Hello from the 59th day of January! 😂 Kidding obviously, but is this month crawling by at a snail’s pace for anyone else?
After being hit with a few snow storms over the past couple of weeks, it finally feels like the season that shall not be named has officially arrived. That said, even though there’s a 4′ high mountain of shoveled snow at the end of our driveway and we’re 128 days into January, I can’t help but feel like spring is maybe, sort of, hopefully, kiiind of in sight?!
I’ll wait for you to stop laughing.
Hear me out. For one, I think the sun is definitely staying out a littler bit later each night, and for another, Ben and I are planning a spring break trip. Could not be more excited! We were going to try the Outer Banks but just learned that March is not a great time to visit, so I’m thinking Florida (Destin is looking delicious,) or Sedona, AZ, possibly. Decisions, decisions! Have you gone on any family friendly vacations somewhere WARM recently ? I’d love to hear about them. :)
In the meantime, here’s what else is going on in the latest edition of Currently!
Time and place: 7:37pm on the couch in front of the fire. It’s cold and I’m cozy. Even better, Ben is picking up sushi for our dinner before we settle in to put a dent in our DVR.
Watching: We’ve watched a couple hilarious comedy specials on Netflix recently. First up is Ellen Degeneres Relatable. Truly the woman could sit in a room breathing and I’d probably laugh, so needless to say we were both cackling the entire show. SO funny. Seth Meyers Lobby Baby is also hysterical and I’ve shared it with every mother I know. If you have kids (and Netflix, I suppose!) you have GOT to see it. We also watched Adam Sandler’s 100% Fresh which was essentially about absolutely nothing, but funny nonetheless simply because it’s Adam Sandler. No one else could have pulled that special off!
Loving: Art for Kids Hub. Lincoln is really into drawing right now – I’ll have to show you his self portrait sometime, it’s incredible! – and as such we are really into the Art for Kids Hub website/YouTube channel. It’s run by a super charismatic guy, Rob, who draws everything under the sun with his four kids in a fun and easy to follow format. Highly recommend for your babes who love to draw, and/or YOU if you’re looking for a five minute escape. I’d forgotten how fun and relaxing drawing can be.
Cleaning: Old blog posts. The time has come! I’ve been writing Iowa Girl Eats for nearly 11 years now (WHO WHAT HOW WHY?!) and an archive overhaul is long overdue. Over the past month I’ve been going through each and every single post on IGE, starting from the very beginning, and either deleting ones containing photos like the one below (an ACTUAL picture I INTENTIONALLY included in a post in 2010. I think it’s scallops? Maybe?) or re-directing old recipes to newer, updated ones. It has been very bittersweet re-reading all those posts – my 20s were pretty simple! ;) I’m up to 2012 and thought I’d recap 2009-2011 for you:
- Chipotle Burrito Bowls. So many burrito bowls. Documented and shared ad nauseam at least once a week.
- Trips to the HyVee Salad Bar. Maybe this is why Ben and I were both so slim and trim back then – we ate gobs of salads.
- Kitchen Sink Salads. I repeat, so many salads!
- Red Box Movies. Should have had a separate channel on this site reviewing all the Red Box DVDs we watched. I don’t remember 90% of them?
- Tofu, spinach, and brown rice. Apparently this is all I ate for a solid six months in 2010.
- CAPS CAPS CAPS! I just noticed that I am capping the heck out of this post and it’s because I have been so immersed in my old posts! SORRY!!
All that said, if you have an old recipe or something from the archives that you still use, let me know and I’ll make sure it makes the cut. This one did not. ;)
Sipping: Stag’s Leap 2016 Sauvignon Blanc. Dry January is…moist? Not bone dry but not soaking wet. Ie, I’ve made a few exceptions for my very favorite wine on the planet right now – Stag’s Leap 2016 Sauvignon Blanc. Ben brought a bottle of this home late last year, poured me a glass, and I seriously sat straight up. It is SO smooth and just YUMMY. I adore it! Stag’s Leap is one of the wineries I visited back in 2012 with my girlfriends. Take me back…
Eating: Homemade Pad Thai. A restaurant-quality, tamarind-free, homemade Pad Thai recipe is something Ben and I have been on the hunt for for many years – especially after having to go gluten free. Our favorite Thai spot offers “gluten free” Pad Thai but all it is is everything normally included in their Pad Thai minus the sauce. As in, bone dry rice noodles with vegetables. Just…confusing. Anyway, we finally found a winner! Homemade Pad Thai from Tastes Better From Scratch is fabulous! I used a touch less fish sauce than called for, no hot sauce, and no peanut butter. YUM.
Popping: Doterra Peppermint Beadlets. I tried one of these little beadlets from a friend recently and my jaw dropped – so convenient! They’re one drop worth of a peppermint essential oil blend encapsulated in a soft, vegetarian beadlet. Very refreshing and one drop is all you need. You can let them dissolve in your mouth or just snap one between your teeth. Boom, instant fresh breath. These are a great alternative to carrying around mints or gum in your purse.
Bundling: Primary Coats. With spring (kind of!) on the way, I thought I’d re-share the coats from Primary.com that I bought Gwen last fall, since I also later bought one for Cam. We have put them through the ringer both in terms of use and washing – you can run them through a standard wash/dry process – and I’m still so impressed! The puffer coats are lightweight and slim fitting, yet very warm. Cam has worn his in the snow several times now without incident. You cannot beat the price and truly they’re just so fun, bright, and CUTE!
Using: Gotham Pro Steel Skillets. I’d been in need of new skillets for awhile when I bit the bullet and picked up this Gotham Pro steel skillet set I’d seen probably 100 times at Costco. NOTHING sticks to them – not even eggs without cooking spray – they’re dishwasher safe, and apparently can’t be scratched. I’ve been using them for a couple months now and have zero complaints. Can’t beat the price either.
DEVOURING: La Terra Fina Spinach, Artichoke and Parmesan. Speaking of Costco, I randomly bought this dip there a couple weeks ago and it is honest to goodness Top 5 most delicious things I’ve ever eaten. I know that sounds insane, but apparently I’m not alone. I shared the dip on Instagram stories and received countless messages from people who can’t buy it anymore because they have no self control around an open tub. Umm, hi, yes, relatable. It is so delicious that it’s the first and last tub I’ll ever buy. TOO GOOD!!!
Treating: NadaMoo. Have you heard of NadaMoo? It’s a coconut milk-based ice cream product that tastes exactly like regular ice cream. That is so hard to do with coconut milk! My sister in law raved about their Peppermint Bark flavor earlier this winter, a friend brought over the Banana Caramel Crunch and Peach Cobbler flavors when Lincoln had his tonsils out in December, then I pulled the trigger on their Marshmallow Stardust recently. They’re all better than the next! I don’t even really like ice cream that much, and don’t eat a ton of sweets to begin with, but I am in love with this stuff. The only flavor I haven’t been thrilled with is the Cookie Dough Fudge, unfortunately. I was so excited to find a gluten free cookie dough ice cream but it has a strong coconut flavor. FYI, most but not all of their flavors are certified gluten free.
Blinking: Gwen is 1-1/2! Gwen turned 18 months this week and I am in shock! These have been the fastest 18 months of my life. It’s so cliche to say, but I feel like it was just last month that she was sleeping right next to me, and now she’s housing tuna salad, adorning herself in as many necklaces and bracelets as she can find, and doing her gosh darn very best to keep up with her brothers. She does a pretty good job! Our Gwen, Sis, Miss Sis, Sis Sis, Sister Sue, Baby Girl, Peanut is absolute perfection and we are all deeply obsessed. Love this perfect little thing!
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Aw, I’ve been a reader since the beginning and I remember all those phases! And your morning Mom walks, and pink lady apples. <3
Oh my gosh, SO many pink lady apples. 😂😂😂 You have a great memory. Thank you for being a loyal reader, Angela!
Happy New Year! I would go with Sedona plus a trip to the Grand Canyon.
If you’re planning a trip to OBX, May and Sept are probably the best times to go! The summer months are great too of course, but definitely busier (I live just a couple hours away and have gone as long as I can remember – holds a sweet spot in my heart)
Thank you for the tip, Susanna! Where is your favorite spot to stay / beach(es) to visit?
Just wanted to say I recommended your blog to mixandmatchmama this morning. I follow both your sites and her daughter was just diagnosed with celiac so I knew she could get some great recipes and tips from you.
Thank you so much, Allison!! I just clicked over to her site – that photo of her daughter’s full body rash breaks my heart. Thank you again for passing along my site as a resource for her and her family! <3
I also recommended your site to Mix and Match Mama. I make your recipes all the time and we’re not even gluten free. Thanks for your delicious recipes!
Tried the lemon twist Sabra hummus…dont!😂🍋 It’s so amazing! PS I’ve been following you from the get go. Adorable y’all!
Oh my gosh, I’ve heard it’s incredible. I already have a hard time not polishing off the caramelized onion and olive tapenade flavors in two sessions. 🙈
PS… Come to OBA. Easy drive, no commotion, white sand.
Where is OBA? Sounds like a great spot. I’ve hear of OBX for the Outerbanks.
Thanks for your blog, I always look forward to new posts. You have been blessed with a beautiful family! And yes, January is long and cold (here in Connecticut, too!) but lets not rush it. Life is too short :)
Thank you Liz! Stay warm!
If you like Netflix comedy specials, please try Nate Bargatze-The Tennessee Kid-Heeeelarious!
Oh my gosh, I will, thank you!! We also loved Ronny Chieng’s special – a littler darker than Ellen and Seth, but insanely funny.
Just have to say your currently posts are always my favorite. The No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecakes is how I found your blog so don’t delete it… EVER! lol and the artichoke dip is one of our favs. It is good warmed up too… if you haven’t tried that :)
It stays just for you, Jacki! ;) I tried that dip every which way – including dipped into with sliced Costco rotisserie chicken. I’m convinced there is no bad way to eat it! 😂
I’d definitely recommend Destin for your vacation! The only thing is that because it’s on the panhandle March can have cooler temps and chilly water. But it’s very family friendly (also, anywhere along 30A, not just Destin!).
Ah ok – that’s good to know! Thanks for the tip, Megan!
Highly recommend Destin! Beautiful beaches with white sand and Emerald green water. Plenty of activities but doesn’t feel overly commercialized. Excellent restaurants – Pepito’s, Lulu’s and Merlin’s Pizza!
Thank you for the recommendations! The water and sand are what I’m really eyeing!
I can’t believe how much Gwen has grown up! Man these moments go by so fast. I was an early follower, as well, and I loved everything about your blog, salads, dark pictures, CAPS and all! <3
THANK YOU, Lacy!! 😉😉😉 So lucky to have a long time reader like you. ❤️ And gosh don’t I know it – these past six years for all the kids has gone by in the blink of an eye.
Locally where are your favorite GF sushi places?
Wasabi does a fantastic job. I’ve eaten at/gotten take out from the Waukee location dozens and dozens of times and have never gotten ill. They have all GF items marked and your server/bartender will also mark the order as GF if you let them know when ordering.
Cracking up at that dark picture! I was trying to find your cilantro lime rice recipe yesterday and I think it’s gone?
Right?! What in heaven’s name was I thinking? 😂 There’s a recipe for the cilantro rice in this post! https://iowagirleats.com/2014/08/29/easy-homemade-burrito-bowls/
Your broccoli cheese soup has been my go to meal many a night, the cheese always so smooth. I so enjoy your posts, and literally laugh at loud at your sage comments!! It is fun to see your little ones growing up, a sweet young family. Agree with the long days of January….lets get it over with!!! Scottsdale, AZ is lovely in March……
Oh so glad to hear you love that soup, Kathleen! It’s an oldie but goodie and not going anywhere. ☺️ Note taken on Scottsdale!!
I have been a reader for ages and remember when it was Eat, Run Travel. :) The Stuffed French onion soup sliders are a STAPLE every summer, bring them back!!!!! Also, I am still planning my Mexico get away to the amazing villa you once went to w/ friends – private chef and all! Someday…
YES – that old, clip art banner. Too funny. 😂 I will go restore the sliders for you right now – so glad you love them! :)
Thank you!! I have loved seeing your family grow. I have a one year old now and appreciate all your infant/toddler insight too. He loves the quinoa sweet potato turkey chili, another staple on repeat in our house. :)
Your Mac and Cheese is a staple recipe at my house, please don’t archive the recipe! I mostly make it as the main dish (even took it camping once) but I have also made it as a side for potlucks and Thanksgiving.
That is awesome!! I actually found like 5 mac and cheese recipes while cleaning things up. 😂 Do you remember which one it was?
I forget what you called it.. but it has the panko crumbs on top. I know how to make the mac and cheese by heart, but I always refer to the recipe so I know how much flour, milk, and chicken broth to use.
If you need another Netflix comedy special, I definitely recommend Mike Berbiglia’s The New One. It had us rolling.
Ahh love the old posts!
Outer Banks was a favorite family vacation a few summers ago. If you want the hookup on a GREAT house rental, let me know! It has a pool, hot tub, sleeps a big family comfortably and is super close to the beach in a really lovely area.
Enjoy going through your archives! Please keep those old Friday Favorites posts – loved it when I could look for 1-10, 11-20, etc. Great for inspiring different recipes, enjoying cute pooches, travel places I must go, etc. I’m not a fashion person, so anything that’s out of style now will be lost on me anyway!
I just got nostalgia for your old posts. You’d even post twice a day sometimes! Anyway, i’m wondering if those pans can go in the oven? And also going to be the 500th person to say I’m just finishing “Cheer” on Netflix and am kinda sad because it was so good and i don’t want it to be over.
Destin is really hard for public beaches now, most belong to timeshares. Also don’t forget we are going into spring break and are swamped here. I Love it here but it has changed since I was a kid.
Love this post but all I can really think about is: HOW, how, how do you have 3 kids and manage to be on the couch with your feet up at 7:37 pm? ON A WEEKNIGHT?! I’m not even kidding … tell us how, please :)
The little kids go to bed at 6:30 and I usually start reading to Lincoln around 7:15, though this particular night he was super tired (read: crabby) so I read to him at 7 for 20 minutes, then lights out!
My husband and I spent five nights over the New Year’s holiday in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. We rented a cottage through Airbnb that was literally 30 feet from the beach, which was mostly private. We loved it so much that we have already booked a trip back there for this coming December. The beaches are wide and clean, and the sand is like powdered sugar. It’s very soft and fine and powdery. I wish I was still there!
Love love love the Florida Panhandle! I would check out the 30A area. Anywhere along 30A is awesome but we particularly love watercolor and seaside.
We went to Destin last year for spring break and it was great! The beaches are beautiful. It was cool at night, and the ocean was a little too cold to get in, but the house we rented had a pool and it was perfect temps during the day to swim or play on the beach. We went to Uncle Buck’s for a family bowling night, that place is cool (my girls were 4 and 5).
That dip makes a delicious spread for a chicken bacon artichoke pizza!
Just a comment to say I love your Smokey sweet chili, planning to make tonight!
Thank you, Sarah! A long time favorite of ours, too, that will stay here on IGE forever!
if you are looking for a laid back chill do nothing beach vacation I highly suggest Dauphin Island – we are on our third year of visiting and will visit every year going forward. Most relaxing vacations ever.
Oh my goodness, this is such an interesting looking place – I have never heard of it!! How big is that island? Is it all houses?
I love, love, love Dauphin Island! There’s one condo on the beach (with an indoor and outdoor pool), but the rest are houses. The island is not very big, but there are quite a few things to do. I live in the area, and it’s my favorite beach to visit. Feel free to email me. I’m happy to answer any questions.
I’ve been a reader forever (you got me hooked on those Friday Favorites… I couldn’t wait to see the cool things you came up with!) . Your kids are adorable, and yes, growing up so fast!! Keep up the great recipes. I consider anything I find on your site a “winner” and the helpful steps to prepare the recipe are invaluable for a clueless cook like me!
I bought a Gotham skillet 12 inch and for awhile it was fine but now it sticks. What is your secret to keep it nonstick?
I’ve only had mine for a couple months so I’m not sure if it will lose it’s non stick-iness! Hopefully not!
Hi Kristin! Long-time reader! My husband was born and raised on the OBX and worked for a realty company out there before we moved to San Diego (CA native!) anyways, I lived out there for 2 years with him and visit twice a year now to see family. I have a ton of recommendations if you ever need them! Fun fact: I made your green monster smoothies so much one summer I was out there and inspecting homes for his company as a summer job. They got me through those hot days of running up and down a million stairs in those 20 bedroom vacation rentals! Yeesh!
I learned to like tofu from a couple of your super early recipes. We use the Thai Tofu Pizza recipe often, and I enjoy the marinade/tutorial in the Grilled Asian Tofu. We also make the bacon butternut squash mac and cheese that you created for BHG at least once a month or whenever we want to impress friends with comfort food. But, we now have to search for it since BHG has changed the link where it was posted. The earliest recipe I remember making is the chicken salad with Greek yogurt, but it’s been ages since I’ve made it. It is amazing watching how your blog has transformed over the years!
I was looking for the Thai Fried Quinoa recipe. When I search for it Thai Peanut Chicken Quinoa Bowl comes up. I have made both recipes many times. But I bought the ingredients for Thai Fried Quinoa earlier in the week and when I was preparing to make it I couldn’t find the recipe. I hope you can add it back to your site. Thank you so much. Enjoy your posts.
Hi Becky! Just removed that redirect for you! If it’s still redirecting try opening the link in an incognito window. If that doesn’t work, I can email you the recipe. Happy to hear that you love and still make the dish!! https://iowagirleats.com/2012/03/26/my-kind-of-meal-thai-fried-quinoa/
Love the memories! I’ve also been a follower since almost the beginning and remember the kitchen sink salads and yogurts every day 😄
We went to Miramar Beach right next to Destin last March and loved it. Early March wasn’t super warm but the sugar white sand and beautiful water can’t be beat! Highly recommend – it was warmer than MN!
We are headed to Splash Resort in Panama City Beach for the second year in a row. Right on the beach plus on-site water park for the kids. Just avoid college spring break times.
This explains where my beloved Kale Fried Rice recipe went! Got ready to make it this week and it redirected to Sesame Chicken Fried Rice. Help! Bring Kale Fried Rice back! :-)
Restored for you, Leah!! :D https://iowagirleats.com/2012/12/06/must-try-kale-fried-rice-keurig-giveaway-winner/
Your Drunken Garden Pasta has been on my mind lately. I need to make that again soon.
Love to squeeze a peppermint beadlet in my water. Following the comments closely, we are hoping to go to Florida this summer with our three boys.
Old posts… I still make the little cornbread muffins where you put the hot dog in. I also make the peanut butter cookies in the mini
Muffin tins where you drop in the Reese’s cup. I guess I like mini muffin tin recipes.
I first found your blog through your Monster Green Smoothie and have been a reader ever since. I don’t think there is anything I have made that we didn’t like! A few of our favorites off the top of my head are Kale Fried Rice, Party Potatoes Deluxe ( the ONLY recipe for a potato casserole that my daughter will eat ), Sticky Thai Chicken Fingers, Thai Crunch Salad and your Mini Vanilla Bean scones, which my niece declared as a must-have on Christmas morning the first time I made them a few years ago😁.
Not to worry – those all made the cut!! :D
Having been to both ARIZONA ALL THE WAY! I only travelled to Sedona from Phoenix/Scottsdale for the day, but I loved loved LOVED Arizona so much more than Florida! The topography and temperature and lack of humidity 🙌 are SPOT ON,
Please save the Italian beef sandwich recipe with the peppercinis, I have it memorized but in case I lose my mind or something crazy, it’s my husbands favorite
Absolutely! It’s one of the most popular recipes on IGE!
We went to Destin about a year ago in March, and it was one of our families top trips! Every restaurant we went to was just incredible – and of course we ate fish non-stop. If you haven’t already checked out https://www.crazyfamilyadventure.com/, it is worth checking out their info on Destin. We didn’t camper it – but we did so many things they shared.
Thank you!! This site looks amazing!!
Crockpot spaghetti sauce w/ omg garlic bread, fresh apple cake, of Chang lettuce wraps and the apple cider gingersnaps are a few we routinely make and refer to blog in the grocery store to make sure I have everything to make them!
All saved! :D
The black bean, avocado, and grapefruit quinoa salad is probably my most-frequently made recipe from your site so please don’t get rid of it! The first time I made it I thought the ingredient list was so strange it could not be good but I absolutely love it! I’ve made and love a ton of your stuff but that will always be top pick for me!
You had a recipe for jambalaya (I think) with both chicken and sausage in it that we love. I think it was a one-pan recipe. I was searching for it and thought I’d just gone crazy when I couldn’t find it, but maybe it does still exist?! Thank YOU!
Here’s that recipe for you, Rebecca!
Easy Jambalaya
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 Chicken breasts, cut into chunks
Salt & pepper
2 celery sticks, chopped fine
1/2 medium onion, minced
1/2 medium bell pepper, minced
1 lb turkey kielbasa, chopped into half moons
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons old bay seasoning
Hot sauce, to taste
Red pepper flakes, to taste
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup water
1-14oz can crushed tomatoes
1 cup long grain rice
2 dried bay leaves
Directions:
Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and sear chicken pieces, seasoning with salt & pepper, until barely cooked through, ~5 minutes. Remove chicken to a bowl and set aside.
Turn the heat down to medium-low, heat remaining olive oil and cook vegetables until tender, ~8-10 minutes. Add kielbasa and cook for 3 more minutes. Add garlic and stir constantly for 30 seconds.
Add in seasoning, hot sauce & peppers, chicken broth, water and crushed tomatoes. Bring the whole mixture to a boil and add in the chicken, rice and bay leaves. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes then put the cover on the Dutch oven and remove it from the heat. Let stand until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed, ~35 minutes.
Thank you so much!
I make your Olive Garden pasta Fajoili soup a few times a year. I love it! I have so been a follower for years and appreciate your blog so much. Most recipes that I make are yours. They are very relatable and simple.
I’m not sure if you’re still reading these comments, Kristin, but just today I came over to print off your copycat Olive Garden pasta e fagioli soup recipe but cannot find it … just the other one. Would you possibly be able to restore that one as well? Thank you!
I have your Italian Beef Sandwiches, Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteaks, Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, and Homestyle Chicken and Noodles recipes all bookmarked.
For the last two recipes, is is possible for their original versions to stay on the site along with the updated versions?
Hi Sarah! I looked back through the original broccoli rice casserole post and didn’t see a recipe on it, which is why I deleted it. The “Skinny” one should be the exact same recipe though! I also restored the homestyle chicken and noodles for you! https://iowagirleats.com/2012/12/18/homestyle-chicken-noodles/
Thanks for restoring the chicken and noodles recipe. The casserole recipe was actually under the title of “A Man Meal You’ll Both Love” from 01/26/11, if that helps.
Hey, just wondering if the old casserole recipe was able to be found? If not, I’ll let it go, lol. I’m just not a big fan of change.
The chicken parm recipe that you just bake in the oven /the chicken isn’t breaded. So simple but delicious
Love anything I’ve made by you
I use the homemade hamburger helper recipe often (a favorite of my kids). Truth be told I use a lot of those older posts much more often than the newer ones, as we are not GF (and don’t have easy access to such ingredients even if we wanted to be)– got lots of good inspiration from earlier soup and salad recipes, for instance. Not happy to see older posts go!
I’m sorry to hear you aren’t happy, EM! If it helps, very few of my “new” recipes require speciality ingredients. My goal with all recipes – from before going GF to present – is that they can be made with ingredients you already have at home, or require a quick stop at the regular grocery store.
In general I just found more of the older things more applicable (for example, the posts about packed lunches). Also I liked the ones that involved copycat Panera as I live someplace without one. Why not just leave the archive as-is?
You had an older hummus taco dip recipe that’s now gone! You mixed hummus with some salsa? Then topped with some taco toppings. Can you bring that back?! Please :)
Here you go Heidi!
Taco Dip Platter
Ingredients:
8oz hummus (I used Sabra Chipotle Hummus)
6oz plain Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon salt-free taco seasoning
1/4 cup salsa
Toppings: chopped tomato, sliced black olives, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, diced avocado
Directions:
Spread hummus on the bottom of a deep plate. Mix taco seasoning with Greek yogurt then spread on top of hummus. Dallop salsa on top followed by toppings. Serve with tortilla chips and sliced/chopped fresh veggies.