13 Natural Ways to Make Food Last Longer Without Chemical Preservatives

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Have you ever felt disappointed after prepping your own healthy meals at home, only to find they’ve gone bad, or taste a little “off” by the time you’re ready to eat them? Luckily, there are ten ways to make food last longer, without chemical preservatives.

Not only will these natural ingredients prevent food from going to waste, but you’ll also avoid the common chemical preservatives found in store-bought foods, such as BHA, BHT, MSG, nitrates, refined vegetable oils, refined sugar, and potassium bromate.

The majority of chemical preservatives are linked to health problems (even in minimal amounts) within the nervous and endocrine systems – which is another great reason to avoid processed, packaged, and boxed foods, and get on board with making your meals at home

So, let’s take a look at how you can make your home-cooked meals last even longer.

10 Natural Ways to Make Food Last Longer Without Preservatives

1. Lemon or Lime Juice

The ascorbic acid found in lemon flesh and juice acts as an antioxidant, while the citric acid is a natural antibacterial, and helps preserve the flavour, color and taste of your recipes. Lemon juice also prevents fresh fruit and vegetables from browning (this works especially well on avocados and apples).

Thanks to its antibacterial properties, lemon juice can be used to preserve any plant-based meal. Note: lemon juice isn’t a strong enough preservative for meat.

2. Fermentation

Fermentation is the ultimate way to extend the shelf life of your fruit and vegetables by months. Sauerkraut, kimchi, beet kvass, pickles, onions and garlic are all examples of lacto-fermented foods.

Lacto-fermentation uses water and salt, which prevents the growth of bad bacteria, and allows the good bacteria to thrive. The good bacteria “break down” the sugar in the fruit and veggies, which produces lactic acid. The lactic acid creates the perfect amount of acidity needed to preserve food and protect it from the growth of mold and bacteria.

Lacto-fermentation prevents the growth of bad bacteria, and allows the good bacteria to thrive.

Lacto-fermentation is a simple process (not to mention one of the oldest food preservation tricks) and only requires water, salt, a sterilized jar, and the fruit or veggies of your choice. Lacto-fermented foods can last several months in your pantry, as long as they’re kept in a cool, dry place.

3. Freezing

Freezing is a hassle-free way of making your meals last at least 6 months longer, as long as they’re sealed air-tight, and the freezer is at 0ºF or colder. Baked goods, homemade sauces (spaghetti sauce, chili), fruit, and animal protein can last for up to 6 months in the freezer, and if you include dairy in your diet, dairy lasts between 1-3 months.

Vegetables can be frozen to extend their shelf life too, although fresh veggies (besides tomatoes) should be blanched before freezing, which allows them to retain their nutrients, enzymes, texture, and color.

4. Salt (Curing or Brining)

Salt is the oldest and most effective preservation method. Salt can preserve anything from meat, poultry, and fish, to desserts and vegetables (as we covered in fermentation) because it removes moisture and reduces the amount of water available for bacteria to grow in.

Making a brine with salt and water to preserve meat, and using salt to cure meat (which involves more salt than a brine) can allow it to last several months.

Any kind of salt will preserve meat, but unrefined choices like Celtic or Maldon sea salt is best.

Any kind of salt will preserve meat. However, Himalayan rock salt, Celtic sea salt, or Maldon sea salt are the best choices because they’re unrefined. If you choose Himalayan rock salt, you’ll also get an extra boost of trace minerals.

5. Vinegar (Pickling)

Grandma knew a thing or two! Pickling, which is the process of preserving vegetables with vinegar, allows fresh vegetables, fruit and even eggs to last several months (not to mention, vinegar also enhances their flavor).

The acetic acid in vinegar is the reason why it works well as a natural food preservative. Acetic acid kills the bacteria that spoil food and the acidity creates an environment they can’t survive in.

Most traditional pickling solutions use vinegar, water, salt and sugar, but you can leave the sugar out. While sugar also acts as a natural preservative, it’s mostly intended to add flavor to the produce you’re pickling.

6. Cayenne Pepper

When compared to dill, parsley and green pepper, cayenne pepper showed the strongest antimicrobial activity against yeast, mold and other bacteria on cheese. Chili peppers have even been proposed as an alternative to chemical preservatives in the food industry.

So, spice up your soups, dips, sauces, stews and chilis to help keep them fresh for longer.

7. Rosemary Oil or Extract

As it turns out, the comforting smell of rosemary is only one of its many benefits. Food-grade rosemary essential oil has antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, which has been shown to preserve meat, and prevent fats and oils from going rancid.

8. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a white powdery substance made from diatoms, which are tiny single-celled algae. It’s best known for being one of the richest sources of silica, but it’s also becoming more popular as a natural food preservative because it repels insects and eliminates moisture.

Food-grade diatomaceous earth can be used to preserve dry pantry foods such as nut flours, quinoa, and even your pet’s food, by layering a small amount on the top, bottom and every three or so inches in between. You can find powdered diatomaceous earth at your local health food store in the supplements aisle.

9. Pure Raw Honey

Honey is considered an ancient preservation method, dating back to prehistoric times, thanks to a range of factors including its unique acidity and ability to suck in moisture. You may have noticed that honey never spoils (as long as it’s not diluted with water or any other substances).

Honey never spoils! Its high concentration of sugar inhibits the growth of bacteria.

That’s because, similar to salt, its high concentration of sugar draws out moisture, which inhibits the growth of yeast and other strains of bacteria, such as staphylococcus aureu. The antioxidants in honey have also been shown to slow down the browning of fresh fruit and vegetables.

10. Garlic

As one of the most powerful foods to eat to kill yeast, bacteria and other viruses in our bodies, it’s no surprise that garlic has the same benefits when added to food.

One study showed that fresh garlic was able to prolong the shelf life of raw camel meat for up to 4 days at room temperature, and 28 days in the refrigerator with no sign of spoilage or microbial growth.

This suggests garlic can increase the potential of other natural food preservation methods, such as brines and pickling, and preserve the freshness of your animal protein dishes, as well as plant-based dishes such as dips, soups and homemade salad dressings.

• Quick Tricks to Make Your Produce Last Longer

1. Wrap Banana Stems

When you buy a bunch of bananas, take a small piece of leftover plastic wrap and tie it around the bananas stems. Bananas release ethylene gas as they ripen, and the plastic wrap helps contain the gas, which slows down the ripening process.

2. Water and Vinegar Soak

A water and vinegar soak helps make berries last longer. Place your berries in a large bowl, and add 1 part of white vinegar and 10 parts filtered water. Mix, drain, rinse, dry and refrigerate in a glass airtight container.

3. The “Bouquet” Method

For herbs, leafy greens, asparagus, and any other vegetable with a stem, you can make them last longer by cutting their stems (as you would with a bouquet of flowers) and placing them in a glass jar filled with 1 inch of filtered water.

Place your produce stem down, and use a reusable plastic bag to cover the top of the veggie. Refrigerate.

Want more tips to make food last longer without chemical preservatives? Watch this video – How To Make Produce Last Longer & Reduce Waste – 25+ Tips

By Brandi Black

Author Bio:

Brandi Black is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and the creator of Feel Best Naked, a health blog for women who want to clear up their skin, lose the muffin top and make the bloat disappear. After years of experiencing (and then healing) her own unbalanced hormones, she’s now obsessed with helping other women feel spectacular in their own skin with natural remedies for hormone balance.

Kelsey Alea, is a certified nutritional therapist at PaleoHacks. She is the author of the Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook. The cookbook features 80 mouth-watering Keto slow cooker recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. It is a perfect cookbook for those who want to indulge, save time in the kitchen, and stay in ketosis.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

How to Completely Rid Yourself of All Types of Arthritis in 21 Days or Less?

 

Click on Here to Discover How You Can Completely Heal Any Type of Arthritis In 21 Days or Less

Completely Rid Yourself of All Types of Arthritis in 21 Days or Less – Unrelated Pill Tackles Arthritis

The pharmaceutical search for an effective arthritis medication has been very bumpy, to say the least.

Several drugs have been pulled off the market after being proven to be both useless and dangerous.

But maybe a pill already exists that can prevent arthritis? One that was never meant to take on this task and that is used by millions already.

In fact, a new study recently published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases shows that those taking this pill have a significant reduction in arthritis flare-up compared to non-users.

Women are three times more likely than men to be affected by rheumatoid arthritis, which has led many researchers to investigate whether there is a hormonal aspect to its various causes.

For this reason, a research team decided to examine the effect that the oral contraceptive pill has on women’s risk for this painful, inflammatory joint disease.

They asked volunteers in the Swedish Epidemiological Investigation of RA study to complete a questionnaire on their oral contraceptive use, breastfeeding, smoking, alcohol consumption, and other factors that could influence the results.

When they compared 2,641 arthritic women with 4,251 non-arthritic women, they found that women who had used the contraceptive pill were 15% less likely than never-users to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

This was after they excluded smoking, alcohol use, and other habits known to be contributing factors in the development of this disease.

However, the pill does come with side effects and it does not cure arthritis once it has set in, so researchers warned not to start using it just to manage arthritis.

A better way is to follow the three steps found here to completely rid yourself of all types of arthritis in 21 days or less…

Completely Rid Yourself of All Types of Arthritis in 21 Days or Less – Arthritis Caused by This Common Mineral

It is true that minerals are essential for maintaining good health in the body. Yet, a Korean study published in Cell has identified one mineral that might cause arthritis.

If you suffer arthritis, Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea found it’s essential for you to limit the consumption of this very common mineral – or at least don’t take it as an extra supplement like most people do.

Zinc is necessary for the activity of different enzymes in the body, for wound healing, and is essential for healthy development of the fetus during pregnancy. But this mineral with all its benefits also has a dark side – it could play a major role in triggering arthritis!

Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea studied the interaction between zinc and a protein called ZIP8. ZIP8 is a transport protein that transfers zinc into the cartilage cells. Inside these cells, zinc activates another protein which results in the production of damaging enzymes that degrade cartilage tissue. It is the cartilage which supports and cushions the joints, so when it is destroyed, it in turn results in swollen and painful joints.

The traditional medical system has no cure, as of now, for arthritis. People who suffer from osteoarthritis depend on anti-inflammatory painkillers and steroids to get relief from the pain, and needless to mention, the medications take a toll on the overall health of the body.

But this new finding sheds light on the involvement of zinc in the development of osteoarthritis in mice. If the link between zinc and its involvement in destroying cartilage is established, it will open up new possibilities for treating this debilitating disease.

Does that mean that you should restrict intake of zinc? No! Zinc is an essential nutrient and while you can probably avoid additional supplements of this mineral, it is a good idea to stick to a healthy diet of vegetables and fruits, which provide all the minerals needed for the functioning of the body.

Completely Rid Yourself of All Types of Arthritis in 21 Days or Less – Avoiding zinc is not going to cure arthritis. Here are the exact, easy steps I took to turn my crippling arthritis around in 28 days…

Completely Rid Yourself of All Types of Arthritis in 21 Days or Less – Arthritis Reversed with This Strange, Unappetizing Food

Recently, researchers from Missouri and Colorado published a study that proved amazing effectiveness of a certain food for arthritis.

Most people mindlessly throw away this common food as something gross.

But you should actually savor it, because it was found to be more effective than most of the most common arthritis drugs, without any side effects.

When is the last time you boiled an egg and the clear film that lines the eggshell stuck to the egg instead of to the shell?

This is called eggshell membrane and has now been proven extremely effective in fighting rheumatoid arthritis.

In the recent experiment, the scientists first produced rheumatoid arthritis in rats, after which they split them into two groups and gave them either an oral eggshell membrane supplement or the drug methotrexate.

The scientists found that the eggshell membrane-treated group had fewer markers of inflammation, less joint swelling, less cartilage damage, and slower bone resorption.

Earlier studies showed the effectiveness of eggshell membrane, too.

In 2009, researchers published two trials in the Journal of Clinical Interventions in Aging on humans with connective tissue and joint disorders. After 30 days, the participants who used eggshell membrane supplements reported an improvement in flexibility and a reduction in pain.

So, you may want to put this on the list of supplements worth trying for your arthritis. Researchers suggest you should consume at least 500 milligrams of it per day.

Watch this video – Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis and all aspects of health | Britt Ringstrom | TEDxUMN

But eggshell membrane is not enough to cure arthritis. For that, you need to follow the step-by-step strategy found here to completely rid yourself of all types of arthritis in 21 days or less…

This post is from the Arthritis Strategy Program. It was created by Shelly Manning, a former arthritis sufferer and a health consultant.

A Brief Background on the Author

Like you, Shelly Manning also suffered from arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis. This was due to her weight and desk job. Her condition eventually took a toll on her relationship with her (former) husband.

It was when she went to Hong Kong that she met Janerdquo, an old woman who owned the restaurant where she ate. Janerdquo supposedly offered her a bowl of a weird-smelling soup, which helped ease her joint pain. She ate there each day for 10 days until she was completely healed from arthritis.

Shelly Manning decided to research this natural remedy and to create a step-by-step treatment plan to others who are suffering from different types of arthritis, such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and psoriatic arthritis.

That’s why she created “The Arthritis Step By Step Strategy.” According to her claims, this unique strategy will get rid of joint pain and stiffness, repair your damaged joints, and treat the underlying cause of your arthritis.

Shelly teamed up with Christian Goodman, the owner of Blue Heron Health News, a publishing company that aims to help people to take responsibility for their own health by using natural health alternatives for preventing arthritis in fingers and knees naturally.

To find out more about this program, go to Completely Rid Yourself of All Types of Arthritis in 21 Days or Less

How to Store Fruits and Vegetables so They Last Longer?

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Keep your berries bright and celery crisp with this easy guide to common produce!

Get the most out of your favorite antioxidant-filled ingredients with these refrigerator storage tips!

If you look around your local supermarket, the layout is a great guide to how you should store your fresh produce once you get it home.

To best preserve your healthy ingredients for optimal nutrition, we’ve broken it down so you can get the most bang for your buck and stop throwing away spoiled produce.

Fruits + Veggies Not to Be Refrigerated

• Hard squash like spaghetti, butternut and acorn do not require refrigeration due to their tough exterior.

• Tomatoes are another veggie that is best and most flavorful when kept at room temperature.

• Bananas especially like to be at room temperature, and this tropical fruit will quickly turn brown in cooler temperatures.

Prepped + Chopped Veggies

Store chopped veggies in an airtight container to help them hold their moisture and crispness. Veggies like broccoli and cauliflower don’t need extra moisture.

Cauliflower that has been “riced” will keep best stored in an airtight container without any added liquid.

Asparagus, Celery + Carrots

These veggies crave moisture. Store them with a little bit of water in a glass container. If they should start to wilt or soften from being stored without moisture, they might just be dehydrated and need water. Slice off the bottom and stand them in a wide mouth mason jar with a little bit of water in the refrigerator. This will help them absorb the water and get back to their crunchy selves.

Berries

Berries are often the first fruit to show signs of spoiling, which is a waste of the precious fruit and your money. To avoid mold from growing, rinse berries in a water bath with a splash of vinegar for a few minutes. Then pat them dry and store in an airtight container. Vinegar prevents mold spores from growing and increases the shelf life of fragile berries. Strawberries like to stay dry, so be sure to pat them extra dry.

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens, much like soft herbs, like to have a bit of moisture and a cool temperature. Store them with a damp paper towel in a large recyclable plastic bag to help them maintain their deep green color. Yellow leaves, especially on kale, are a sign that the greens are starting to expire.

Herbs

Fresh herbs that are on the dryer side, like rosemary and thyme, should be kept dry and stored in a recyclable plastic bag. Softer, moister herbs like cilantro and basil like to have a little bit of moisture. A damp paper towel stored with them in a container or baggy will add moisture without making the herbs mushy. Try not to overcrowd herbs in a baggy; when one starts to get brown, the whole bunch can quickly spoil. If they are fanned out or loosely packed, they have room for air and moisture to circulate.

Fresh Juice / Nut Milks

Store freshly squeezed juice in a clear glass pitcher. Fresh juice can get murky and spoil, so a glass container allows you to monitor color and texture changes that can indicate spoilage. This is also true for homemade nut milks.

Apples and Citrus

Apples and citrus fruit are low maintenance and have a relatively long shelf life compared to berries. Store them in your refrigerator drawer, where it is dry and cool.

Nightshades

Nightshades, like eggplant and bell peppers keep best in the refrigerator crisper to maintain their texture.

For some more tips on how to store fruits and vegetables so they last longer, watch these 2 videos –

How to Keep Your Fruits and Veggies Fresher for Longer

How To Make Produce Last Longer & Reduce Waste – 25+ Tips!

Author Bio:

Kelsey Alea, is a certified nutritional therapist at PaleoHacks. She is the author of the Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook. The cookbook features 80 mouth-watering Keto slow cooker recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. It is a perfect cookbook for those who want to indulge, save time in the kitchen, and stay in ketosis.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

What You Need to Know About Having Ruptured Varicose Vein in Leg

 

Click HERE to Find Out How to Get Rid of Unsightly Varicose Veins Naturally and Permanently

A ruptured varicose vein can be a serious medical emergency that can put a patient at risk of death as a result of clotting that causes Deep Vein Thrombosis or blood loss.

The risk of this unfortunate complication of varicose veins is increased as we age, due to the fact that our skins get thinner so relatively minor bangs and scratches can result in a rupture because of the site of varicose veins close to the surface of the skin.

Ruptures can also occur spontaneously due to veins being overstretched as a result of excess pressure because of obesity or high blood pressure, or some other condition that cause the vein cell structure to weaken to the extent that the vein walls fail. In contrast to a normal vein, the pressure inside a varicose vein is much higher than is usual, so the risk of a serious, life threatening bleed is significantly higher.

This is particularly bad for people who are frail or and have an underlying medical condition so being aware of the dangers can be very useful should the need arise.

When a ruptured varicose vein occurs, there are some essential first aid tips that can prevent more severe consequences like bleeding out occurring:

• Apply pressure to the affected area to help the bleeding to stop, if possible, also try to ensure that the wound is properly cleaned in order to prevent secondary infections.

• Applying a cold compress can also be a way of assisting the clotting process.

• Lie down, raising the affected limb above heart level to help to reduce the pressure on the breached vein and in order to help clotting to start.

• If the patient takes blood thinning medications such as Wafarin and Aspirin, ensure that they get immediate medical attention as they are at much higher risk than a healthy person of bleeding to death.

• If the bleeding cannot be controlled, ensure that you call for an ambulance or attend your local accident and emergency department as a matter of urgency.

• If the patient suffers from varicose ulceration, it is also recommended that immediate medical attention is sought due to the advanced nature of their vascular problems.

It is probably best to advise anyone who has experienced a ruptured varicose vein that they consult their doctor to ensure that there are no complications that have arisen unawares even if you have been successful in bringing the bleeding to a stop.

It is also prudent to consult a doctor to determine whether surgery is required due to the increased risk of complications from unstable veins, especially if they also suffer from some other type of arterial condition like peripheral vascular disease.

This is due to the fact that in order to preserve overall physical health, mobility needs to be maintained in order to ensure a reasonable quality of life. The unfortunate outlook is that, left untreated, there is a strong chance that varicose veins can develop some serious complications so when they appear, it is a person’s best interests as a patient to follow some simple techniques to ensure that they do not get worse.

Watch this video about what you need to know about having ruptured varicose vein in leg – My Varicose Vein Story – All Your Questions Answered!

Author Bio:

This post is from the Varicose Veins Secrets program created by Diane Thompson, a medical researcher and consultant who has over 20 years of experience in helping other people deal with their shoulder pain, shoulder stiffness and difficulty sleeping at night.

This program reveals to people secrets to get fresh and youthful-looking skin on their legs. The program also provides people with proven natural healing methods, and alternative herbal remedies that they can use to help them get rid of their varicose veins easily without any medication.

The program also teaches people how to use special aromatherapy technique to help the blood leave the legs and return to the heart, and how to reduce swelling while shrinking the blood vessels near the skin’s surface.

In addition, in this program, you will discover 3 herbal therapies to relieve your pain from your veins, 4 types of common homeopathic remedies to ease the pain and soreness that are worse from touch.

To find out more about this program, click on Varicose Veins Secrets