The right way to store food
In an ideal world, food is best consumed fresh. But unfortunately, that isn’t always possible. We are in a rush to get to work, sometimes we are too lazy to cook, or we come back home tired—all these things make it next to impossible to prepare a meal from scratch. These are the times when readymade meals or leftovers come to our rescue. To be able to microwave something from the freezer, put that on a plate, and have a hot meal ready in minutes is a kind of luxury on days when you just want to curl up on the couch and pass out.
But food must be stored well if we want to prevent illnesses. Storing food correctly can help reduce food waste. Your food will last longer and stay fresher if you store it right. Here are some basic things to do to ensure your food lasts longer, tastes better, and is as healthy as a freshly prepared meal.
Refrigerate or freeze perishables right away
When you come home from a trip to the grocery store, put away food that requires refrigeration in the refrigerator. Try and follow the ‘two-hour rule’ for leaving items that need refrigeration out at room temperature, not allowing meat, poultry, seafood etc. out longer than two hours. This rule applies for leftovers and take-out foods as well. When stocking the fridge, don’t overcrowd it to allow proper air circulation. Many items come with storage instructions. Check the label and follow them properly. In case of power outage, keep the fridge doors closed to let it keep food cold for as long as four hours.
Use stored food as soon as possible
Refrigerated ready-to-eat foods such as luncheon meats should be used as soon as possible. If they are stored in the fridge for too long, chances are that Listeria, a bacterium that causes foodborne illness, will grow, especially if the temperature of the refrigerator is above four degrees Celsius. Make sure you throw away food that has gone moldy as it can grow even under refrigeration. Try to consume leftovers within a day or two. It’s also a good idea to check canned goods for damage before consuming them. Rust, cracks, leaks are signs that the food inside might not be the best possible state. Consider exchanging them or tossing them away if they have gone bad.
Freeze food that you won’t be eating right away
Food that is properly frozen and cooked is generally safe. Food that is properly handled and stored in the freezer section will remain safe as bacteria doesn’t grow. But the quality of the food will decrease over time. Depending on how long it sits in the freezer, the tenderness, flavor, aroma, and color can be affected. Store cooked meals or leftovers in airtight containers. There’s little change in food’s nutrient quotient because of freezing so you can enjoy a nutritious meal if you properly freeze food.
Store staples correctly
Staple food items like rice, lentils, flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and other dry goods should be stored in a cool dry place. Use sealed containers or storage bags to maintain their taste and freshness. Store all non-perishable foods away from cleaning supplies and chemicals. It’s also not recommended to store non-perishable food items under the kitchen sink. Try to buy small quantities of rice and other grains to avoid having to store them for longer periods of time. Track the inventory every now and then and try to use older items first.
Learn some storage tricks
Bananas can stay fresh for longer if you wrap the stem in foil. Keep avocados away from direct sunlight if you want to slow down the ripening process. Carrots kept submerged in water in an airtight container in the fridge can last up to two months. Don’t store cheese, eggs, milk, and yogurt on the fridge door as this is the least consistently cold place. Don’t store tomatoes in the fridge as these fruits don’t tolerate the cold well and you will be sacrificing its flavor. Learning some storage tricks like these can help you save money you spend on food by not allowing them to go bad.
Misconceptions about mental health
Mental health issues are more common than people think. According to the World Health Organization, nearly one in four people will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. However, mental health is shrouded in misconceptions that lead to stigmatization and stop people from seeking help. Rastrika Shakya from ApEx talked to three people to find out what they think about the status of mental health in Nepal.
Mohita Upreti, 22
Even in today’s society, mental health is still considered a huge taboo. This generation is competitive, and people struggle to establish their careers. There’s a misconception that this generation is lucky and has everything due to technology and other advancements but the reality couldn’t be more different. Many people are masking their true selves, hiding their struggles to avoid being perceived as weak. In my opinion, it’s okay to be yourself. You’re valuable. While the generation is competitive, success will come when the time is right. Engage in self-care and let’s try to understand ourselves better.
Chunu Shrestha, 39
A huge misconception about mental health in our society today is the idea that experiencing mental health issues equates to personal failure or weakness. This misconception can lead to individuals feeling ashamed or reluctant to seek help, fearing judgment or stigma from others. It’s crucial to understand that mental health challenges are common and can affect anyone, regardless of their strength or character. Seeking support for mental health concerns is a courageous step towards healing and should be encouraged without judgment or stigma.
Manila Manandhar, 48
A common misconception about mental health is the belief that it’s solely about ‘mind over matter’ or that individuals can simply ‘snap out of it’ if they try hard enough. This misconception ignores the complex biological and environmental factors that contribute to mental health conditions. It also minimizes the significant impact that mental health challenges can have on a person’s daily life and functioning. Understanding that mental health issues are legitimate medical conditions, often requiring professional intervention and support, is essential in combating stigma and promoting understanding and empathy in society.
Good Reads
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries
Heather Fawcett
Fantasy
A curmudgeonly professor journeys to a small town in the far north in this “incredibly fun journey through fae lands and dark magic”. The book marks the start of a heartwarming and enchanting new fantasy series. Enchanting in every sense of the word, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries is a delight of snow-laden forests and changelings, folklore and faerie kings, meticulous footnotes, and academic rivalry and adventure. This book is an absolute delight.
When Things Don’t Go Your Way
Haemin Sunim
Self-help
Have you ever felt like life has thrown you a curveball? Are you struggling to overcome unexpected challenges and setbacks? While loss, heartbreak, and loneliness are all part of the human experience, in this warm guide, internationally bestselling author Haemin Sunim shows us that these moments can be rare opportunities for self-discovery. Drawing on Zen Buddhist philosophy and Sunim’s own experiences, When Things Don’t Go Your Way helps you navigate life’s challenges with resilience and grace.
Happiness Falls
Angie Kim
Mystery
When a father goes missing, his family’s desperate search leads them to question everything they know about him and one another in this thrilling page-turner, a deeply moving portrait of a family in crisis from the award-winning author of Miracle Creek. This is a story with many twists and turns. It’s a brilliant, satisfying, compassionate mystery that is as much about language and storytelling as it is about a missing father.
Virtual book clubs that you can join
Those who love reading know there are only a few things that are better than reading a good book. One of them is discussing a book you’ve read and loved with other readers. In Nepal, except for a few Instagram pages and corporate book clubs, there aren’t many groups where we can discuss our favorite titles, recent reads, and other bookish things.
Reading doesn’t have to be an isolated affair if you can connect with others who share your love of authors and characters. While physical meet-ups, with steaming cups of tea or coffee and generous slices of cake, might be an ideal way to talk about the book you’re reading, online book clubs can cross international barriers and connect you with readers and authors from across the globe.
Here are five of our favorite book clubs where you can get some really good book recommendations, connect with other like-minded readers, and discuss your thoughts and opinions on everything related to books and reading.
Reese’s Book Club
Reese Witherspoon, an American actor and film producer, runs an online book club called the Reese’s Book Club. It has over two million followers on Instagram. Every month, she chooses two fun and thought-provoking books with female leads, one for adults and one for YA readers. You can then read along with Reese and others by following the online book club on Instagram and Facebook. There’s also an app and you can subscribe to the newsletter for some upbeat content in your inbox. Reese has also adapted some of her book club picks into movies, notably ‘Wild’, ‘Big Little Lies’, and ‘Little Fires Everywhere’.
Our Shared Shelf
Founded by Emma Watson in 2016, this Instagram community is focused on intersectional feminist literature. During the initial days, Emma selected a book with feminist themes every two months. Emma stepped back from the group in 2020, requesting its Facebook and GoodReads community members to continue sharing recommendations. The hashtag #oursharedshelf is going strong for like-minded and lively discussions. Some books on this list will make you smile and some will make you cry. But what’s for sure is that they will all inspire you and encourage you to be the best version of yourself.
Sonali’s Book Club
On her book club’s website, Bollywood actor Sonali Bendre Behl says she has always been passionate about reading but juggling motherhood and her career made it difficult to read as much as she would like. So, she started Sonali’s Book Club as a means to interact with book lovers from across the globe. It was a way to ensure she got her reading life back on track as she would have to compulsorily read at least one book every month. Every month, she picks a book for the members of the book club to read and sets a date to discuss any thoughts and questions that they might have. The discussion happens via Facebook Live or a textual discussion online on the Sonali’s Book Club Facebook group.
Oprah’s Book Club
Oprah Winfrey’s book club is arguably America’s most influential literary hit-maker, turning unknown titles into massive bestsellers. Every book Oprah picks for her club becomes an instant bestseller. The Instagram page of the book club is a virtual delight. You will find yourself scrolling through it for hours on end since it has over 2100 posts to date. The books she tends to pick are usually thick volumes so make sure you have the time and patience for such long reads before getting into them. The book club picks have over 100 titles—both fiction and non-fiction. Visit OprahDaily.com for book-related articles and many author interviews. You can also sign up for a book club newsletter to get a complete experience.
Belletrist
Belletrist, co-founded by actresses Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss, is an online reading community dedicated to books and reading. Each month, the book club selects a book and hosts discussions about it. There are often author interviews too. This allows readers to get an insight into the workings of the author’s mind while writing the book. Since its launch in 2017, the community has chosen over 75 titles, and the books are discussed on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
