Meal Planning Mommies

Weight Watchers friendly recipes, meal plans, and tips

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Did you ever find something in your pantry and ask yourself: “Is it too late to use this? Should I toss this, keep this, or hurry up and use this?” I found an excellent resource today that answers that question for you. They have created “The Ultimate Shelf Life Guide.” Anytime you need to find out the shelf life of an item, you just enter it into a search and the answer will be there for you!

This is taken straight from the Still Tasty website:

 7 Popular Fruits and Vegetables That Last a Long Time

Purchasing fruits and vegetables with a fairly long shelf life can help you save money, eat healthier and cut down on food waste. Here are seven popular fruits and vegetables that can last a long time when properly stored (click on the links to find detailed shelf life information and storage tips):

•         Onions:
They’ll last for 2-3 months in your pantry. Don’t store onions near potatoes – they’ll both spoil faster.

•         Apples:
Will keep for 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator. You can also keep them at room temperature for one to three days.

•         Potatoes:
Will last for 1-2 weeks at room temperature; 2-3 months in a cooler area. Potatoes shouldn’t be stored in the fridge — refrigeration could cause them to darken and become sweet during cooking.

•         Carrots:
Will keep for 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator. Keep in a plastic bag in the crisper.

•         Garlic:
Will last for 3-5 months in a cool, well-ventilated area.

•         Celery:
Will keep for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. Wrapping celery tightly in aluminum foil can help keep it fresh.

•         Oranges:
They’ll keep for 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator. You can also keep oranges for a week at room temperature.

Even more amazing to me were the 9 things that will last forever. Check this out (also taken directly from the Still Tasty website. Click here for this particular article)

 Nine things that will last forever

When stored properly, these everyday items will last for years — sometimes decades — even after they’ve been opened. And they’ll lose very little, if any, of their original quality as time passes. So think twice before tossing one of these items. If you’ve been handling it correctly, chances are it’s just fine.
1.     HONEY
Pure honey is as durable as it is delicious; it keeps safe indefinitely. Honey may change color or crystallize over time, but that won’t make it unsafe.
Keep it fresh: Store in a cool area and keep tightly closed. Revive crystallized honey by placing the opened jar in warm water and stirring until dissolved.
 
2.     RICE
White, wild, arborio, jasmine and basmati rice all have an indefinite shelf life, when kept free from contaminants. The exception: brown rice. Thanks to its higher oil content, it won’t keep nearly as long.
Keep it fresh: Store in a cool, dry area. Once opened, place rice in a sealed airtight container or place original package in a resealable heavy-duty freezer bag. For added protection, store rice in the refrigerator or freezer.
3.     SUGAR
White, brown or powdered — sugar never spoils because it doesn’t support bacterial growth. The real challenge is to prevent it from becoming rock-hard.
Keep it fresh: Keep sugar in a cool, dry area. To prevent sugar from hardening after opening, place it in an airtight container or cover the original package in a heavy-duty plastic bag and seal tightly.
4.     HARD LIQUOR
Whipping up some penne alla vodka and a pitcher of cocktails? Distilled spirits —vodka, rum, whiskey, gin, tequila and the like — don’t spoil, even after opening. The taste and aroma may fade gradually, but it’ll take ages before you notice.
Keep it fresh: Store in cool, dark area, away from direct heat or sunlight. Keep bottle tightly closed when not in use.
5.     MAPLE SYRUP
Pure maple syrup not only makes your pancakes special, it adds tremendous flavor to a whole range of dishes. Best of all, it keeps forever in the freezer.
 Keep it fresh: Refrigerate after opening. For long-term storage, freeze maple syrup in airtight plastic containers.
Yes, it’s more expensive than its imitation counterpart. But pure vanilla extract keeps forever, so you’ll never have to waste a drop.
 Keep it fresh: Store in cool, dark cupboard and keep tightly closed when not in use.
 
A reliable standby in everything from marinades to salad dressings, distilled white vinegar will remain virtually unchanged as the years pass by.
Keep it fresh: Store vinegar a cool, dark area and keep tightly capped after each use.
 
8.     CORNSTARCH
A must-have for thickening sauces, gravies, and puddings. Cornstarch will keep indefinitely if it’s kept dry and free from contaminants.
 Keep it fresh: Store in cool, dry area; keep package tightly closed between uses.
9.     SALT
From the basic table variety to fancier versions like kosher and sea, salt is a flavor enhancer that never spoils or goes stale.
 Keep it fresh: Store in cool, dry area.

Check out more useful information about the shelf life of your food here at Still Tasty.

 

More from Meal Planning Mommies:

Slow Cooker Pantry Chicken Soup

Spaghetti Squash with Spinach Tomato Ragu

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