Have you ever found your groceries disappearing faster than expected? In our rushed lives, it’s easy to breeze through your food before the week is done if you don’t have a plan. Yet making groceries last doesn’t have to be a struggle.
Here are six tried-and-true ways to make your shopping trip last the whole week.
Plan in Advance
A schedule of meals will show you exactly what’s for dinner every night. And as a nice bonus, it will reduce the urge for takeout knowing you have food at home.
Good planning ensures you’ll use everything you bought and cuts back on waste. You’ve probably heard that meal planning has all kinds of benefits, but it’s worth repeating: having a plan works!
Start Batch Cooking
Batch cooking is much more accessible if you have a plan! You can set aside some time each week to prepare large amounts that you can later divide and freeze. Soups and stews mean a home-cooked meal is just an oven’s warmth away on your busy days.
They save time and money over eating out, while using up your groceries.
Store Everything the Right Way
Did you know proper storage can significantly lengthen the usability of groceries? Investing in quality containers allows you to carefully curate where different foods last longest. For instance, leafy greens maintain crispness when absorbing excess moisture with paper towels.
Meanwhile, keep apples apart from other fruits to prevent early ripening. Storing ingredients correctly reduces waste by extending each item’s prime.
Buy in Bulk (Wisely)
Purchasing in bulk offers savings and stocked shelves, but requires understanding what you’ll use and when. Focus bulk purchases on non-perishable, regularly used items like rice, pasta, canned goods, and spices.
Proceed cautiously with perishables unless confident they’ll be used promptly. For example, a large bag of potatoes requires envisioning recipes to use them before spoilage.
Keep a Stocked Pantry
Always keeping staples well-supplied acts as an aid when stretching grocery money. Keep on hand beans, grains, pasta, rice, and canned veggies. They stay fresh a long time and can be mixed to make various dishes.
This is perfect for when you run out of fresh food. This is particularly useful when you’re reaching the end of the week or finding yourself on a tighter budget than usual.
Cook from Scratch More Often
Cooking at home, instead of buying premade foods, can save money and even improve your health. Ready-made products tend to carry premium price tags, even if they have fewer amounts per container.
Making sauces, dressings, and DIY spice blends gives you control over your dish. Home cooking also often breeds healthier eating since fresh ingredients are used.
Make Clever Use of Leftovers
Yesterday’s dinner doesn’t need to be boring today—leftovers can form the basis for new dishes bursting with flavor.
Most people will throw out perfectly good food since they have no clue how to reuse their food, but challenging yourself to think outside the box with leftovers will lead to some exciting and often delicious surprises.
A quick online search can show you what to do with everything from leftover roast carrots to chicken bones.
6 Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Your Knee, Hip & Back Pain
Inflammation occurs when your body reacts to foreign substances. While certain anti-inflammatory drugs can help eliminate inflammation, a diet change can help reduce inflammation and swelling. Here are six anti-inflammatory foods to help reduce knee, hip, and back pain.
6 Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Your Knee, Hip & Back Pain
Experts Warn People to Never Refrigerate These 15 Food Items
Refrigeration prevents spoilage and may extend the shelf life of common foods and other perishable items. While we may innocently store some foods in the refrigerator, you may be surprised that you shouldn’t store all of them, as this may affect their nutritional value, taste, and texture.
Although refrigeration can help preserve certain foods, some items shouldn’t be refrigerated to maintain flavor and freshness. Avoiding these foods can ensure your food stays nutritious, fresh, and flavorful.
Here are 15 food items experts warn people never to refrigerate for optimal flavor and freshness.
Experts Warn People to Never Refrigerate These 15 Food Items
Leave a Reply