Almanac for Homemakers

Shop to Avoid Leftover Fruits "When estimating the number of servings from fresh fruits, allow for waste - the inedible parts, such as parings, trimmings, cores, and pits." Our Homemaker Heroine is having a rough time with her grocery shopping. Yesterday she had some vegetable issues. Today she is contemplating her life decisions. "Why didn't I just go for that math degree? I went and got an Art degree and now I'm unemployed staring at fruit for 30 minutes while the produce monger wonders when he should call 911 on the weird lady that won't put the raspberries down." I have no problems saving money on my fruit shopping. Here is a tip. Buy what you and your family likes. One day I went to the store and bought some grapes. They were gone within two days and that was with me hiding them. I just got some pineapple and I can guarantee you that will last me all week as I will be the only one eating it. The kids expr...

Tips on Buying Lamb "A reference to "spring lamb"may make your mouth water - and well it should." Lamb is typically thought of as a seasonal meat with celebrations of Passover and Easter where lamb is usually eaten. A spring lamb is usually 3-5 months old so that the meat is very tender. Anything at the store that is labeled "LAMB" is a sheep that is a year or younger. These lambs are sometimes only milk fed. So keep these in mind as we keep talking about how to choose meet from a baby sheep. Meat from a lamb is taken from one month to one year. Lamb Chops, Leg of Lamb, and Lamb Shank are the most popular cuts. These cuts are perfect for dry-heat cooking, broiling, or roasting. You can find some delicious recipes here! Go ahead... Take a peek and eat one of these adorable babies You monsters.

Pointers about Buying Vegetables "Vegetables are low in calories and a number of them rank high in vitamins and minerals." We have talked some about vegetables in this blog before In February, we talked about Grades of Canned and Frozen Veggies. In April, we talked specifically about Asparagus. Today is about fresh veggies and their healthy traits. Vitamin A Most Dark Green and Deep Yellow vegetables are great sources of this vitamin. It is a good idea to include carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, and other dark leafy greens or squash into your meals. These vegetables are also great sources of other vitamins that we need everyday. Protein Usually when we think of protein we think of meat. But stop and think where our meat source got their protein rich meat. Many vegetables are substantial protein sources. Some of the most popular are dry legumes. Beans and peas are outstanding sources of protein. Low Calorie Raw vegetables are...

Welcome May Look at these happy people. Planting flowers for the spring garden. You do you boo. ... Pointers About Storing and Thawing Fish "When you buy fresh fish or someone brings home a catch, wrap the fish and get it into the refrigerator quickly. Always use fresh fish within two days." Today's Almanac Post is about fish! Typically, if you get fresh fish, it is best to eat it asap. When you are shopping for fish look for these signs of Freshness: 1. Fish should have a mild smell, not sour or with a hint of ammonia. 2. They eyes should be clear and bulge out a little. Sunken eyes are a sign of an old fish. 3. Fish fillets should be firm with no milky slime. 4. Avoid any packages that have ice crystals which could a sign that the fish was thawed and refrozen. ... If you have purchased frozen fish, Follow these guidelines: 1. Thaw gradually in the refrigerator over night 2. Thaw under cool water. A...

Guidelines for Buying Fresh Fruit "Fresh fruits are available in fairly good supply in our stores through most of the year, but quality is usually higher and prices more reasonable if you make it a point to buy a particular fruit in its most abundant season." Buying fruit when it is in season is always best. You want to get produce at it's peak for optimum flavor and quality. The USDA has a Seasonal Produce Guide. Our Almanac even suggests reading the newspaper for clues to see when fruits will be available in which season. Here are some tips on buying fresh fruits: Low Prices Low prices means that the item is in abundance. Don't go too crazy when prices drop! You could end up throwing out food you didn't eat. So don't waste your money when the sales come. Don't Buy by Size Alone Large-sized fruit doesn't really meant that it is the best quality. Select fruit that is best suited for your needs. Appearances can b...