Honey, we don't do that in America..............

[eekee 182]

"The zippers on the bags can CLOSE to keep the food fresh. This little tab here CLOSES to keep the food fresh. We have plastic wrap and aluminum foil to COMPLETELY COVER the food with, so it stays fresh. The lid on that pot should COMPLETELY COVER the pot so the food stays fresh."

Wow. My thoughts exactly.

Don't know why Svetlana likes leaving food out and uncovered. She discovered Fritos corn chips, loves them, but leaves the bag open, too. I take a chip from the bag a couple of days later, and it's, uh, not fresh.

When I visited her in Saint-Petersburg I noticed those tiny little flying bugs hovering around the kitchen table. I mention it to Svetlana . . . and she looks at me like I'm a space alien. "So?"

Fruit flies. Blech. It's been a problem in all the apartments I've had there.

[BTalley 0]

The good news is that she has been on a baking kick lately.

So occasionally we have the smell of fresh chocolate or cinnamon muffins in the kitchen . . . instead of stale leftovers.

[Tnic 5]

I hate not having an organized fridge. I have pots and pans, plates, etc. on every shelf. Also, condiments go in the door, not on the main shelf. I have been banging my head against the wall - "The zippers on the bags can CLOSE to keep the food fresh. This little tab here CLOSES to keep the food fresh. We have plastic wrap and aluminum foil to COMPLETELY COVER the food with, so it stays fresh. The lid on that pot should COMPLETELY COVER the pot so the food stays fresh."

I'm also trying to convince my wife that we don't need to get down and scrub the floor every couple of days. The wood doesn't have to be gleaming.

We're still working on the 40-hour work week too. She's getting there, but it seems like she'd prefer to work 12 days in a row and then take a month off. Me too, but it's hard to pay the bills like that.

You got her USE the baggies? "They're very expensive in Russia" Honey, we're not in Russia, they're cheap here, and PLEASE close them when you use them. And of course she promptly tosses the twist ties on the bread bags. Blini will sit on the table for a couple days if I don't cover it and put it in the fridge.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I hate not having an organized fridge. I have pots and pans, plates, etc. on every shelf. Also, condiments go in the door, not on the main shelf. I have been banging my head against the wall - "The zippers on the bags can CLOSE to keep the food fresh. This little tab here CLOSES to keep the food fresh. We have plastic wrap and aluminum foil to COMPLETELY COVER the food with, so it stays fresh. The lid on that pot should COMPLETELY COVER the pot so the food stays fresh."

I'm also trying to convince my wife that we don't need to get down and scrub the floor every couple of days. The wood doesn't have to be gleaming.

We're still working on the 40-hour work week too. She's getting there, but it seems like she'd prefer to work 12 days in a row and then take a month off. Me too, but it's hard to pay the bills like that.

You got her USE the baggies? "They're very expensive in Russia" Honey, we're not in Russia, they're cheap here, and PLEASE close them when you use them. And of course she promptly tosses the twist ties on the bread bags. Blini will sit on the table for a couple days if I don't cover it and put it in the fridge.

When in Eastern Europe, I find that the bread there with nothing added to preserve, improve, etc. lasts longer in the open than ours does in the bag. I wonder why?

[Tnic 5]

When in Eastern Europe, I find that the bread there with nothing added to preserve, improve, etc. lasts longer in the open than ours does in the bag. I wonder why?

I discovered the same thing last year. Maybe that's why our mates aren't in such a rush to get everything under wraps and into the holodelnik.

[johnj 0]

When I lived in Far East Russia; I finally learned the true meaning of the phrase "Best thing since sliced bread". All bread was fresh made but always by the loaf, no slicing

[eric_and_teresa 10]

Well, my american husband saves all the boxes where the tv and other electronics came in, I'm the one who is always telling him to get rid of that junk! LOL So I don't think its a russian thing

Edited June 8, 2009 by eric_and_teresa

[Ladylethal 12]

I agree those plastic bags are perfect for putting in the diaper pail and throwing out every couple of days, plus using them for bathroom trash can liners etc. And I take the cardboard boxes and newspapers to work and use them for packing.

[PJB 0]

My five years in Russia were spent trying to find room in our tiny apt for all of the boxes, bags and packing materials we saved. In Russia (maybe because we're older and Hubby lived through Soviet and Deficit times) we saved and reused EVERYTHING including washing and reusing grocery bags and ziplock bags. But here in America while we do recycle and reuse we can't possible use all of the copious amounts of disposables that come free with everything we buy! Though I do go into a terrible mental struggle everytime I have a pickle or p-nut butter jar to toss ("This is a Horoshee Banke! great for canning summer jams, storing leftovers, or making sugared lemons!").

We also have the leftover problems. But since I'm the kitchen Nachalnik I quickly cover and Tupperware any free floating foods. But I can't seem to convince Hubs that throwing out old leftovers is not a sin in America. I keep telling him that the hospital bills here are really expensive and trying to economize by eating rotten food is just not cost effective!

[Brad and Vika 129]

When in Eastern Europe, I find that the bread there with nothing added to preserve, improve, etc. lasts longer in the open than ours does in the bag. I wonder why?

I discovered the same thing last year. Maybe that's why our mates aren't in such a rush to get everything under wraps and into the holodelnik.

No doubt. I used to hear all the time from my partners in Minsk that the problem with American food is that everything is processed. They said that really fresh food made right doesn't need as much preservation. They suggested that it not only was better for you, but it tastes better too.

When I lived in Far East Russia; I finally learned the true meaning of the phrase "Best thing since sliced bread". All bread was fresh made but always by the loaf, no slicing

Absolutely - just cut off the small stale bit, and the rest is still fresh after days on the table.

Well, my american husband saves all the boxes where the tv and other electronics came in, I'm the one who is always telling him to get rid of that junk! LOL So I don't think its a russian thing

Agreed - as I stated earlier, Vika doesn't do that either.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Well, my american husband saves all the boxes where the tv and other electronics came in, I'm the one who is always telling him to get rid of that junk! LOL So I don't think its a russian thing

Your hubby is a smart man. Besides marrying you, he knows to keep the electronic stuff boxes for at least 90 days, so that he can return the high dollar item if it is faulty.

I do the same thing , and tape the receipt right to the box. I have returned many such items back to Costco over the years when something broke or went wrong.

So dont nag him for at least 90 days about the box. Better Idea yet, just dont NAG ever! :star:

[Tnic 5]

My five years in Russia were spent trying to find room in our tiny apt for all of the boxes, bags and packing materials we saved. In Russia (maybe because we're older and Hubby lived through Soviet and Deficit times) we saved and reused EVERYTHING including washing and reusing grocery bags and ziplock bags. But here in America while we do recycle and reuse we can't possible use all of the copious amounts of disposables that come free with everything we buy! Though I do go into a terrible mental struggle everytime I have a pickle or p-nut butter jar to toss ("This is a Horoshee Banke! great for canning summer jams, storing leftovers, or making sugared lemons!").

We also have the leftover problems. But since I'm the kitchen Nachalnik I quickly cover and Tupperware any free floating foods. But I can't seem to convince Hubs that throwing out old leftovers is not a sin in America. I keep telling him that the hospital bills here are really expensive and trying to economize by eating rotten food is just not cost effective!

OMG the leftovers! Even after a couple weeks I can't toss anything if she's in the house. "WHAT YOU DO? Nossing happen to it!!"

[slim 1,523]

Fruit flies. Blech. It's been a problem in all the apartments I've had there.

It is nice to be out to dinner with a woman and have her merely swipe a tarakan off the table instead of freaking out yelling, shrieking and screaming and then finally calming down only to demand the meal be free because there happened to be ONE cockroach that happend to come into view.

[AnaGRicky 0]

okay I gotta do this , here we go eh...

One thing we dont do in America is say Eh.....

Okay I wount say eh....

oops I said that word... I am Canadian what do you want... eh

[eekee 182]

Fruit flies. Blech. It's been a problem in all the apartments I've had there.

It is nice to be out to dinner with a woman and have her merely swipe a tarakan off the table instead of freaking out yelling, shrieking and screaming and then finally calming down only to demand the meal be free because there happened to be ONE cockroach that happend to come into view.

I never had tarakani in Russia... but in Brooklyn? Don't remind me.