One way we can spend less AND eat healthier is by storing our fresh food properly, so we can avoid throwing out over-ripe or rotting fruits and vegetables.

Because of this, I would like to share some tips I’ve learned over the years for storing fresh food in the best possible way in order to preserve its freshness.

Many times we go to the store and see all of the beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables in season and on sale, and we over buy.
So, first try to only buy what you truly feel you are going to eat in the next few days.

Don’t try to buy produce to last for a week. It may not last that long. Some root vegetables can last a month if stored properly, but fresher, more fragile fruits and vegetables will only last about 2-5 days.

In regards to freshness and how long organic fruits and vegetables might last, I need to address a new chemical coating (Apeel) that some organic growers are now using on their fresh organic produce.

Apeel is classified as a food additive. This means it goes through a different approval process than a pesticide.

In addition to this, under the FDA’s present system, each of these companies can determine whether the substance they are using is “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) and are allowed to police themselves, without even notifying the FDA.

The company (that makes Apeel) gets to decide if it’s safe. It’s completely self-regulating!

A report by the National Resources Defense Council found major gaps in the system that allow unsafe additives to reach consumers. (1)

So, what is Apeel? Apeel is a film that goes on produce to make it last longer, and it’s approved by the USDA Organics Department. It’s made by a Bill & Melinda Gates partnered company called Apeel Sciences, and they claim it’s safe to consume.

Some things you may wish to know:

1. Apeel is a coating to place on fresh fruits and vegetables that is supposedly tasteless, odorless, and invisible, and its reason for being used is to reduce food spoilage. You cannot wash it off.

2. The reason they are using it, is to extend the shelf life of produce, and to make the produce look fresh even if it’s been in a warehouse for weeks.

3. There are various versions of Apeel that can be applied before or after harvest. It’s on foods in over 65 countries, including organics in the U.S.

Here is a quote from an article: “Is Apeel Appealing?” by the Weston A. Price Foundation.

“Apeel already has approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). “

There are two apeel products. The first product, Invisipeel, can be applied by growers to crops in the field. The second one, Edipeel , growers can apply after harvest. “The two products will be marketed as preserving agents (keeping the outward appearance of freshness of the fruit or vegetable), as pesticides (creating a physical barrier for pests) or even as fungicides (such as preventing the anthracnose fungus from shriveling up avocados).”

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I believe that everyone wants to be radiantly healthy. Our skin reflects our health and is the first impression people have of us when we meet, so it’s no surprise that many of us want to have the best and healthiest skin possible. Every 2 to 4 weeks, our skin replaces itself and our body makes new cells from the food we eat. I consider food to be my medicine, and as it becomes our cells, tissue and blood, it is only logical to try to eat the best foods for skin health and overall well-being.

Good nutrition is the fundamental key to protecting the cells of our skin on a cellular level. I feel the body is amazing, and it can do miraculous things if given the right tools. Making the decision to eat healthier can be the way to rejuvenate the skin and your overall health.

I want to age gracefully and have my skin look as youthful as possible, and I’ve researched this topic considerably. I believe it’s a combination of things that helps us look and feel our best, including our skin. Getting enough sleep, exercise, reducing stress, staying hydrated, consuming a whole, fresh, antioxidant-rich diet, and using non-toxic body care lotions and soaps all play a part in our skin health and appearance.

Here are 7 of my top choices for the best foods for healthy skin:

1. Foods with Omega-3 fatty acids can help with more youthful looking skin, because they contain the crucial nutrients needed to help repair damaged skin cells. Their anti-inflammatory properties may lead to smoother, younger-looking skin and a reduction of inflammatory skin conditions like acne or psoriasis. Some of the top sources for omega-3’s are: cold-pressed, organic hemp or flax seed oil, hemp seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and certain fish like sardines, salmon, mackerel, tuna, anchovies, and black cod.

2. Foods rich in Vitamin A, C and E will provide the antioxidants that can help protect the cells from free radicals that can damage skin and cause wrinkles. Organic, fresh, and unprocessed food will provide the most nutrition. Always consume fruits in their whole form with the fiber, and never drink pure or processed fruit juice. (Fruit juice goes straight into the bloodstream too quickly, and it’s much better to have the fiber of the whole fruit to slow down the sugar.)

a. Vitamin A – rich foods include: apricots, Goji berries, Acai berries, butternut squash, carrots, cantaloupe, leafy greens (especially kale, Swiss Chard, romaine, as well as sprouts and wheat grass), mangoes, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, and tomatoes. (Not only are tomatoes high in Vitamin A, but they are also high in lycopene, which can act as a natural sun protection and help prevent sun damage to the skin. In a study, “Volunteers who consumed 5 tablespoons of high-in-lycopene tomato paste daily for 3 months had nearly 25% more protection against sunburn. Even better, skin had more collagen, which prevents sagging. German scientists report that higher skin levels of this antioxidant correlate to fewer fine lines and furrows).”

b. Vitamin C – rich foods include: apricots, Goji berries, blueberries, strawberries, bilberries, cranberries, raspberries, grapes, oranges, grapefruits, papayas, strawberries, kiwis, red, yellow and orange bell peppers, cantaloupes, tomatoes, broccoli, mangoes, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, leafy greens (including kale), sprouts, and wheat grass.

c. Vitamin E – rich foods include: avocado, sprouted nuts (examples: almond, Brazil, pine, hazelnuts), sprouted seeds (like sunflower seeds), olives, raw red sweet pepper, turnip greens, spinach, asparagus, mango, kiwi, wheat germ and wheat grass. (Sprouted seeds and nuts makes them easier to digest and more nutrient dense. I explain more about this in my nutrition/cookbooks).

3. Wheatgrass has many benefits, either taken internally or used topically. Wheatgrass is the young grass shoot of the common wheat plant, which is commonly taken as a juice. It can be taken in a capsule or tablet form as well. You may want to ease into taking wheatgrass, because it is such a powerful food.

Wheatgrass juice is a great detoxifier, but if it’s consumed too much too quickly or with a meal, it may make you feel nauseous or headachy. So, start off slowly and add a little more to your diet gradually as you can.

I recommend starting with one ounce a day and slowly adding a bit more to your the diet as you get used to it. Take wheatgrass on an empty stomach or in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables. (I take mine first thing in the morning with a dash of Ceylon Cinnamon and a pinch of mineral-rich pink salt. I think it makes it taste better and also adds some health benefits.)

You can also use the wheat grass in your non-chlorinated bath water or put it on your skin topically as a wash in it’s purest form. It’s been shown to help detoxify the cells, oxygenate the blood, and have antiviral effects. In addition to this, wheat grass has been researched and found to help with lowering the risk of various cancers.

Wheatgrass juice is an excellent source of concentrated chlorophyll (rich in antioxidants), Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as containing about 98 of 102 of the earth elements found in soil (which include phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, selenium, iron, and potassium), electrolytes, 19 amino acids and powerful enzymes.

Wheatgrass juice is a powerhouse of nutrition.

4. Walnuts – are high in omega-3 fatty acids and protein, as well as alpha-linolenic acid. The alpha-linolenic acid helps keep the skin moist and supple. Walnuts also have been found to help with sleep. Getting enough sleep is great for healthy skin. Our body rests and heals when it is truly resting at night in a deep sleep. Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center discovered that walnuts contain melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep.

I recommend buying organic, sprouted, raw walnuts. Sprouting nuts removes the phytic acid. This removes the enzyme inhibitors and makes them more digestible.

5. Cacao – Yes, you can eat dark chocolate for your skin’s health! Cacao is one of the highest antioxidant and flavonoid-containing foods. It is wonderful at improving circulation, and is a great source of flavonols, which is a group of plant metabolites that have excellent antioxidant effects. These flavonols can fight against skin damage. Flavonoids also fight free radicals (molecules that have lost an electron and attack the DNA, enzymes and proteins or cell membranes) in the bloodstream.

Women who drank 1/2 cup of “dark cacao” cocoa every day for 12 weeks in a study had significantly softer, smoother, and better hydrated skin. The British study had the volunteers consume an 8-ounce cup of cocoa, and found that they had improved blood flow to the brain for 2 hours. Besides better functioning on complex tasks, participants also showed more brain activity in MRI scans–an indication of enhanced brain function that may reduce the risk of dementia.

6. Avocado – is a super powerhouse food! This fruit is packed with nutritional benefits and has a delicious creamy rich flavor. What could be better? Avocados contain monounsaturated fat, which is a “good fat.” According to the Harvard School of Public Health, “Unsaturated fats are called good fats because they can ease inflammation, stabilize heart rhythms, and play a number of other beneficial roles.”

Healthy fat, like the fat in avocados, is essential for every cell in our body. It can support our brain, boost our immune system, increase our nutrient absorption and best of all, it can create a glowing complexion.

7. Coconut – (including the meat, water, and oil) can be used in many ways as a food, lotion and beverage. Talk about a health food… coconut oil is one of my favorites.

Coconut oil contains a high amount of saturated fats, but these are very different from the saturated fats that come from creature meats. The saturated fat of coconut oil contains Medium-Chain Triglycerides. These medium-chained fatty acids are absorbed differently by the body. These fatty acids go straight to the liver from the digestive tract and are then turned into ketone bodies. These ketones have a therapeutic effect on the brain, by allowing the brain to absorb glucose from the bloodstream. Coconut oil has been studied for its positive effect on brain disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.

Coconut water also has Cytokinins, kinetin and trans-zeatin, which have antithrombotic, anti-carcinogenic and anti-aging effects on the body. Coconut water is delicious, and can be a good alternative to drinking regular water.

I cook with coconut oil, add it to my recipes and use it as a body lotion. Topically, coconut oil is able to penetrate your skin on a deeper level, and thus it helps create richly nourished radiant skin. If you have a problem with dry skin, using coconut oil as your body lotion is a very effective remedy. Coconut oil is very stable and will be either hard or more liquid depending on the temperature. If it’s hard, simply rub the coconut oil in your hands to warm it up and smooth it over your body and any dry, rough areas. Avoid fractionated coconut oil (a coconut oil that is always liquid), as it is a trans-fat.

Conclusion

So, now that you have an idea of the best food for your skin and overall health and well-being, let’s get you started on your rejuvenation-eating plan. The following recipe is a delicious and satisfying smoothie that packs a powerhouse of nutrition and feeds your skin. Prepare to become radiantly healthy!

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Green Smoothie

Use organic, non-GMO ingredients if possible.
Serves 1

Ingredients

1 banana, washed well, chopped into chunks including the skin.
½ cup of fresh, baby spinach or kale
1 teaspoon wheatgrass powder or 1 ounce wheatgrass juice
1 tsp. cold-pressed hemp or flax seed oil
1 peeled and pitted avocado
2 Medjool dates, pitted
1 T. fresh lemon or lime juice
¼ tsp. grated lemon or lime rind.
Dash of Ceylon ground cinnamon
1 cup of coconut water or pure non-chlorinated water

Directions

1. Place all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. (Add more water, if it’s too thick.)
2. Drink immediately, or within 20 minutes.

Variation: Add a cup of berries or mango to this smoothie for extra anti-oxidants.

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Medical Disclaimer:

Information provided in this podcast, blog, article, video is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Nancy Addison CHC. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging.
Do not use the information provided in this blog, audio podcast, article, video  for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this email.

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Storing it properly is important. We go to the store and buy delicious-looking food. But then we get home and end up storing it improperly, or we get busy and forget about it. Then we find our refrigerator having the aroma of over-ripe or rotting fruits and vegetables. One way we can spend less AND eat healthier is by storing our fresh food properly.

Many times we go to the store and see all of the beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables in season and on sale, and we overbuy. So, first, try to only buy what you truly feel you are going to eat in the next few days. Don’t try to buy produce to last for a week. It may not last that long. Some root vegetables can last a month if stored properly, but fresher, more fragile fruits and vegetables will only last about 2-5 days.

If you do buy too much, you can think about making a pie, or doing some canning, or freezing some of your more fragile fruits and vegetables before they spoil. Always store your food in its complete wholeness.

According to food scientist Barry Swanson at Washington State University, if you pull fruits and vegetables apart, you have broken the cells, and microorganisms will immediately begin to grow. Avoid breaking the skin and leave the stem intact.

He also says you should never place fruits and vegetables in airtight bags. That actually will speed up the decay. Be mindful that mold will proliferate quickly in airtight bags and can spoil the whole group of fruits or vegetables. Toss out any spoiled produce immediately, or put it into your compost bin.

Next, make sure you are storing the various types of fruits and vegetables with the right partners. Some give off high levels of ethylene gas (a ripening agent), which makes them and everything around them ripens or decay quickly. You want to keep these types of foods separate from each other.

Put things like kale and spinach in the same bin, and peaches and apples in another. If you put fruit with greens, it will cause the greens to rot or turn yellow in a few days. Greens are very sensitive to the ethylene gas. I have a little product called an E.G.G. (Ethylene Gas Guardian, which is shaped like an egg), and it absorbs the ethylene. I just put it in my bin with the fruits and/or greens.

Of course, if you need something to ripen faster, then you can use this knowledge to your advantage. You can put the one you need to ripen with a fruit that gives off the highest level of ethylene gas.

I also use produce bags by Bio-Fresh and Ever-Fresh. They will absorb ethylene gas and help your produce stay fresher longer. Keep root vegetables (including all kinds of potatoes) in a cool, dark, dry place. They can last up to a month if kept properly. Never store potatoes in the refrigerator, because they will develop a much higher sugar content.

Here is a list of fruits and vegetables, showing the best way to store them. These are high ethylene producers, and you can refrigerate them: apples, apricots, avocados, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherimoyas, cranberries, figs, green onions, guavas, grapes, honeydew, kiwifruit, mangoes, nectarines, papayas, passion fruit, peaches, pears, persimmons, plums, prunes, quince, and tomatoes.

The banana is a high releaser and should be stored in a cool dark place outside of the refrigerator.

The following fruits and vegetables are very sensitive to ethylene gas: asparagus, bananas (unripe), blackberries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, garlic, green beans, kale, leafy greens, leeks, lettuce, okra, onions, parsley, peas, peppers, raspberries, spinach, squash, strawberries, watercress, and watermelon. Keep them separate from the high ethylene gas-producing foods.

Mushrooms should be stored in a dry paper bag or breathable container and put in a cool place. I’ve been told to gently brush them off under water to clean them before preparing them for consumption.

Try to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables that have been ripened on the vine or on the tree. Tree or vine-ripened foods contain salvestrols, which are compounds that have natural anti-cancer properties. (1)

In fact, the word salvestrol comes from the Latin word “save.” So, growing your own food or buying from a local farmer is one way of getting food that is vine or tree-ripened. Food that is picked green and then ripened on the way to market does not contain these salvestrols.

Organic food is best because it is more nutrient-dense. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides can destroy nutrients in the soil, like sulfur, chromium, minerals, and probiotics, which are vital for our health.

“The Organic Center study found that organic foods were more nutritionally dense in 61% of the cases” and they “found conventional foods to contain higher nitrates, which are widely considered a potential health hazard.” (2)

Farmers’ markets are one of the oldest forms of direct marketing by small farmers. The fresh, organic produce is local, in season, less expensive, fresher, and it’s fun to meet your local farmers. Find a local farmer’s market near you with Local Harvest. Click here for Local Harvest link.

With all the fresh fruits and vegetables enticing us from their bins at the farmer’s market or grocery store, now we can make those delicious meals with our properly stored produce!

Bon Appétit!

Source:

1. Johnson, Dr. Ben. Qtd. in Bollinger, Ty. (2014). The quest for the cures… continues. (Film transcript). TTAC Publishing.
2. Steury, Tim. (Winter, 2009). “Is organic more nutritious?” Washington State Magazine.

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Nancy Addison is a certified health counselor, nutritionist, chef, as well as a radio show host, who teaches people about living a healthier, happier life through nutrition and lifestyle. She has appeared on NBC, Fox, CBS, and in documentaries ( “Eating You Alive”).

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Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this email, article, book, podcast, website, email, etc. is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Nancy Addison CHC, AADP. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professionals, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. I make no claims about healing anything.

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I even clean fruits like cantaloupe, because cantaloupes are prone to have mold on them, from sitting on the wet ground. When we cut our fruits and vegetables, the knife can drag germs down and through the food, so if the skin is clean, this will be avoided.

The only time I would not wash my food, is when it is from my very own organic garden and I know it’s already clean from the rain. Food that is fresh from the garden has naturally probiotics and B vitamins on them from the soil. So, that is the only time I don’t wash my fresh fruits and vegetables.

But most of the fruits and vegetables we buy at the store are picked, they are stored or packed, trucked and/or shipped, then unpacked. There can be little creatures (think rats or roaches) that might be running about in the storage unit or boxes. There is a  likely chance that the food is dirty. So, taking a little time to clean them, in my opinion, is always a healthy choice.

I even rinse and sprout my rice, lentils, quinoa (which is a seed) and beans before I cook them. Rinsing rice, lentils, quinoa, beans, before they are cooked, helps take out a lot of the starch in the rice, but also will help remove the phytic acid in all of them, which can make those foods healthier and easier to digest.

I made this video on how to clean your fruits and vegetables in a healthy, non-toxic and effective way.

Click here to watch.

Check it out!

I hope you like it. If you do, Like it and leave a comment for me!

I love to hear from you!

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