Food waste is a huge issue in our world today. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, approximately one third of food produced for human consumption is wasted. In my own kitchen, I’m always looking for clever ways to prevent waste and stretch produce as far as it will go. By far, my biggest challenge when it comes to saving produce is greens. I’m talking about herbs, leafy greens and lettuces. They can go bad quickly if they’re not properly stored.

That’s why I’m so glad I found out about the OXO Greensaver Herb Keeper. It acts as a storage container for herbs, keeping them fresh and crisp. The way it does this is by controlling three things: airflow, humidity and hydration. To get the right airflow, the herbs stand upright in a basket that nests inside the main container, which prevents them from lying flat like they normally would in other containers. The humidity is controlled by the storage lid, and the herbs stay hydrated by water that is added to the bottom of the container. Genius!

My herbs did so much better in this container versus a plastic grocery store bag. In a bag, they usually start turning brown within a few days, and with the Greensaver, they lasted a week or longer. Cilantro and parsley are the two herbs I’ve had a chance to try in this kitchen tool, and I can’t wait to try more. I also found this to be helpful in storing chopped lettuce. The lettuce greens were crisper and stayed fresh longer. I buy herbs and lettuce every week, so this is going to make a big difference in the amount of greens I waste. And one of the best parts is the easy clean up — all the Greensaver parts are dishwasher safe, so there’s no extra hassle involved.

If you also buy greens regularly, I highly recommend getting one of these.  It will make a huge difference in the quality and shelf life of your herbs, lettuce and more so you can say goodbye to sad and limp greens!

Product Reviewed: Rösle Pizza Cutter

Friday nights are homemade pizza nights at our house. It’s our moment to get in the kitchen as a family, shaping dough and preparing toppings together. With pizza on the menu so frequently, you can bet there is a reliable pizza cutter at the ready! 

As a lover of high-quality kitchen tools, my newest obsession is the Rösle pizza cutter. It is made of a durable stainless steel, which lends a polished appearance and sturdy weight. Taking into consideration both safety and ease of use, this pizza cutter includes a comfortable handle that doubles as a barrier to protect the hand from the roller blade. This is a major plus factor for me as a parent of a toddler who loves to help in the kitchen. What’s even more impressive about this pizza cutter is the lifetime warranty. I cook frequently and put a lot of wear and tear on kitchen utensils, so a lifetime warranty assures me of the product’s quality. The fact that I don’t have to worry about buying another pizza cutter again is all the convincing I need. 

Another feature I look for in kitchen utensils is their versatility. Because of the name, it may seem like this pizza cutter is only good for one thing. However, I have used this on quesadillas, flatbreads, bread dough, brownies, pies and scones. These are just the foods I’ve tried in the past couple weeks and I can’t wait to see what else comes up! And no matter how messy the utensil may get, cleanup is as simple as rinsing and throwing it in the dishwasher. Now that’s my kind of pizza cutter! 

Love making pizza at home? Check out Food & Nutrition's eight tips for a perfect pizza every time. 

Oatmeal is full of soluble fiber, which helps lower high cholesterol. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help boost brain power (especially after an eight-hour snooze). The fat and protein from walnuts will also keep you satisfied all morning. Meeting your daily fruit intake will be a breeze starting with this breakfast.

Take a deep breath and a big bite and know that you can conquer anything!