Vegetables are versatile!

Did you know that keeping your vegetables wrapped up in newspapers can last for a period of time? This has been the common practice by people in the olden days. CQ wonders how did they come up with that idea ...yeah? A way to recycle the papers? naaahh ...anyway it still does exist today!

However, this method of keeping your greens or vegetables can be very harmful to your health as toxic or chemical substances from the newspaper can be absorbed by the greens.

There are better ways on how to keep your vegetables fresh and delicious. It is important that you buy the freshest ones and store them properly. There are two main reasons why vegetables go bad - either they are bought past their prime or they are sitting shivering cold in your refrigerator too long.

Here are some tips that CQ had tried and it is easy to follow.

When you are selecting your vegetables, do peek-a-boo at them to make sure the leaves are not browning or wilting. Buy whole heads of lettuce like romaine that will tend to stay fresh longer than loose-leaf greens or pre-washed bagged lettuce. The leaves should be crisp and evenly colored ..not yellowish around the edges.

Store your vegetables or greens in perforated bags that allow air and moisture to circulate. Vegetables do breathe ok! It is the lack of air that accelerates decay. You can also make your own bag - take a resealable plastic bag and make multiple stabs with a small knife or prick with a fork. Finally, make sure to eat your vegetables within a few days. Otherwise, they will start to perish.

If you have any leftovers of salad leaves or green vege, wrap them in paper towels (kitchen roll)and put them into a perforated bag. Or toss them for a simple side salad dish - saute them in olive-oil or steam them and add your favourite dressings or herbs and enjoy!