Tuesday, October 17, 2006

I'm not feeling the love...

Yes, it was love. There was music and poetry. Goodness, you remember the poetry!

It all seemed so perfect. Now I've had the rug pulled out from under me much like your formulaic Lifetime movie complete with smudged mascara.

Folks, I'm left with a dilemma. Now, in the past I know that I have been responsible for contributing to the untimely (well, it was timely) demise of my fresh produce. I would forget about it, or I would feel a little too lazy to prepare a particular item, or take out just seemed more fun... I own up to my faults as a lackadaisical ...

I guess I should stop beating around the bush. I'm thinking about kicking my new passionate love, Boston Organics, to the proverbial curb. I know they send me great things every week. I know that I look forward to Thursdays as if it were a holiday. But... First there were the weeks of the nearly rancid oranges. Fine, I put them on our do not send list. Cool. Then, half of our delivery that we received just before Columbus Day weekend (Thursday mind you, Thursday!) was rotten by mid Monday afternoon. Now I'm not talking getting mushy or slightly unseemly, I'm talking something that causes one to scream out, "Oh dear God!" when happening upon it in the fridge. Let's just say that gloves were involved. I think my last straw was Sunday night when I wanted to whip up two things: 1) Veggie Burgers from VwaV and 2) Lentil Soup. We received a beautiful bunch of small carrots in our Thursday delivery, so I thought that I could use them up between the two recipes and the snacking that I would have to be doing during the cooking process. I pulled out the carrots and went to peel one when I noticed they were limp. Limp is a fairly relative term...but I really don't know how to describe that they felt like FINGERS. Call me crazy, but I think carrots are supposed to be on the hard/crunchy side. It wasn't like I left anything lying around for very long (3 days people!) and everything was refrigerated immediately upon delivery. So what gives?

I feel like it's an unhealthy relationship. I sit and I struggle internally and think that it's just a rut and that they'll make it up to me. Then I think that it's somehow my own fault and that I'm not doing something right. Ugh. I really should call and complain. I feel bad about that because I really support the idea and philosophy of Boston Organics. I don't get it...I've never had produce with such an embarrasingly short shelf life, either conventional or organic.

Am I crazy? Am I wrong? Are there actually types of carrots out there that should feel limp and fleshy like fingers?

23 comments:

Candi said...

Awwww!! It sounds like you've moved on! :) it sounds like it was becoming stressful to try to eat it all before it went bad too, and that's not good!! I would cancel it too, if most of the items went bad! Limp carrots?? :( :( It's time to move on!

wheresmymind said...

We had some plumbs that got mouldy waay too fast. We've found that with our Boston Organic's delievery, you eat it fast or it's gonna go bad. Maybe because it's fresh? *shrug* Beyond the plumbs we haven't had a bad experience with them

aTxVegn said...

If you're not happy - and who would be with limp carrots! - it's time to quit Boston O. I know it's a great convenience and a lot like getting a present every week, but you can do better and not waste your money. You don't need them to make great food!

What an excellent friend you are to bake those awesome cookies!

Anonymous said...

Are you wrapping everything in plastic bags before you put it in the crisper? This really helps us a lot because the gases that each veg produces stays in its own environment instead of contributing to the rotting of other vegs. All the carrots in one, all the zukes in another. We just use recycled plastic grocery bags, but I have seen these crazy stay-fresh bags at the store that are supposed to keep your produce fresh for like 4 weeks (maybe I'm exagerrating some).
This is especially important for organic produce b/c it hasn't been sprayed with all those nasty chemicals to make it able to travel from Peru to Wisconsin.

Jennifer C. said...

The organic produce I receive from the CSA stays fresh for at least 2 weeks, so I think there is a problem with Boston Organics. Maybe the produce isn't stored properly at their warehouse? I would definitely call to complain and even tell them what you have said in this post. They should replace any produce that isn't up to your expectations.

bazu said...

I agree with what everyone has said... if their produce is always doing this, you are not getting the freshest healthiest stuff...
but, to echo what Gaia and some others have said, sometimes it is all about storage. I found that turning my refrigerator's temperature down just a bit so it's cooler really made a difference. Also, try storing things by wrapping them in paper towels then plastic wrap. Don't store anything with apples, because they do give off a ripening gas.
If you try all this, and their produce still sucks, I say, dump their asses already! ;-)

Harmonia said...

Sorry you have a struggle going on inside your head!

Oh! o/t but did you get my PM on v.o. with Kypris's email addy? jw

Guess what...I missed HOUSE last night! URGH!

Carrie™ said...

Maybe you should call Boston Organics and explain your problem. Could it be something on their end that they're not quite aware of? Maybe they could give you a refund for a shipment or something. Or, could be your fridge, or could be just icky product. Mind you, I bought some organic fruit last week and in 2 days it was fuzzy. I was not impressed. It's gets pretty expensive when you buy produce just to fill your garbage can. Let us know how you make out.

Ben Kaelan said...

Limp Carrots? I didn't know that was even possible. I get organic carrots at this huge grocery store we have around here (they're carrying more and more organic stuff... it's amazing!)and they last like over 2 weeks usually.

Thanks for stopping by my blog... I think I'll have to try to tackle on some more indian food soon. Healthy pakoras? That sounds like quite the challenge! I'll link your blog from mine... it's cute :) I totally didn't expect to have so many visitors so soon!

laura k said...

Oh, sad... I've had the "limp carrot" experience too, and it's not fun. :(

Anonymous said...

Eeek! Limp carrots. Yuck :( Sorry to hear they went bad so quickly. There were a few stores near me where the produce would just not keep after I brought it home. I switched to some different stores and so far, so good. Always makes you wonder how "fresh" the food is when it won't even keep a few days.

Iowa Greyhound said...

That makes me want to open my own whole foods grocery. You shouldn't have to deal with food like that.

Anonymous said...

I'd call BO and let them know what's happening. Limp carrots is definitely no good. If your produce can't last you 3 days, I highly doubt you're getting the freshest selections.

Good luck to ya!

madeinalaska said...

a lot of good advice already huh? we often get very sub stardard produce in our neck of the woods.. it really sucks.

Candi said...

Hi Nikki! You're at VegFest in Boston now, aren't you?! AAAA I'm so envious!!! I hope you got lots of photos!! :) :)

Candi said...

Hey Nikki! I've come by to adopt you. LOL! I laughed at your comment about that! :P :P

Can't wait to see your VegFest pics and info!! I bet you saw Isa - the cupcake queen! I SO wanted to meet her. :( Maybe next VegFest in Boston. I hope to be there!

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

I've heard of Limp Bizkit, but never Limp Carrot -- there's a reason for that. Talk w/BO -- let us know what they say.

Aarwenn said...

Hi Nikki, can't comment on BO (hee hee) but I CAN comment on fresh produce! I've found that buying bags of greens--like at Trader Joe's--and then FREEZING then if I don't get to them works well. I admit that I've never tried it with salad greens, but freezing greens that are traditionally cooked, like kale, collards, mustard greens, and other "toughs", has worked great. If you get your "tough" greens not bagged or pre-washed, then wash them well, chop them, put them in a Ziploc baggie and follow the above procedure.

In other news, hi! I'm back in the vegan online community. Missed everyone.

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