Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I've been trolling this forum in the background for a few weeks, and I've learned a ton (so, thanks to all). One of the more valuable things I've learned is in regards to the best greens to feed. Instead of using pre-packaged spring mix, I've decided to make my own mix using endive, escarole, collards, and bok choy. When buying these greens separately, and then mixing them together, one ends up with a huge amount of the stuff, plus it's a bit expensive. So, what's the best way to keep the mix fresh for as long as possible? I'm buying the minimum amount I can at my local supermarket, but even so, with a little baby Uro, this one mix could literally last for a year. Keeping it in a tupperware in the refrigerator will turn it to mush inside of about two weeks. So, is it okay to freeze it? Will it lose nutrients over time?

>>Hello,
>>
>>I've been trolling this forum in the background for a few weeks, and I've learned a ton (so, thanks to all). One of the more valuable things I've learned is in regards to the best greens to feed. Instead of using pre-packaged spring mix, I've decided to make my own mix using endive, escarole, collards, and bok choy. When buying these greens separately, and then mixing them together, one ends up with a huge amount of the stuff, plus it's a bit expensive. So, what's the best way to keep the mix fresh for as long as possible? I'm buying the minimum amount I can at my local supermarket, but even so, with a little baby Uro, this one mix could literally last for a year. Keeping it in a tupperware in the refrigerator will turn it to mush inside of about two weeks. So, is it okay to freeze it? Will it lose nutrients over time?

I dont freeze, but there is a product out there that ROCKS! Actually two things, but the one is a Tupperware exclusive.

When cleaning and preparing, get a salad spinner. That gets the water off the veggies like no tomorrow.

I store precut prepared greens in something by tupperware called a fridge smart. It will hold greens up to 2 weeks. I use a smaller version for the other veggies. I prepare everything early and just use these containers.
Tupperware Fridge Smart

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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

Yea the salad spinner is a great idea. I use paper towels to dry mine off a bit before they go into the fridge. I use a small tupperware container that has a small thing on the bottom that separates the greens from whatever water drips off, keeping it fresh a bit longer. I tried freezing food before, when you try to thaw it out, it all gets slimy and no good. I buy the smallest bunches I can, I keep my food about 10-11 days before throwing out the last little bit, usually they eat it all, but sometimes there is a little extra. I'm sure its tougher with a single baby, as they won't eat as much as 2 that are much bigger. good luck with your new Uro

In addition, you don't have to buy that many greens to have variety. You can buy collard and mustard for two weeks and rotate it with others, so next time buy escarole and edive, and then dandelion and collard and so on... As long as you rotate it, your baby will get a varied diet..

You can also rotate greens instead of trying to put four different things in the salad at once. Buy endive and dandelion one week, then escarole and bok choy when that runs out. Still get all the good nutrition, just not all at once.

I don't mix one big salad. I only tear off leaves from the bunch the day that I use them. The longer they can stay as whole as possible, the longer they will last. Depending on the type of green, I'll usually wrap the bunch in paper towel, then keep it in its plastic bag in the crisper. Dandelions, I tie the top of the bag shut to keep them from getting limp. You want enough moisture to keep them from getting dry or limp, but not so much that they start to rot. With dandelion (separate leaves, not all on one stalk), I pull out any as soon as they show signs of decaying - they rot faster if they're next to other rot.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
1.1 Collared Lizard (Ripcord and Rorschach)
2.0 Green Anoles (Bowser and Sprocket)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

A little trick that Doug Dix from Deer Fern Farms taught us was to get a flower spray bottle, put 3/4 water, 1/4 lemon juice and spray the mix with that. I make enough salad mix for a week and it doesn't turn to mush at all.

Those tupperware things are a MUST HAVE ...I need to order them now !!

>>
>>Those tupperware things are a MUST HAVE ...I need to order them now !!

I love the fridge smart! I have been keeping iguanas for years and they are phenominal for keeping greens fresh.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

The more you cut up the greens, the faster they will start to rot. If you keep the leaves or bunches whole, they will last a lot longer. I chop up enough salad for my two babies to last for two to three days maximum, and otherwise leave bunches whole in the crisper drawer of my fridge. Better yet, I grow a lot of my own greens for them in my veggie garden, including some beautiful dandelions (my neighbors think I'm nuts!), and I just go out and pick a few leaves off every two days, and leave the main bunch growing. That way I constantly have fresh greens

As for freezing... anything that is leafy green will not freeze, unfortunately. But.... you can easily freeze zucchini or squash and it works great. I use a cheese grater and shred a whole squash or zucchini, then put the shredded bits into ice cube trays and freeze. When they're frozen solid, pop the cubes out and put them in a gallon freezer zipper baggie. Works great!

Andi

I know, I know, not helpful. I've been trying to use that logic with my boyfriend just so I can get another mali. He'll crack one day!

Ha! You say it in a teasing way, but it's really true. It's much easier to manage my greenery with several uros and lots of bugs and worms (for the collareds/anoles) to feed! It's very rare for me to have anything go bad.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
1.1 Collared Lizard (Ripcord and Rorschach)
2.0 Green Anoles (Bowser and Sprocket)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

(If he doesn't crack)JK
For all you single herpers: When introducing yourself, start out by saying "Hello my name is______, I like reptiles. You'll weed out all the unsuitables this way.
I am happily married to a wife who puts up with my collection, it worked for me!
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-Jake
0.0.1 Uromastyx geyri
0.1 L.t. annulata
1.1 L.g. californiae
2.1 Pseudemys nelsoni
1.0 Geochelone sulcata
0.1 mexican double yellowheaded amazon parrot