RETIRED: Target chit chat

Bunnies - I talked to DH he said it is Windows XP
:

If you have pressure cooker use that.. within some 20 mins soup would be done beautifully and even the bones will fall apart kinda literally..

I'm afraid of pressure cookers.

1 member and 2 guests.

I thought your name was Bunnies not Chickens.




I was afraid at first too and I even grew up with a mom that used one.

Well...I changed it around so that everyone will know that I am a chicken chit.

Hey TM4D -- looky, I am not alone!

kay thanks for that color chart - that is handy!

i first started buying organic produce a a few years ago when i learned of the dirty dozen list. have you heard of it? it's revised every year - a list of the 12 items with the highest pesticide levels. strawberries are almost always near the top of that list. yuck.

then a few years into it, learned the principle that generally you should pick organic for any thin-skinned fruits and vegetables as well as anything leafy since they absorb a lot more of the pesticides/fungicides etc, and also pick organic for any root veggies since they are completely engulfed in soil. so for example if one had to do a mix of organic and conventional produce, strawberries organic, pineapple you could do conventional, salad greens and herbs always organic, ditto potatoes. and so forth.

we eventually transitioned to being all organic. as a general rule, i do not buy conventionally grown produce. if an organic version is not available or too expensive or not good quality, we will go without. on occasion if someone is really craving something, i will make an exception and if the item is not available in an organically grown version, i will make an exception and get it for one-time eating, like a pineapple, or sometimes okra (i have never found organic okra, so now we no longer eat it often). but i hold that line very firm.

packaged foods - it has to be organic, and if no organic version is available, has to be free of all artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, additives, sweeteners. and even then, i read the ingredient list on all shelf goods and packaged goods. if i find any ingredients that are not straightforward kitchen ingredients, or sound like they belong in a chemistry lab, that food will not make it into my house. no canned food at all.

we don't do microwave dinners either. some of the trader joes frozen foods are liked by the tribe here, so when we get them (again as occasional treats or backups) we tip em out of the plastic try and heat in a microwave safe bowl.

it sounds restrictive, but once you get used to buying and eating freshly made food with clean ingredients, it's super easy. and if you then try any of the conventional packaged foods, the flavor plus how you feel after a meal is so different from the freshly prepared organic stuff, you never go back.

yes like you, i've been combining mqs plus store sales at wf as well as other grocery chains to get the stuff for cheap. it is entirely doable. you just have to train your mind to look for it. and i also look for MM cat deals, and then use the cats to buy organic pantry staples. that frees up some $ for produce, organic meats, and wild seafood. sigh - we do have to work so hard to get clean food these days.



muir glen tomato products...there is a company called bionaturae. they sell jarred tomato paste. really good quality. no BPA. organic. goes on sale at WF from time to time. have never found coupons for them.
there are a few different italian companies selling whole tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce in tetra paks. WF sells those as do other grocery stores. again no BPA.

finally, i make my own roasted tomatoes right before i want to use em. takes about 10 mins, turns out ultra flavorful, works beautifully for soups, sauces and other uses for whole roasted tomatoes. all you do is wash the tomatoes and put them in a single layer in a deep pot. then drizzle evoo on them and some salt-free italian seasoning (it's just a blend of dried herbs). toss to coat. cover and cook on medium heat about 10 mins or until the tomatoes are soft and the skin is cracked/torn/peeling. let cool for a few minutes. peel off skins and discard (when the tomatoes are done, the skins just come off in your hands effortlessly). holding each tomato over the cooking pot, chop up the tomatoes as coarsely or as finely as you need, allowing juices to drip back into pot. reserve juices and oile/herb mixture from pot to use for whatever you are making or for another recipe.

done!


dazzled and ank, since you guys were watching documentaries, i'm curious, either one of you watched food, inc? i haven't though i've read reviews and seen clips. i'm afraid to see it but i hear it is very interesting and eye-opening.

Can I join the chicken chit club? I would prefer my cookware without warning labels....

I have 4 cookers..Really

Hey TM4D -- looky, I am not alone!

I have 4 cookers..Really

i have 3