healthy strategies

freeze in freshness

store and preserve the season’s bounty

If you’re trying to eat well, your freezer can be your best friend, especially in late summer when the produce section of the grocery store is bursting with fresh fruit and vegetables. Preserve the flavors of the season by freezing your favorite healthy foods at peak freshness. Even if life gets busy, you’ll always have healthy ingredients on hand.

Freezer-friendly foods

Pretty much any type of fresh produce can be frozen almost indefinitely if stored constantly at 0˚, but you’ll want to avoid freezing produce with high water content—like apples, celery, and cucumbers—as they can become mushy when thawed.

Veggies of all kinds from peas to broccoli make whipping up a healthy side dish a snap. Always wash vegetables before freezing. Some vegetables will need to be blanched (scalded) with boiling water or steam before freezing. Blanching times vary for different vegetables, usually between one and five minutes.

Fruit is great for smoothies or tossing into yogurt or oatmeal. Always wash fruit before freezing. Freeze berries in a single layer on a sheet pan and then remove to a storage container when they’re fully frozen.

Herbs can be puréed with a bit of olive oil and stored in ice cube trays to be used later in the year when fresh herbs are in short supply.

Rice and grains can be bought frozen at the supermarket or cooked and frozen at home. Brown rice, quinoa, and split peas make great foundations for stir fries and side dishes.

Ground meat, like chicken and turkey, is versatile and flavorful and takes center stage in soups and stews. Veggie burgers are good to have on hand as a vegetarian-friendly alternative. ●

SELECTED SOURCES “How to keep produce fresh longer—infographic,” Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, www.EatRight.org • “Keep fruits & vegetables fresher longer,” American Heart Association, www.Heart.org • “Preserving food: Freezing vegetables,” University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, www.nchfp.uga.edu

Smart storage

Taking the time to freeze food the right way is the key to successful preservation. Here are some important tips to remember:

Always label frozen food with the date it was put in the freezer.

Use the oldest items first to keep inventory fresh— rotate as needed.

Choose moistureresistant storage containers.

Thaw frozen foods slowly in the refrigerator overnight.

Frozen foods can also be thawed slowly in cold water—change and stir water frequently.

Cool hot foods first so foods freeze uniformly.

KIND Breakfast Protein Bars, Almond Butter

Perfect part of an on-the-go breakfast! Made with real almond butter, it supplies 8g of complete protein. Plus sustained energy from 100% whole grains. Gluten free.

SunButter Organic Sunflower Butter

Simple delicious sunflower butter made with organic sunflower seeds. Each serving contains 7g of plantbased protein. No added salt or sugar. Allergen friendly.

Bluebonnet Nutrition Targeted Choice Wellness Support

Immune defense.* Whole food-based formula. With essential vitamins, NAC, garlic, quercetin, olive leaf, and more!

Solgar EarthSource Koji Fermented Zinc

Supports immune, eye, and skin health.* Bioavailable food-based form of zinc. 25 mg per capsule. Vegan friendly. One Love Body + Soul Eco Mango Butter Deodorant Lush Lavender

Gentle natural formula with coconut oil and mango butter. Promotes an alkaline environment to reduce unwanted bacteria and promote dryness. Scented with pure essential oils with neutralizing antibacterial properties.

Province Apothecary Moisturizing Oil Cleanser

Use daily to remove dirt, make-up, and pollution without disrupting the natural pH of your skin. With avocado and raspberry seed oils, rich in antioxidant vitamins and omega 3s. Hydrates without clogging pores.

Carlson Cod Liver Oil, Green Apple

Promotes cardiovascular, cognitive, and joint function.* Supplies 1,100 mg of omega 3s, plus vitamins A and D3, per teaspoon. Wild caught, sustainably sourced Norwegian Arctic cod. Natural green apple flavor.

Maximum Living MineralRich

Liquid mineral supplement. Balanced blend of 70 trace and essential minerals, plus vitamins B12 and biotin. Provides support for sustained energy, plus support for muscles, bones, teeth, hair, skin, and nails.*

For your convenience, you can shop from home 4 WAYS:

2-5 DAY

SHIPPING IN-STORE

PICKUP

CURBSIDE

PICKUP

SAME DAY DELIVERY*

chamberlins2go.com

*FREE DELIVERY on orders OVER $75, within delivery area

East Orlando 4924 E Colonial Dr 407-228-1373 S.W. Orlando 7600 Dr Phillips Blvd 407-352-2130 Kissimmee 1114 N John Young Pkwy 407- 846-7454

LAKE MARY N. Lakeland 3005 W Lake Mar (407) 936-9470 y Blvd 4001 US Highway 98 N 863-815-0001 Kissimmee 1114 N John Young Pkwy 407- 846-7454 S. Lakeland 1521 Bartow Rd 863-687-8413

LAKE MARY N. Lakeland 3005 W Lake Mar (407) 936-9470 East Orlando 4924 E Colonial Dr 407-228-1373 y Blvd 4001 US Highway 98 N 863-815-0001 S.W. Orlando 7600 Dr Phillips Blvd 407-352-2130 S. Lakeland 1521 Bartow Rd 863-687-8413 Altamonte Springs 1086 Montgomery Rd 407-774-8866 chamberlins.com

Kissimmee 1114 N John Young Pkwy 407- 846-7454

LAKE MARY N. Lakeland 3005 W Lake Mar (407) 936-9470 y Blvd 4001 US Highway 98 N 863-815-0001 S. Lakeland 1521 Bartow Rd 863-687-8413

Altamonte Springs 1086 Montgomery Rd 407-774-8866 chamberlins.com

Altamonte Springs 1086 Montgomery Rd *These sta nose, treat, chamberlins.comtements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to cure, or prevent any disease. This information is presented as general information and is not meant to rep diaglace medical advice. Because persons and circumstances can vary, self treatment may not be right for you. Consult a qualified health care practitioner for advice pertaining to any particular person or case or before beginning any new exercise, diet, or supplementation program. Use products only per label direction. Vibrant Health Green Vibrance

Plant-based daily superfood with probiotics, antioxidants, adaptogens, and immunity boosters.* Supports nutrition, circulation, digestion, and immunity.* Soy, dairy, and gluten free.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is presented as general information and is *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is presented as general information and is not meant to replace medical advice. Because persons and circumstances can vary, self treatment may not be right for you. Consult a qualified ave not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagevent any disease. This information is presented as general information and is not meant to replace not meant to replace medical advice. Because persons and circumstances can vary, self treatment may not be right for you. Consult a qualified health care practitioner for advice pertaining to any particular person or case or before beginning any new exercise, diet, or supplementation program. Use products only per label direction. use perso hens alth cand are praccircumtitistoner for aances cdvice pertainingan vary, self tto any particulreatment mar person or case or before beay not be right for you. Cginninonsug any newlt a quali exercified se, diet, er for advice pertaining to any paor supplementation program. Use products only per label directrticular person or case or before beginning any newion.exercise, diet, or supplementation program. Use products only per label direction.