Cherishing Cherries
February is National Cherry Month! In our opinion, one of the more underrated fruits out there is the cherry. They are sweet, snackable, and refreshing for any time of year. They are great alone or an important ingredient in endless tasty recipes. That’s why we cherish this awesome stone fruit.
To start, there are two different types of cherries: tart and sweet. Tart cherries are good for cooking and baking, while sweet cherries are the type you buy to eat as a snack. When purchasing these sweet snacks, look for the firm and plump ones that appear bright and glossy. Sweet cherries are mainly grown in California, Washington, and Oregon, while tart cherries can commonly be found in Michigan and Wisconsin. Some popular types of sweet cherries are Bing, Lambert, and Rainier. The most common type of tart cherry is the Montgomery, best when used in baking as they hold their shape better than their more snackable relatives.
At Price Chopper & Market 32, we love using cherries in our recipes. And not just the classic cherry pie. Check out some of these delectable recipes!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
For some, baking is one of the simple pleasures of life. There are so many different recipes out there, but often, we find ourselves circling back to our favorites. Of course there is nothing wrong with that, but if you or someone you love has a dietary restriction, you may need to make some adjustments. Today, we are focusing on applesauce. Applesauce can be used as a substitute for eggs, butter, oil, and sugar. Interesting, right? At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have a variety of different applesauce. Some include unsweetened, cinnamon, and strawberry applesauce. However, the most common type of applesauce used in baking is unsweetened. If you are new to using applesauce as an alternative, take a look at how to swap out those ingredients!
Eggs:
For every one egg called for in a recipe, use ¼ cup of applesauce instead.
Butter & Oil:
Substitute applesauce in equal quantities of butter and oil. For example, if the recipe requires ½ cup of oil, replace it with ½ cup of applesauce. Similarly, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of butter, use 1 cup of applesauce.
Sugar:
While you can substitute applesauce in place of granulated sugar, there are some things to be cautious of. Like butter and oil, you can substitute applesauce and sugar in a 1:1 ratio. However, sugar is a dry ingredient and applesauce is a wet ingredient, so you will have to cut back on other wet ingredients. For example, if there is water in the recipe, use slightly less than what is called for.
If you are still on the fence about baking with applesauce, try using half of that ingredient and half applesauce. For example, if the recipe requires 1 cup of butter, try using ½ cup butter and ½ cup applesauce. The possibilities are endless when baking with substitutes like applesauce!
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN, CDN
The Big Game is here once again! Each year, this football game brings fans, family, and friends together to cheer on their team and enjoy festive foods that score big on flavor and tradition. Did you know? U.S. households will eat an estimated 1.4 billion chicken wings on Sunday! Even if you are only there for the half-time show, you are bound to find something to crunch and munch. The surprise play you don’t want to watch? Any issues with food safety that can knock your event off the go-to list. Keep bacteria on the bench with some fresh tips and resources to ensure your party is positioned to win!
Ordering food?
Make sure someone (adult) is home to get the delivery*, check temperatures (danger zone is 40 – 140 degrees/2 hours) and packaging to be sure nothing is tampered with or left at an unsafe temperature for any length of time.
*Notify the company if you suspect tampering or that perishable food was left out too long. Don’t eat the food, or even taste it to see if it is safe.
Cook, Serve or Save
Time your order and serve delivered prepared foods when you receive it. If you are not serving right away, follow storage directions and refrigerate or freeze items until you are ready to cook them.
Pre-Game Prep
Keeping best practices for winning at food safety every day in mind as you plan and set up your event. Check your food thermometer to be sure it is working or purchase a new one. Wash hands, counters, cutting boards and serving utensils. Repeat washing hands as different foods are handled or prepared. Have plastic bags and storage containers ready to use so putting foods away is easy and quick.
- Clean— When handling raw meat and poultry, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and clean and sanitize surfaces often with soap, water and a sanitizer.
- Separate— Don’t cross-contaminate. Use separate cutting boards, plates and utensils to avoid cross-contamination between raw meat or poultry and foods that are ready-to-eat.
- Cook— Cook to proper internal temperatures, checking with a food thermometer.
- Chill— Refrigerate promptly and do not leave food out at room temperature for over two hours.
Buffet Play
Set up the buffet so hot foods, like wings, can be kept hot, and cold foods, like deli wraps and salads, can be kept cold. Slow cookers and chafing dishes are good choices for the range of snacks and appetizers that may require heat to maintain enjoyment and safety. A tray with ice or ice packs is good for cool foods, unless your location is very warm. Consider keeping perishable foods out for two hours or less – then get them properly stored to minimize food waste.
End Zone
The game is over, leftovers are packed away, and the kitchen/buffet is clean and ready for the next meal. Leftovers can be kept refrigerated for 3 to 4 days or frozen up to 3 months. To serve safely, reheat to an internal temperature of 165 F.
Post-Game
Odds are you will share happy pictures (or sad, depending on which team won) of your party with friends and family via text and social media. Should anyone that attended let you know that they became ill after the event, next steps would be to ensure they get medical attention immediately and get some guidance from your local health agency. It can happen to anyone, even when best practices are strictly managed. You cannot see, taste, or smell harmful bacteria. Some guests, especially young children and those older than 65, may be more vulnerable to exposure. Reporting foodborne illness is critical to keeping food safe for everyone.
If you or a family member experience symptoms of a serious foodborne illness, seek medical attention and contact your local health agency.
The CDC public health gateway can help you locate your local health agency.
Questions? Try these toll-free federal food safety hotlines. For meat, poultry, or pasteurized egg products, call the USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). For all other food products, call FDA’s Food and Cosmetic Information Center at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366).
Homemade Soup Contest Favorites!
National Homemade Soup Day is here, and we are celebrating with the entries from our Homemade Soup Recipe Facebook Contest. We received a number of mouthwatering recipes, and dwindling down the list was certainly challenging. Thanks to all who participated…we’re off to enjoy some new soup recipes!
Check out our winnning recipe Douglas’ Tomato Soup as well as more of our favorites below!
Tomato Soup from Douglas in Binghamton, NY
One can of undiluted condensed Tomato Soup.
One can of un-drained diced Tomatoes.
1/4 Tsp Dried Basil
Dash of hot sauce or more to taste.
Stir together while heating just to the point of boiling.
Enjoy.
Chicken Noodle Soup from Laura in Syracuse, NY
Fill 4 QT pot 2/3 of way with water.
Add 4 chicken drumsticks and bring to boil.
Skim fat as it appears until it is cooked out.
Add 2 stalks of celery, a tomato that has been skinned, 2 potatoes, cubed, a small onion, baby carrots to taste and 2 tsp of salt.
Cook an hour.
Serve with soup pasta of choice.
Homemade Potato Soup from Kimberly in Selkirk, NY
Take 1 lb bacon — slice into 1 inch pieces fry good and brown; put bacon in 5 qt kettle
Take 4 large white potatoes, peel and dice into 1/2 inch cubes put in pot
Take 6 to 8 1 inch boiling onions left whole — put in pot
Add a tablespoon of left over bacon grease
Fill pot 2/3s full with water
Add salt and pepper to taste
Boil until onions are fully cooked(approximately 45 minutes)
To finish add a tablespoon of butter, and 1 large can of evaporated milk to the soup.
To serve break up day old white bread place in your bowl and add soup, grab a spoon and Enjoy!
Very Easy Lentil Soup from Dawn in Poughkeepsie, NY
Sauté 1/2 minced onion and 1 clove garlic minced in olive oil
Add 8 oz tomato sauce and 8 oz chicken broth
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/8 tsp. Pepper
1/2 tsp. Oregano
Add one can Progresso Lentil soup
Heat through
Spoon into bowls add cooked rice or cooked ditalini pasta
Pepper Soup from Cinzia in Winsted, CT
3 bell peppers of any color (or mixed colors), diced
1 large onion, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 cups water
1 cup vegetable or beef broth
1 large can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Optional: Cayenne pepper to taste
In a large soup pot, sauté peppers and onions in oil. Add water, broth, and crushed tomatoes. Add seasonings. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 1 hour. Serves 4.
Optional: Serve topped with shredded cheddar cheese.
Beef Cabbage Soup from George in Binghamton, NY
3/4 ground beef (can use left over steak,or burger)
1 diced large onion,
2-3 cups diced cabbage
2-3 diced fresh carrot
2-3 minced garlic
If beef is uncooked sauté in large pot ,when pink is gone , pour off most of grease, add the vegetables and sauté for 5 minutes (can skip but adds some flavor)
Add remaining
1 box beef broth
1 can 280z diced tomatoes
1-2 tbs Worcestershire sauce
Bring to boil and let simmer until veggies tender.
Enjoy over cold noodles or rice (helps cool it down)
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN
Nothing is good for you if you don’t eat it – one of my favorite sayings, especially when there are debates about which foods are best for heart health. The basic tenets of a heart smart meal include lots of produce, lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains. The big opportunity? Making sure flavor is the reason everyone wants to eat these delicious, nutritious foods that bring heart healthful benefits to the table.
Flavor and taste are big factors in how we determine what we want to eat – we are drawn to foods that are described by their flavors, and often inspired to try new things when they are paired with foods and flavors we are already familiar with. Pairing familiar foods and flavors with something new or different is a great way to explore foods through flavors. Breakfast pizza, fish tacos, and avocado toast are all great examples of culinary and nutrition innovations. Seasoning and spices, as well as our inherent 5 tastes (sweet, salty, umami, bitter, sour) can inform food shopping and cooking routines into wonderful meals that are easy and affordable.
For heart health, salt and sodium are most important seasonings to understand and manage. It is easier than you think – once you have a few tips and hacks, you will be able to nudge flavor up and sodium down for almost any recipe.
Flavor Makers
There are so many ways to build flavor in food. Sodium is important, but Americans are overexposed. No other cuisine relies as heavily on salt and fat – internationally, spices, herbs, fermentation, and other methods are preferred. Sodium has many roles – it is a flavor enhancer and reduces the perception of bitterness. Sodium also tenderizes and retains moisture and is important to food safety and preservation. Slowly, food companies are lowering sodium levels in foods. On food labels, low sodium in a single item is 140 mg or less; in a meal or soup item, per the American Heart Association, aim for 600 mg per serving or less. Public health goals range from 1500 mg to 2300 mg over the entire day. Perspective: most Americans get over 3400 mg sodium in a day; a teaspoon of salt equals 2300 mg of sodium.
Important Label Terms – from The American Heart Association https://bit.ly/3WlioDH
- Salt/Sodium-Free – Less than 5 milligrams of sodium per serving
- Very Low Sodium – 35 milligrams or less per serving
- Low Sodium – 140 milligrams or less per serving
- Reduced Sodium – At least 25 percent less sodium per serving than the usual sodium level
- Light in Sodium or Lightly Salted– At least 50 percent less sodium than the regular product
No-Salt-Added or Unsalted – No salt is added during processing – but these products may not be salt/sodium-free unless stated.
Remember: Sodium levels vary in the same foods depending on the brand or restaurant.
Learn About Salt and Sodium
There are differences between salt and sodium, and a few myths about specific types of salt. Table salt is a combination of sodium and chloride, and the quantity of each may be higher or lower depending on the formulation.
Sea salt, Himalayan (pink) salt and other finishing salts all contain about 2300 mg per teaspoon. The different colors come from trace minerals (like copper in pink salt), but those minerals are not in any quantity that benefit health.
Some kosher salts, such as Diamond Crystal brand, are lower in sodium – the “fluffy” crystal shape allows the sodium flavor to remain high even though the actual content is lower, at 1120 mg per teaspoon.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is also returning to the plate as science is getting ahead of the myth that it is not a good choice. MSG meets 2 flavor-forward needs – it lowers sodium content (by up to 40%) and enhances savory flavors with its glutamate component. Glutamate is naturally found in protein foods like cheese, meat, and vegetables like mushrooms, and is made by the human body for critical brain and metabolic functions.
Salt Substitutes – These are used when sodium management is critical to health conditions. Please check with your health care providers before using, as they contain potassium, which may be restricted.
Build Flavor
Cooking methods such as grilling, sautéing, or roasting have their own impact on flavors, through caramelization. Those methods also help manage fat type/content if a rack is used while roasting meat or seafood.
Citrus flavors can substitute for sodium in many foods. Citrus makes our mouth water and brightens flavors when added just before eating. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime, or some orange zest instead of salt to freshen savory foods and leftovers. Fresh is great, but you can also try 100% juice items like orange juice (Dairy case), lemon or lime juice (found in our Produce section).
In the international aisle, lower sodium sauces, jarred and pickled vegetables and jarred (no added sugar) fruit spreads can also be used to create big flavor in small quantities. The secret is to use them near the end of cooking. A teaspoon of chopped roasted red pepper on a grilled protein, vegetable or fruit is a quick, colorful, and savory add that takes just a minute to prep. How about a cherry + thyme combo on a roast pork tenderloin, orange + chopped green olive on white fish, or bright apricot + cayenne on chicken? Jarred sofrito, usually in the international section, is a cooking sauce popular in many cuisines, and brings tomato, onion, peppers, and garlic together as a savory base – check labels for low sodium versions.
Savory/Umami flavors can be enhanced using low sodium concentrated tomato paste, a sprinkle of good parmigiana or Romano cheese, ground dried mushrooms (there are new spice products that include mushrooms, check sodium content/serving size and adjust as needed) and nutritional yeast, which has a parmigiana-like flavor, but a low sodium content for the 2 Tbsp serving size. Experiment with timing – like fresh herbs, these flavors are more robust when added near the end of preparation/cooking.
Sun dried tomatoes – jarred and bagged, in the international aisle and the Produce department. Check sodium, often they are very low.
Fresh and jarred salsas – in the Produce dept. and Dairy case (cheese section)
Flavored teas – experiment with poaching seafood, chicken, pork, and fruit (e.g., poached pears).
Herbs and Spices
Herbs and spices come in many forms, and their flavors take us around the world. Products that make it easy to boost flavor abound – here are a few options in our stores to try:
Fresh Herbs – Organic fresh herbs are the go-to at Price Chopper and Market 32. Find individual herbs and some blends already assembled for your culinary needs in the Produce section of the store.
The Gourmet Garden – squeeze garlic, spices, herbs, and blends are in the Produce department – find them by the fresh greens. Add them to recipes, or use them to finish dishes, like adding Italian herbs to a cooked chicken breast, or a rice dish before serving. Use the garlic as a base rub on roasted meat or vegetables – you can add other spices (like dried herbs) and they will adhere nicely to the dish while it cooks.
Salt-free dried herb blends are quick and easy – brand names include PICS, Mrs. Dash, and McCormick Salt-free Perfect Pinch, Weber Salt-Free Hamburger, Chicken and Steak seasoning.
Tip – Look for small plastic packages of new flavors – easy to buy and try for just $1 or $2.
Tip – Dried herbs should be replaced after 1 year – they do not “go bad”, but they lose flavor and quality over time. Purchasing smaller quantities more often ensures the best flavor profile.
Fresh ginger, garlic, turmeric, scallions, cilantro, and a variety of organic, fresh packaged herbs including rosemary, chives, and basil are easy to find in many food stores.
Tip – Fresh herbs lend their flavors best to dishes when they are added at the end of cooking, for 10 minutes or less. If recipes call for herbs to be added before cooking, dried are the better and more economic choice.
Tip – Freeze leftover roots as is, chop herbs and freeze in ice cube trays. No salt added tomato paste leftovers can be placed into a plastic bag, (shape into a cylinder), frozen, then sliced and used to enhance flavors of soups and sauces.
Kitchen Tools and Gadgets
When creating richer flavors is easy, it happens more often. The right kitchen tools can help you take your taste buds to new heights with little effort. Check out the list below and find many in the kitchenware section of the store!
Coffee grinder, good knives, knife sharpener, garlic press, small manual spring chopper, 4-sided grater, digital kitchen scale, measuring cups (liquid and dry ingredient)/spoons, microplane/zester, citrus press, multi-blade manual chopper, mortar and pestle, herb grinder, apple/pear/mango slicers, veggie storage containers (e.g. avocado or onion keepers), cruet or small jars with covers for salad dressings, veggie chopper or mandolin, spiralizer, food processor, bullet-blender. Snap top plastic/glass tempered glass containers – different sizes, freezer to oven. Instant pot, rice cooker, large and small roasting pans, sheet pans (great for roasting vegetables), colander, salad spinner, microwave/stove stop steamers.
Shopping and Recipe resources – look for Know Your Colors tags/nutrition label info/options
https://www.pricechopper.com/know-your-colors/ – available on store shelf tags and our https://shop.pricechopper.com/shop E-commerce shopping pages, make shopping better easier when you have the right products already on your list!
American Heart Association website – https://recipes.heart.org/
Price Chopper/Market 32 website – Healthy Eating/Vegetarian/Low Sodium cms-uat-pch.unataops.com
Eatright.org – Academy of Nutrition recipes and nutrition resources
Allrecipes.com – Scalable recipe adjuster, nutrition facts/videos/and a leftovers recipe resource.
Pinterest – Food hacks – so much fun to check out! BUT – beware nutrition info there unless the author is a Registered Dietitian.
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
What seemed like a mild winter has turned into many inches of snow…all at once. It’s times like these where we don’t feel like budging, and we just cannot seem to get warm no matter what! At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have some delicious ways for you to get warm! Take a look below at some of our warm beverages.
Hot chocolate:
Warm chocolate with marshmallows and whip cream hit the spot! Some of our hot chocolate options include:
- PICS Hot Cocoa Single Serve Cup
- PICS Hot Chocolate Packets with Marshmallows
- PICS Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Packets
- PICS Hot Cocoa Mix
Recipe Alert! Mexican Hot Chocolate
Not feeling the traditional hot chocolate today? We understand. Try out this delicious Mexican Hot Chocolate made with PICS whole milk, cinnamon, cayenne peppers, and chocolate morsels.
Tea:
There are so many ways to make tea to your liking. Try adding in PICS honey, PICS sugar packets, or even a splash of PICS milk! Some of our flavors include:
- PICS Chai Tea K-Cups
- PICS Black Tea Bags
- PICS Decaffeinated Black Tea Bags
- PICS Green Tea Bags
- PICS Decaffeinated Green Tea Bags
Recipe Alert! Warm Berry, Tea, & Cider Punch
Coffee:
If we listed out all of our PICS coffee, the entire page would be filled! Here are just a few of our coffee options:
- PICS Ground French Vanilla Light Roast Coffee
- PICS House Blend Medium Roast Single Serve Cup Coffee
- PICS French Vanilla Cappuccino Single Serve Cup
- PICS 100% Colombian Ground Coffee
- PICS Half Caffeine Medium Roast Single Serve Cup Coffee
Recipe Alert! Viennese Coffee | LavAzza
Remember – Warm weather is coming, but for now, a cup of Joe will have to suffice!
Medications expire because chemical changes to the drug over time may affect the stability or decrease the strength of the drug. An expiration date estimates when the potency of the drug falls below an acceptable limit set by the FDA. The expiration date may also be an estimate of when certain ingredients in the drug change and may be harmful to consume.
There is evidence that some medications may be safe to consume after the expiration date. Even though these may be safe to consume after the expiration date, the drugs may not be as effective due to decreased potency. Also, certain medications have very strict storage requirements and their expiration dates should be strictly followed. Medications that are liquid, like many children’s medications, should not be used past their expiration dates. Other medications that should not be used past their expiration dates include insulin, nitroglycerin, and antibiotics.
So, should I take expired medications?
Although there is evidence that some expired medications are safe to take, the FDA states that “once the expiration date has passed there is no guarantee that the medicine will be safe and effective.”
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
February 22nd is National Supermarket Employee Day! In any business, displaying exceptional customer service is the key to success. At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have a lot to be proud of with our hardworking, dedicated teammates whose customer service goes above and beyond. They are the engine that drives our company day in and day out!
Today and everyday, we want to honor our fantastic teammates whose customer service does not go unnoticed. We thank them for all they do!
Read below about some teammates who have shown exemplary customer service in our Price Chopper and Market 32 locations!
Market 32, O’Neill Highway (Dunmore, PA) #135
Charmaigne E. Santiago, Front-End Teammate
Charmaigne started her career with Price Chopper/Market in December 2021. There was an instant connection and we knew we had a winner bringing Charmaigne onboard. If you look up the definition of customer service, you will find a picture of Charmaigne Santiago!
There isn’t a day that passes that Charmaigne doesn’t receive a compliment. One of our customers wrote in, “Charmaigne makes every person smile. She is a kind, hardworking, lovely woman. I always try to get in her line.” Her bubbly spirit is contagious, and she instantly puts customers and teammates in a good mood. She is dependable, charismatic, earnest, and a true asset to our company. Charmaigne is always engaged and challenges her teammates to do the same. We are proud to have Charmaigne on our team!
Price Chopper, Erie Boulevard (Syracuse, NY) #172
Tyler Burgess, Customer Service Assistant Team Leader
Tyler has been with the company for almost seven years. Tyler started with us as a Part Time Maintenance Teammate at store 199 in Cicero. During Tyler’s time at Cicero, he worked very hard and learned anything he could. He went from Maintenance to the Cash Register and then to Supervising the Front End in a high volume store. Last year, Tyler was selected for our Associate Development Program (ADP) where Tyler went on to further his skill set by leaving Cicero to train in other stores. Tyler trained with us at Erie Boulevard, store 172 and then went to Clay, store 182 to train in the Cash Office. Tyler successfully graduated the ADP program and returned to us at Erie Boulevard where he is currently acting as our Customer Service Assistant Team Leader.
In Tyler’s short time back to the store he has already exhibited his exceptional service by being mentioned as a “Wow Teammate” on our Helpful Experience Shops not just once, but twice!
In Tyler’s spare time he is an avid bowler. Tyler is not just passionate about Customer Service, Tyler and his girlfriend are also very driven to help animals in need, as they foster cats that need homes as well.
Price Chopper, Cortland NY #178
Morgan McDonald, PAC Teammate
Morgan is a great asset to our store and to our customers. She is there whenever a customer or teammate needs her and will answer questions for any department. Morgan often receives compliments from customers when working in the aisles as she helps them find item locations. She will often come up to assist the Front-End by running the register, helping customers with a carry out, or assisting with an Instacart order. Morgan is very artistic and created a customized sign for Cortland’s participation in Trunk or Treat this last fall. We appreciate Morgan’s dedication and willingness to go above and beyond!
Market 32, Sutton MA #244
Richard Laflash, Bakery Teammate
Here at Market 32 in Sutton, MA, we have an exceptional teammate in our bakery department. His name is Richard Laflash. Rich never fails to be punctual on a daily basis with a smile on his face. He has been with our store since we opened in 2015.
For YEARS, the bakery team in Sutton has been receiving scores of 100% on mystery shops because of Rich and his excellent customer service skills. It is no secret that Rich goes above and beyond for any guest in need anywhere, anytime. He is known for going out of his way to escort guests to specific products they may be looking for. If Rich doesn’t know the answer, you can be sure he’ll do anything in his power to find out!
Rich is not only great with customers, but an asset to his team as well. He is well known for keeping a pristine donut and bagel case, knowing that it is the first thing the customers see when they walk in the front doors. Rich gives so much of his time and effort to the company. He comes in early or stays late if needed. He will even periodically come in on days off to help.
Expressing how Richard Laflash is exceptional is an understatement.
Interested in joining our team? Check out career opportunities at careers.pricechopper.com!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
There is a lot of controversy over which parts of New York sell the best bagels. We may be a bit biased, but our bagels are truly the winners. At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have a wide variety of bagels that are made fresh daily! Additionally, our cream cheese selection is out of this world, with flavors such as strawberry, honey walnut, herb & onion, and more!
Our bagel selection:
When you enter our Bakery Department, you will notice that we have bagels sold individually, in 3-packs or six-packs. Our delicious flavors include:
•Plain • Cinnamon Raisin • Everything • Garlic • Asiago Cheese • Cheddar Cheese • Honey & Wheat • Blueberry • Poppy Seed • Sesame Seed • Onion • Salt • Cinnamon Sugar
What can I put on my bagel?
Wondering about what goes well on a bagel? Take a look at the lists below!
Spreads:
Cream Cheese
Hummus
Butter
Peanut Butter
Nutella
Jelly
Fruit/Vegetable:
Banana
Strawberries
Avocado
Meats/Cheeses:
Smoked Salmon
Bacon
Eggs
Turkey
Ham
Egg/Tuna/Chicken Salad
Any cheese of choice
Different Ways to Use a Bar of Soap
Different Ways to Use a Bar of Soap
How do you use a bar soap? Probably for washing your hands or taking a shower. Well, there’s many uses for a bar of soap that extend beyond your daily hygiene and bathroom routine. Let’s explore those options in our latest blog. You’ll never look at a bar of soap the same way again.
- Keeping Critters out of the Garden: If you’re an avid gardener, the most frustrating thing is the little critters and pests that munch your hard work away. Luckily, a bar of soap can defend your crops in a way that is not harmful to the animals. Keep the bar of soap in its wrapper, open one of side of the wrapper or box, then place it at the base of the plant you’re attempting to protect.
- Keep Shoes Smelling Fresh: Keeping shoes by your front door? You can keep the odors away with a bar of soap! Place a bar of soap in a mesh bag, and stick it in your smelly shoe, make sure it’s stuffed in nicely and not just hanging out by the heel. Let it sit overnight and you’ll be surprised by how much more pleasant the smell is in the morning! This trick also works inside your car, gym bag, or closet.
- Prevent Sticky Zippers: Zippers constantly getting caught can cause quite the frustration. But if you have a bar of soap, it can help with this issue. Rub a bar of soap along the zipper as an easy way to keep the tracks well-oiled and easier to deal with.
- Homemade Laundry Detergent: Not feeling the laundry detergent at the stores? You can make your own with a bar of soap.
- Fixing Damaged Drawers: If you have a drawer that doesn’t come in and out so easily anymore, a bar of soap may offer the solution. Rubbing the soap on the tracks of the damaged drawers will allow it to slide and glide more easily.
- Cover a Mistake: If you have a mistake in your wall from poor thumbtack placement, use a bar of soap to fix it. Gently rub a bar of soap, the same color as your paint, over the hole until it’s filled in. It’ll do the trick until it’s time to repaint.
- Find the Leak: If you have a leaking tire, rubbing a damp bar of soap over the areas in question will create an air bubble when the air escapes. Allowing you to locate the leak.
These are just a few of the ways a bar of soap can help outside of the shower. Hopefully they help you down the road. The power of a simple bar of soap!