pesto post, I suggest freezing some pureed basil and nuts, and you could also freeze basil on its own!  Like Dorot products!

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO USE YOUR FRESH BASIL?

If you like this post, or the website, I really appreciate when you "LIKE" and 

SHARE with your friends and family!  It helps me HELP others :)  Good night!

Practical Pesto!

As promised...


Super SIMPLE, delicious, healthy, and practical!

Ever had your pesto sauce go bad?  Reminds me of avocados: too expensive to let go to waste!  See how to ALWAYS EAT PERFECT AVOCADOS (#1 in Quick Kitchen Tips)!

Cranberry Pesto Pasta Salad

Remember this Pesto RATIO!

1/4 c pine nuts (or walnuts ... similar taste, less expensive, and more nutritious!) NUT BENEFITS
2 c fresh basil, packed

Blend these in a food processor until smooth.
Freeze in 1/2c or so portions.

Fill silicone cupcake holders OR scoop mixture on a cookie tray to freeze, and then fill a freezer bag with the portions.  SO convenient and lasts forever!

Freezing just these two ingredients a) maintains perfect taste and b) minimizes freezer space used!

Whenever you WANT, pull out a 1/2 c portion.

Use spoon (no food processor necessary) to combine with:

1 1/4 c water or low-sodium vegetable broth
3/4 c nutritional yeast (click for benefits!)

Add pepper to taste (optional).

Try it out with Cranberry Pesto Pasta Salad!

ALSO try: Pesto Pizza!

COMMENTS: how do you like to eat your pesto?

Barbecue "Chicken" Salad

Use your fresh produce to make this family favorite!

It's a copy-cat of a salad that Applebee's used to serve!

There is my original recipe, with animal-free and sugar-free options!

Here is what you'll need!

Barbecue "Chicken" Salad

Or use meatless chicken pieces (Beyond Chicken is great!)

2 small heads leaf lettuce, such as Romaine, chopped

2 cucumbers, sliced, quartered

2 avocados, chopped

3-4 stalks green onion, sliced

2-3 c frozen corn

1 can black beans, drained

1/3 c chopped dates

1/3 c vinegar, any kind, we use red wine or rice wine or apple cider, and I bet plain would work too!

1/3 c barbecue sauce, omit for sugar-free dish, or find a nice WFPB recipe like My Whole Food Life Melissa's

Chop and combine ingredients, and enjoy!

We make this salad without chicken or cheese, and it's super yummy!  You could too! WHY bother?  READ HERE!

Dates and vinegar are a healthy alternative to barbecue sauce but it's not the same taste. It DOES give the salad a nice sweet taste, and allows you to avoid refined sugar :)

Read about where we got all but the corn and avocados from HERE! (CSA rules!)

Also try Copy-Cat California Pizza Kitchen Barbecue Pizza!

Awesome Avocado Quesadillas

These quesadillas are AWESOME!

I bought these tortillas a while ago (they seem to stay good forever!) and I couldn't decide how to use them, until I was PLEASANTLY SURPRISED with this combo!

You know AVOCADOS are awesome -- read why here!

Plus, Sprouted Corn Tortillas only have a very few ingredients! A SHORT ingredient list and HIGH fiber are often key to a good product! Sprouted Corn Tortilla Ingredients: organic sprouted whole kernel corn, water, salt, lime.

This is all you need:

Awesome Avocado Quesadillas

2 sprouted corn tortillas
1/2 an avocado

Heat a pan to medium-high heat. I use a non-stick ceramic pan. Place the tortilla on the hot pan.  Add avocado to center of tortilla. Mash second tortilla over avocado. After 1-2 minutes, flip quesadilla. Cut in pieces and enjoy!

These have a very AUTHENTIC Mexican taste! Dip in salsa. Great with a side of fresh tomato or red bell pepper slices! YUM!

BONUS TIP: red bell peppers have much more vitamin C than other colored peppers, such as orange, yellow, and green!

Sprouted corn tortillas, as well as other sprouted grain products, should be cooked this way, or toasted. Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe's, Heinen's, Giant Eagle (some), and even Marc's carry them. Here is a store locator: FIND SOME SPROUTED GRAINS NEAR YOU!

Here are some other ideas for sprouted grain bread snacks:a TOMATO SANDWICH or CINNAMON TOAST!

COMMENTS: Have you ever done a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program/plan? Have a particular farm that you recommend? What is your favorite part about participating?

Awesome Avocados!

via Mark Hyman, MD: "Avocados, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female-they also resemble these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit."

Awesome Avocados!

If you know any person who suffers from dementia, or even someone who has a loved one who suffers from this condition, you will be happy to know that research out of Tufts University suggests that avocados are beneficial to brain health and function!  Plus, it's a healthy fat -- read a list of my top reasons to consume healthy fats!

Here are some easy way to try them!

Avocado and Mustard Roll-Up
Avocado and Crackers
Super-Easy Guacamole
Mexican Fiesta Bowl (2-Minute Friday Night Dinner)

A COLORFUL and tasty TOPPING for:

Healthy Mexican Lasagna
or
Chili (EASY chili recipe coming soon!)

Or even a DESSERT!

Power Pudding -- there are several flavors!
Try Chocolate Cherry Torte Mousse

Read about some other health benefits of avocados here!  For avocado ripening and storage check out #1 on Quick Tips for the Kitchen!

Or to try EGGPLANT and avocado together!  Try marinating some thick slices of eggplant in extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar and grilling. Top it with some fresh spinach and avocado slices -- delicious!  You can eat it just as it is or as a sandwich!

COMMENTS: Did you eat avocado as a kid?  I didn't ever eat it until I was an adult, and boy was I missing gout!  I remember my grandma liked guacamole, but I thought it looked gross!

Colleen's Costco Cart

I LOVE Costco -- check out some healthy Costco Choices!  These are some things I got on my last big (photographed) trip to Costco.  It was expensive, but lots of this stuff lasts a LONG TIME.

 

Costco often offers ORGANIC fresh and frozen options, and this is amazing -- they are often LESS expensive than the conventional version at your regular grocery store! Corn, broccoli, and berries are three examples of organic for a super-BARGAIN!! The more WE keep buying organic, the cheaper organic will be -- so stock up!! In the meantime, read #11 in this post for a simple way to clean produce!

 

Organic greens: salad, spinach, and baby kale, as well as organic carrots from the fresh produce section are awesome -- great price, great food!

Organic strawberries are more expensive, still they are a good place to spend your money, if you choose. Strawberries are a fruit that is normally a lot higher in pesticide content. Also, as you might guess, organic strawberries are a steal at Costco compared to wherever else you'll find organic strawberries.

Avocados are an awesome deal at Costco. It's basically buy 4, get one free, or better, compared to other stores. If you worry that you couldn't use that many, check out how they can last up to 3 weeks or more (including ripening time) HERE! Also, avocado BENEFITS HERE!

 

FARRO and BLACK wild rice are great alternatives to your usual healthy grains. Farro can be used in place of and prepared similarly to rice. My pickiest child once said “this is my most favorite grain!” when enjoying some farro!

Get a huge supply of popcorn from Costco -- great for stove top or air-popping popcorn! Then, if you haven't yet, try lime-pepper popcorn right away!

I haven’t mastered the whole dried bean-soaking-cooking process, but we’ll talk more about that one day soon! It is certainly a great way to save money, and storage space! Above is a lovely mix of dried beans and lentils.

Costco’s brand, Kirkland, has come up with a whole-grain sandwich thin that is just like Arnold’s Sandwich Thins, which are a great grain option, high in fiber, and low in calories :)

 

These are two great snack options, especially for SCHOOL LUNCHES! Both products have NO-SUGAR ADDED and contain FIBER, vitamins, and minerals! Perfect alternatives to fruit roll-ups and fruit snacks!

Stretch Island Fruit Strips come in grape, strawberry, raspberry, apple, cherry, and apricot (the last 2 are my favorite flavors!). Individual packages are convenient and FUN for KIDS!

These Mariani dried apricots are delicious! Check 'em out more closely HERE!

 

Some healthy FATS! Natural peanut butter -- no sugar or hydrogenated oils Currently, made from conventional peanuts, since the peanut shortage, but hopefully this is a temporary change. Either way, the container is even bigger now, and a super-BARGAIN compared to prices at regular grocery stores! For a bit more about peanuts read HERE!

Pine nuts are great for PESTO -- recipe to come on another day -- so you can have homemade pesto in a flash, delicious and nutritious!! Great in summer when you can grow your own basil, or get some from a green-thumbed friend who does!

SATURATED fat that's harmful to your heart, arteries, and brain comes primarily from animal products. HEALTHY FATS come from plant sources.

 

While these products that are a bit lower in saturated fat, and provide PORTION control, however, I recommend instead, you FIND SOMETHING ELSE to enjoy - like some raspberries, or even non-dairy dark chocolate!

 

Costco has lots of sauce! Want a healthy MEAL in a flash -- just prepare a nice, healthy pasta (a whole-grain variety, or cook any pasta al dente -- like the Italians -- to slow the absorption!), and a quick veggie, and a meal is ready!

To read more about pasta sauce click here! The orange sauce is an eggplant product -- to read more about the health benefits of eggplant read here!

SHARE IF YOU DARE: What do you love at Costco?What foods and ways do you make the large Costco quantities not go to waste?

Pizza and Post Pleasure!

Posting ON my birthday because I LOVE writing this blog! A bit of gratitude, and fun, family-favorite recipe!

Mouth-Watering Guacamole Pizza

FIRST, I'm so blessed and lucky to have a passion -- helping people learn how to be healthy, inside and out!

Since returning to Cleveland 4 years ago, I have so enjoyed FRESH-YOU Nutrition, Fitness, and Wellness! I've been thrilled to teach and work with lovely people: one-on-one, in small group classes, and at presentations for large groups -- all interested in increasing their health and well being!

With 3 amazing children under 6, free time is sparse. Posting on www.fresh-you.com gives me the opportunity to spread the "wellness" word, any time of day. THANK YOU for reading, experimenting, tasting, and having an OPEN MIND to what I have to offer!

I LOVE to hear that you have tried a new food or love a new recipe, or use suggestion or tip I've shared! I LOVE to hear how you change my recipes to make them just right for you! I LOVE when you share YOUR recipe and post ideas, as well as cool products, websites, tips, and habits YOU love!

ASK if you want to LEARN about any food, condition, or technique! Each time you submit a COMMENT or "LIKE" a post on my Facebook page OR on www.fresh-you.com, you help another person to come across MY RECIPES AND TIPS and help them to become healthier too! Thanks again!

PIZZA, PIZZA, PIZZA!

Guacamole Pizza is one of our very favorites! It's even on my business card! This is an easy, satisfying, and delicious source of healthy fat, high-quality protein, fiber, B-vitamins, vitamin C, iron, potassium, magnesium, lycopene, and carotenoids!

It's a great idea for everyone to add vegetarian meals each week to anyone's diet. You choose!

Mouth-Watering Guacamole Pizza (easiest/fastest/healthiest version)

1 can diced tomatoes, drained
2 avocados, mashed
1/2-1 can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies), drained*
Lime juice (fresh squeezed or ~4 True Citrus packets)
1 whole wheat pizza crust (Boboli or Mama Mary's are both great!)...or homemade!
*or ~1/2 c or so of any jarred or fresh salsa!

Spread guacamole over crust and top with tomatoes. Follow pizza crust directions for baking. Enjoy!



I was going to include two more great pizzas -- Barbecue Pizza and Artichoke Pizza, but those will have to be for another day! Isn't the video cool?!

SHARE IF YOU DARE! Do you make videos on your own? It's surprisingly easy, and the result is so fun! Windows Movie Maker and Picasa are effective, user friendly programs!

18 Quick Tips for the Kitchen

NEVER let an expensive avocado go to waste again!  This post was inspired by an amazing blog that I just love called  100 Days of Real Food  !!  Lisa, the author, and her family have taken to the challenge of consuming all "real foods", as in whole foods, foods without a label, foods that aren't made by a factory.

I believe, Lisa and her family were inspired by the books of Michael Pollan, including In Defense of Food and Food Rules.  I highly recommend checking out Food Rules first, as it consists of some 50 "rules" with a simple paragraph to page of explanation -- in a matter of a few hours you can learn a lot about making really healthy food choices!  Following any ONE of these rules will likely lead you on your way to a whole new you!

100 Days of Real Food is a wonderful resource!  I have only began swimming through the amazing site!  Each post is so thoughtful, useful, rich, and complete!  I highly recommend you check it out right away, but first check out these QUICK TIPS FOR THE KITCHEN:

Photo from localharvest.org -- a wonderful website about CSA (Community Supported Agric.)

1. Once AVOCADOS (give to pressure), PEARS (softened), and BANANAS are ripe, you can put them in the fridge to stunt ripening -- banana peels will turn brown, but the fruit will stay just right!   AVOCADOS will stay perfect for up to 2 weeks!  Pretty cool since once ripe, avocados get nasty within a day or so.  Can't let expensive  AVOCADOS go to waste!

2. If brown peels aren't your thing, at least separate the  BANANA bunch apart to slow ripening.

3. Too speed  BANANA ripening, keep bananas in the closed paper or plastic bag.  If you add a ripe apple to the bag, the apple will give off gases that will further help with ripening.

4. Wrap fresh GINGER in a paper towel and store in plastic, air-tight container.

5. Always store TOMATOES at room temperature.

6. Knock on WATERMELONS -- choose one that sounds hollow -- always a great pick!

7. Once CANTALOUPE smells like cantaloupe it's ready to eat.

8. PINEAPPLE with lose bottom leaves is ready to eat.  THANK YOU  100 Days of Real Food  for this tip AND the ENTIRE POST IDEA!!

9. You can soak CELERY sticks, ASPARAGUS, and even LETTUCE in water to revive crispness.

10. Here is a new one for me!  Flip your SPINACH container in your fridge daily to keep it from wilting.   THANK YOU  100 Days of Real Food  !!

11. Wash fruits and veggies with a combination of vinegar and water to remove nearly all the pesticides and bacteria (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water).

12. Boiling the vinegar-water solution with a cinnamon stick to remove unpleasant or overpowering odors.  THANK YOU  100 Days of Real Food  !!

13. When preparing dinner, cut up some extra veggies to have ready in the fridge for quick and easy snacking.

14. DEFROST meat and other frozen foods safely ONLY THESE 3 ways: under cold running water, in the microwave, or in the refrigerator.

15. Non-instant OATS can be cooked in the microwave in just 2 minutes or so for a 1/2 c dry rolled oats.

16. Use silicone bakeware (muffin pans) or ice cube trays to freeze small quantities of food, pureed fruits and veggies (for baby food or muffins), PESTO SAUCE, pimentos (large can or jar divided), etc.  Transfer into resealable freezer bag, ready for use in a flash!

17. Rub your hands with stainless steel to get rid of ONION smell on your hands.

18. Test EGG spoilage by putting it in a bowl of water.  If it floats, bacteria has been busy contaminating the egg and producing gases, hence the floating.

19. Flip PEANUT BUTTER jars over for a couple of days before opening it, and you won't have to stir it up!  THIS tip is new to me -- I can't wait to try it!  THANK YOU  100 Days of Real Food  !!

One more thing about 100 Days of Real Food -- last month, it listed fresh-you on a list the site made called "Other Real Food Blogs".  This was SO very exciting!  I was thrilled and honored to be included, and the exposure from such a wildly popular website has been awesome!  I am so grateful to LISA (the blog's author), and LISA (a friend who told Lisa about fresh-you) for allowing me to REACH MORE PEOPLE!

It makes me so HAPPY to be able to help spread the word about simple ways that FOOD and HABITS can increase HEALTH, HAPPINESS, and of course QUALITY of LIFE to anyone who cares!  Check out the blog list!

IF YOU'D LIKE, WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!  Do you have tips to make time in the kitchen easier?  Please tell!