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Stretching Your Dollar (Without Losing Your Mind)
53 Plays9 days ago
This week, the sisters are talking about something everyone is feeling right now—how to make your dollar stretch.
From thrifting finds and resale wins to gas hacks and grocery strategies, they share real-life ways they’re cutting costs without cutting quality. Plus, practical tips to make food last longer (because throwing it away feels worse than ever right now).
And for “What’s for Dinner,” a surprisingly simple, budget-friendly risotto that tastes anything but cheap.
Because stretching your dollar doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the things you love.
Head to threelilfishes.com/shownotes for links and recipes. It's FREE, all you need is an email.
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Transcript
Debate on Personal Shoppers for Thrifting
00:00:00
Speaker
there's like personal shoppers now for secondhand. That's no, that's a no for me. What's a no? You would never do that. You never would hire somebody to like style you and secondhand stuff.
00:00:11
Speaker
No, that's why. No, because it's, first of all, I'm trying to stretch my dollar by thrifting. I'm not going to pay somebody on top of me trying to stretch my dollar. And I'm just not that person. Like I don't want anybody styling me.
00:00:27
Speaker
Yeah. Kathy, are you a stylist? Like, would you use a stylist? but I was going to say, i don't know if I would. um Cause I remember Nordstrom sent me a bunch of stuff that said stylist and they were like sending me stuff that they thought I would like. first I don't really, I don't really like that anyway.
00:00:46
Speaker
But I have bought shoes from Poshmark before and they ended up actually being brand new. So I think you can get some good deals with thrifting.
Meet the Hosts: Three Sisters' Introduction
00:00:56
Speaker
I'm not opposed to it at all. Welcome to Three Little Fishes.
00:01:00
Speaker
We're three sisters who grew up in the Midwest together, but have since spread across the country. I live in Los Angeles. I'm in Nashville. And I live in Philadelphia. We are all married with children, have all had careers, but now we stay at home with our families. Join us as we share secrets and stories about being women, wives, and mothers. We welcome you to laugh along, learn something new, reach out, and join our conversation.
00:01:28
Speaker
So let's jump in. What's up, fishes? What's up? What's up, fishes? Good to see you girls. Good to see you.
Car Troubles: Gasoline Leak Story
00:01:39
Speaker
So my check-in lately is My youngest son drives our older Audi, which used to my husband's car. And it like would not go when you press accelerator.
00:01:54
Speaker
So we're like, something is wrong with this car. We need to take it in. So we took it in. They've had it for three weeks. And they finally like replaced. I mean, this car is so like electrically like,
00:02:10
Speaker
complex that they replaced like four of the fuel injectors or something in the car. And we brought it home over the weekend. And my, so my son was so happy to have it back.
00:02:22
Speaker
And then my husband, the middle of the night, all the weekend ran down to the garage. Cause like, I don't know if we shut the garage. And then when he came down, he smelled all this gasoline. And he said there was a huge huddle of gasoline and our, on the floor.
00:02:40
Speaker
And I was like, what'd they do forget to put one of the fuel injector things back in? I don't know, but like our house smells like ass. I mean, it's like in the kitchen, you open up the gar garage door. i mean, we have to have the garage open so we can air it out. mean, we're probably getting cancer. i mean, it's not safe.
00:03:04
Speaker
No, it's safe. No. Well, I mean, i you what's a pack there and the like he woke up panicked in the middle of the night. I didn't shut the garage. Yeah. I was like, oh, Kathy, by the way, had this complete leak in our garage. And I was like, ah. know Like, what do you do about that the middle of the night? You don't want to probably close the garage then because it's got fumes, right? Like, don't you need to air it out? What'd you
00:03:33
Speaker
I know that he... wiped it up with paper towels and things like that. And then he put the paper towels in like this plastic bag. But the next day i was like, you know, our dog is going to take that bag, like shoo it to shreds.
00:03:49
Speaker
And like, she's going to get, she's going to go to town in her mouth. And like, i didn't want to go there. i was like, Peter, you need to put that stuff in like a,
00:04:01
Speaker
self-contained plastic container or something and keep it away from the dog. I was just like, I was spiraling. I was like, i can't handle this. like I don't think i could have slept because I would have been thinking all the gas that's in the car would still be spilling out into the garage. And then what are you going to do? Right. yeah It still smells like gas and the car is not even here.
Suburban Transmission Issues
00:04:27
Speaker
Like we took it um back to the place. and Kathy, I so feel this because I also am experiencing car drama. i have you know You guys know I have had a Suburban for 10 years. It's literally a 2016. I've had it. It's gone everywhere. It's schlepped our family and all the animals for 10 years. But it only has 93,000 miles on it. so And I take really good care of it. I get the oil change. I do the tires. Last year we did new brakes and struts and all the things. yeah All of a sudden i was driving it to the dump the other day. go to the dump more than anybody I know. like I don't understand It's like you've got like a sick obsession with it. I do. It's the best thing I'm jealous about it. I love it. i' I'm telling you girls, it's the best. So anyway, I'm going to the dump and it's like,
00:05:20
Speaker
do do dude I mean, it's just like kind of jumping. So I take it to the dealer to ask them to take care of it, like figure out what's going on.
00:05:31
Speaker
The transmission is gone. So I have to either spend a ton of money, like $7,000 to get the transmission replaced, or do I just pitch it and like trade it in and let somebody else deal with it?
00:05:49
Speaker
And so for a few days, I've known about it for a few days, I was like, I just am going to fix it. I just need that few more years. I've got like three more years of college. Like I can do this. We can do this.
00:06:01
Speaker
And not having car payment is nice. Yeah. I mean, it's been paid off for like eight years. And I don't have an extra $100,000 don't know what to do with right now. and so which in itself is crazy of how expensive just cars in general are. It's outrageous. It's outrageous. So i think we've decided we are going to trade it in and get something else. But I still need like a third row. I'm going to buy something used. I don't.
00:06:29
Speaker
want to invest $100,000 into a car. And that's what a Suburban is. It's like ridiculous. Yeah. But it makes me crazy that this car has not been driven that much. It's really high miles and it its transmission's gone.
00:06:46
Speaker
Like what the hell? yeah I know. Cars suck. ah So mad. I mean, I'm sorry, girls. That stinks. So my husband is like, Lynn, we have to get a car because I got to move somebody out of school next week. I've got to go to Virginia. I've got to go to you. Yeah, you a lot going on. lot going on in the next month.
00:07:08
Speaker
And I need to be able to drive and I need to be able to like transport dogs and all the things. He's like, oh, we got to do it. And he was like, come on, let's go. And I'm like, I don't want to because I'm mad and I'm going to be mean to people.
00:07:21
Speaker
I would rather just come to home because my emotions right now. You want him to pick something Yeah, just do it. i don't care. why don't even care what color it is. Just do it.
00:07:32
Speaker
Oh, I don't like to. Okay. I would be more particular. I'd be like, yeah, I'm yeah going. I don't care. Although when we got our car a couple years ago, i was like, I want anything but black.
00:07:46
Speaker
Like, because we worked with somebody and I'm like, I just want anything but black. Yeah. And, um. What did I end up getting? a black car. So anyway, love black. I love black. i i one it over Silver is my favorite because it hides the dirt.
00:08:04
Speaker
I wanted to be a little different, but it just didn't work out. And I also needed a car. But um well, I'm sorry that happened. Happy car hunting. That kind of stinks. Okay, you guys, on today's show, we are talking about what's on our minds, stretching our dollar, and what's for dinner. But before we get into it, please continue to rate, review, and invite your favorite fishes to jump in and join the conversation.
00:08:30
Speaker
All right, y'all, what's on our minds?
Challenges in Yard Work
00:08:33
Speaker
So first thing is on my mind is the weeds in my yard. Oh my God, me too.
00:08:40
Speaker
least I've been down. I had a procedure done. I think I told you about it. And I was like feeling really bad for the last couple weeks. so I haven't been able to do anything.
00:08:51
Speaker
But like in this like couple week period, my yard has like... I know it takes over. Populated. i mean, it's like... What the H is going on in my yard? And I was like, yeah my husband, i was like, how can you let all this on when I was not feeling good?
00:09:09
Speaker
He's like, what? why What? means What? What? Because nobody wants to deal with the weeds. Nobody. Nobody care the yard except me.
00:09:20
Speaker
So I'm like, now have to do 100 times more work because I was down and couldn't do it. But I think the big thing is, and I talked with Linda about this too, is we have a lot of like holly bushes and those pricklies, right?
00:09:39
Speaker
I can't stand to like be weeding and get pricked by one of those. So those holly bushes are brutal because like not only when they're on the tree are they pokey, but then they drop and then they dry out and they're like razor blades. So you reach down to pick up like weeds or the like leaves that have fallen and you end up like bloodied.
00:10:02
Speaker
It's horrible. you know do you have a trick Do you have a trick to deal with it, Kathy, then? Do you have a trick? I was just going to say, it was making me like super mad the other day because I was getting pricked a lot. And I was like...
00:10:14
Speaker
Not only does weeding stink, but then I'm getting pricked on top of it. It's like and i'm no good. And I'm bleeding. Yeah. I was like looking, i so I found some gloves on Amazon, which are reasonable.
00:10:27
Speaker
They're like $12, they're leather, they're anti prick. And then there's some longer ones for people like Linda that get poison Ivy and things that are sensitive that go up to like your elbow. Yeah.
00:10:40
Speaker
because I know you're sensitive. ah And they're like, we're they're like $13.50 on Amazon. We'll put the links in. Listen, this is no joke. Like in our yard, our house is older. And so we, when we moved in years ago,
00:10:57
Speaker
I would see these vines and I didn't realize it was poison oak. Every year when I'm out like pulling weeds, I somehow touch you get a little sprouting thing and I get poison oak. And I end up at the doctor.
00:11:14
Speaker
On like some steroid treatment because I've just like, my body just goes crazy. And every year my husband is like, Lynn, I swear, you better not get poison oak because he's got sensitive skin. So he's like, get away from me.
00:11:29
Speaker
And I'm like, I'm not going to get it. What are you talking about? I know what these look like. Sure as shit, I get it. So this year, i did get these like really long leather gloves that go up to my elbow. and I am not going to get poison oak. You've heard it here. It's not going to happen.
00:11:46
Speaker
But I am, i will say my only thing I don't love about gloves when I'm reading is I don't get that dexterity. And then I start sweating so that I don't love that. But I mean, the yard, it's just...
00:11:59
Speaker
It's a problem. The yard stinks. Yeah. It's ah's good to be outside, but it sucks. The other thing that's on my mind right now is, you know, Aronimic is hosting the PGA tournament this
PGA Tournament and Matchmaking Excitement
00:12:13
Speaker
year. and it's in my backyard. Which Aronimic is, like, so people know, Aronimic is a country club that is outside of Philadelphia in the suburbs. Yes. And, yeah, they're hosting the next big PGA.
00:12:27
Speaker
So now they have championship. Yeah. They have police presence at the club. like It's all sir like monitored and everything. yeah ah But I was thinking about the tournament. and so My family's coming in.
00:12:44
Speaker
Some of my family. Except for me. Except Nancy's not though. I'm coming to town. Look out. but I can't get away. The timing's not good for me, but I'm going to like, I think that sounds like a lot of fun to be at the PGA tournament. gonna My parents are coming and our friend Todd is coming. And, uh, we decided to play matchmaker this week secretly. but And so we're wondering, cause I'm not there.
00:13:13
Speaker
But you did. Well, we'll report back. We're going to set them up. A local friend of mine's really good friend. And we're hoping like maybe that will be a match.
00:13:27
Speaker
But, you know, we're not sure if we should tell him or should we not tell him. So I think you should not tell him. I think you should just make it like a dinner. Like you're just having, you know, he's from out of town anyway. and you're bringing different people from out of town.
00:13:43
Speaker
so we're going to a friend's house like one night and they're going to have like a little dinner party. Like a party for us. but Yeah. So you know what this got me thinking?
00:13:55
Speaker
This got me thinking about like our friends from Indie who um got together. So a good friend of Tim's, um like met a good friend of mine and he didn't tell anybody that he was interested in her. And so one night he was like, Tim and Nancy, we have, um you know, your friend come out and let's all like, let's, you know, let's all meet up for a drink or something. But he made it seem like we're all just like getting together. Like, cause he knew where there were acquaintances, right? Like, I just want to go out. But then we show up to where he is
00:14:33
Speaker
And he's dressed really nice. And he's like, we thought it was gonna be like, you know, another, like other people there besides the four of us, but it was just the four of us. And really- Like a global date. So really he had decided that he wanted to like ask her out, but he didn't want to have the pressure or have her say no. So he kind of just set himself up on this. And like, she pulled me aside to the bathroom later in the evening. She's like, I can't believe you just set me up. I'm like, I had no idea. this is you was She was mad.
00:15:05
Speaker
I don't want to get, she was but you know what, but you know what? It all worked out because they got married and they've been married for a long time and they have two kids. So like it all worked out. That's cute. So I mean, even though he kind of set himself up, I feel like these things can work out.
00:15:24
Speaker
Yeah. We'll see. We'll keep everybody posted. I've been wanting to do this. Uh, little, yeah. You feel like these people are going to connect. I do, but yeah I don't also want to make hard feelings. So I'm a little bit nervous.
00:15:39
Speaker
Yeah. I mean, it's a really hard feelings. You're just introducing two people you like together and it's up to them if they want to like label it. Like there's no hard feelings, right? make make me i I know, but I'm just wondering like it on the drive over, do you think we should say, Hey, we're meeting like some other people here?
00:16:03
Speaker
So he's not totally shocked. I don't think you should. And I definitely don't think you should tell mom and dad because, you know, they struggle with keeping a secret. So I would not tell them. You heard it here. why it But I can't wait to hear about it. And I'm going to want to report. I know. I'm excited. I think it's going to be really fun.
00:16:26
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. It's be really
Son's Soccer-Related Foot Problem
00:16:28
Speaker
fun. So you guys, you know, what's on my mind is I have a kid who is a soccer player and he had to sit out for over a week because he had a problem with the bottom of his foot. He's like really sore and he couldn't play. And if he's telling me that he can't, like his foot is really bothering him, it is because he wouldn't say it because he loves to play so much. Like he worked, he you know, plays through pain.
00:16:52
Speaker
Right. I look at his foot the other, like a week ago and I'm like, oh my gosh, I don't even know what to do with this. Like, I don't know. Like yeah it looked really painful. It was like this big bruise and it was like kind of like a callus, but like more than that.
00:17:09
Speaker
And like, I have no idea how to help you with this. So then Linda, I was thinking about you. I'm like, do I have teak tree oil? Like, cause you are always like, that's like the magic medicine. I mean, listen, it does work.
00:17:20
Speaker
i have like on everything i got like so anyway, I ended up taking the pediatrician because I'm like, I don't know what to do about this foot and the pediatricians like I, you know what, you need a specialist. Like, I i don't really want to mess with it.
00:17:34
Speaker
So we ended up at the podiatrist and the late, the podiatrist was super nice. And I'm like, do you see this a lot with like soccer players? She's like, to be honest, I don't see a lot of kids, but yeah, like, I think it's, you know, has to do with his c cleat or whatever, but she ended up helping him and she like took a scalp and she like,
00:17:52
Speaker
Scalpel. Scalpel. Not a scalp. Can I say scalp? She took a scalpel like with no like anesthetic and just kind of went to town like like scraping it down. That sounds awful. get to like the sore underneath. And Riley was like...
00:18:14
Speaker
He was such a trooper about it. And she like cleared him to play soccer and like gave him some things that he needed and he'll get looked at a couple weeks. But I was like watching it. It was hard for me. And then I started thinking about that movie. You guys know that movie with like, seems like old times with Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase. I love that. Oh yeah. when their housekeeper was She had to go get her foot scraped. I had to go the hospital and get my feet scraped. And I was like, what is that? I'm like, I feel like it was this. I think that Riley had the equivalent. Oh my God, that's so funny. That's yucky. Did it hurt?
00:18:48
Speaker
he's said He said that he felt relief. Like, it felt relief. And he, like, feels better. And he's like, I'm really happy this kid can go play because yeah his mood has been, like, been in the dumps since he has not been able to play. Yeah, I get it. um Poor Ryan. I'm happy he's released and he can go. But it just made me think of that movie. And I'm like, this must be what they meant, right? like It must be.
00:19:12
Speaker
It would come a long way that you don't have to be hospitalized for it. You just, like, you know. Take a scalpel to it and, you know, see you later. Yuck. That's gross.
00:19:23
Speaker
um So speaking of Riley, so he kind of like made me happy the the other day because he was like, mom, I think that you and I should
Thrifting: Economical and Environmental Benefits
00:19:31
Speaker
go thrifting. I really want to go thrifting. And I'm like, you want to go thrifting with me?
00:19:35
Speaker
And he was like, oh um I would love to. i don't really know anything about thrifting, but I know what it's a rage right now. And part of it, too, is like people are using it to stretch their dollar because yeah everything's so expensive. So let's jump in.
00:19:51
Speaker
Yes. So I have not done a lot of thrifting, but I have some friends here that love it. And they are having the best time thrifting. And like, it's almost like they're treasure hunting and finding these finds. Yeah.
00:20:07
Speaker
New things with tags on it, like coach purses. Like, you know, I think you have to really like, you don't always have luck and success when you go, but I think it's kind of amazing. And i then i like I like looked into it a little bit and i didn't realize how much...
00:20:25
Speaker
like waste we actually have. So the, um, globally, the United Nations environmental program says that one garbage truck of textiles hit the landfill or get burned every second.
00:20:39
Speaker
that's And I did not believe that. Every second. every second. that's And I just was like, and I think for me too, it's like, I think I've always had kind of a bad attitude about it because I'm like, Oh,
00:20:53
Speaker
Well, you're a germaphobe. I don't love germs and the idea of like wearing somebody else's clothes or something. I don't think I have to worry about that. And I don't think, you know, I think people used to also have like shame of like, oh, I have to thrift because I can't do something new. don't think there's that stigma anymore. think it's become this joyful thing. I mean, it's a big Yeah. I have a lot of friends that thrift. My girls thrift a lot. Jack will thrift. I'll thrift every once in a while.
00:21:23
Speaker
I find it ah like I have to be in the right frame of mind because you have to sift through stuff. But we have some high-end thrifting here like Buffalo Exchange. And I have some friends that have a route that they do a few times a week. Yeah. And they find things and they will resell them like on Poshmark or whatever. Yeah. Yeah. Poshmark. Yeah. So I think there's a lot of ways to make some money, but then also outfit yourself. Yeah.
00:21:53
Speaker
in an economic way. I mean, they're stretching the dollar. And then there was this place, the Hope Chest in LaGrange, Illinois, where I used to live, that people would put all their like wonderful secondhand clothes and jewelry. And I've bought furs there. And then all the proceeds go to a women's shelter. So I think there's a lot of places like that. Children's clothing. It's amazing. It's a great resource if you can put the time and effort into it. Yeah. and and the other the other thing is, I think that there's like personal shoppers now for secondhand. That's no. That's a no for me.
00:22:31
Speaker
What's a no? You would never do that. You never would hire somebody to like style you and secondhand stuff? No. that's Why? No. Because it's, first of all, I'm trying to stretch my dollar by thrifting. I'm not going to pay somebody on top of me trying to stretch my dollar. Yeah.
00:22:50
Speaker
I'm just not that person. Like, I don't want anybody styling me. Yeah. Kathy, are you a stylist? Like, would you use a stylist? Well, I was going to say, I don't know if I would. um Because i remember Nordstrom sent me a bunch of stuff that said stylist and they were like sending me stuff that they thought I would like. so i don't really i don't really like that anyway.
00:23:11
Speaker
But I have bought shoes from Poshmark before and they ended up actually being brand new. So I think you can get some good deals um with thrifting. I'm not opposed to it at all. I think you just have to you know.
00:23:25
Speaker
You have to be organized. Yeah. have the time. i think that's tricky. Like we, like, I think the kids have a day coming off and off of school. And I think I'm going to take them for a few hours. I think we're going to go have an adventure and see if we can go thrifting. And I'll like circle back and let you know how it goes. Let us know how it goes. I'm kind of excited. He wants to shop with me and I'm kind of excited to see like what this world is because I haven't really done it.
00:23:49
Speaker
yeah I i imagine haven't really sold clothing items or anything like that, but I know my middle son has. He's like sold some things that are like a few years old for a lot of money.
00:24:02
Speaker
And I'm like, somebody wanted that. He's like, yeah, mom. don know um like Especially sneakers, which is weird to me. Do know what I wish I would have hung on to? Like I clean out my closet and then I feel like I'm donating and I'm doing this good thing. But I wish that I would have held on to like Benetton stuff and like all that retro stuff that's like coming back that these kids are looking for. but i didn't keep any of that stuff. I know. Because you don't have space. Like who has space? And you have to keep it all organized.
00:24:33
Speaker
You know what I mean? It's just like so much work. Like the little wooden handle. Oh, yes. And then they changed out the covers. Yeah. They could change the covers. Those were so cute. No, I don't wish that would come back. That was so cute.
00:24:48
Speaker
You know what purse I have that I love that I've had forever? I think mom got us each one is the purse that was made out of a cigar case with the beads on it. I actually wear, I actually use that out sometimes and I always get a ton of compliments on it. I think it's so fun and different. I'm always looking for something a little bit different and not always looking like somebody else. Yeah.
00:25:10
Speaker
So, I mean, I think thrifting is a great way to stretch money. I mean, I hate to talk about cars again, yeah, I've been driving, enough but I'm going to, you know, i have been driving so much and gas is so expensive.
Gas Saving Tips and App Critique
00:25:24
Speaker
And so i was trying to look and see, like, is there a, is there a, like a little loophole that I don't, I'm not using?
00:25:35
Speaker
I do like I have like rewards, like number for Kroger and Kroger has gas stations. you can use that. And then I'm a member of Costco. So gas there is less expensive. And then I did, think it was called Gas Buddy, this app. I decided to download it and see what it was about because it supposedly will help you find the cheapest gas in the area. Yeah. So I downloaded it. Honestly, was like, this is a nightmare. I have to install it because it's got like wasn't helpful. It's not help. It's too much is going on. Like they want you to spin to get points and then they give you
00:26:15
Speaker
if you get a certain number of points, then you get like 10 cents off a gallon or whatever. and it was just like, there's so much happening. I found it to be inefficient. But what I did find out is if you are a user of Waze, they can help you find gas and they will help you find gas.
00:26:33
Speaker
They'll tell you the price, So, you know, like when I'm on the highway and there's an exit and there's four gas stations, you can use ways to figure out which one has the least expensive gas.
00:26:46
Speaker
So I do think there are some little tip tricks out there to help you get some, you know, cents off of your gas purchase. I mean, every little bit helps. Yeah. I mean, it's brutal out there because, you know, gas always gets more expensive in the summer and the driving season, but it's more expensive right now. And, um you know,
00:27:12
Speaker
Get a gas card if you can. Some of them have really good rewards, but just pay off your card every month. you know know I wish I had an electric car right now, oh but you can't drive far enough. like Yeah, that's a bummer for me. They say that they're getting better yeah about it. I feel like, I i don't know. I'm not opposed to an electric car, and I wish I had one, to be quite frank.
00:27:35
Speaker
We have, there's a lot of Teslas being driven around and we actually have a charging station in our garage. But for me, I mean, i I guess it would be fine if I had enough money. Could I have like an electric car for in town and then my big car for travel and then, you know, maybe a hybrid for those between trips.
00:27:57
Speaker
Yeah. But when I'm driving a long time, I don't want to have to stop and charge of my car. Yeah. Even if it's like, I don't want to spend 40 minutes charging my car. I don't know if it's that anymore. i have to do more research. I'm not prepared to talk about it, but i don't know. I think they're getting a lot more efficient.
00:28:16
Speaker
Yeah. um I'm not opposed to it, but I would not do a Tesla. I would do something different. Another way to stretch your dollar, and this is kind of hitting home in my household because my Yugga-san is like on a complete health
Health-Conscious Eating and Fruit Storage
00:28:31
Speaker
binge right now. And all he wants is lettuce and chicken.
00:28:35
Speaker
And when I say it's like chicken, can he no, it's salt and pepper. Do not put that chicken in chicken stock. I will bite your head off.
00:28:47
Speaker
Do not put- What about olive oil? No, do not use oil. Yeah. like I mean, it's- No extra fat. Nothing. So my god it's making me think about, cause I buy him a lot of fruit and things and it's like, some of it's gone to waste and I've kind of been realizing like, maybe I don't know how to take care of it. Cause I feel like strawberries for sure are going bad. And I never realized, I read this article
00:29:20
Speaker
from goodhousekeeping.com that we'll post in the show notes, but it had a lot of really good tips on how to keep some things fresh. And just, I'm going highlight a few of them, but one of them was strawberries. I never washed my strawberries before in vinegar and water. It's like one cup of vinegar to three cups of water. It's supposed to like kill the mold and like, and you dry it and then it's supposed to keep them from getting mushy.
00:29:49
Speaker
yeah because yeah I just feel like every time i think I'm cursing like the grocery store. Cause I'm like, are you guys giving us produce? It's like already, you know, not fresh.
00:30:00
Speaker
Cause I feel like strawberries last like one day in my house and then they're like nasty. So I've actually done this trick and it does work, but you have to put the time in, you know, because you have to dry them completely and then you can put them in like a little storage bin or whatever.
00:30:20
Speaker
And it's hard to get them totally dry because they have those little seeds and all the little nooks and crannies. You've got to spend the time. But if you spend the time, it does work. Right. I guess I just never rush my strawberries. One more thing. How to do. I mean, but like they just said, um the other thing my son eats a lot of is bananas. And I have never...
00:30:44
Speaker
they say to wrap the stems of your bananas will in like foil or plastic, like keeps them fresher longer as you leave them on the counter. And so, oh and you don't, and then you, after they're ripe, really ripe, you can put them in the fridge to keep them a little bit longer.
00:31:03
Speaker
But I have never wrapped my stems either. So I'm going to try some of these things and see if they really do work. But I think the one thing I really learned about reading this article was there are fruits that give ethylene emitters and there's...
00:31:21
Speaker
Those that don't. And I guess the fruits I have problems with are ethylene emitters, which is the apples, the bananas, the avocados, the tomatoes, the peppers and pears. So you don't want to ever put those in like a container or a bag because you're just promoting them from ripening and spoiling.
00:31:44
Speaker
So you have to know. So you're saying if you put them in a bag because they emit this gas, it ripens them faster. Correct.
00:31:55
Speaker
ah So those ones, those particular, yeah, fruits, you keep separate from other things. you want them to ripen. Like they'd always say, like if you have the green avocado, put it in a paper bag.
00:32:09
Speaker
um So, yeah, you just want to avoid... avoid like containers with those and then the um like sensitive things are like lettuce and things like that so with lettuce they say you should just like put them in wrap them with like a paper towel so they don't get like soggy um and the same with like asparagus they said you should wrap on paper towels as well so
00:32:40
Speaker
That article is very good. It talks about several fruits and vegetables of like how to store them. So it's worth reading. So like, you know, a damp paper towel, you mean you wrap the lettuce and the asparagus in a damp paper
Extending Produce Freshness
00:32:54
Speaker
towel, right? um You wrap the asparagus in a wet paper towel. Yes. All right, some good tips, trying to get them all to stretch. And you know with the avocado, if it's starting to ripe on the counter and it's like squishy, you can, if it hasn't been cut and you put it in the refrigerator in the crisper, it will last a little bit longer.
00:33:11
Speaker
I mean, food is so expensive right now. Any opportunity I can yeah have to like yeah keep it fresh longer is better.
00:33:22
Speaker
You know, i I feel like, you know, like now the farmer's markets are open and stuff and I love going to the farmer's market because I do want to support my local farmers. Yeah. But you have to be careful because sometimes they bring it and it's like ready to eat that day.
00:33:39
Speaker
um Right. But if you can, you know, store things in a good way, then it'll last longer. So you've supported the cute little farmer and, you know, it's delicious.
00:33:51
Speaker
So and cute little farmer. i know. Yeah. I mean, I think, but I think supporting local is always best. And if you can do, yeah, yeah if you can do your own like brick and mortar store, I think that's always best. Yeah. Yeah.
00:34:06
Speaker
Yeah. You guys hang in there. We're all in this together, trying to like give ourselves as many tips and tricks as we can to not feel it so much. It's brutal.
00:34:17
Speaker
It is. all right, y'all, what's for dinner?
Ina Garten-Inspired Risotto Recipe
00:34:20
Speaker
right, so I have dinner this week. I um i made risotto um and I love risotto. I don't know how nobody nobody else feels. It's just like these little Arborio rice and then it becomes really creamy. And the way you traditionally make it is adding warm stock, like one ladle at a time.
00:34:43
Speaker
No, no, no. I followed Ina Garden, like the queen of the kitchen, um has this like shortcut take, and I tried it, and it's delicious and it works. So it's like you put your rice and you do put some warm broth in, and I did add like a chopped shallot and some chopped garlic. And then you put it in like your cast iron Dutch oven or whatever, put the top on, put it in the oven for 45 minutes. Then after 45 minutes, you put your last cup of broth, um some Parmesan cheese, and then whatever other additive things you want to put in there. I happen to put in some frozen peas. You could do you know ah artichokes. You could do whatever you want.
00:35:30
Speaker
um And I served it with a piece of grilled chicken last night for dinner. And my husband was like, Lynn, this is so fancy. And I was like, yes, it is. Wait, wait. You're welcome. Yeah. I mean, it's such an inexpensive meal and it can either be a side dish or it could be your main dish. Yeah.
00:35:53
Speaker
And we'll put the recipe a la Three Little Fishes. So, but it's inspired by Ina Gardens shortcut risotto. So, so I'm gonna, I'm gonna try it. I've actually always been afraid of risotto, but I know my kids like it.
00:36:10
Speaker
So good. Tim likes it too. I think it sounds delicious. It would be a big hit, but I've always been afraid of it because it seems so difficult. I know. it I've made it the traditional way so many times and your arm gets tired because you're constantly stirring and yeah like ladling. This is so easy. I think the secret sauce is when you've added all your extra ingredients after the 45 minutes, you have to vigorously stir it for three minutes.
00:36:39
Speaker
And that's what sort of makes it a very creamy texture. um But three minutes is better than 45 minutes. Right. Because when you make it the traditional you have to really be dedicated to that process. Yeah. So, yeah, it's easy. You know what would be really good paired with that is shrimp, like grilled shrimp with that. Yes. I mean, I've made risotto with grilled shrimp, with like seared scallops, with chicken. I've made it with just vegetables. mean, I think artichokes and risotto is fabulous. Peas are the traditional. Yeah. Yeah.
00:37:22
Speaker
um And it does require like a little bit of white wine. But if you wanted to leave out the white wine, leave it out. I used it, but you do you. Yeah. I used it.
00:37:33
Speaker
I seem to always have wine on hand, so I probably will also use it. But I'm going to try this. This sounds Well, it gives it that like little bite of something yummy. And so anyway, was great.
Podcast Conclusion and Community Invitation
00:37:45
Speaker
And it's cheap. Stretching the dollar. I like it. But you don't have to like, but you don't have to like, sacrifice the taste or like yumminess. Exactly. Delish.
00:37:56
Speaker
Well, we want to thank you for listening to our podcast and letting us sisters jump into your day. Please continue to follow us at 3littlefishes.com slash show notes and make sure you're signed up for exclusive content and recipes.
00:38:09
Speaker
Also, make sure to follow us 3LFpod on social media to be part of the daily conversation. Have a wonderful weekend. Fish is out.