I, like I think the majority of us here, am trying to eat the freshest, healthiest, least amount of preservatives possible foods. However, I really only have time to shop once a week; and I find that frequently some of the things I buy go bad before I have a chance to eat them.

For example, last Sunday I bought some WW wheat buns to use for sandwiches later in the week, and within about 2 days they were moldy.

Does anyone else have this problem? Do you have any suggestions as to how to avoid that? I can't really stop off at the market every day or two.

Dawn

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Originally posted by D in St Pete:
Oh. . .yeah, the southern humidity can get you in a lot of ways if you aren't used to it

Something to check that you might not have had to up north is where you keep your bread when it isn't in the freezer--make sure it's where it won't get overly warm. Next to the stove, over the dishwasher, next the humming machinations of the fridge--all of those will give you mold faster than you can spell it.

D

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AHA! My bread box is RIGHT next to the fridge, and if it won't fit in the bread box I usually put it on top. Maybe that's the problem!

Dawn

Oh. . .yeah, the southern humidity can get you in a lot of ways if you aren't used to it

Something to check that you might not have had to up north is where you keep your bread when it isn't in the freezer--make sure it's where it won't get overly warm. Next to the stove, over the dishwasher, next the humming machinations of the fridge--all of those will give you mold faster than you can spell it.

D

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Originally posted by Tayhudson:
Thanks everyone!

I don't have a lot of problem with produce, unless I get busy/lazy and just don't clean it in time.

Mostly it has been the bread type stuff. I think the other part of the problem may be the Southern humidity that I'm just not quite used to.

Dawn

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Dawn, I think that the freezer will be a good solution for you. DOn't put it in the fridge though unless you are going to use it within 24-48 hours. The fridge draws the moisture out of your bread, and it will dry out and get crumbly. The freezer preserves the integrity.

Thanks everyone!

I don't have a lot of problem with produce, unless I get busy/lazy and just don't clean it in time.

Mostly it has been the bread type stuff. I think the other part of the problem may be the Southern humidity that I'm just not quite used to.

Dawn

Dawn,

I do my produce shopping once a week, everything else is every 2 weeks or once a month. When I buy bread products, those go directly in the freezer. I take out what I need the night before and let them thaw in their plastic bag on the counter.

As for produce, I eat the most fragile things first, and save the heartier things later in the week. If I have more fresh herbs than I need for the recipes than I need, I will chop them, and freeze in my ice cube trays with just a tiny bit of water. And use those in soups, sauces, etc. I also like to use those fresh veggies in my salads and sandwiches.

Can't think of anything else that isn't really obvious....if there is anything specific, I know we can all come up with solutions for you.

Oh, milk....I freeze what can't be used within 5 days. You do have to plan ahead though, because it does take a couple of days to thaw in the fridge.

I don't have this problem as much because I go to Whole Foods for produce on Monday afternoon after the gym and then come home and cook my lunches for the week. Non-produce groceries are purchased on Saturday afternoons after the gym so they're only 2 days old by the time I'm cooking my lunches for the week (and they're fresh when I'm cooking my weekend dinners).

I agree with Myriam though that cleaning, prepping and storing things as soon as you get home from the store is the way to go.

Hi Dawn,
I think the best way to keep groceries fresh( at least what works for me) is trying to store the groceries very well the day I buy them. Clean all the veggies and try not to store them wet, put clean herbs in paper towels, then in airtight ziplocks. Make sure the fridge is in the right temperature for the season. As for breads, I store all kinds in the freezer. Then all you have to do is microwave for some seconds before eating. Or if you have time and want them to taste like they just came out of the bakery, put them in the oven for 10 minutes or in just oven toaster if you have one. I also try to check what I stored at the beginning of the week, maybe 2 times a week, and if there is some little parts that are starting to form mold, I just cut those off, and change the paper towel. This really works for me, and it helps keep my groceries and breads fresh for up to 10 days or more sometimes. Like you I don't go shopping often, maybe once a week and sometimes once every 10 days.

Dawn,
I also freeze lots of bread, cookies, muffins.
I like the idea of eating the most perishable veggies and fruit at the start of the week and the heartier ones later. I eat my lettucues first and then I know that I have broccoli to use later. Strawberries are for eating within a day or two, but bananas bought green will keep for me 5-7 days.
Also, how about keeping some fruit and veggies in the freezer for later in the week when the fresh stuff is gone?

Dawn, that used to be a problem for me until I realized that you don't know how long it has been on the shelf in the store. So, I check it over really well before I buy it. Sometimes bread has already started to mold at the store, strawberries will have some as well. If I get home and notice it, I just bring it back. Everything goes in the fridge. I just put the most fragile stuff in the least cold spot. Also keep fresh, fragile fruits and veggies away from the little vent in the fridge. It will blow the cold air right on them and cause them to wilt. Keep the humidity high in the veggie drawer and wash and remove them from containers before you stor them. Or, just buy frozen fruits and veggies. They are frozen fresh.

When I buy fresh breads & rolls, I store them in the freezer, and pull out to thaw only what we need (they keep just fine, I promise!).

Tomatoes I buy at varying stages of ripe, and set them on a towel along the back edge of the counter and use them as they hit the proper shade of red.

Fruit I keep in the fridge, washed & out of the bag. Vegetables I wash when I get them home and set them in the crisper drawer, in a bag that's open, with a paper towel in the bottom (though I admit to buying frozen vegetables often, since I know they won't go bad).

Fresh herbs I keep in the freezer and use as I need them. Not quite the same WOW as fresh, but still better than dried.

There's only two of us here, and there's precious little sold in the stores that's the right size for 2 people, so we've learned to repackage & freeze lots of things

D