Re: How do YOU wash/clean your fresh spinach leave... - Page 3

Classylady · ‎03-10-2010

Anytime I bring home fresh fruits and veggies of any kind, I run about a gallon of water in a large bowl and put in about 3 tablespoons of bleach. Put it all in and it will kill any kind of germs there.

Years of being in a USDA family has taught me nothing grown in a field is clean when it comes to your store. Living in Ca and watching grapes being harvested in the vineyard and sent straight to the market was enough for me. I see people in markets all the time eating them right from the bag. I cringe.

Marienkaefer2 · ‎03-09-2010

On 2/23/2014 Sooner said:
On 2/23/2014 Marienkaefer2 said:
On 2/23/2014 peachesncream said:
Here's a good article on the topic:

http://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/blogs/can-you-wash-e-coli-off-produce

That's a good article. We don't really eat a lot of raw foods. I do buy organic, and in summer from small local farmers, so I think that helps. I think if you can avoid buying from industrial farms, it does reduce the risks.

Organic has NOTHING to do with whether the food is contaminated or not. As a matter of fact, food grown organic would maybe even be more prone to contamination if they are using "organic" fertilizers of a certain sort.

Well, I COMPETELY disagree. Especially if you buy from smaller local farmers, as I do.

However, I did not make an unequivocal statement. I said that IT HELPS.

I don't shop in mainstream grocery stores. I shop in a local food co-op, and I buy from local farmers. Avoiding mass produced food helps. That's my experience and it's worked for me.

You do what works for you.

If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.--Marcus Tullius Cicero

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

On 2/23/2014 Marienkaefer2 said:
On 2/23/2014 Sooner said:
On 2/23/2014 Marienkaefer2 said:
On 2/23/2014 peachesncream said:
Here's a good article on the topic:

http://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/blogs/can-you-wash-e-coli-off-produce

That's a good article. We don't really eat a lot of raw foods. I do buy organic, and in summer from small local farmers, so I think that helps. I think if you can avoid buying from industrial farms, it does reduce the risks.

Organic has NOTHING to do with whether the food is contaminated or not. As a matter of fact, food grown organic would maybe even be more prone to contamination if they are using "organic" fertilizers of a certain sort.

Well, I COMPETELY disagree. Especially if you buy from smaller local farmers, as I do.

However, I did not make an unequivocal statement. I said that IT HELPS.

I don't shop in mainstream grocery stores. I shop in a local food co-op, and I buy from local farmers. Avoiding mass produced food helps. That's my experience and it's worked for me.

You do what works for you.

"Organic" food is still mostly grown in the dirt. Animals and critters run around on it, poop on it, and "things" from dirt get on it. Also, chemical fertilizers don't contain e-coli like some organic fertilizers do. Sorry but you are fooling yourself.

Montana · ‎03-09-2010

On 2/23/2014 graycatsrule said:<
If you were using a bagged lettuce are they saying just eat it? My first instinct would be to wash it or wash any lettuce.

That is what they said. I was surprised at the results but their testing proved more bacteria were present after rewashing.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

On 2/23/2014 Skylands said:
Buy organic and soak in a basin of cold water. Rinse and do this a few times. Spin dry. Never had any problems with dirt, sand or other. Eat fresh spinach all the time. Enjoy

P.S. I do cut off all stems before I clean the spinach. Really don't like to eat the stems.

I always soak loose leaf anything in a basin - then lay it on paper towels to drain.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

On 2/23/2014 graycatsrule said:
On 2/23/2014 Montana said:
America's Test Kitchen found there were more bacteria when bagged salad greens are washed before using.

If you were using a bagged lettuce are they saying just eat it? My first instinct would be to wash it or wash any lettuce.

My understanding is - when they manufacter the bagged greens they put them through a rinse with chlorine and water - i like to rinse it off to get rid of the chlorine - so I cut a few holes in the top of the bag and fill it with water - smoosh it around a few times - essentially the same as putting it in a basin of water - then empty the bag and let it dry a few min on papaer towels.

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

I have one of those salad spin things. I have a small one that seven has a spout you can put the dressing in.

I never do that but I do wash the lettuce or spinach and then spin it dry.

Cranberries · ‎03-09-2010

I usually buy bagged salad. For me it's just easier. Often a bit more expensive but oh well.

I have never once re-washed a bag of lettuce that says it was washed (yes how gullible of me obviously) I've never been sick from doing this either. I also don't re-wash the bagged snap peas, broccoli, cauliflower.

I do wash 'loose' food. Loose salad leaves or heads of lettuce. Tomatoes, apples, any berry, asparagus, and many others etc. But I use a water/vinegar mix, not bleach.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

On 2/24/2014 happy housewife said:
On 2/23/2014 graycatsrule said:
On 2/23/2014 Montana said:
America's Test Kitchen found there were more bacteria when bagged salad greens are washed before using.

If you were using a bagged lettuce are they saying just eat it? My first instinct would be to wash it or wash any lettuce.

My understanding is - when they manufacter the bagged greens they put them through a rinse with chlorine and water - i like to rinse it off to get rid of the chlorine - so I cut a few holes in the top of the bag and fill it with water - smoosh it around a few times - essentially the same as putting it in a basin of water - then empty the bag and let it dry a few min on papaer towels.

Doesn't city water have chlorine and other chemicals in it?

debic · ‎09-02-2010

On 2/23/2014 chickenbutt said:
On 2/23/2014 Remee said:
Thanks ladies, I appreciate all of your replies. Where is the easiest and or cheapest play to purchase GSE ? Thanks again.

The last couple of times I've gotten my GSE at Amazon. Since I started using it I've used this Nutribiotic brand, so I don't have any basis for comparison but it was the one recommended when the bird came to live with us ten years ago. If you're not used to using it you might say 4oz for $14.75? What the heck?

Well, here's the thing - 4oz will last you for years (and they always have several years on the expire) because it's highly concentrated. Like 30 drops in a 16oz spray bottle of water makes a basic solution.

They also have a 2oz bottle. It's comparatively more, but an easy $9+ to spend as an add-on item. The 2oz bottle I have right now I purchased a few years ago. It still has a ton in it and the expiration date on the bottom is 7/2017. I use it in some way every day and use it a lot just for spray-downs on my kitchen counters each day.

HTH