Monthly Archives: June 2015

The Best Way to Freeze Produce and Meat

Buying meat and produce in bulk can save you money and ensure you always have meals on hand for last-minute dinners. It can also mean lots of freezing — freezing the leftovers, freezing items that are in season now so you have them for later. Freezing can save you hundreds of dollars.

The downside to freezing is that if you aren’t properly storing your groceries, then you will only be wasting money in the end. Remember, any groceries that you throw away will become the most expensive items in your kitchen. Fortunately, we’ve come up with some of the best tips to properly freeze produce, meat, and more.

1. Prevent Freezer Burn

When your groceries aren’t frozen properly, oxygen and moisture can ravage your food and make it unappetizing. This is known as freezer burn, which is a common problem when you are attempting to preserve meat. While it isn’t dangerous to eat meat that has been affected by freezer burn, the meat will lose its flavor, texture, and color if you don’t preserve it properly.

To combat this, invest in freezer bags and freezer-safe containers. Freeze your groceries as soon as you get home. Remember that items can expand in the freezer, so make sure to always leave some room at the top of the bag or container. Place the date on your freezer bags and label them well so that you know when they are going to expire. It’s important to eat all frozen meat and cheese within six months, and frozen produce within one year.

2. Don’t Freeze in Bulk

When you freeze several items together, they will group together into a big frozen mass. Instead, it is always best to separate foods, freeze them individually, and then pair the frozen items together. For example, instead of freezing a whole package of bacon, separate the bacon slices when you get home into an even layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze the bacon on the sheet pan, and then place the frozen slices of bacon together in a Ziploc freezer bag. This will ensure that the items don’t stick together.

3. Get Rid of the Styrofoam

The styrofoam found under the layer of meat is not necessary and can subject your items to freezer burn. Worse, the Styrofoam can stick to the meat if the items aren’t frozen properly. Instead of freezing the meat exactly as-is, take the meat off of the Styrofoam and freeze it separately in a freezer bag. Freeze meat in small, usable portions so that you can thaw only what you need.

4. Separate the Meat

To freeze meat properly, wrap each piece of meat separately in freezer paper, and then place the wrapped meat in a Ziploc bag. It is important to remove as much air as possible from the bag whenever you are freezing anything. The easiest way to do this is to seal the bag around a plastic straw, suck the air out with the straw, and then quickly seal the bag. You can also add marinade to the bag so that your meat absorbs the flavors while it’s freezing.

5. Quarter the Ground Beef

For ground beef, if you don’t usually use the entire pound right away, consider separating the meat into quarters before freezing it. This will allow you to just take what you need for each recipe.

6. Preserve Produce

Most veggies freeze very well and options like peas, beans, and corn can be thrown directly in a resealable freezer bag or container and used whenever you need it for a recipe. Some produce will freeze well, but you may never be able to eat it in its raw state again. For example, produce like tomatoes actually freeze beautifully, but you won’t be able to use them raw again. Once you remove the stem and freeze them in a Ziploc bag, you can use them for soups, stews, and roasts. You can also remove the peel in a cinch.

7. Freeze at the Peak of Freshness

It is best to freeze fruits and vegetables when they’re at their peak of freshness. If they usually need to be blanched, then you’ll want to blanch them before freezing them. After you’ve blanched the veggies, soak them in ice water, dry thoroughly, and then pack in your freezer bag or heavy-duty freezer-safe container. Nearly all veggies need to be blanched first, with the exception of corn, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, and squash.

8. Freeze Berries and Fruit

When you purchase oranges, limes, or lemons at the store, zest and juice them right away. You can wrap the zest up in plastic wrap and freeze the juice in ice cube trays. Then, you’ll never be left without the citrus you need again.

When you have too many bananas on hand, peel them and wrap each banana in a piece of plastic wrap and then in a freezer bag. Then, you can use them for baking, frozen yogurt, or smoothies.

Berries are one of the best things to freeze because they can be used in a variety of ways and will preserve their shape and flavor over time. This means that you can purchase berries in summer and have them year-round. Simply wash your berries and place them in a freezer bag. It’s that easy. If you don’t want them to stick together or risk crushing one another, then first freeze the washed and dried berries on a baking sheet so that they can freeze individually. Then, place the frozen berries in a Ziploc bag.

9. Preserve Cheese

Cheese can be expensive, so it’s important to freeze what you won’t eat. Cut the cheese into small portions and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then a heavy-duty freezer bag. You can also shred, slice, or grate the cheese and place it in Ziploc bags for easier use later. If you will be slicing the cheese, make sure to separate each slice with a small square of parchment paper so that they don’t stick together. Just make sure to thaw the cheese completely before eating it and remember that the texture may change after it has been frozen. The best cheese to freeze are the hard varieties.

10. Preserve Herbs

The best way to preserve herbs is in an ice cube tray. You can lay the rosemary, thyme, or oregano in each ice cube container and fill it the rest of the way with water, leftover stock, or olive oil. Then when you need herbs in the future, you can just toss the whole frozen herb-filled cube in the recipe.

11. Preserve Your Baked Goods

When you’ve made pancakes, muffins, cookies, breakfast sandwiches, or other baked goods, you can simply wrap them in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag and into your freezer. Then, you’ll have a last-minute microwaveable breakfast, dinner, or dessert in a pinch. You can even freeze sides like cooked pasta and rice to save time in the middle of the week.

12. Save Even More

Nearly anything can be frozen. You can even freeze things like milk and juice, as long as you shake them well before drinking. Whenever possible, freeze items separately on baking sheets first so that they don’t stick together in the freezer. Just make sure that you allow the items you’re freezing to come to room temperature before wrapping them and placing them in the freezer.

If you want to save even more time and money, you can make greatfreeze-ahead meals such as savory soups, healthy burritos, and delicious casseroles. This will allow you to prepare several meals in one night, which can be stored in the freezer, ready to be cooked any busy night of the week.

 

Who Actually Has the Better Deals?

Can you save enough money at Sam’s Club, compared to Walmart, to justify the $45 annual membership fee? I did the research and compared the pricing on over 100 everyday items at both retailers. The price tags were very similar on the majority of the items I examined. But interestingly, I did find 12 commonly-used products that had a fairly drastic price difference at one retailer compared to the other.

If you purchase any of these items frequently, it might make the difference in choosing a preferred retailer. Below are the products that offer the biggest savings when comparing Sam’s pricing to that of Walmart’s.

1. Over-the-Counter Medications (Winner: Sam’s Club)

Sam’s Club is the clear winner when it comes to over-the-counter medications. A great example is 10mg Zyrtec Allergy tablets. At Sam’s you can get a 100-count package for $29.98, while you’ll have to pay $34.94 at Walmart for only 70 tablets. The same holds true for Benadryl Allergy, where a 48-count box at Sam’s goes for $4.89; you’ll have to pay $6.48 for the same at Walmart. The price differences extend way beyond allergy medications, as well. For example, Advil tablets at Sam’s cost $16.39 for a 360-count bottle, while a 300-count bottle at Walmart sells for $18.48.

2. Alcohol (Winner: Sam’s Club)

If you buy alcohol on a regular basis, a Sam’s membership will easily pay for itself in terms of savings. For example, Jack Daniels Whiskey sells for $0.55 an ounce at Sam’s compared to $0.66 at your local Walmart. In general, this holds true for other spirits as well, including wine and beer. Note that non-members can also buy booze from Sam’s Club (and other membership warehouse stores such as Costco).

3. Sports Drinks (Winner: Sam’s Club)

If you have kids that play sports and consume Gatorade or PowerAde during games and practices, you’ll want to stock up at Sam’s Club and save money. For example, Sam’s sells a 28-pack of 12oz Gatorades for $10.48, or $0.03 an ounce. In contrast, Walmart sells an 18-pack of the same size bottles for $8.68, or $0.04 an ounce. Over the course of a sports season, the savings is significant, especially if you’re assigned a game to bring snacks and drinks for the entire team.

4. Breakfast Cereal (Winner: Sam’s Club)

If breakfast cereal is eaten in your home most mornings, you’ll want to stock up at Sam’s Club and save. At Sam’s, you can buy a two-pack of Cheerios (41 ounces in total) for $5.68, or an affordable $0.13 an ounce. Compare that with Walmart, who sells an 18oz box for $3.68, and you’ll end up paying a hefty $0.20 an ounce for Cheerios. Cheerios not your thing? Not a problem, as you’ll find similar savings at Sam’s on favorites like Froot Loops, Frosted Flakes, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Raisin Bran, to name a few.

5. Frozen Pizza (Winner: Sam’s Club)

When it comes to a delicious frozen pizza, Sam’s is where you’ll save the most money. For example, a DiGiorno Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza at Sam’s costs $4.66 compared to $5.47 at Walmart. Also, it should be pointed out that while Sam’s only offers a three-pack of pizzas, you can buy them individually at Walmart. But if you have the freezer space, buying the three-pack for an affordable $13.98 is the best way to go.

6. Peanut Butter (Winner: Sam’s Club)

I found this price battle interesting as both Walmart and Sam’s stock the Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter pack of two jars, 40 ounces each. The Sam’s price is $9.18, while Walmart is over a dollar and a half more at $10.78. Sam’s is also cheaper for JIF peanut butter, but the savings is not as significant as it is with Skippy for some reason.

7. Diapers (Winner: Sam’s Club)

If diapers are currently on your shopping list, you’re well served buying them at Sam’s. For example, a 162-count box of Pampers (size 2) at Sam’s runs $33.98, or $0.21 each, while the same size at Walmart will cost you over $0.25 each. Four cents might not seem like much until you start adding up how many diapers you’ll need before you can potty-train. Similar savings can be found on Huggies and Luvs as well, in all sizes.

30 Unexpected Uses for Mineral Oil

Although it’s often maligned, mineral oil is the key ingredient in many home, health, and garden products because it’s super versatile. Consider these 30 unexpected uses.

1. Use as Fragrance-Free Baby Oil

Baby oil is actually mineral oil with an added fragrance. Save money oncradle cap treatment by using food-grade mineral oil instead. Note that while mineral oil can be substituted for baby oil, baby oil should not be substituted for mineral oil. The added fragrance is not edible and may cause allergic reactions in some people.

2. Reduce Rashes

Along with cradle cap, mineral oil can be used to prevent diaper rash and soothe other types of skin irritation such as skin burns from radiation therapy.

3. Remove Oil-Based Makeup

Use mineral oil to remove theatrical makeup (greasepaint) with ease. Mineral oil is also great for removing makeup without pulling at the delicate skin around the eyes. As an added bonus, it also works as a conditioner for brows and eyelashes, making them less prone to breakage.

4. Moisturizer

Although there is a huge amount of beauty propaganda devoted to describing mineral oil as pure evil in a bottle, contrary to popular belief, mineral oil does not cause acne or blackheads. Its molecular structure is too large to penetrate pores, so it moisturizes by creating a barrier on top of the skin that keeps moisture in and dry air out.

5. Protect Skin in Freezing Weather

Old-time arctic explorers went out of their way to avoid washing their faces to preserve the protective layer of natural skin oil to prevent chapping. Because it provides such a good barrier against the elements, mineral oil is a great product to protect exposed skin in cold climates.

6. Soften Cracked Feet

Are your heels super dry? Regularly slather your feet with mineral oil at bedtime to keep the skin supple and crack-free. (Cover your oily feet with socks to keep your sheets clean).

7. Remove Temporary Tattoos

What seemed funny at the club on Friday night looks terrible on Monday morning before work. Pour mineral oil on a rag and gently rub the ink off before stepping into the morning staff meeting.

8. Remove Oil and Latex Paint and Primer From Skin

Using a rag that has been dipped in mineral oil, gently rub the paint spots in a circular motion to remove them from skin. Also, if you apply mineral oil to your skin before painting, the little paint specks rub right off.

Important note: this is why mineral oil and latex condoms are a bad idea. Do not use mineral oil as a personal lubricant if you are using barrier-style birth control made of latex.

9. Dislodge Earwax

Place a few drops of body temperature mineral oil in the ears before bedtime for up to five days. Once the wax has softened, rinse ears with warm water (this can be as simple as tilting your head in the shower), then, tip your head so the wax can drain out. Dry your ears with a hair dryer set on low.

10. Treat Ear Mites in Dogs

Mineral oil is a non-toxic method of killing ear mites in dogs. Mineral oil works by smothering the mites, but as with humans, mineral oil is also good for loosening hard earwax and buildup in your dog’s ears that can cause distress. Use an eyedropper to put several drops of oil in each ear. Instead of sticking the eyedropper into the ears, massage your dog’s ears to move the oil down the entire ear canal. Fair warning: your dog will want to shake its head, so do this in the bathroom, where spattering oil and earwax can be wiped down.

11. Kill Aphids

I zap spider mites and aphids on my tomato plants using this homemade plant spray recipe of dishwashing liquid, water, and mineral oil.

12. Remove Gum and Wax From Hair

Peanut butter costs way too much to be wasted on hair-related gum accidents. Work mineral oil into the gum and affected hair until all the gum comes off easily, without pulling. Also, if you have the personal fortitude to wax your own bikini line, you can remove stubborn wax residue with mineral oil.

13. Remove Beach Tar

My husband grew up in Santa Barbara, where beach volleyball is synonymous with tar-covered feet. He swears by mineral oil as the cheap and easy tar removal solution. Pour mineral oil onto old rags or paper towels and place these homemade wipes into a Ziploc bag. Store this tar removal kit in your beach bag or car kit.

14. Ouch-Free Bandage Removal

Saturate the bandage with mineral oil. Working from the outside edge of the bandage, slowly peel the bandage away from the skin, applying more oil as needed.

15. Remove Stickers

Mineral oil is a good solvent for removing glues from non-porous surfaces. Use it to remove price tags from dishware and furniture, for example. Or, use it to remove a bumper sticker from a car without damaging the paint job.

16. Laxative

Mineral oil is possibly the least yummy laxative — but it beats not pooping. Mineral oil works as a stool softener and as a lubricant laxative by making it harder for your intestines to pull the water out of your stool. While cheap and effective, mineral oil should not be used to medicate constipation in children younger than six or people who are bedridden.

17. Wood Conditioner

Many commercial lemon oil furniture polishes are just mineral oil with lemon scent. Plain old mineral oil will give your wood the exact same look without the added smell and cost.

18. Season Wood Cutting Boards and Kitchen Tools

Oil-treated wood is more hygienic. Dried out wood develops tiny cracks which are a favorite hiding spot for bacteria. To extend the life of wood cutting boards, utensils, and salad bowls, wipe them down with a liberal application of mineral oil. Reapply oil until the wood cannot absorb any more. Wipe off excess oil with a rag. Mineral oil is a superior coating for wood cooking tools because, unlike olive or vegetable oils, it won’t go rancid.

19. Silence a Floor Creak

Pour a small amount of oil into the squeaky joint and wipe up the excess.

20. Quiet a Squeaky Door

Apply to door hinges and hardware instead of WD-40.

21. Protect Garden Tools

Before putting gardening tools away for the winter, apply a layer of mineral oil. The oil will condition wood handles and keep rust from forming on the metal parts.

22. Clean and Maintain Knives

As with garden tools, mineral oil creates a barrier against atmospheric moisture, and will help keep knives rust-free. Mineral oil can also be used as a lubricant when honing edged tools with a sharpening stone.

23. Prolong the Life of Razors

After shaving, carefully dry the blade of the razor. Then apply a thin layer of mineral oil to the blade. (Take care not to cut yourself!) The oil will keep the blade from rusting and will act as extra lubricant for your next shave.

24. Polish Stainless Steel

My stainless steel refrigerator came with an excruciatingly overpriced, tiny bottle of stainless steel polish… which turned out to be mineral oil. For brushed steel surfaces, wipe oil with a soft cloth in the direction of the grain to remove fingerprints and water spots.

25. Brighten Linoleum Counters

A Wise Bread editor discovered this old-school tip by accident. While seasoning wood cutting boards, he dripped mineral oil onto his vintage linoleum kitchen counters and discovered that the oil refreshed the color of the faded linoleum! Be aware that the vibrant colors revealed by oil only last about three weeks before fading, and constant application of mineral oil to linoleum will make it break down. So, only use this tip on special occasions like photo shoots or holiday parties when you really need your kitchen to look extra-gorgeous.

26. Untangle a Necklace

Is your favorite gold or silver chain in a knot? Before paying a jeweler to fix your necklace, dip the knot into mineral oil. Then use a pin to work the oily knot open.

27. Un-Jam a Paper Shredder

I am a chronic over-stuffer when it comes to shredding documents. Un-jam a shredder or give it a tax time tune-up by dripping a little mineral oil onto the blades to keep everything cutting smoothly.

28. Bleed Hydraulic Disk Brakes on Mountain Bikes

This article provides a definitive comparison between DOT fluid and mineral oil. Please read your bike’s warranty! While mineral oil that you buy at the drugstore can be used instead of the super expensive “propriety blends” mineral oil recommended by brake manufacturers, using third-party mineral oil could void your warranty.

29. Preserve Eggs

I love to hate-watch the show Doomsday Preppers. What an amazing time suck. However, one great tip I gleaned from all the crazy is how topreserve eggs without refrigeration for months using mineral oil.

30. Clean Guitar Fretboards

While Gibson recommends only cleaning the fretboards of regularly played guitars once or twice a year, if you notice that your fretboard is starting to feel dry and there’s build-up around the frets, it’s time for a cleaning. Mineral oil softens built up gunk and is an excellent treatment for dry fretboards.

One final but important note: mineral oil comes in a variety of grades, so make sure that you are using food-grade and/or cosmetic-grade mineral oil for homemade substitutes.

The 5 Best Primers

Primer may seem like an unnecessary step in your morning routine, but professional makeup artists to the stars agree that it is a crucial step if you want picture perfect makeup every time. Many women even wear primer on days when they don’t wear makeup to give their skin that silky smooth feeling and appearance. One primer can be used for the entire face or you can purchase separate primers for the face, eyes, and lips.

What Is Primer?

Makeup primer is meant to be used before you apply your makeup. It is a base for foundation that gives makeup a more seamless appearance and will make it last all day. It can smooth, conceal, and prepare your skin before you apply makeup. It can also blur the appearance of pores, wrinkles, and imperfections, so that you have a smooth, velvety base before you apply your makeup. It also allows your makeup to glide on, so you can apply it perfectly in less time.

Primers are available in cream, gel, liquid, and powder formulas. They can be applied after your serum and moisturizer. Start by just dabbing a small amount on at a time. Some primers (particularly pore erasing primers) specify that you should only apply them to problem areas, rather than on the entire face, so it’s important to read the directions. A small container of primer should last you a long time because a little goes a long way.

Top 5 Primers

Smashbox Photo Finish Oil-Free Foundation Primer

is a cult classic. The silky lightweight formula leaves the skin feeling velvety smooth and instantly minimizes the appearance of pores. The oil-free primer is perfect to apply before your foundation because it stops shine, blurs the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles, and makes makeup last all day. The odor-less, colorless primer is ideal for all skin types, including mature skin. The texture is like a gel, but it dries to a powdery finish, which can help minimize fine lines and allow your makeup to glide on evenly.

The blend of vitamins A and E, grape seed extract, and green tea can protect the skin from free radicals and give it a super smooth surface. It can be worn alone or under makeup. It is a beloved favorite with makeup mavens, beauty editors, and professional makeup artists alike because it will ensure your makeup lasts all day. It was awarded the Best of Sephora Award for Best Primer, one of Marie Claire’s “25 Products That Will Change Your Life,” and an InStyle Best Beauty Buy. It is also rated one of the top choices by Vogue, Huffington Post, Glamour Magazine, and Real Simple. This oil-free primer is so beloved that Smashbox offers a range of alternative versions to best fit your unique skin type, like the Blemish Control primer, which can help fight acne.

Currently $34.61 on Amazon

Too Faced Cosmetics Primed and Poreless

can virtually erase pores, soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and perfect your complexion with unique ingredients like mulberry extract, arctostaphylos UVA URSI, retinyl palmitate, cyclodextrin with cavamax retinol, camellia oil, and vitamins A and C. It will leave your skin primed, detoxified, protected, and brightened, and can also help restore moisture, elasticity, and suppleness to the skin. It has a number of youth enhancing skin care ingredients, so it is ideal for all skin types, including acne-prone, sensitive, and mature skin. It has a unique texture, so your skin will absorb it instantly, but it won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts.

The skin smoothing face primer can be worn alone or under makeup for a flawless appearance. You will notice immediate results, as well as long-term benefits with daily use. The customized formula will leave you with an airbrushed canvas, so your makeup glides on smoothly and evenly. It is also rated one of the best makeup primers by Cosmopolitan and TotalBeauty. Many reviewers agree that this is a miracle product that feels luxurious going on.

Currently $33.09 on Amazon

Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional

is a cult classic. The silky lightweight balm complements all skin tones and is ideal for all skin types, including dry and oily skin. The oil-free formula has a slight nude color, blends in smoothly, instantly absorbs into the skin, and minimizes the appearance of pores, wrinkles, and imperfections. It can be worn under makeup or alone for a smooth, poreless appearance. You can also apply it over makeup on problem areas.

It is best to start with a small dab of this and pat a thin layer into problem areas. Instructions are also included to help you achieve perfect application every time. The long-lasting results make it a Benefit bestseller, ever-growing in popularity since its launch in 2011. It is a beloved favorite with makeup mavens, beauty editors, professional makeup artists, and celebrities like Rihanna. It is also rated one of the top choices by Vogue, Marie Claire, Huffington Post, TotalBeauty, PopSugar, and Glamour Magazine.

Currently $2.00 on Amazon

Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer

is an affordable drugstore favorite that you have to try to believe. This lightweight primer is ideal for all skin types, including sensitive, acne-prone skin. The non-comedogenic, fragrance-free primer instantly erases the appearance of pores and blurs any imperfections, leaving your skin with a silky smooth appearance. The transparent gel formula goes on clear, so it is ideal for all skin tones. With every use, you will immediately notice the skin tightening and smoothing effects.

Start by applying this to areas with visible pores and never apply more than one layer of this primer or it will build up. It can also be used as an eye and all-over face primer. This has outstanding reviews online and is rated one of the best makeup primers by TotalBeauty and Marie Claire. Many reviewers stated that it instantly blurred pores and gave them a Photoshopped appearance, before makeup was even applied.

Currently $3.79 on Amazon

Mary Kay Foundation Primer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15

is a fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested, and non-comedogenic primer ideal for all skin types, including sensitive, mature, and acne-prone skin. The lightweight gel glides on and dries to a soft matte finish. It is clear and odorless so it works perfectly on all skin shades and skin tones. It can fill in imperfections and leave your skin prepared for a perfect foundation application.

The oil-free formula is mineral-enriched to diffuse light, absorb oil, and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores. It can be used on the entire face and can even prime the eyes for makeup. It can also help protect your skin from the sun, so you may be able to replace your daily face sunscreen with us as well. Some reviewers found that this primer helped maintain their foundation for more than nine hours. It is also rated one of the best makeup primers by publications like Cosmopolitan.