How to Freeze Asparagus

Freezing vegetables is a great way to save money during the winter months. This easy tutorial will have you freezing asparagus now for enjoyment this winter. With this method your asparagus will be as fresh tasting as it was the day you purchased it. 

I am a major farmers market fan. In fact, it is the thing I get the most excited about! I want to get there early and I come prepared with bags and baskets to carry home my fresh finds. In fact, it is not at all uncommon to find me standing in line on a Tuesday afternoon, patiently awaiting the bell that signals the start of the market. I have a favorite farmer and he sells out FAST! LOL. I find it to be worth the wait.

You would likely find it worth the wait too. I got a steal on asparagus and mini peppers recently. I am talking $1 a pound for the freshest asparagus in town. I bought 10 pounds of it without hesitation.

Asparagus for days is my jam. But, these gorgeous stalks are meant for a cold, blustery day, when asparagus doesn't look this good at the store, but it packs a hefty price tag of up to $6 a pound where I live. To preserve asparagus this is what you need.

I do use a foodsaver, but you can get a vaccum sealer for about $30 on amazon and big rolls of the bags. They are well worth the investment if you are going to do a lot of freezing! I know every expert will tell you food goes bad fast; but honestly I have had veggies frozen for 2 years that are still super fresh when packaged properly with a food saver... but, I guess now you know my secret. I rarely defrost my deep freezer HA!

So here is what you need:

Supplies:

A bowl of ice water

1 pound of asparagus

6 cups of water

Paper Towels

Food saver or freezer bags

Directions:

Snap the ends of the asparagus and discard the woody ends.

Boil 4 cups of water.

Place 2 cups of water and the ice into a large bowl.

When the water has come to a boil, drop the asparagus into the boiling water.

Allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the asparagus turns bright green.

Remove the asparagus from the boiling water and immediately place it in the ice water.

Remove after 30 seconds.

Place the asparagus on paper towels and allow to drain.

Pat the asparagus dry.

Place it in a food saver or freezer bag and remove as much air as possible.

Place in the freezer for up to a year.

If you are looking for more ways to save money; here are some reader's favorite posts. 

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The Best Supplements You Can Use to Support Your Health

 

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Everyone knows that eating a healthy diet is essential, but sometimes it’s not enough. Even the most wholesome foods won’t give you everything you need to stay healthy, and many of us don’t get enough specific vitamins and minerals from our food alone. That’s where supplements come in. Luckily, there are several supplements out there that can help fill in those gaps. Not only will taking them to support your overall health, but a well-chosen supplement regimen can bring numerous benefits for people trying to improve their diet and fitness routines or recover from illness or injury. The key is to find the right supplements for your specific needs—and avoid the pitfalls of low-quality supplements with unproven benefits.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a crucial vitamin that most people don’t get enough of. It’s well-known for its bone benefits but also supports healthy immune function, mental health, cardiovascular health, and more. While it’s found in foods like eggs and salmon, it’s often not enough. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2018 say that everyone over the age of 9 should be getting 600 international units (IU) of Vitamin D per day; many people are still not getting enough—especially those who are inside a lot, who wear sunscreen that blocks UVB, who are overweight, and who have darker skin tones. Supplementing with Vitamin D can help make sure you’re getting enough.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Most of us are eating less fish than we should be, which means we’re missing out on the health benefits of these essential fats. Fish oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and can be taken as a supplement. Omega-3s are linked to various health benefits, including a stronger immune system, healthier skin, mental health benefits, and reduced inflammation. Some people might find that they don’t get enough omega-3s in their diet and would benefit from a daily supplement.

Vitamin B12

You want to be healthy and working correctly! Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in the health of your bones and brain organs. Unfortunately, B12 deficiency is surprisingly common: studies have shown that 30% of people over the age of 50, 70% of people over the age of 70, and 95% of people over the age of 95 have suboptimal B12 status. That’s because B12 is found in animal foods, and deficiency can occur when dietary intake is low, intestinal absorption is impaired, or there is an increased need for B12. Supplementing with B12 can help make sure your levels are healthy.

CBD Products

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound in hemp and marijuana plants. While hemp-based CBD is legal, marijuana-based CBD is not, though, in some states, it’s legal with a medical prescription and doctor’s recommendation. CBD has been shown to have many benefits, including promoting healthy inflammation, supporting mood and mental health, reducing anxiety, and promoting restful sleep. CBD is also thought to have several health benefits, including supporting bone health, immune health, and healthy digestion. If you feel you could benefit from supplementing with CBD or products such as Delta 9 THC, ensure you’re getting a high-quality product from a reputable retailer.

Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the most essential minerals for health. Studies have shown that many people are deficient in magnesium: approximately 80% of American adults don’t get enough magnesium from their diets alone. Magnesium is involved in hundreds of health processes in the body, including healthy metabolism, immune function, healthy sleep, and more. Unfortunately, many of us are deficient in this vital mineral, which can lead to serious health issues over time. Supplementing with magnesium can help make sure you are getting enough.

Conclusion

You should eat a healthy diet, but sometimes it’s just not enough. Even the most wholesome foods won’t give you everything you need to stay healthy, and many of us don’t get enough specific vitamins and minerals from our food alone. That’s where supplements come in. Luckily, there are several supplements out there that can help fill in those gaps. 

$200 Walmart Card Giveaway!

If the price of gas is causing a pinch in your wallet, you are not alone!

It seems like the price of gas has been cutting into summer fun, grocery budgets and everything else. So, 20 of your favorite bloggers have come together to give one lucky reader a helping hand, in the form of a $200 Walmart card, which you can use for gas or groceries!

I am participating on behalf of my new website and podcast Township Falls.

This is a true crime podcast with tones of history, travel and a gross miscarriage of justice.  I hope you will give us a listen and a 5 star review on apple podcasts.

Enter for your chance to win a $200 e-Gift card to Walmart! This giveaway is open to the US only where permitted, age 18 and older. This giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on 8.31.22. See below for terms and conditions

 

This giveaway is hosted by Chatty Patty’s Place and The Review Wire. All entries will be verified—only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. Any person who has won a prize (or whose household has won a prize) in any promotion sponsored by the Sponsor in the past thirty (30) days before this contest start date is not eligible to win a prize in this contest. Entrants who have created social accounts purely to enter Competitions or Sweepstakes will not be eligible to win. All social accounts used must be public. The winner will be chosen randomly through Sweep Widget and contacted via email. A reply to the winning email is required within 48 hours before a new winner is chosen. Void where prohibited by law. One person entering per household, please

How To Freeze Mini Sweet Peppers

 If you have time to visit your local farmers market this week; this is the time to stock up on all the tasty little peppers that are available right now. I am a farmers market enthusiast for sure. There is nothing quite like a basket of freshly picked, locally grown veggies for $1. 

I have been buying everything in season from sweet onions, to asparagus and corn on the cob and sticking it in my freezer for the winter. I wish I could can, but I have a cook top stove and have been told those don't heat evenly for safe canning.

Last week, my favorite farmer at the market had small baskets of mini sweet peppers, jalapeno pepper and wax peppers for $1. I was told they were picked that morning. They were perfect, beautiful and vibrant, they smelled like summer should. I bought 3 baskets of each. We kept a basket that we mixed from the variety aside for fresh eating, and then I prepared the rest for the freezer.

Wash and cut the tops off of the mini sweet peppers.

Clear out the seeds and slice them at desired thickness.

Lay the peppers on a paper towel to dry the juices.

Place the peppers in a single layer on a plate.

Pop the peppers in the freezer for 45 minutes.

Remove from the freezer and transfer to a freezer bag or a food saver bag. Try to remove as much air as possible.

Place in the freezer for up to 1 year.

I usually add 3 or 4 peppers per food storage bag, because that is the amount that my family uses, but, you can adjust the amount of sliced peppers you add to each pack.

You might be wondering how to use the pepper slices after they have been frozen?

I like to add them to crock pot meals, casseroles, scrambled eggs, etc. 

They are perfect for sheet pan fajitas. 

I like to mix the peppers and onion together to freeze for easy chili veggies.

In general, they are perfect for use, just like any other frozen peppers you might buy at the store, but so much cheaper! I can make several packs to use later for about 25 cents each.

Find more money saving ideas here:

6 Things Not To Bargain Shop For 

Why It's Important to Try New Foods

 Woman eating pizza - Image Courtesy of Pexels

Eating is good for the soul. But you can get stuck in a food rut. So it's essential to try new foods and grow as a result. Here are some of the main reasons this is important.

Could be Your Next Favourite Thing

How do you know you like something if you don't try it? Even the aroma of something is often vastly different to how it tastes. Unfortunately, many people get stuck in a food cycle of eating the same things all the time. And often, these don't do any good. They could be junk food or just reusing the same ingredients. For example, chilli con Carne, spaghetti bolognese and cottage pie are essentially the same things with one or two things added. So pop into a German deli, try a local Japanese restaurant or explore the foods of the Russian shop around the corner.

A Healthier Way to Eat

The food you often eat may be causing you harm. Some countries, like the UK and USA, constantly consume vast amounts of junk food from takeaways or processed and pre-packaged meals. But cooking fresh food has many health benefits. For example, you will have more energy, increased focus and healthier toilet habits. European countries like France, Italy and Spain place emphasis on the importance of cooking fresh. And often, it involves generational participation. This teaches kids how to look after themselves and makes beautiful memories.

Try New Foods for Cultural Experience

Every culture worldwide has different foods to eat, methods of preparation and even how they enjoy their foods. For example, Indian families will eat together in one sitting. Often with multiple generations enjoying their fresh meals with each other. But this is more than eating. It's a cultural experience because each generation before, and the ones before them, have spent hundreds of years improving and refining family recipes. Which is why they taste amazing. Of course, this is also true of Chinese, Japanese and most mainland European cultures.

Be an Example for the Children

If you have kids, then you know it can be a nightmare to get them to eat. Yet often, they grow up on the same diet as their parents. Which may or may not be the best thing for them. By trying new foods, you can encourage your children to do the same. And for the same reasons with the same results. And although you may not like a particular cuisine, your children should have the freedom of choice over what they eat. Otherwise, it could mean a lifetime of takeout food and microwave meals. Which isn't just bad for them. It means no cooking skills and costs more.

Improve Your Own Cooking

Any professional chef worth the salt in their kitchen will tell you that you can't improve your cooking without trying other cuisines. Even if you stick to one cuisine, you will learn to use ingredients in different ways. For instance, Brits love making meatballs and spaghetti with minced beef. Yet Mexicans love to shallow fry small amounts at a time for crispy beef tacos. There are always more ways to use something. But if you don't try dishes from other countries, you will never know. Plus, you get to enjoy the journey, and it's an excuse to eat a bit more.

Summary

There are many benefits when you try new foods from all over the world. These include discovering your next favourite thing, experiencing culture and improving your cooking.