Comments on: Simple Ways to Save Money on Salads http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:55:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Georgia http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-826931 Georgia Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:05:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-826931 I have found an easy way to preserve lettuce and celery in my fridge. I live alone and can't eat it all at once. I buy a head of lettuce and a bunch of celery. I take off what I need - a leaf at a time for the lettuce and using no knife and single outside stalks of the celery. The rest I wrap in a damp (not seriously wet) paper towel and then wrap in aluminum foil. I have had celery last 3 weeks or so and still be crisp. I usually only keep the lettuce for under 2 weeks. It keeps me from pitching a lot of stuff I've purchsed. I have found an easy way to preserve lettuce and celery in my fridge. I live alone and can’t eat it all at once. I buy a head of lettuce and a bunch of celery. I take off what I need – a leaf at a time for the lettuce and using no knife and single outside stalks of the celery. The rest I wrap in a damp (not seriously wet) paper towel and then wrap in aluminum foil. I have had celery last 3 weeks or so and still be crisp. I usually only keep the lettuce for under 2 weeks. It keeps me from pitching a lot of stuff I’ve purchsed.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-825104 Jennifer Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:35:54 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-825104 We like to add Craisins & feta. And we've settled on one kind of salad dressing. We only use Newman's Own Balsamic Vinagrette. So good. We like to add Craisins & feta. And we’ve settled on one kind of salad dressing. We only use Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinagrette. So good.

]]> By: owlhaven http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-824511 owlhaven Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:43:38 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-824511 I use very thinly shredded cabbage instead of lettuce. It is cheap, filling, and lasts longer in the fridge than regular lettuce. Mary I use very thinly shredded cabbage instead of lettuce. It is cheap, filling, and lasts longer in the fridge than regular lettuce.

Mary

]]> By: DivaJean http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823698 DivaJean Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:54:10 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823698 Lettuce salads are a big waste of money- there just really isn't enough nutrients to warrant them. We prefer veggie "insalate" type salads- green beans cooked and tossed with a viniagrette dressing, higher fiber type beans like black beans with a tiny bit of blue cheese dressing; combinations of slivered carrots with raisins and dressings, etc. The fiber and nutrients are all there- plus it gets our kids to taste more veggies. We got a wonderful cookbook that gave us many recipes and ideas for these types of salads- but I'm sure there are plenty online. Lettuce salads are a big waste of money- there just really isn’t enough nutrients to warrant them.

We prefer veggie “insalate” type salads- green beans cooked and tossed with a viniagrette dressing, higher fiber type beans like black beans with a tiny bit of blue cheese dressing; combinations of slivered carrots with raisins and dressings, etc.

The fiber and nutrients are all there- plus it gets our kids to taste more veggies. We got a wonderful cookbook that gave us many recipes and ideas for these types of salads- but I’m sure there are plenty online.

]]> By: Wendy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823650 Wendy Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:55:27 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823650 I have to second what Amy says. Growing lettuce is cheap ... and wicked easy! A package of mesclun mix (which is a blend of "spicy" lettuces, and very good - think "Spring Mix") is about $2 for organic seed and will grow a 16 sq ft bed of very closely packed lettuce plants. Clip as you need it, and it doesn't rot in the refrigerator. Lettuce likes colder temperatures. I live in Maine, and I still have lettuce growing, unprotected outside, in my garden. Some lettuce varieties can even be grown during the winter in an unheated greenhouse. My favorite salad toppings are sunflower seeds, grated cheddar or crumbled feta, homemade croutons, and olives, and my dressing is mayonnaise, cream, balsamic vinegar, garlic, tarragon, and a pinch of salt. I have to second what Amy says. Growing lettuce is cheap … and wicked easy! A package of mesclun mix (which is a blend of “spicy” lettuces, and very good – think “Spring Mix”) is about $2 for organic seed and will grow a 16 sq ft bed of very closely packed lettuce plants. Clip as you need it, and it doesn’t rot in the refrigerator.

Lettuce likes colder temperatures. I live in Maine, and I still have lettuce growing, unprotected outside, in my garden. Some lettuce varieties can even be grown during the winter in an unheated greenhouse.

My favorite salad toppings are sunflower seeds, grated cheddar or crumbled feta, homemade croutons, and olives, and my dressing is mayonnaise, cream, balsamic vinegar, garlic, tarragon, and a pinch of salt.

]]> By: almost there http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823407 almost there Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:47:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823407 My favorite is a fajita salad that a local micro brewery used to serve (Coopersmith's). Start with the spring mix, followed by sprinkles of black beans, corn, salsa, jalapeno slices, ranch dressing and tortilla chips with sliced sirloin steak on top. Man, that is a good meal. My favorite is a fajita salad that a local micro brewery used to serve (Coopersmith’s). Start with the spring mix, followed by sprinkles of black beans, corn, salsa, jalapeno slices, ranch dressing and tortilla chips with sliced sirloin steak on top. Man, that is a good meal.

]]> By: Shevy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823317 Shevy Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:57:48 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823317 @Deb While obviously avoiding contamination by such things as salmonella is important the bug thing is a religious issue and totally non-negotiable. While some greens are grown in special greenhouses and are certified bug-free (without chemical pesticides) all other susceptible plants must be checked and all bugs removed. This includes both organic and pesticide treated produce because *both* have bugs. I didn't eat broccoli for *years* after I first learned to check it properly. I had never seen a bug on broccoli but they're there and I found more than 20 in the first crown I checked. Aside from it being religiously forbidden, blecch! (No, don't expect to see me doing a food challenge on Survivor any time soon!) @Deb
While obviously avoiding contamination by such things as salmonella is important the bug thing is a religious issue and totally non-negotiable. While some greens are grown in special greenhouses and are certified bug-free (without chemical pesticides) all other susceptible plants must be checked and all bugs removed. This includes both organic and pesticide treated produce because *both* have bugs.

I didn’t eat broccoli for *years* after I first learned to check it properly. I had never seen a bug on broccoli but they’re there and I found more than 20 in the first crown I checked. Aside from it being religiously forbidden, blecch! (No, don’t expect to see me doing a food challenge on Survivor any time soon!)

]]> By: Vanessa http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823234 Vanessa Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:17:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823234 I keep greens fresh in the fridge by storing them in the salad spinner. Just wash and spin, dump excess water and spin again, then pop in the fridge. I have pulled the spinner out of the fridge weeks after the initial filling, expecting to have a difficult cleanup on my hands, to find crisp fresh smelling lettuce. I keep greens fresh in the fridge by storing them in the salad spinner. Just wash and spin, dump excess water and spin again, then pop in the fridge. I have pulled the spinner out of the fridge weeks after the initial filling, expecting to have a difficult cleanup on my hands, to find crisp fresh smelling lettuce.

]]> By: Tammy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823207 Tammy Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:23:20 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823207 mmm...I can't wait for spring to start growing my own lettuce again. All I plant is lettuce and tomatoes (tiny garden space), but that is all I need! I like the Boston lettuce and green leaf lettuce. I have to put up a rabbit fence though, because they like it too! mmm…I can’t wait for spring to start growing my own lettuce again. All I plant is lettuce and tomatoes (tiny garden space), but that is all I need! I like the Boston lettuce and green leaf lettuce. I have to put up a rabbit fence though, because they like it too!

]]> By: jana http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823196 jana Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:57:08 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823196 I use 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup whole milk yogurt, 1/2 cup sour cream and 1 tablespoon Penzeys Buttermilk Ranch Spices mix for some awesome and fresh ranch dressing. Love it! I use 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup whole milk yogurt, 1/2 cup sour cream and 1 tablespoon Penzeys Buttermilk Ranch Spices mix for some awesome and fresh ranch dressing. Love it!

]]> By: Amy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823195 Amy Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:56:54 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823195 Grow your own lettuce. We grew it for the first time this past spring and had more lettuce than we could eat. Did another planting in the fall and we are still picking lettuce today. We bought a 1/2 oz of seeds from a bulk seed store for $1 and have enough left over for next year too. I think it was the easiest thing to grow this year. Very little maintenance and also hardy. Both the spring and the fall plantings survived snow and freeze. I keep wondering how long it will last! Grow your own lettuce. We grew it for the first time this past spring and had more lettuce than we could eat. Did another planting in the fall and we are still picking lettuce today. We bought a 1/2 oz of seeds from a bulk seed store for $1 and have enough left over for next year too. I think it was the easiest thing to grow this year. Very little maintenance and also hardy. Both the spring and the fall plantings survived snow and freeze. I keep wondering how long it will last!

]]> By: Tim http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823178 Tim Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:19:04 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823178 The Good Seasonings dressing packets are awesome. Mix with oil and balsamic vinegar for a great and healthy salad dressing. It's all we eat. The Good Seasonings dressing packets are awesome. Mix with oil and balsamic vinegar for a great and healthy salad dressing. It’s all we eat.

]]> By: Molly http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823167 Molly Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:51:32 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823167 Oh, I'm going to like this series.... Oh, I’m going to like this series….

]]> By: Karen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823166 Karen Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:40:13 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823166 To AnnJo #27 - thanks for the recipe - will have to try that one also - Mmmmm To AnnJo #27 – thanks for the recipe – will have to try that one also – Mmmmm

]]> By: Karen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823162 Karen Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:30:39 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823162 I love salads too!! Will try your cucumber salad dressing recipe - sounds yummy. I usually spinkle a little feta cheese on mine and forgot the croutons. I love salads too!! Will try your cucumber salad dressing recipe – sounds yummy. I usually spinkle a little feta cheese on mine and forgot the croutons.

]]> By: *sara* http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823161 *sara* Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:30:36 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823161 One reason I like to buy spinach rather than lettuce is that if it starts to get wilted I can toss it into some pasta or soup or marinara. Wilted lettuce I just have to throw away. One reason I like to buy spinach rather than lettuce is that if it starts to get wilted I can toss it into some pasta or soup or marinara. Wilted lettuce I just have to throw away.

]]> By: Lotsofbluesky http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823130 Lotsofbluesky Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:06:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823130 Here's a suggestion to make a head of lettuce last longer in the refrigerator: Keep the head of lettuce in one of those plastic bags they offer at the store and every time you use some lettuce turn the bag inside out before putting the lettuce back in. It seems to make the lettuce last a long time. Here’s a suggestion to make a head of lettuce last longer in the refrigerator: Keep the head of lettuce in one of those plastic bags they offer at the store and every time you use some lettuce turn the bag inside out before putting the lettuce back in. It seems to make the lettuce last a long time.

]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823120 Elizabeth Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:35:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823120 If you're worried about greens of any type going bad before you use them, use a moist paper towel to keep them crisp. I prep an entire head of lettuce (hand torn to keep it fresher longer, less damage to the cells), then line a large tupperware with a paper towel that I've dampened and then squeezed all the water from, and dump the lettuce/greens on top. The slightly damp environment keeps the greens crisper, and because you don't leave it saturated, it pulls away any excess moisture from the greens. Then I can pull out what I want to take with lunch quickly in the morning, and since I've already pulled out any suspect pieces, I don't worry about getting a slimy bite. If you’re worried about greens of any type going bad before you use them, use a moist paper towel to keep them crisp. I prep an entire head of lettuce (hand torn to keep it fresher longer, less damage to the cells), then line a large tupperware with a paper towel that I’ve dampened and then squeezed all the water from, and dump the lettuce/greens on top.

The slightly damp environment keeps the greens crisper, and because you don’t leave it saturated, it pulls away any excess moisture from the greens. Then I can pull out what I want to take with lunch quickly in the morning, and since I’ve already pulled out any suspect pieces, I don’t worry about getting a slimy bite.

]]> By: deb http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823099 deb Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:18:14 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823099 Shevy (#21) - Unfortunately it's not the bugs you can see that will hurt you, it's the bugs (bacteria) that you can't see that can make you sick. Crawly visible bugs in lettuce? Not all that disgusting, really. Better than the chemical environment it would take to totally eliminate them. I'm in Michigan and I grow lettuce greens year-round outdoors. I use the garden in the warm months and a cold frame in the cold months. It's pretty nice to be able to pick fresh spinach for your Christmas meal even though there is 6" of snow on the ground. I also keep a container of mache growing in a container that travels from the deck to indoors by the window, depending on the weather. Shevy (#21) – Unfortunately it’s not the bugs you can see that will hurt you, it’s the bugs (bacteria) that you can’t see that can make you sick. Crawly visible bugs in lettuce? Not all that disgusting, really. Better than the chemical environment it would take to totally eliminate them.

I’m in Michigan and I grow lettuce greens year-round outdoors. I use the garden in the warm months and a cold frame in the cold months. It’s pretty nice to be able to pick fresh spinach for your Christmas meal even though there is 6″ of snow on the ground. I also keep a container of mache growing in a container that travels from the deck to indoors by the window, depending on the weather.

]]> By: michael bash http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/12/01/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-salads/comment-page-1/#comment-823098 michael bash Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:16:59 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4661#comment-823098 This is an amazing article. All the points are so obvious to my generation (born 1944); why would I even think of buying salad greens in a bag? I'm lazy, I think they're better/fresher, I don't have a knife. Why? Salad dressing the same; why would I buy a bottle? I don't know, but a lot of folks today have serious consumer problems. This is an amazing article. All the points are so obvious to my generation (born 1944); why would I even think of buying salad greens in a bag? I’m lazy, I think they’re better/fresher, I don’t have a knife. Why? Salad dressing the same; why would I buy a bottle? I don’t know, but a lot of folks today have serious consumer problems.

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