Sam and I are always talking about tips and tricks to make your life easier while being prepared. While Sam’s enjoying a wonderful family vacation with friends, I’ll post my easy, fresh salad preparation which works great for one or two people, especially when you don’t eat it fast enough before it goes bad. But it would work for any family of any size.
This is for a simple tossed salad, but you can prepare most items ahead, making it easier to enjoy a fresh, crisp salad at any time without a lot of preparation. This process will allow you to enjoy fresh salads for 10-14 days.
A few key points:
Keep your fridge colder – I keep mine close to the coldest setting. I feel it’s worth it if I’m trying to save on grocery trips.
Always be sure to wash your veggies and dry them. I don’t have one of those spinners, so I just use a clean dish towel or paper towels.
Iceberg Lettuce
Romaine Lettuce
Romaine Lettuce stored in 9×13 cake pan with lid
green onions
green onions wrapped in paper towel and placed in plastic bag
peppers
peppers prepped for fridge storage
cleaned mushrooms
mushrooms cut and stored for fridge
Steps for a simple tossed salad:
Iceberg lettuce – take off outer leaves, rinse if needed, and dry. I usually cut the core out and then cut it in half. It makes it easy to grab a few leaves for a sandwich or to cut up for your salad. I wrap them in paper towels and place in a large plastic bag (or your favorite container).
Romaine Lettuce – remove the outer leaves, cut the core off the bottom, separate the leaves, rinse and dry. Line a 9×13 cake pan with a couple of paper towels. Place your leaves in and cover with a paper towel. Place the lid on the cake pan and store in the bottom of your fridge (bottom is colder).
Peppers – wash, remove stem and seeds, and cut in half or quarters (lengthwise). Be sure to dry them off with a paper towel. I use a 32 oz yogurt container. Place a piece of paper towel on the bottom, place a few pieces, add another piece of paper towel, and place the rest of the pepper. The paper towel helps to absorb the moisture.
Peppers can also be chopped up and stored in the same manner as above.
Mushrooms – in this case, I have button mushrooms. I wash them and dry them. Slice them if you like. Pack them in a container in the same fashion as the peppers above.
Green Onions – Wash and trim. Lightly dry them off. Then wrap loosely in a paper towel and place in a plastic bag.
Regular onions can be peeled, cut in halves or quarters, wrap pieces in aluminum foil, and place in a large yogurt container. They will keep if kept cold and will not smell up your fridge.
Tomatoes – the best approach I’ve had is to cut them to your liking and place them in sour cream or yogurt container using paper towel pieces on the bottom and the top. I’ve done this because quite often I can’t eat them fast enough.
Of course, you can search online and find dozens of suggestions to try. The above works well for me.
When I’m ready to create my salad, I just tear up some lettuce, add mushrooms, chop a bit of pepper and onion, feta cheese, top with tomatoes, and add the dressing of choice.
You can certainly add radishes, different mushrooms, meat, nuts and seeds, and any other items of choice. I like to add some of those nut and raisin mixes, croutons, and even fruit.
The point is to make it easy to enjoy a fresh salad and not throw anything away because it went bad!
Let me know any tips or tricks you might have on our Facebook page. Most of all – enjoy your fresh salad!
No matter what you call it, or how you feel about it, being prepared feels GREAT! As we discuss in our Sunday Snacks today, prices fluctuating, news that can’t help but put us on edge, supply chain issues still occurring with no real end in sight, and so much more, Sam and Ellie share their philosophies about preparedness!
We’re not talking about long-term storage as much as 3 months, 6 months, or up to a year. For instance, if you’d begun adding to your pantry last fall and through the winter, the savings on those items, if you had to purchase them today, would most certainly help your budget.
We’ve discussed in other posts how to get started. You can visit our blog page for more information. You can also join our email list and receive a pdf with tips and lists to start your 30-day food supply.
If you like to read the transcript of the video below,CLICK HERE.
Key Tips for Why Preparedness Can Be Satisfying
No panic.
When you see a store with empty shelves, especially items that you use regularly, you’ll be prepared. Always purchase a few items to keep in your pantry staples.
Less worry.
Price fluctuations won’t be so worrying, especially if you were smart enough to purchase ahead when prices were less expensive.
Calm.
When you know you can care for yourself and/or your family, the latest headlines won’t feel so frightening.
Family action.
When the family works together to be prepared, there’s a sense of “We’ve got this” rather than fear.
Sense of community.
If you have an elderly or needy neighbor, you may be able to help.Note of caution: do NOT broadcast about your food storage. Just know you can quietly help if you so choose.
In the video, Sam shares how pleasantly surprised she was to learn that her kids are much more aware and knowledgeable about being prepared than she realized. In recent storms, her daughter did an amazing job of taking leadership at their Scout Camp. And her son takes personal responsibility in noticing and noting on the grocery list when they need to add items to their storage. If you think about it in the same way you would plan for a trip, you’ll soon discover that it’s not as difficult as you might have feared.
It’s never too late to start. Add an extra item or two with each shopping trip. Think about items you use every day and figure out ways to add an extra for your pantry storage.
Find ways to add calm and a sense of satisfaction by being prepared.
One other thought: knowing you have a little extra means that you can quietly help a neighbor or family member through tough times. For instance, if a couple of elderly friends are having a tough time, knowing that you have a couple of cans of food that you can share, or even a prepared meal that you can walk over to them, is worth way more than the price of the food.
We’re here to help. Have a specific question? Give us a shout. Send us a message on FB if you like. But get started!
NOTE: If you enjoy our life hacks and simple common-sense approaches to sustainability and everyday life, please spread the word. Visit and like our youtube channel and our Facebook page. Sign up for our newsletter – the form’s on the HOME page. Share your thoughts with us on youtube or FB. And, please, share us with your friends. Here’s to your peace of mind because you’re prepared!
Between us, we have over 100 years of experience, and Sam’s only 40!
If you enjoy our life hacks and simple common-sense approaches to
sustainability and everyday life, please spread the word.
When bad weather brings with it a loss of power, we’re often stuck wondering what to do for our family’s meals. Sam and Ellie, during today’s episode of Summer Snacks with Sam & Ellie , are discussing alternatives when you have no power to cook your meals.
PLEASE NOTE:Please plan ahead and KNOW what type of cooking stove and fuel you are using. There are many that ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT be used indoors. Don’t add to the already challenging situation you’re in by using a fuel that causes Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Remember, you can’t see or smell this gas. If you’re not sure, get a small, battery-operated, CO detector with an average price of $20. Place it in the area where you’re cooking to be sure you’re safe. Better yet, cook outdoors if possible or find a fuel that’s safe indoors and possibly slightly open a window near the cooking area.
CLICK HERE for the pdf transcript if you like to read along while watching our video.
There are several types of stoves available today:
small ones that would easily fit in a backpack
alcohol-fueled
butane-fueled
propane-fueled
canned heat (like Sterno)
wood or charcoal
candles (yes, it’s slow but it can help when you have no alternative – those little ‘tea candles’ can certainly heat a can of soup or boil water for tea, coffee, or hot chocolate!)
Do your research. Some are safe indoors. Others are not. Be prepared and remember that baking soda poured over a grease fire will help put the fire out. Again, do your research.
Practice for Preparedness
Most importantly, take a weekend and have a ‘pretend’ emergency situation. Have the entire family take part. Maybe even try 2 or 3 different stoves – indoors and outdoors. Give everyone a task. Make it fun and enjoy your meal! When the family practices in this way, an emergency situation will not feel so scary. You’ll be prepared. Each family member will be able to help. Action helps us feel as if we have some control over the situation, which in turn, makes everyone feel more positive about the emergency at hand.
Be SMART and Be SAFE!
NOTE: If you enjoy our life hacks and simple common-sense approaches to sustainability and everyday life, please spread the word. Visit and like our youtube channel and our Facebook page. Sign up for our newsletter – the form’s on the HOME page. Share your thoughts with us on youtube or FB. And, please, share us with your friends. Here’s to your peace of mind because you’re prepared!
Between us, we have over 100 years of experience, and Sam’s only 40!
If you enjoy our life hacks and simple common-sense approaches to
sustainability and everyday life, please spread the word.
When an emergency occurs, such as a power outage, snowstorm, or even a covid lockdown, your family can feel more secure by preparing a 30-day food pantry. In their video for Sunday Snacks with Sam and Ellie, they share some tips and tricks to help you get started.
Each member of the family can choose a meal they love.
Plan a week’s meals (with some snacks) x 4 (a month’s worth)
Check the recipes and list the ingredients.
Inventory what you have on hand.
Determine what you need to add.
Each time you shop, add a couple of the items that you’ll want for your pantry.
Plan your pantry with the oldest items being used first.
(Just like you look for the freshest date when you shop.
You’ll want to use the oldest date first, when you eat it.)
Encourage each family member to double-check the date when grabbing an item for a meal, as well as alert you to low inventory.
Together, maintaining a 30-day food supply is as simple as making dinner!
You’ll be surprised how quickly these simple steps to creating your 30-day food supply will soon have you feeling a little more at ease when you’re threatened with bad weather or another covid lockdown (let’s hope not)! By involving the family, it’s also easier to maintain. In future posts, we’ll share other tips for being prepared. So keep checking back.
NOTE: If you enjoy our life hacks and simple common-sense approaches to sustainability and everyday life, please spread the word. Visit and like our youtube channel and our Facebook page. Sign up for our newsletter – the form’s on the HOME page. Share your thoughts with us on youtube or FB. And, please, share us with your friends. Here’s to your peace of mind because you’re prepared!
Between us, we have over 100 years of experience, and Sam’s only 40!
If you enjoy our life hacks and simple common-sense approaches to
sustainability and everyday life, please spread the word.
Well, good morning. Good morning. Happy Sunday Snacks with Sam and Ellie. Today, because we’ve been talking about preparedness, we’re here to talk to you about pantries – your home pantry and food storage. One of the things that are near and dear to my stomach is obviously having food on hand, your budget, and being able to make food efficiently. And when I say efficiently, I mean like cost and taste, its taste is very crucial. No savings if nobody eats it.
Let’s Talk Food Storage
No matter the size of your home, there’s room to create a pantry to store food to feed your family in an emergency situation that could include power outages, storms, food shortages at the grocery store, etc.
Ellie lives in an apartment, She uses a couple of shelves on a bookcase, and under her bed storage. Sam has a home where she uses a small closet (actually a bit smaller than the one in the photo) and in her basement.
But there are a number of places where you can find a place to store some food supplies as well as toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, and other items you use frequently around your home. A shelf or two in your laundry room will work. Remember, they can be placed a bit higher because you won’t be reaching for items as frequently. Another spot, under beds. You can take milk crates and stack them to use for storage or place boards on them to give you even more space. A small corner that isn’t useful for anything could have a small shelf for storage. Get creative, look around and see what spot might be perfect for a few items that will add to your sense of preparedness.
To read the transcript while listening to our video, CLICK HERE.
TIPS:
If you haven’t really started a pantry for emergencies, start small.
Keep items that you know your family will eat.
Purchasing an extra condiment, spice, pasta, flour, sugar, non-fat milk, water, and canned goods for the pantry is a great place to begin. Then when you use your backup, replace it in the pantry.
Sam shares a great point – rehydrating your dried beans in boiling water will have them ready to eat faster.
Ellie shares her best tip by encouraging you to use Google search for recipes:
type in a couple of items you have on hand – add the words ‘easy recipe’ – and see what you discover
Added later– if power is out, you can use an outdoor grill or Sterno fuel, etc. to heat up water or cook items. Not as convenient, but it will help. Do a search to learn more and be safe.
Again, start small. You’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll create a pantry that works for your family.
A small pantry can be of enormous help when you need it!
If you enjoy our life hacks and simple common sense approaches to sustainability and everyday life, please spread the word. Visit and like our youtube channel and our Facebook page. And sign up for our newsletter – the form’s on the HOME page. Share your thoughts with us on youtube or FB. Here’s to your peace of mind because you’re prepared!
Join us for Sunday Snacks with Sam and Ellie.We’re discussing our approach to preparing meals ahead of time whether it’s for the whole family or a single person. The key is your attitude and approach. It’s all about what works for you and your family!
If you would like to read along, you can CLICK HEREfor the transcript.
Sam has a number of tips for feeding your family (she has a family of 4).
A key point is that the family picks out a meal for the week ahead. By everyone choosing something, it encourages each family member to enjoy something they choose as well as appreciate what others choose.
She also uses Knock Knock Pads to keep track of items for the next grocery order as well as the week’s menus. They’re a real timesaver.
Another approach that is incredibly helpful is that when we cook we make enough of a base ingredient for the week at one time. If we are making hamburgers one night, we will plan for chili or pasta with Bolognese sauce. In this way, you’re not really eating ‘leftovers,’ since you’re planning several different meals.
Ellie, who most often cooks for one, has some tips:
She takes full advantage of internet searches. For example, if she has sweet potatoes and hamburger, she just searches for an ‘easy recipe with sweet potatoes and hamburger.’ If she doesn’t have an item, she’ll search for a substitute.
She also prepares ahead. For instance, when she buys saladings, she’ll prep it all at one time. Lining a 9×13 baking pan with paper towels, she place the clean lettuce leaves in it. Place another towel on top and cover with the lid. Keeping her refrigerator cold allows the saladings to easily last 1-1/2 to 2 weeks. She preps mushrooms, peppers, and onions in their own containers as well.
She also cooks a large, family-size amount of soup or stews, then freezes them in appropriate-sized containers. Yogurt containers, etc make great smaller servings. You can write what they are and date them with permanent markers.
Both Sam and Ellie take advantage of crockpots, oven-roasted and single pan meals. The key is:
the valuable point is that food prep is what it needs to be for your family.
Pay attention to what you do a lot of … and prepare accordingly. Ellie often bakes a family-sized pack of chicken breast, cutting them in half, wrapping them individually in plastic wrap. Then she places them in a plastic bag in the freezer. This allows her many single meals, or she can pull out more for guests or add to a soup or stew.
Start with a meal or two. Then gradually plan for an entire week. You’ll save a lot of stress and time as well as money. Let us know what works for you. Have a question? Just let us know. We’ll try to help.
If you enjoy our life hacks and simple common sense approaches to sustainability and everyday life, please spread the word. Visit and like our youtube channel and our Facebook page. And sign up for our newsletter – the form’s on the HOME page. Share your thoughts with us on youtube or FB. Here’s to your peace of mind because you’re prepared!
No matter what you call it, or how you feel about it, being prepared feels GREAT! As we discuss in our Sunday Snacks today, prices fluctuating, news that can’t help but put us on edge, supply chain issues still occurring with no real end in sight, and so much more, Sam and Ellie share their philosophies about preparedness!
