Tip of the Week!!!

Tip of the Week!!!

Around my house, storage baggies are a key player in lunch packing. Sandwiches, grapes & chips – they work perfectly ((as I am sure you know!!)). I can’t get along without them – I have tried reusable pouches and all different systems & sizes of plastic containers — but we always seem to drift back to ‘the baggie’.

If lunch making is the only time you are using these little wonders, you are missing out on several opportunities to have your life made a bit easier and maybe even cleaner! For today’s tip of the week I am sharing 5 ‘out of the box’ ((hahaha!!)) uses for plastic baggies. So here they are: “The Fab Bag 5”

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  1.  Marinating and Brining – I have an aversion to raw meat ‘juices’. One way to reduce the nasty meat juice’s impact on my kitchen is to store marinating and brining meat in disposable gallon & 2-gallon size bags.
  2. IMG_9970Piping bag & Funnel – there is just one little snip of a corner standing between you and baking perfection! No drips, no running down the sides & no extra kitchen gadgets to clean!
  3. IMG_0023A High-Tech ‘Fly-BE-Gone’ System. Assemble three things: A freezer quart-size baggie, one penny & water. Hang the bag from the eve – outside every door & BOOM! Like magic…The flies? Well, they fly away! Really! I have watched this work for the last 3 years at camp! 150+ kiddos in and out of the Mess Hall all day for 6 days and guess how many flies I encountered in the mess hall?? ONE!! And he looked afraid – really! I don’t know why or how – I just know it does – work!
  4. Fat Separator. Okay – I don’t have a picture for this one ((sorry!!)). When making beef broth or gravy – how much liquid fat is floating on top?? The answer: Too MUCH! Rather than meticulously spooning every last drop of fat off  – next time, pour the liquid (at room temp) into gallon-sized baggie. Seal the baggie closed. Stand it up, by sitting it in a bowl, allowing the liquid & fat to re-separate. Then pick the bag up, snip the corner off of the baggie ((while holding it over the bowl)) & whaalaa! Separated broth is pouring out right before your eyes. But, pay careful attention – pinch the opening off right before the fat reaches the opening! How easy is that?? Toss the fat-filled baggie into the trash – no mess!! Yay!IMG_6916
  5. Mini-Greenhouse. These baggies have sprouted more seeds, rooted more cuttings and propagated more plants than I can count. I keep several boxes of baggies in my potting shed, with clear instructions: do not take my baggies out of this shed! (please) One damp paper towel, a few seeds or cuttings, a baggie and a sunny window sill are all you need to propagate like a pro!

I hope some of these tried & true ideas make your life a bit easier! What’s your favorite way to use a baggie??