Rotten Food is Gross.

After a crazy few days, Im trying to get my little vegetarian mission back on track. I came across this awesome article from Vegetarian Times Magazine. As Americans, we throw away an average of $600 dollars worth of food each year. Thats crazy! I admit, sometimes I buy veggies that find their way into the back of the fridge and dont come back out until I discover that they have turned a different color that they aren't supposed to be. So now what?! How do you avoid the waste and get the most out of each produce purchase you make? This article breaks down which produce to eat first and which pesky fruits and veggies make others go bad quicker.

Where to store what:
Some produce gives off higher levels ethylene, an odorless gas that causes produce to ripen and rot faster. By separating them accordingly, you can prolong those sweet tomatoes lives :)

Refrigerate These - Gas Releasers

Apples

Apricots

Cantaloupe

Figs

Honeydew

Don't Refrigerate These - Gas Releasers

Avocados

Bananas (unripe)

Nectarines

Peaches

Pears

Plums

Tomatoes

Keep These Away From Gas Releasers

Bananas (ripe)

Broccoli

Brussel Sprouts

Cabbage

Carrots

Cauliflower

Cucumber

Eggplant

Any Leafy Green

Parsley

Peas

Peppers

Squash

Sweet Potatoes

Watermelon

Here is a very helpful chart to help you plan meals to avoid wasting produce and money!! This chart is assuming you were able to get fresh, healthy items that weren't already on their way out...

Eat First: Sunday to Tuesday Artichokes Asparagus Avocados Bananas Basil Broccoli Cherries Corn Dill Green beans Mushrooms Mustard greens Strawberries Watercress

Eat Next: Wednesday to Friday Arugula Cucumbers Eggplant Grapes Lettuce Lime Mesclun Pineapple Zucchini

Eat Last: Weekend Apricots Bell peppers Blueberries Brussels sprouts Cauliflower Grapefruit Leeks Lemons Mint Oranges Oregano Parsley Peaches Pears Plums Spinach Tomatoes Watermelon

And Beyond Apples Beets Cabbage Carrots Celery Garlic Onions Potatoes Winter squash

 I found these 2 charts to be super helpful and super informative. I certainly had no idea that carrots and apples shouldn't roll in the same crowd! Happy vegetarian eating everyone!!


<3 j


     

When to Buy Organic - The Dirty Dozen & The Clean 15

I found this article in VegNews Magazine and have since been living by it! Either commit this puppy to memory or (like me) keep it in your phone for easy finding!

The Dirty Dozen - Buy Organic
Apples
Bell Peppers
Blueberries
Celery
Cherries
Grapes
Kale & Collard Greens
Nectarines
Peaches
Potatoes (also happens to be one of the FDA's riskiest foods in terms of food borne illness and recalls)
Spinach
Strawberries

The Clean 15
Asparagus
Avocados
Cabbage
Cantaloupe
Eggplant
Grapefruit
Honeydew Melon
Kiwi
Mango
Onions
Pineapple
Sweet Corn
(but the corn I get from the farmers market is leaps & bounds tastier than the junk from the grocery store)
Sweet Peas
Sweet Potatoes
Watermelon


I find a good rule of thumb is to actually pay attention to what you are buying. If the produce you are buying has a fairly sturdy skin (ie pineapple) then all those pesticides are going to have a much harder time getting into the good stuff you eat. Also, if you eat the skin of the produce, I buy organic for the most part.

I hope you guys find this helpful! When do you buy organic?!