It’s May (almost June!) and in Oregon the barbecue season has begun. A newer product that I’ve grown to appreciate for outdoor grilling are the Ziploc Perfect Portions, which are individual bags for storing bulk meats or other food items into individual portions – without the mess. We also use a healthy supply of Ziploc Brand Gallon Freezer Bags to marinate meats in the fridge before grilling.
When it comes to splitting up portions, the Ziploc Perfect Portions allow you to pick up raw meat like chicken, without having to directly hold it. You simply put your hand in the Perfect Portions bag, pick up the meat, and then turn it inside out to place in a larger gallon-size bag
You never have to directly touch the raw meat, and in just three quick steps, bulk food items, such as raw chicken, can be individually wrapped and frozen so that they are ready for a later date.
Bring the meat home from the store and wash it.
1. GRAB the bag.
2. BAG the meat.
3. FREEZE the individual portions.
For grilling season, we do a quick tenderizing before the meat goes on the grill, too. It’s so tender and tasty!
Being prepared, having easy products to use, makes entertaining easy in the spring/summertime.
After meeting Rachael Ray in person, and hearing her philosophy and testing her “FreshOver” recipes for eating fresh, it inspired me even more to spread the FreshOver message with others. I think the biggest obstacle in America, besides the cost of food for some, is being prepared and portion control. If you have the right staples in your home and can add in fresh vegetables and fruit in a moderate way, it’s a learning curve for a healthier lifestyle.
Smaller portions, fresher foods, and quit eating out, is my answer.
My FreshOver journey with Ziploc and Rachael Ray this past six months has been very eye-opening, not only for me, but for 48,000 people who have downloaded the FreshOver app on Facebook. The FreshOver Facebook page has grown significantly since January 5 of this year when we began this project. I’m thrilled to have been a part of that.
Now to celebrate, I have a wonderful GIVEAWAY in store for you!
WHAT TO WIN:
* Ziploc product assortment
* A signed Rachael Ray Look + Cook cookbook
* Baggu Bag
* Plant pot with various herb seed packets (parsley, basil, etc.) to plant
HOW TO WIN:
For a chance to win, please complete the following requirements and leave a separate comment for each on this post.* Answer the following question in the comment section below: What’s your favorite way to keep food fresh for grilling season?
* Tweet the following:
RT Win #Ziploc Prize Pack including autographed @rachael_ray cookbook from @SandyCoughlinRE http://su.pr/2TBzvB #FreshOver #spon
* Subscribe to the Reluctant Entertainer RSS feed and leave a comment that you did so (yes, I verify).
Optional Entries:
The following are extra entries that are completely optional and will earn you one extra entry for each completed item. Leave a separate comment on this post for each completed entry.
-Follow @SandyCoughlinRE on Twitter.
-Like Reluctant Entertainer on Facebook.
Official Rules to this giveaway can be found, HERE. No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. ET Wednesday, June 7. This giveaway is available to U.S. residents only.
Disclosure: I have partnered with Ziploc® Brand and am being compensated for my posts. However, my opinions on the product are my own.
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this "icon" portrays a great message. 
I want to share with you some of my favorite places to visit in blog-land, sites that I learn from and am inspired by, and some beautiful friends that I’ve met over the years.
We grill vegetables every time we grill meat. They’re great with the meal, but also wonderful with salads later on.
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H Sandy! LOVE grilling season. We buy a lot of meat from our favorite butcher when it’s at a good price then freeze it for sure. I also keep veggies chopped and in the fridge, and thankfully the herbs are all growing so we have those to add in.
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Ok I have tweeted the giveaway. : )
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And subscribed via RSS (finally, LOL)
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We’re loving grilling season this year after buying a 1/4-cow (grass-fed beef) straight from the farmer. It doesn’t get any fresher than that!
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We keep items fresh by buying them when they are in season and freezing items so we can use them as and when needed rather then them wasting!
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I tweeted about the giveaway here;
https://twitter.com/LO_TS/status/208188508706308097
@lo_ts
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i buy in bulk and freeze in vaccuum bags
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i Tweeted (@onitnaram)
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I Subscribe to the Reluctant Entertainer RSS feed in google reader
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I’m subscribed to your feed via google+ under the email rachapman@live.co.uk
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I buy in bulk, on sale, and freeze my meats in smaller portions…adding marinade before freezing. In ziploc bags, of course!
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To keep food fresh, I just store it in ziplocks in the freezer. I usually use smaller bags and freeze them separately so I can use exactly how many I want to, each time!
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Also, I subscribe to your email list already, that’s how I found out about this
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I like the ziploc gallon bags for marinating and taking things to the grill.
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I tweeted this giveaway – https://twitter.com/DogFurDandelion/status/208202989947723776
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Also, I’ve already subscribed by email.
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I’ve liked RE on Facebook!
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I love this product — not having to touch the meat is perfect! We grow our own food or visit the farmer’s market. There is nothing more fresh than picking it the day you grill it!
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I have RE liked on FB.
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I like to buy veggies in season — I like em fresh!!
Lynn G.
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We just joined a CSA so we can’t wait to grill fresh veggies this year!
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I subscribe via email.
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We love ziplock freezer bags for all of our grilling marinating!
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I tweeted about the giveaway!
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I am subscribed to your blog!
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Straight from the Grocer (or Farmers Market) to the Grill…yumm-O fresh grilled veggies are.the.best!
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I follow you on twitter
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I follow you on FB
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Either I shop and cook same day or freeze right away in Ziploc…but have not tried the new bag system!
~Nancy
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Liked on FB!
~Nancy
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oh, i am just learning how to grill! i don’t have any tips or secrets, yet … so much to learn!
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I definitely freeze meats with Ziploc bags. Usually I add a marinade and freeze too. The challenge is remembering to write the date I put it in the freezer on the outside of the bag!
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I use Ziplock bags to freeze portion sizes for later use, but haven’t tried this product. It sounds great!
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My husband is the head chef in our home and he freezes and keeps
all food to be grilled in Ziploc Bags!
Many thanks, Cindi
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I follow @SandyCoughlinRE via Twitter…
Again, many thanks!
Cindi
cmh512
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We buy items in season, and then cook & freeze when necessary. Thanks for the giveaway!
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I already subscribe to RE. Thanks!
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Also, I “Like” Reluctant Entertainer on Facebook!
Thanks bunches…Cindi
Cindi Hoppes
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To keep food fresh, I purchase fresh produce/meat a day or two before grilling time and keep them in Ziploc containers/bags in the freezer.
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https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/208224446182457344
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I’m a subscriber
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What a great give away! I like to use a battery operated food suction device with bags to remove all of the air from the freezer bags before freezing.
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Great giveaway! I’ve always used a Seal-a-meal to keep things fresh in the freezer. Works wonderfully!
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I subscribe to RE.
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Adore grilling — less mess in the kitchen! I keep a lot of frozen meats in the deep freeze just for now.
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I only buy what I need when I need it!
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I subscribe via a reader.
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We use our food up right away and be sure to keep it refrigerated (when needed).
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Buy fresh then freeze!
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I tweeted the giveaway!
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I already signed up for RE emails
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I follow RE on Twitter
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We get meat at Costco or the butcher shop and freeze in Ziploc! Stays fresh and great for grilling that way.
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I found a foodsaver at a garage sale and have just started using it – vaccum packing fish, chicken, beef. I always buy meat when it’s on sale!!!
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I’ve been receiving your posts in my email – love them!
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I am not on Twitter but I do subscribe to your RSS feed (kalbertsky). Love it!
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I’ve “liked” RE on FB before
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I like RE on Facebook.
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I do something similar, I use the small zip baggies. Then I do the same thing, I flip the bag, put my hand in and grab what I need and zip it! I then put them in larger freezer bags. I like this so I’m not using up all of my smaller baggies.
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I follow you in my google reader and email
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I follow you on FB too
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I follow on twitter too
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Only buy what you need and, yes, we do use Ziploc bags!
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https://twitter.com/gratheeus/status/208260719626551297
tweeted!
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I follow you on twitter!
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I like you on fb!
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I subscribe to your RSS feed!
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I buy the best quality I can afford, and definitely use Ziplocs for marinating and storing.
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I’m not entering for the giveaway, but I actually use old clean vegetable plastic bags like this sometimes!
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I don’t subscribe to your RSS feed, but I do subscribe through Google Reader.
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I portion out the meat and seal it in ziplock freezer bags and store in the freezer to use at a later date.
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Most of the time, it’s buying in bulk and then dividing it up and freezing it. I try to use fresh produce quickly so it’s still fresh!
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I subscribe to RE through Google Reader!
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I like RE on Facebook!
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I already subscribe to RE via email.
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I buy fresh in season produce as needed. I should really try to freeze and can more. Thank you for the giveaway.
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YUM and YAY for BBQ season. I usually marinate my meats in ziploc bags as well. Especially with veggies I too try to get things when they are fresh and in season so they taste their best.
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I like you on FB
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You’re in my google reader..is that the same as RSS feed? LOL
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I like to keep herbs fresh in a small “vase” in the fridge! I RT’d and follow your RSS1
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I follow you on Twitter
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I like you on FB!
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I always buy in bulk, bag, then freeze!
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I tweeted: https://twitter.com/tissaboo/status/208351607195308033
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I subscribe to the Reluctant Entertainer!
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I follow @SandyCoughlinRE on Twitter (@tissaboo)
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I like Reluctant Entertainer on Facebook. (Becky Jordan-Tracey)
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We like to buy local and freeze the extra! I love grilling season!
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i try to buy fresh at the fruit stand
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I subscribe in my google reader
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I wrap up meat I buy in plastic wrap then put it in ziploc bags to keep it fresh until I’m ready for it.
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I tweeted (https://twitter.com/jilliebean_j/status/208431582837616641)
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I subscribe to RSS
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We use Ziploc bags to freeze portions of the bulk meats!!
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I tweeted the giveaway! https://twitter.com/AshleyD729/status/208571330667347968
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I subscribe to your RSS Feed!
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I follow you on Twitter!!
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I like Reluctant Entertainer on Facebook !
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We like to use ziploc bags to keep food fresh as well as marinate for grilling. We also use ziploc storage containers.
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I subscribe by email.
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I follow you on twitter. @ningrlpwr
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I retweeted “RT Win #Ziploc Prize Pack including autographed @rachael_ray cookbook from @SandyCoughlinRE http://su.pr/2TBzvB #FreshOver #spon”
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I “like” you on facebook.
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We usually buy fresh when we are ready to grill unless we find it on sale.
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I tweeted the giveaway.
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I follow @SandyCoughlinRE on Twitter.
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I like Reluctant Entertainer on Facebook.
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I do not subscribe to the Reluctant Entertainer RSS feed. I have enough to do with my e-mail, facebook and twitter. I hope that I still have a chance to win.
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My granny has a garden, and to have fresh veggies throughout the year we either can or freeze the veggies!
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I tweeted this giveaway
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I tend to use glass bowls and Cling Wrap
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We usally buy the same day we grill for the best freshness.
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Email subscriber
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We definitely freeze all of our meets and pull them out the night before for the next day. I try to make a trip to the market to buy our veggies once a week and they manage to stay fresh in the fridge!
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You’re in my reader!
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I do use ziplock bags already in the portions that I need.
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I tweeted about the contest.
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I subscribed to your blog
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I follow you on twitter.
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I like your facebook page
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I have been using Ziplock for years and still do.
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tweeted- https://twitter.com/SandyM204/status/210481503967260672
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We generally buy our food the day we grill it, so freshness isn’t a problem.
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