How To Make Crispy Bacon In The Oven {Kitchen Tip}

How do you cook bacon? 

Do you deal with grease splatters all over your stove, counters, and your hands/arms (ouch!) while cooking bacon on the stove?  

Bacon can be a messy thing to cook, but I have a solution. Cook your bacon in the oven!!! Save time by cooking it in the oven, it is much faster then standing over the stove.  

Preheat Oven to 350°

Line baking sheets with parchment paper. If you do not have parchment paper you could use foil. I prefer parchment paper. I use two baking sheets when I cook 1 package of bacon. 

Place strips of bacon on baking sheet. Leave just enough space between the strips of bacon so they are not touching.  

Place baking sheets in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.  

**Please note that all ovens bake differently so I recommend checking the bacon every few minutes beginning around 13 minutes.**

Once bacon is cooked to your preference, pull baking sheets out of the oven.  

Line a plate with a paper towel and move cooked bacon to the plate. This helps absorb some of the excess grease. 

Curious what to do with the grease left on parchment paper? 

You can either pour the excess bacon grease into a container to use in cooking OR let sit till it solidifies and fold up the parchment paper and place in trash.

Since it is just me and my husband we never eat an entire package of bacon. Of course, we could if we tried but we refrain from indulging!  

Another handy tip is to cook the entire package of bacon.  The leftover bacon can be stored in the freezer (use a freezer safe ziplock bag).  I use my frozen bacon for soups and other dishes that call for cooked bacon. This saves me time since I can just pull out already cooked bacon and add it to recipes! 

How do you cook bacon? Do you have any tips on cooking bacon? Do you use leftover bacon grease (fat) in your cooking?  

I will be doing a couple kitchen/household tips each month.  Do you have something you would love to save time or money on around the house?  Let me know and I might just have a tip to share and save you time and/or money!  

Weekly Menu Plan & No Coffee {Day 1}

Today was my 1st day getting back to healthy eating. The past year healthy eating has not been a priority, but this year it will be a top priority!  For the next 30-45 days I'm doing the Arbonne healthy eating challenge to get down to my goal weight.  I am avoiding all gluten, sugar, dairy, coffee, and processed foods. 

The toughest one for me will be NO COFFEE!!!  

This morning was freezing and all I wanted was a cup of coffee.  Im not a fan of hot tea but I was cold enough at work that I tried some this morning, I couldn't even finish the cup.  So this afternoon I tried making hot tea with my loose leaf tea I use for iced tea and it was a little better!  Who knows, maybe by day 30 I'll be a hot tea drinker.  I do have to say that drinking out of a cute coffee mug makes everything better. This mug is from a great friend I met in Alabama. 

Some of you may be wondering what I will be eating since I'm avoiding all the things listed above.  Most of the time our meals at home do not include gluten, dairy, or processed items so really there is not much change to make in those areas. If we are eating at home, which is 99% of the time, our meals our homemade (not from a box or can). So for the next few months I will be doing a weekly post of our menus.  I ALWAYS plan menus so it keeps us on track and we have a plan for meals. If we do not have a planned menu we tend to eat out a lot more.  

Here is what we are having this week.....

Sunday: Chili with my homemade chili seasoning

Monday: 15 Bean Cajun Crockpot Soup (I took this recipe and made it my own by adding bay leaves, dried thyme, salt, pepper, and I used a 21 dried bean mix)

Tuesday: Leftovers

Wednesday: Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork (no break), Pickles/Olives, Salad

Thursday: Jambalaya, Salad

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Taco Soup, Salad

What are you eating this week? What is your most challenging thing about eating healthy?  

2015 Bucket List

I have to say that I'm glad 2014 is now behind me.  This last year was the toughest year I have ever experienced and I can only look forward to 2015 knowing it has to better! Of course, even with the most positive attitude, waking up on New Years Day 2015 does not make all my troubles go away.  But going into the year with as much joy + happiness that I can muster up will make for better days.  

I have a lot of things to overcome in the next year--bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, hurt feelings, and so much more. All of these things will be so tough to do and I know I will not be able to do it on my own.  I will take it a day at a time and with The Lord's help my heart + head will slowly work through these negative feelings.   

I know the Lord has a wonderful plan for my life. Even knowing He has a plan, there are still days that are just tough to understand. Those are the days my trust is being built! 

One of the groups I follow on Facebook posted this verse this morning and I found it so fitting for where I am at right now. 

I have many things I want to do and see this next year, even if my life is still throwing curve balls. I'm looking forward to my journey in 2015, even through the pain! 

So, now lets talk about some of the good things I want to do this year....

I'm not a person that does "new years resolutions" since that is just setting me up for failure. Since I'm a list maker, I make a bucket list each year.  If I don't get everything marked off by the end of the year, no big deal. If it is not a priority for me it gets left behind. If I still want it on my list it moves to the next year.  Here are a few things on my 2015 Bucket List.....

Send Birthday cards to friends + family 

I have always loved getting birthday cards in the mail.  I have not been so great at sending Birthday cards to people.  I have always wanted to send them to people, but just never got around to getting organized enough to get them sent.  I now have a great planner for 2015 and it will include sending all my favorite people cards!  

Send encouraging notes to friends + family (1/week)

This was actually laid on my heart a few days ago to start doing. I want to be there for people this year. The past year I have pretty much been on survival mode and have not been able to focus on other people as much as my little heart desires. So a small step I can do to reach out to friends + family is to send encouragement notes! 

Make my health a priority  

This year I tossed out healthy eating with everything going on in life. 2015 I'm getting my health back through avoiding processed foods, sugars, gluten, and dairy. Starting Monday January 5th I'm doing at least 45 days of the Arbonne Eat Clean Challenge.  Anyone want to join me?

Start my health coach certification  

I have wanted to do this for several years but just never made it a priority. This is the year it will be a priority! 

Downsize--household items & the house 

We need to find a smaller place (and cheaper rent)!  Along with that we need to clean out each room of the items we haven't used in a few years so moving to a smaller place is possible! I mentioned in my 2014 Gift Guide {Book Edition} that one of the books on my list is The Big Tiny {affiliate link}. I would love to live a more minimalist lifestyle, but right now I have too much stuff weighing me down, so time to clean house! 

I have lots of other things on my list that I'll be sharing in the coming months!  The thing I love about the bucket list is that I can always add to it as the year progresses.  

Do you do New Years Resolutions?  What are some of your resolutions?  

If not, what do you do to get motivated for the new year?  I would love to hear about them! 

Life Lately {Week 3}

I can not believe it is already Monday! The weekends go way to fast.  Did you do anything fun this weekend?  We did not do much, since next weekend we will be celebrating my birthday.  My weekend included cleaning the house and sorting through things for a garage sale. Never fun! Oh,  and I started to catch up on piles of laundry.

Here is what has been going on with us lately. If you follow me on Instagram you have already seen some of these.  If you don't follow me on Instagram you should, it would make my day. If you do not know what Instagram is, well ignore the last few sentences. 

1. Busy week working on taxes, 401k rollovers, and cleaning out file cabinet.  My office was a mess, but working by a sunny window with coffee always helps. 
2. This plant was from a "starter" from a plant that has been in the family a long time.  It was not doing so well so I cut it down and re-potted it. Now it is growing like crazy.  Moving it should be interesting.  
3. Yummy oranges "cuties" for snacks last week
4. Salad and detox tea for lunch
5. Where B spends his early mornings.....he sure loves to fly. 
6. Can you believe the price of gas. I always fill up on post (yah for tax free!) but I forgot and had to stop at a place off post to get gas, it was higher then on post so I put $3 in to get me home..hehehehehe. 
7. I love getting packages and I'm getting more this week!  I order most things on-line these days since we live in the middle of no-where.  This last week I got some books from Amazon and 150 photos from Shutterfly that I need to scrap-book. 
8. How we like to eat leftover Chili
9. Ready to get my P90X on! 
10. Saturday was super cold for this area so I had to pull out my warmer jacket/coat I got from my MIL a few years ago. Love it! 
11. Books I'm reading right now--48 Days to the Work You Love, Blog Inc., Grieving the Child I never Knew, Wild. What books are you reading? 
12. Me again in my warm coat. Luckily we are getting warmer weather this next week, I hope!

Sunday we made Hers & His pizza with Udi's Gluten Free Pizza Crust.  
Super yummy.

What have you been up to the past few weeks?  Do you have any fun plans for this week? 

I'm so excited to be co-hosting with Life on LeRoy for today's Life Lately link up. We would love for you to join us and link up your life lately post.  Here are the rules, because you can not go through life without rules! 

1.) Follow your hosts via GFC.

2.) Follow your co-hosts via GFC. 

3.) Link up your life lately posts or any post about your life. 

Til' next time,

Fitness & Health Bucket List {Fitness Friday 1.4.13}

If you read many blogs you have probably noticed many posts about new years resolutions, goals, etc.  Of course, it is already January 4th and I have yet to publish my 2013 goals.  But I do not always like to follow the crowd or be forced into a "mold".....so I'm doing mine a little different this year.  I'm borrowing Musings of a Housewife's idea and doing a bucket list for 2013.  So today I am sharing my Fitness & Health Bucket List for 2013.  Next week I will share my general bucket list.  

1.  Learn to run ALONE.  I started running about 3 years ago (I think) and have always run with a buddy. If I do not have someone to run with I just don't run. Yeah, I suck!  I hate this and want to change it in 2013.  B is working with me on a running plan to improve my running time and distance. Next week will be my first week on the plan and I will be running it alone.  I hope I learn to like running by myself, so I do not always have to depend on having someone to run along side me! Although, I do love running with my buddies so I can chat and catch up. 

2.  Start AGAIN & Consistently Attend Spin Class, Yoga, and Strong Bodies. I did a great job this last summer attending these classes several times a week and LOVED going.  Then I flew to KS a couple times towards the end of the summer and never got back into the classes when I came back home.  I became busy with other commitments and working out took a back seat to everything else in my life.  I do not want this to happen again and I will strive to remain active in classes all year!  I have a fun incentive we are doing this year to keep us on track for our workouts that I will share with you next Friday. 

3.  Read Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook That Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and The Diet Dictocrats by Sally Fallon. I have owned this book for over a year and haven not read any of it yet. Shame on me!!!  It has 688 pages, so if I read a couple pages a day I will have it read by the end of the year.  I will read more then a couple of pages a day, so it wont take me all year to finish it-I hope!  

4. Stay away from Gluten, Dairy, and Coffee.  I am not perfect, so I know I cant avoid these foods everyday for the next year, but I am starting on the Arbonne Get Fit plan again which includes not eating these items and more. These are the foods I have found that do not like me and in order for me to get to my goal weight and be healthy I need to cut these out of my diet.  I will discuss more of my eating plan on Monday, so check back for further details.  

5. Run a 10K.  This was on my list last year and I never accomplished running a 10K in 2012.  So 2013 is my year to run a 10K.  I hope to be up to a 10K within 6 months, which should not be a problem if I stick to the plan B has set up. 

The thing about making a list of goals is to actually be consistent and work on that list throughout the year.  So I will be posting my Fitness & Health Bucket List around the house and will include little baby steps on how to achieve each item on the list! 

I am also starting a health & fitness journal that I will record my meals and workouts everyday.  I'll also record my starting weight & measurements and continue to record these every 30 days.  It will be a great record of what I achieve when I stay committed and intentional.  

Here is a video I have been wanting to share that is VERY motivational.  You might have seen it already, but it is worth another watch.  



Do you set goals or have a bucket list?  Do you keep a fitness or health journal?  How do you achieve your goals and keep them in front of you so you are consistently working on them? 

I would love to know what your fitness and health goals are for the year, so let me know in the comments!  

Linking up with Jill Conyers Fitness Friday

Til' next time,

Weekend Wanderings 12.16.12

I have so many wonderful links to share with you since it has been a couple months since I have had a Weekend Wanderings post, but I will keep it to a few since we are all so busy this time of year.  Enjoy browsing through the following links!

Legacy Drawer::  Dave Ramsey is my hero!  Just kidding, but really his Financial Peace University changed our lives.  We have lived on a budget with no credit cards for over four years now and paid off a TON of debt.  I wish we would have taken his class when we first got married.  We still have a ways to go, but I highly recommend this class to anyone.   Anyway, this is a project Dave recommends for everyone, I just need to find time to begin the project.

1000 Memories::  I love Carly's Digitwirl videos.  I thought I would share this one since I have dug all my pictures out that I have not scrap-booked and plan to get them completed by the beginning of February--I'll let you know if I make my goal deadline!  This might not be for everyone, but some of you might love this idea as a way to store all your pictures.  I'm more old-school and like to have a book to flip through. HINT: if you are pressed for time, scroll down in the link and just watch the short video.

3 Steps to Pursuing Your Career:: I always say I will grow up sometime and figure out what I want to do.  Although I already know what I would like to do, I just need to take the steps to get there.

Healthy Food for the Troops::  Great article by a US Marine.  Every time B deploys he always tells me they have plenty of sugar and preservative filled foods. Healthy foods on the other hand are not as readily available.  If you send care packages to soldiers, there are some great ideas in the article.

Purchase with a Purpose::  My goal in buying presents is to go local (and not local as in Wal-Mart) and/or buy things that benefit others for the better.  There are some great items I would love on my wish list!

She & Him::  Looking for new Christmas music?  This is on my list to purchase, thanks to my brother's recommendation!

Is Pinterest Killing Blogs:: Interesting article for bloggers and Pinterest addicts!

Check back tomorrow for a yummy recipe you could take to Christmas or New Years Eve parties!

Til' Next Time,

Menu Plan Monday 9.10.12

It has been awhile since I did a Menu Plan Monday post so I thought it was about time for one.  Some weeks I really like to plan our menu and other weeks I would rather run a marathon!  This week I'm doing several new recipes so I'm hoping we like them.  Do you try new recipes or are you one that just likes rotating the same recipes over and over?

We have started a weekend tradition to go eat at a local diner.  B loves eating a big cooked breakfast and I'm not a huge fan of breakfast food. So going out for breakfast allows us each to eat what we like. This is what I have been ordering lately, it is super yummy!  Jazzed up hash-browns with cheese, onions, and green peppers with 1 biscuit and sausage gravy.  It is NOT healthy but it is delicious.

Sunday: Grilled hot dogs for B.  Grilled sweet potatoes and veggies for me in my Pampered Chef grill basket.  I love grilled veggies, do you?   On Sunday morning B asked if we could have hot dogs for dinner. I had to laugh since in my Weekend Wanderings post I talked about my horrible moldy corn dog experience!

Monday: BLT Grilled Cheese and Sherried Tomato Soup.  For gluten free use gluten free bread or skip the bread.
Tuesday:  Fend for ourselves. I have my photography class.
Wednesday: Grilled Honey-Lime chicken,  salad, fruit
Thursday: Garlic Parmassan Chicken & Noodles, salad, and fruit
Friday: Chipotle Chicken Salad, fruit
Saturday:  Date night. Yahoo!

For lunches this week I'm trying something new, salads in jars!  I originally found this idea from Fitness, Health, and Happiness.  Here are the two salads I'm trying this week.

Fiesta Quinoa Salad in a Jar

Asian Quinoa Salad in a Jar

Have you tried salads in jars?  Do you think they keep longer?  I am looking forward to the convenience of them!

What are you eating for dinner this week?

I'm linked up with I'm an Organizing Junkie, Real Food Forager, and Musings of a Housewife

Til' next time,

Weekend Wanderings 9.9.12

Is it really already Sunday? Why do weekends go so fast?  We went to Target on Saturday and I noticed that they had Grandparents Day cards.  Today is Grandparents Day and this is the first year that I don't need to buy a card.  This makes me sad.  If you have grandparents in your life give them a call and tell them you love 'em!

The Healthier Hot Dog--Not! :: Another reason I'm glad I don't eat hot dogs.  Lets add another unnatural ingredient to our food!  I have a gross story about corn dogs I have to tell you about, since I mentioned hot dogs!  One day for school lunch in grade school they served corn dogs.  At this point I still ate hot dogs.  I took a bite of my corn dog, looked down at it and saw green fuzzy stuff all over the hot dog.  I took a bite of a moldy corn dog!  I don't remember what I did after that, probably nothing because I was SOOO shy. Although I'm sure I didn't finish the corn dog and was probably hungry the rest of the day.  But from that day forward I never really liked eating hot dogs or corn dogs!

How to Protect Your Family from the Dangers of Formaldehyde::  Great article with products that contain formaldehyde and ways to help clean the air in your house of this nasty substance. With it being in so many items the majority of houses have it in the air.

3 Killer Recipes to Alkalise Your Body:: This is a great post about foods we should be eating.  The Arbonne 30 day program I did was based on exactly this, balancing your body's blood PH.  The majority of the foods in the SAD (Standard American Diet) are acidic which is a breeding ground for disease.

Newsflash: We are not "just fine"::  Another great post related to how food has a huge impact on our health and bodies.

Say Goodbye to Junk Mail with PaperKarma::  I have been wanting to try this and have not.  Next time I get junk mail I'm downloading the app and giving it a try.  Have you tried it?

Have a wonderful, relaxing Sunday and see you tomorrow for Menu Plan Monday.

Til' next time,

How to Roast Fresh Beets {Simple Steps to Healthy Living Linky Party}

Welcome to another week of Healthy Living! We're so excited you're here and look forward to hearing your tips and simple steps towards a more healthy lifestyle.

Last time, the following link ups were so inspiring:

5 Reasons Not to Drink Pop (Soda) by Living Crunchy

and

How to Clean a White Sink without Bleach by Our Homemade Happiness

My simple step to healthy living this week is how to roast fresh beets!  I love summer for many reasons--swimming, hot weather, vacations, camping, and much more. One of my most favorite things about summer is all the fresh, local produce available!!! My two favorite summer veggies are beets and asparagus. I’m always sad to see the summer months fade away because so do these wonderful veggies. 

 I bought a few FRESH beets (no canned beets for this girl!) a few weeks ago and thought I should share how I cook my beets. It is super easy and oh so delicious. I always try to cook & eat the beets while B is not around because it is one vegetable that he literally gags just smelling them. Since I’m such a wonderful wife I decided to cook them in the afternoon for a healthy afternoon snack. Unfortunately, B got out of class early and got home before they were done cooking, bummer! 

On with the beet recipe......

   If the beets you purchased (or grew) still have the leafy greens, cut those off and set aside to use them later. I have not been able to buy beets with the greens included, so I have not been able to experiment cooking with the greens.  If you do not have any recipes to use the greens, just do a google search and you can find lots of ideas. 

 Soak beets in water with some produce wash for 10-15 minutes to help release some of the dirt. Then take a little veggie scrubber and scrub the beets to remove the remaining dirt. 

 Trim the tails off the beets, but don’t cut into the beet or the juices will run when they are cooked. Slice the beets in half. This allows them to cook faster. 

 Take a piece of foil and lay it on a baking sheet. Place the cleaned and trimmed beets on the foil. Add 1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil for every 4-5 beets you are cooking. Add salt & pepper. 

Place another piece of foil on top of beets and wrap both pieces of the foil around the beets. Place the baking sheet with foiled wrapped beets in 350 F. degree oven. Bake for 1 to 1 ½ hours or until beets are tender.  Once they are tender pull out of the oven and open up the foil pouch so the beets can cool enough for you to handle. 

**Caution—Do not wear white when doing this next step. I usually wear a dark colored apron to protect my shirt because I'm a messy cook! 

 When the beets have cooled for a few minutes you can remove the skins from the beets. It is much easier to remove the skins after they are cooked then before and  the skins help keep all the good juices in while cooking.  

I usually pierce the beet with a fork so I don’t have to hold onto the beet with my hands since they are still really hot. Use your other hand to remove the skins of the beets. 

 Now that the skins are removed cut the beets into bite size pieces. If you are going to eat them now, add some butter, salt, and pepper. Sit down and enjoy the deliciousness. 

 If you will be enjoying them later just stick them in a covered dish and put in fridge till you are ready to eat. When you are ready to enjoy them just warm them in a pan on the stove with some butter. 

 Do you like beets? How do you cook beets? What are your favorite summer veggies?

Thanks Kristina for letting me be a co-host this week!  

Now it's your turn to share what you're learning! But first, I'm thrilled to have this lovely lady co-hosting with me today!

Andrea @

And now, for the rules...I'll try to keep them simple :)

1. Follow me and my co-hostess

2. You can post about anything you want, as long as it's a simple step towards a healthier lifestyle including tips for "green" living. I will ask that you avoid the following:

no processed foods

no artificial ingredients

nothing from a box

3. Share the love. Check out at least 3-4 other posts and introduce yourselves. The thing I love most about linky parties is that you get to meet so many amazing people! 

4. Have fun!! :)


I'd also love to have you put the button on your post or blog somewhere so that it's an actual "link" party! :) 

<center> <ahref="" http://www.citycorporatetosuburbmama.com/search/label/health/"target="_blank"><<img src="http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/uu32/mama2sillysophia/simplestepstohealthyliving-1.jpg"/></a>


And thank you so much for participating!! I'm thrilled that you're here and sharing with the rest of us!

Want to co-host next time? Just contact me and we'll set it up!

And featured ladies, don't forget to grab the "I was featured" button! Excellent shares and I'm so glad you linked up last time!!

<center> <ahref="http://www.citycorporatetosuburbmama.com/search/label/health"target="_blank"><img src="http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/uu32/mama2sillysophia/featuredSSTHL.jpg"/></a></center>

Jambalaya Recipe & Menu Plan Monday {Gluten Free} 8.6.12

I'm back again!  The past week has been a whirlwind of tears and lots of work.  I flew back to Kansas over a week ago for my grandpa's funeral.  I'll chat more about that in the next few days so lets get on to the Jambalaya recipe & menu this week.  I'm here for another week so I'm cooking for my parents and planned some of my "comfort" foods with not much gluten that I love!

This is my mom's Jambalaya recipe that she created from several recipes.  It is super yummy and it is a great recipe to double so you have leftovers. The recipe includes iPhone pics because I hate lugging my nice camera when I fly.  

Ingredients:
Olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
Kielbasa Sausage (or whatever sausages you like), sliced in bite sized pieces
2 Garlic cloves
1 1/2 cups brown rice
Chicken Stock (use the amount of liquid needed per the rice package)
2 tsp Cajun seasoning

Add olive oil and onions to stock pot.  Saute for 2 minutes.  

Add green pepper, celery, and garlic.  Saute for 1 minute.  

Add seasoning.  If can also use Creole seasoning for this recipe.  

Add sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until sausage is slightly browned.  

Add rice and chicken stock.  Bring to boil, cover and simmer for time indicated on rice package or until rice is tender.

Unfortunately I forgot to snap a picture of the finished product.   Just trust me, it looks & tastes delicious!

Here is the menu for the week.  

Monday: Jambalaya & Assorted Fruit

Tuesday: Meatloaf, Mashed Cauliflower, Green Beans

Wednesday:  Black Bean Dip, Hummus with veggies.  I know this is an odd dinner, but my parents have Bible Study at their house, so they always have snack food for everyone.  

Thursday:  Out to eat with friends

Friday: Beef Stroganoff.  

I will post recipes for meatloaf, black bean dip, hummus, and Stroganoff later this week & next week.  

Linked up with Musings Of A Housewife {Gluten Free} & I'm Organizing Junkie Menu Plan Monday. 

What are you eating this week? 

Til' Next Time,

Freezing Fruit

Do you ever have fruit in the fridge that is going down hill fast?  Or do you find great sales on fruit and miss the opportunity of buying a large quantity because you would not be able to eat it before it goes bad?  


Well don't give up on the wilting fruit or walk past those great sales!  I have the solution, FREEZE IT!  


Most of the fruit I purchase is organic.  The few kinds of non-organic fruit I will buy are  melons, pineapples, and bananas.  I use the EWG's Shopper's Guide for the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15.  If you do not have this app on your phone PLEASE download it for FREE.  You can also download the guide on the website so you have it with you at the store.  I always refer to mine while shopping for produce.  

Source: keeperofthehome.org via Lauren on Pinterest

Eating organic produce reduces toxins and pesticides in our body.  We are exposed to so many toxins we have no control over during the day.  Cutting out the pesticides and toxins in our food will help! 


I am going to show you how I prepare and freeze fresh strawberries. 

The first step no matter what fruit you will freeze or eat is to wash it in organic fruit wash.  I actually wash my fruit in a mixture of vinegar and Dr. Bronners unscented castile soap.  I let my produce soak for at least 15-30 minutes.  

Next, rinse off the strawberries. Cut the top off. Pat dry with towel. 


Layer the strawberries in a single layer on a cookie sheet.  Place in freezer until frozen solid.  The time will vary, I usually check mine after 30 minutes.  

Once frozen, put into freezer safe Ziploc bag and keep in freezer.  You could also use a food saver if you have one! 

You can freeze most fruit but the prep varies depending on the kind of fruit.  Here are some guidelines to use in preparing fruit to freeze.  Remember, always wash your fruit! 


Apples: Core, peel (if desired), and quarter. Add some lemon juice, lime juice, or apple cider vinegar to keep it from browning.  Toss apples in bowl with juice or vinegar, then line cookie sheet with apples, in a single layer, to freeze.  


Berries: Remove stems, line on cookie sheet in a single layer.  


Banana: Smash and measure 1/2 cup into each sandwich size Ziploc bag for baked goods or freeze in ice cube trays then put in Ziploc bag to add to smoothies. 


Cherries:  Pit and freeze them in a single layer on cookie sheet. Once frozen place in freezer bag. 


Melons: Remove rind and cut into bite size pieces or make melon balls. Lay on cookie sheet in a single layer to freeze.  Once frozen place in freezer bag.  


Plums, peaches, nectarines, pears:  peel (if desired), core, and slice.  Line on cookie sheet in single layer to freeze. Once frozen place in freezer bag. 


Grapes: Take off stems and line in a single layer on cookie sheet to freeze.  Once frozen place in freezer bag. 


Oranges:  Peel and cut into bite size pieces. Line in a single layer on cookie sheet to freeze. Once frozen place in freezer bag.  


Kiwi: Peel and cut into bite size pieces.  Line in a single layer on cookie sheet to freeze. Once frozen place in freezer bag.  


Pineapple:  Peel, remove core, and dice.  Line on cookie sheet in a single layer, freeze, and then put in freezer bag. 


I use the frozen fruit for smoothies and baked goods. 


Take advantage of the wonderful summer fruit and freeze some to last all winter!  


Do you freeze produce?  How do you use your frozen produce?  


If you have not entered the giveaway for Tropical Traditions Gold Label Organic Coconut Oil, make sure to do it today because giveaway ends Thursday at midnight!  


Linked up with Healthy 2Day Wednesday; Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways

Til' next time,