Quick Tip Tuesday: Rinse, Repeat!

While most of us would agree that organic produce is best, it doesn't always end up in the grocery cart. Conventionally grown fruits and veggies are often less expensive, and it is better to buy any produce than none at all. If this sounds like your family, listen up! It is really important to rinse all produce before eating, but this is crucial with conventionally grown items. Especially if we are consuming the outer skin of the item where pesticides may have been sprayed, such as grapes and apples, a quick rinse can help clean off some majorly yucky stuff. Even my most favorite organic green grapes left a funny feeling film on my fingers (how's that for alliteration!) that wasn't too pleasant. This tip saved the day!

Water alone is better than no rinse at all, but a 50/50 vinegar rinse is super effective! You might be surprised at the color of your water after rinsing even organic produce. A white vinegar rinse can also help kill naturally occurring bacteria on the surface of your fruit, making it last longer in your fridge before going bad. I have some lovely green grapes in the fridge that are almost three weeks old, but are still crisp and firm as the day I bought them! That is a major money saver for us, because we used to toss a ton of spoiled fruit each week. No more! Follow these simple steps to enjoy long lasting, clean crisp fruit in your home too :)

Just remove your fruit from the package or produce bag...

Drop into a bowl filled with half and half water and vinegar. Let soak for a few minutes. You may actually see a film coming off of the produce! Apples often have a waxy coating and this rinse should remove that too. Swish it around in the water to make sure you get in all those nooks and crannies. 

Remove from the vinegar soak to a collander in the sink, and rinse again with cool water to remove any lingering vinegar taste, and you're done! I find it easiest to do this when I get home from shopping, and then store the items as usual. It really makes a huge difference in the taste and longevity of my fruit and veggies!

I hope you're able to use this quick tip for your family! Thanks for checking in, and I'll see you on Friday for my favorite super healthy Halloween treat!

Xo Allison