Interesting Article

So, I was grocery shopping today, and I got in the car after loading my groceries in the trunk of the car, and my brain had a really interesting question for me.

What happens to the shelf life of veggies if you cut them up?

Seems pretty harmless, but if you've ever cut up an avocado and then walked away for 10 minutes, you know that sometimes the air and knife can be mean to your food.

I was more interested in my snacking veggies, like carrots and celery and green peppers; durable nuggets of produce goodness that I can pack in my lunch and nibble on whenever. I just am not a fan of bringing whole pieces to work, and I get funny looks if I pack a paring knife with me.

So, I asked Google. "Hey Google, what happens when I cut my veggies up ahead of time?"

For once, the first result was not only helpful, but exactly what I was looking for!

"How does cutting, slicing, and chopping affect fresh vegetables?"

It's a semi-tough read, getting somewhat technical and biological about "harming" the veggies (bear with me, it gets better).

But basically, what I took away from the article, was that you should have the shortest amount of time possible from cutting the veggies to consumption for most, but that the sharper the blade, the less "stress" you cause the veggie, and the more fresh your veggie stays. For durable veggies like carrots and celery and the like, you have more time before expiration than you do with more sensitive veggies, like lettuce and mushrooms (although they are technically a fungus and not a veggie). You would also want to research and store like-veggies together in a proper container.

All in all, I know I can go ahead and chop up my carrots, celery, and green peppers and put them in tupperware for the week. I can also dice onions for any weeknight meals, so long as I use them in a few days. It will help make meal preps go faster, and portions stay controlled better.

Happy eating, y'all! :)

"Just Start Over"

Well. Today's it. May 1st. I'm officially 28. Nearing my 30's. Wow.
I don't feel different. But I know if I put up a picture of me 10 years ago at 18 and one now, you'll see the differences. Maybe I'll do just that... But not tonight.

So, about the title. There's a short story involved...

I went to lunch today at work. Frustrated, and not having packed a lunch, I went next door to Subway. I got the least healthy sub I felt like eating (A sweet onion chicken teriyaki 6") and was telling the sweet woman behind the counter about my crappy day. She's always so nice, and I have no idea what her name is. Anyway, she said to me, "You know, if you are having a bad day, just start over."

"What do you mean?" I asked. I wanted to joke about how my dad always said if I woke up on the wrong side of the bed (and was a grouch) he would put me back in bed and tell me to get up on the other side.

"It means just that. If you're having a bad day, if something has gone wrong, then just start over. Right then. Make the choice that right now is a new day, and approach it with the right attitude."


...Whoa. Deep.

And it makes SENSE!

It means to leave that day behind and begin again. Don't worry about what has happened, or what didn't; what needs to be done or that you did something you shouldn't have. Just start over.



So.... that is my mini-goal for this week. If my day hasn't gone the right way, or if something has happened to piss me off, or make me miserable, I'm going to just start over. Treat it like a new day. Like no one has fucked it up or ruined it for me. I will check my emotions at the door, and start fresh-faced with a positive outlook.