Veggie Prep

I clean veggies more than I clean my floors, so I have found the best way to clean them that works for me, & of course it's simple and doesn't involve any expensive "produce cleanser or soap". Buying your produce and getting it to last throughout the week took me sometime to figure out over the years, but in the beginning I bought more counter stable items because I couldn't figure out how to make them last without spoiling. 

Some produce is better being washed just prior to use, but the ones pictured above can last in the fridge for the week with this simple cleansing method using apple cider vinegar (ACV). ACV has powerful antimicrobial properties naturally and can be used to disinfect. 

How to:

I take a dish basin and for every 1 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar, I dilute it with 1 cup of water. For example, the small batch of veggies above, I used 7 cups of water & 7 T ACV. I place all my veggies in to include lettuce even, to soak and get a nice bath! For carrots, tubers, and apples I use a veggie brush to loosen any dirt or debris as well. I let soak for 5-15 mins, when I do this during my meal prep, it's a great way to multitask. Once they have soaked, rotate any bobbers, and continue soaking. Then it's rinse time! Rinse thoroughly and then lay flat out on towels to air dry or you can use a towel to help speed along the process. 

Ariel's TIP: 

Now this is the important piece of the puzzle I got tripped up on for years. I wouldn't allow them to completely dry and would continue to chop or store them and the result was rapid spoiling and wilting. So I tend to not pre wash some produce such as berries because they don't seem to keep the freshness, it's do-able, but I like those fresh as I can get them! 

As a veggie lover, this is a great way to ensure I'm removing any pesticides, chemicals, dirt, or any other gunk that comes with pulling food outta' the ground! Hope this is helpful, I also use ACV to clean counters and disinfect my toothbrush and retainers!