I like to shop the outside of the store: produce; fish & meat; dairy; breads. Not wanting to buy more than we need I broke with tradition and bought a prepared tray of veggies with a dip. Cherry tomatoes, snow peas, broccoli, carrots et al were cleaned and cut (something I usually do myself).
Yes, for under $10 one can get a veggie tray at a major natural foods store. But what to do with the leftovers? If you know cooking times, put in the carrots and broccoli first, saute everything with a little olive oil and garlic, salt and pepper and it makes for a wonderful, colorful side dish for another meal.
My husband hates the thought of leftovers, and always says “let’s go out.” But when I can have/make more than we need and make it look and taste different, he’s a happy camper.
As it is we’ve got a month on our lease and I haven’t seen my kitchen for over three years so perhaps I’ll put this to the test and freeze things and make life easier so I’m not shopping for dinner all the time.
Big fun tonight before flying out for the weekend. Cleaning a jetted tub we’ve never used because it’s growing black mold. All we need is bleach, dishwasher detergent, hot water and running the jets for 15 minutes and trying not to puke as we see what comes out from the former occupant. Said occupant ruined marble counter in the bath and played hockey on the wood floors in the living/dining area. Sounds like a hot date to me! Aahhhhhh, together time after nearly ten years of marriage.
Must get lists together. Print boarding passes, car, hotel, dog sitter. Thanks for reading and participating! Cheers from The Feminist Homemaker. Dee
Cooking with Dee 
I bought a special cleaner for my Jacuzzi jets when it had to stand idle for a long stretch (the case of the mystery circuit breaker ;-); bleach & dishwashing soap didn’t cut it.
I’m just sayin’
Yes, V, tell me more about this magic solution … this was a 22 year-old hockey player, who ruined the wood floors by playing hockey on them and the marble in the bath by leaving water forever. Never used the kitchen (thank goodness) so must have had a keginator on the balcony. Well, he’s gone pro and we have his apartment! Dee
A tray of prepared veggies is a tray of prepped ingredients! That does cut down on waste. Last night I made a gorgeous stir fry with leftover veggies in the fridge: baby bok choy, red pepper, celery, mushrooms. A little (turkey) bacon and a few bay scallops (frozen, but they’re so small they didn’t need to thaw; I just threw them in the pan), some pepper, red pepper flakes…soy. Oh started off with oil, sesame oil, garlic. It was tasty, and I’m about to have the leftovers for lunch.
Can we come live with you?
And to think I cooked that just for me! Mr. PDX was out of town.
I’m a cook, but I would’ve made a cheese quesadilla or a toasted peanut butter sandwich for myself! Good for you! We’ve been away…