Sunday, April 22, 2007

Cleaning Produce

I buy lots of fresh produce, between the farmer's market and all those quick runs to the grocery store. I've always looked for the best way to clean them, and I think I've finally found the answer.

I first noticed the Lotus machine over a year ago. I happened to be walking by a store in the mall, and felt compelled to go in and check it out. I wasn't the only one. There was a big crowd quickly forming around this machine. This is how it works: you put your fruit and veggies in the bowl and top with tap water. The machine infuses the water with ozone to neutralize up to 99.9% of bacteria and pesticides on foods.

I wound up getting the machine last summer, just in time for all the fresh summer berries that I needed to prepare for my pie book. I literally ran 50 pounds of berries through it; the berries came out plump and juicy.

It works like a charm, taking just a few minutes to run a batch of produce through it. I even find that the produce stays fresher longer once it's been sanitized. It's a very cool machine for anyone that is looking to safely clean their fruits and veggies without chemical cleaners. As an added bonus, it also comes with a separate squirt bottle that you can fill with tap water to clean and sanitize your home (chemical free). We clean all of our wood floors, door knobs and countertops without the need for harsh chemicals (killing bacteria with the ozonated water).

This machine really works. I'm not a spokesperson for this company, but I certainly use it everyday. Now I can eat my veggies worry-free.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, that looks amazing, but dang, $150 is pricey.

julie hasson said...

Hi Erica! You're right, though it's actually come down in price since last year. It's exciting to see companies coming out with healthier, greener products.

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

What a great product review! I always wonder if my fruit & veggies have actually gotten clean under the faucet, and don't want to use yet another chemical to do the trick. This looks like a great solution - thanks for the tip. :o)

Amey said...

Hi Julie!
Thanks for the comment on my Earth Day post. It's such an honor to get a comment from the veggie meatloaf creator! :)

I have to admit that I'm pretty much just a quick tap water rinser with most of my produce. I always hope that since it's mostly organic to start with, that's good enough.

But it's neat to read this review and plant this idea in my head (no pun intended!).

Looks like this is a new blog - welcome!!

Amey

Diz Rivera said...

Cool machine!

Julie, you're adorable! The girls and I watched about 4 episodes of the Everyday dish in a row. The coffee cake looks unreal. Also, I used to make an unbelievable Puerto Rican style bread pudding (budín) passed down and adapted from family members, and your recipe reminded me that I can veganize it. Thanks for the inspiration and thanks for the comment today.

julie hasson said...

Thanks Vicki, Springsandwells and Madness!

Vicki and Springsandwells, I really started thinking about cleaning my veggies better after some of the different produce recalls like strawberries and scallions. I'm not giving up my raw veggies, so I thought I'd better find a good way to clean them. When you put the veggies/fruit in the machine, it will beep if it can't get them completely clean in the cycle (2 minutes or something). You'd be surprised how many veggies need to go through a second cycle.

Madness, I'm so glad you guys enjoyed the segments. We're having a lot of fun doing them, and have all kinds of great recipes in the works. You should try the coffee cake. It's one of my families favorites.

Julie

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

Hi Julie!

Thanks for your reply above, I'm seriously thinking about getting one of those, especially when you say you need to run them through again... it's in line behind a food processor (mine broke recently).

Tonight I made your Meatless "Meatloaf" from Vegetarian times magazine, and what a brilliant recipe! It is the best meatloaf on the face of the world -- hands down. Thanks for putting a new meal in our hopper. :o)

ps -- I've also been enjoying your vegan cooking show! You're fun to watch cook! :o)

B.A.D. said...

Wow, that's a pretty interesting machine. Great solution to chemical cleaners!