Even Smarter!

Yesterday, I introduced you to Tupperware's FridgeSmart containers. Designed to keep your produce fresher... longer, FridgeSmart is one of the systems that promote the "Tupperware Lifestyle".

So how do these containers measure up?

Let's talk about how the product supports the shift to a “GREEN lifestyle”.
-Reusable container that rarely enters the landfills.
-Saves space, waste & money.

How much money does the average family throw away in spoiled fruits & veggies?

According to the University of Arizona’s Garbage Project, we throw away 150 pounds of produce a year! Even if you were throwing away 150 pounds of something inexpensive like cabbage, currently 33 cents per pound on sale, that is $50. Now let’s think of something a bit more expensive like grapes at $1.50; that is still $225 I don’t know about you, but the thought of losing that kind of money makes me ill. What is the last thing you had to send down the disposal or to the compost pile?

-Especially helpful for organic fruits & veggie which haven’t been coated with wax or treated with “who knows what” to preserve them.

Let’s Compare Prices!
Compare the price of buying pre-cut salad, vegetables & fruit to having “on-hand” quantities to cut as needed.

I did some shopping at my local supermarket yesterday.

- A 15 oz. bag of pre-washed (we hope) and pre-torn Romaine lettuce was $3.29.
- A head of Romaine weighing in at about 13 oz. was $1.29.

Save $2.00 every time you pass up the "bag" and purchase lettuce by the head or bunch !

- A 1 lb. bag of organic baby carrots was $1.59.
(*You do know about baby carrots, don’t you? They are really big carrots that aren’t pretty enough or have been broken/damaged that are cut and peeled to the size & shape of a “baby” carrot!)
- A 1 lb. bunch of organically grown loose carrots was $0.69.

There’s a $0.90 difference! If you buy a bag of baby carrots a week, that could save you almost $50 a year! And you’ll know it wasn’t an old damaged carrot to begin with!

- A 30-count box of 1-qt. (4-cup) plastic, zipper storage bags was $2.99.
That works out to be almost 10¢ per bag. If a family used only 3 bags per week, that adds up to $15.60 per year. The bags need to be repurchased and eventually end up in our landfills!
- A FridgeSmart Small Container holds 4-1/2 cups, costs $12.00 and will last for years!

Which is the smart choice; the GREEN Choice?

I read recently that the average family will use 7000 plastic bags in a lifetime! That, added to the statistic about the amount of produce we toss each year, is outrageous!

Given the rise in gas prices and the effect that is having on food prices, we all need to learn to conserve & eliminate waste! Tupperware's FridgeSmart containers can help to that!

Finally, here are a couple of easy recipes that make the most of fresh fruit & veggies!

Skewered Salad Caprese
Ripe cherry tomatoes
Whole, pitted, black olives
Pint container Bocconcini (small, fresh mozzarella balls) or 1” chunks of fresh mozzarella
Fresh basil - chopped
Your favorite bottled or home-made vinaigrette dressing
Tupperware Simple Indulgence™ Italian Herb Seasoning Blend
Bamboo skewers

Thread (alternating) tomatoes, cheese and olives on skewers. Place the skewers in a Season-Serve® Container. Pour vinaigrette dressing over skewers. Add ½ the chopped basil & Italian Herb seasoning to taste. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 –2 hours. Remove from marinade and arrange on serving platter. Sprinkle with remaining chopped basil & drizzle with small amount of marinade.
(You can approximate the flavor of the seasoning mix with a mixture of italian seasoning herbs, garlic powder & crushed red pepper)

Very Berry Dessert
Fresh seasonal berries
2 cups heavy whipping cream
Powdered sugar (or artificial sweetener) to taste
1 tsp (or less) Simple Indulgence™ Cinnamon & Vanilla Seasoning Blend
1 – orange or lemon, zested

Rinse berries and drain in colander. Add heavy cream, powdered sugar and cinnamon & vanilla blend to the Quick Chef. Process until you have whipped cream.
(You may substitute ground cinnamon & pure vanilla extract for the seasoning blend. But it won't be as delicious! *Ü*)

Place berries in individual bowls, top with whipped cream and grated citrus peel! Quick & yummy!

Enjoy! Chris