Miscellaneous Notes

HomeGoods carries lots of pasta imported from Italy, so there are lots of fun things to try. They also have sprinkles, grains, spices and lots of other good stuff!

Less processed food is almost always better.

I do have to say, I don’t always buy organic fruits and vegetables because sometimes the quality isn’t as good and they go bad quickly. But if the quality is good and the price is reasonable, I will try to go organic.

Meats – I often get organic beef and chicken, but not always. No one has an unlimited food budget, but I have a big freezer and will try to stock up on good-quality meats when they go on sale.

Fish/Seafood – Here is what I have been told about fish. If you are purchasing from a grocery store or another big store, not a fish market, frozen is often a better choice, unless it is a fish the store sells a lot. Salmon is often fresh because it sells quickly. I can’t promise it’s true, but it makes good sense.

Ask if the fish is fresh. If it has been frozen and thawed and is sitting in the case, it is better to get frozen. The person who told me about this said that much of the time, fish is now handled and even frozen on the boats to preserve freshness. Take that for what it’s worth, but ask questions about fish for the best quality.

Assumptions generally made in recipes unless otherwise specified:

• Eggs are large and butter is unsalted.

Final Comments

My kids and their friends have some allergies and dietary restrictions, which is part of why I choose the ingredients I do, but I also find that they offer good quality and flavor. You will need to find the products that work for your family. We tend to use more high-end products, but you can certainly find sales, coupons, and mid-range brands that allow you to cook great food just as well. Also, look for seasonal items and stock up when things are on sale or when you make the big trip to the store. I think freezers are a great asset, but you need to care for the food properly, before and after freezing.