THE SWAG BLOG
A Simple Guide to Washing Fruit and Vegetables
Washing your fruits and vegetables is more than just a good habit - it's essential for your health and safety. From farm to grocery store, your produce encounters numerous contaminants, including pesticides, bacteria, and even animal faeces. Not to mention the dirty hands of people handling them along the way. Let's dive into why washing is important and the best way to do it using a vinegar bath.
Why Living Plastic Free Is Important For Your Health and The Planet
Here’s why living plastic-free is not just a trend, but a vital step for the well-being of you, your health, and our planet. You’ll also find some top tips to help you lead a plastic free lifestyle.
Waste Free Living 101: Why Compostable Products Matter
For International Compost Awareness Week, we delve into why it's crucial to choose home-compostable items and guide you through your composting journey. You’ll find 5 top composting tips for beginners plus a step-by-step guide to composting your old Swag bags!
Why Eating Seasonal and Local Produce is Good For Your Health and Your Wallet
In the bustling aisles of supermarkets and among the rush of the weekly shop, it’s easy to lose sight of where our food comes from. With produce flown in from distant lands year-round, the concept of seasonality seems to blur into the background. However, there’s a powerful case to be made for eating seasonal and local produce. Within this article, we will outline the key benefits and why doing so is not only good for our planet, but your health and your wallet too.
Embracing Autumn’s Immune-Boosting Harvest
As the vibrant colours of summer fade into the warm hues of autumn, our bodies naturally begin to crave heartier, more comforting foods. This season is a time of transition, not just in nature but also in our bodies, as we adjust to cooler temperatures and prepare for the winter ahead. One way to support our health during this time is by incorporating immune-boosting ingredients into our meals. Here are three recipes that make the most of autumn's produce while also helping to bolster your immune system. 1. Immune-Boosting Vegetable Soup Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, chopped 2...
How to Store Tomatoes & Summer, Mozzarella & Tomato Salad Recipe
This Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with Sourdough makes for a perfect appetiser or a light and refreshing lunch. The flavours of the tomatoes and mozzarella complemented by the light and sharp dressing, along with basil, mint and the crispy sourdough are sure to please your taste buds. Plus, read on to learn how to store your tomatoes for longer lasting freshness Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with Sourdough Ingredients: For the Tomato and Mozzarella Salad: 500g mixed medley cherry tomatoes, cut in halves 1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn 1/4...
The Food Waste-Saving "Use Me First" Swag Hack to Live By
In a world where food waste is a growing concern, innovative solutions are always welcome. Enter The Swag’s simple yet effective “Use Me First” coding system, a game-changer in the realm of getting the most out of your produce. The Problem:We've all been there—excitedly reaching for an avocado, only to discover a forgotten half hiding behind the fresh veggies in the fridge. The disappointment is real, and so is the impact on our wallets and the environment.The Swag Solution:Picture this: A Swag bag with a specific colour trim (say, a Small Red Swag, for example) designated as the guardian of your...
Savour the Season: 5 Reasons to Choose Seasonal Produce this Summer
As we eagerly step into the warmth of summer, there's a bounty of fresh, flavourful, seasonal produce waiting to grace our tables. At The Swag, our passion and dedication goes beyond delivering on quality; we're committed to championing sustainable choices. So this month, we’re sharing five compelling reasons why choosing seasonal fruits and veggies is not just a culinary delight but also a better (and very needed) choice for the wellbeing of you and the planet. Affordability without Compromise: One of the most enticing aspects of buying in-season produce is the cost savings. When fruits and vegetables are in abundance,...
Easy Tips to Keep Fruits and Vegetables Fresh in the Summer
Buying fruits and vegetables in bulk is a great way to save time and money, but you might end up with a ton of food waste if you’re not careful. This is especially true in the summer when the heat spoils fruits and veggies more quickly. While your go to storage might be the crisper drawer of your fridge, there are better ways to store produce properly that will keep them fresh for two weeks or more. Here are helpful hacks and strategies you can try. Keep it fresh Choosing fresh produce is the first step to prolonging storage life....
How to Keep Pineapples Fresh for Longer (And Grow It In Your Home!)
With the warmer weather comes our craving for refreshing, tropical fruits like pineapple. Not only is it so tasty, but it’s also a great source of fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It’s no wonder pineapple is a common sight in households and used in desserts, beverages and more! But before you can get to the juicy pineapple flesh, there are a few things you need to remember. First, you need to pick a ripe pineapple – it should be mostly yellow on its exterior and have firm outer skin with a bit of give. It should also feel heavy because...
Halloween Chills: 5 Spooky Truths About Storing Your Food in Plastic
This Halloween season, we're shedding light on some eerie truths to help you make more informed choices when it comes to storing and preserving your food!
Everything You Need To Know About Ethylene Gas
When it comes to fruit ripening, there's a silent orchestrator at play: ethylene gas. But what exactly is it? Read everything you need to know about Ethylene Gas & how you should store your food properly here.