Stop refrigerating these foods.

Definitely Don't Refrigerate...

There are some foods that are actively made worse by refrigeration. These are the items you should absolutely keep away from cold.

---

Potatoes

Refrigeration causes the starch in potatoes to turn to sugar, and while this might sound like a good thing, it gives them the wrong flavor. The skins will also darken prematurely while cooking, making them look less appetizing.

 Onions

Here's a weird one. You don't have to refrigerate onions, but you do need to keep them physically separated from the potatoes. Spuds emit moisture and gases that will make your onions rot. Your best bet is to keep onions in the mesh bag they came in—they like air circulation. 

Garlic

Again, air circulation is key. Garlic bulbs will keep for two months without refrigeration, and if you keep them out of the damp air of the fridge you'll avoid making all your other nearby produce smell like garlic. Some even say that refrigeration will make garlic sprout prematurely.

Avocado

Is there anything more delicious and healthy than a ripe avocado? Avocado won't ripen in cold conditions, so unless you need them to keep for awhile, you should let yours live outside the refrigerator until they're ready to eat. There's a popular legend suggesting the presence of the pit prevents browning, so if you only use half of an avocado, be sure to reserve the side with the pit.

Tomatoes

Cold breaks down the cell walls in tomato flesh and causes them to become mushy and mealy. For better results, store them at room temperature and keep them out of direct sunlight, which can ripen them early and unevenly.

Bananas

Allow bananas to ripen at room temperature, and use your refrigerator when you want to slow the ripening process. Just be aware that refrigeration also happens to turn banana peels brown (though the interior is still unspoiled). Frozen bananas also make a great ice cream replacement for dieters.

Melon

Fresh melon—uncut, we should specify—is best stored on the kitchen counter where it can properly ripen and sweeten. Only after you cut up your cantaloupe (or whatever) into bit sized bits should the flesh be refrigerated (but never frozen). 

Stone Fruits

Peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums, cherries, and so on should be ripened at room temperature, stem-end down. Only after the fruits start softening slightly to the touch and begin to smell sweet should they be moved to the refrigerator. Shelf life is three to five days after that.

Bread

Try to eat your bread before it gets to the point where you need to chill it to stave off mold, because if you end up refrigerating, the loaf will get tough and less tasty. For this reason, a lot of people freeze bread. Freezing preserves the texture, but then you have to deal with defrosting it. And who's got the the time to microwave a slice of bread when they're rushing to catch a train in the morning?

Pastries

It's the same story with cookies and pastry. You can store them covered outside the fridge, and it's true they won't last quite as long, but refrigeration causes baked goods to go stale faster. Keep your cannolis on the countertop where they belong. 

Hot Sauce

Not all hot sauces are created equal, but if it's a vinegar-based hot sauce like Tabasco, you can almost always safely store it in the pantry for months on end. Cold weakens the flavor and changes the viscosity of the sauce, affecting the pour.

Spices

Once again the humid environment of a refrigerator is detrimental to the flavor of spices, and since most can be safely stored for years without refrigeration, there's no benefit to cold storage at all.

Honey

It has a practically indefinite shelf life. Don't refrigerate honey. It'll crystallize, and you'll have to squeeze that stupid teddy bear even harder to get it out.

Peanut Butter

All-natural peanut butter does have to be refrigerated, because the peanut oil can rise, separate from the mash, and go rancid. Commercially processed peanut butter, on the other hand (like JIF and Skippy), can be stored for months without issue—even if the jar's been opened already. But really, who can't eat a jar of peanut butter in a month? It's delicious, and good for you, too. 

Oils

Nut oils (like hazelnut oil) must be refrigerated, but for other types of oil you're in the clear. Oils will become cloudy and harden when refrigerated, and while this doesn't do lasting damage, you'll need to wait for the oil to warm before it tastes right or flows properly again.

Maybe Don't Refrigerate...

These are hotly contested. We've heard some pretty convincing stories of people storing these items at home without refrigeration, but you might want to keep them cool just in case.

---

Apples

Everybody stores apples in the fruit drawer, but that's not entirely necessary. More importantly, it could reduce the amount of antioxidants in the fruit's skin. Apples will keep for about a week outside the fridge, and depending on the variety they might last a bit longer inside—but whether the tradeoffs are worth it is up to you.

Coffee

Go ahead and refrigerate your leftover iced coffee from lunch, but coffee beans and grounds should really be stored more carefully. Condensation created by the fridge or freezer can affect the flavor of the beans, and sensitive palates can detect the difference. For best results, store beans or grounds in an airtight container outside the refrigerator instead.

Eggs

Certain organic eggs may be left out for a few days, as long as the shell is intact, but we're not sure why you'd want to bother. You'll get much better longevity out of a properly refrigerated egg, and there's nothing smellier than a rotten one.

Butter

Personally, I keep butter in a French butter dish, which holds butter upside down and inside an air pocket underwater. The water creates an airtight seal, while the butter remains easily spreadable at room temperature. The USDA doesn't really advise this, but it's working out fine so far. 

Condiments

Again, despite the "Refrigerate After Opening" labels, you really don't have to refrigerate processed condiments like ketchup and mustard. They'll do fine right there on the kitchen table, just like the ones left beside the menus at the local diner.

Salad Dressings

Some people refrigerate salad dressings, some don't. Since most dressings are oil-based, and we've already established oil's longevity outside the fridge, they should be fine. Salad dressings that aren't oil-based are usually made of processed goop, and those are dense with preservatives anyway. Use your best judgment, of course.

Soy Sauce

The "Refrigerate After Opening" warning on that bottle of Kikkoman is only there because they're required to write it by law. The truth is, all the salt in the sauce is going to keep the stuff safe for months without refrigeration.



 

50 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Self-Esteem.

1. Become proficient at something

When you practice and become skilled at something you enjoy, your increasing competency and the discipline of practice will be a source of pride and fulfillment for you.

2. Reclaim your integrity

If you are living outside of your integrity, you will feel disoriented, guilty, and drained. Define what integrity means for you, and make the necessary changes to live in accordance with it.

3. Exercise

Exercise makes you feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. It provides a sense of control over your health and vitality.

4. Volunteer

When we serve and support other people, we feel uplifted and valued. We have found a way to show empathy and connection through service.

5. Take care of a pet

Pets offer unconditional love and fulfill our longing for attention and affection. Pets teach us compassion and responsibility, taking the focus off of our own problems.

6. Care about your appearance

When you look your best, you feel better. You project an outward image of self-esteem and confidence — even if you don’t feel that way. But when you act “as if” you have self-esteem, eventually your feelings will catch up.

7. Do something creative

Creative endeavors put you in the “flow” state in which you are intently engaged in what you are doing. It stimulates the brain and potentially leads you to a passion or avocation.

8. Heal past wounds

Past issues and traumas can keep you trapped in low self-esteem. Seek the support of a trained counselor to help you heal the wounds of the past.

9. Plan something exciting

Plan for a trip or adventure so that you have something exciting to look forward to. Just the planning process with make you feel engaged and purposeful.

10. Have a change of scenery

Actually going on a trip, working from another location, or spending time out of your house will give you a boost of energy and motivation.

11. Spend time with a friend

Good friends accept us as we are, love us for who we are, and provide an outlet for fun and companionship. Our best friends are a reflection of the good in ourselves.

12. Get clear on your values

Determine your core values in life, the principles around which you want your life centered. Examine your life to see where you are not in alignment with the values and make the necessary changes to fix that.

13. Write down your accomplishments

Think back through your life to all that you've accomplished as a youth and adult. List everything you have done that you feel proud of.

14. Read something inspirational

Read books and articles that uplift you and make you feel positive. Stay away from negative television programs, web sites, advertising or anything that reinforces a poor self-image.

15. Stretch yourself

Step outside of your comfort zone in some way. Stretch yourself to try something new, meet different people, or approach a situation in an unconventional way.

16. Take care of your relationships

Focus your love, time, and attention on the people you care about most. Nurture your relationships and find ways to communicate fully and enjoy a richer experience with your loved ones.

17. Teach someone

You have skills and abilities to share with others. Teach someone who is interested in learning. Offer your knowledge and experience as a gift.

18. Practice affirmations

Keep an affirmation journal in which you write positive, loving statements about yourself. Repeat those affirmations daily when you awaken and before you go to sleep.

19. Challenge limiting beliefs

When you catch yourself thinking negatively about your self-worth, challenge the beliefs with evidence to the contrary. Find reasons why your limiting beliefs are untrue — or at least not completely true.

20. Seek your life passion

If you have not found your life passion, make time in your life to seek it out. The process of having a goal to find it will give your life a sense of purpose.

21. Give and receive affection

Offer and receive physical affection from family and friends. Physical touch supports bonding between people, reduces anxiety, improves your mood, and creates connections.

22. Increase your standards

Begin to demand more of yourself in various areas of your life. Challenge yourself to do a bit better, go a bit farther, behave more lovingly than you have in the past. Set the bar higher, and you will feel proud of who you are.

23. Have a purpose

Start considering what your life purpose might be. Why are you here? What could be your legacy and how can you make that a centerpiece of your life?

24. Live in the right place

Are you living in a community or city that makes you feel comfortable and at home? Or are you living somewhere that doesn’t reflect your values and ideal lifestyle?

25. Let go of draining people

If there are people in your life who put you down, drain you of energy, or take advantage of you, begin to gently let them slip from your life. Surround yourself with loving and supportive people who value you.

26. Network

Expand your network of friends and associates to broaden your horizons and create new life and career opportunities.

27. Ask for forgiveness

If you have wronged someone, don’t live with guilt or shame. Apologize, make it right, and ask for forgiveness.

28. Pay off your debts

Living with debt can drain your self-esteem and cause on-going anxiety. Pay off your debts  and begin to live within your means.

29. Don’t smoke, drink too much, or use recreational drugs

All of these excesses are unhealthy, make you feel bad physically and make you feel undisciplined and dependent on substances to soothe your emotions.

30. Create personal boundaries

Know what your personal boundaries are and how you will react when people cross them. Don’t allow others to take advantage of you or manipulate you.

31. Be a mentor

Be there for someone who needs support, leadership, and guidance. Their respect will add to your self-respect.

32. Slow down and simplify

An over-scheduled and complicated life will lead to stress and overwhelm. You have no time to make positive changes in your life that lead to self-esteem. Begin to clear things off your to-do list and simplify all areas of your life.

33. Detach from the opinion of others

When you worry about what others will think of you, you never feel free to be yourself completely. Begin making choices and decisions based on what you want, not what you think others want for you.

34. Stop gossiping

Gossip may be momentarily powerful and thrilling, but it leaves you with a residue of distaste for yourself. Make a point to stop gossiping.

35. Be an initiator

Don’t wait for others to make the plans, call the shops, or come up with the ideas. Be the initiator, the first responder, the one who takes charge. Practice this even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

36. Learn to manage anger

Anger is often a response to feelings of low self-worth and despair. Find appropriate outlets for your feelings. Express them to a supportive person before they turn to anger.

37. Embrace failure as part of growth

Shift your thinking about perceived failures. See them as a necessary part of growth and learning. Failures are evidence of effort, and you always learn something from them.

38. Stop over-thinking

Jump off the gerbil wheel of repetitive thoughts that percolate constantly in your brain. Instead, take some kind of positive action that is distracting and worthwhile.

39. Eliminate time-wasting behaviors

Find productive, creative, life-affirming ways to spend your time, rather than watching endless hours of TV, surfing the net, or playing video games.

40. Be willing to ask for help

Asking for help and support isn't a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of determination and courage. Asking for help means you are ready for positive change.

41. Be honest with yourself and others

If you are living a lie, telling yourself or others stories about who you are and how you feel, you are entrapping yourself in unhappiness. You must be authentic and accepting to open your heart to self-love.

42. Stay focused on the present moment

It is the only reality. When the past and the future feel painful, focus on the task at hand and do it with your full engagement.

43. Practice gratitude

Every day, write down all that you feel grateful for, all of your blessings, all of the people whose lives have touched you in a positive way.

44. Shift from an inferiority mentality to an equality  mentality

Stop comparing yourself to others and measuring your worth against what they might have and you don’t. View everyone you encounter as your equal and your potential friend, regardless of their station in life, appearance, or intelligence.

45. Keep learning

View yourself as a life-long learner and approach all things with a beginner’s mentality — open, eager, and willing to learn.

46. Re-frame fear

Begin to shift the feelings of fear to energy for change. When you feel fear, use this powerful emotion to take action on something positive and forward-moving.

47. Redefine success

What is success for you? Is it wealth, power, or possessions? Begin to view success in terms of fulfilling experiences, loving relationships, and meaningful work.

48. Set small goals

Every day, set one or two small goals for yourself that are non-negotiable. At the end of a year, you will have achieved more than you ever expected.

49. Study personal evolution

Become a forever student of personal growth and self-improvement. Read, listen, study, and learn about how to live with emotional intelligence and maturity. See personal evolution as a life-long journey.

50. Give away love

Never hesitate to show your love, even if you've been hurt by love in the past. The move love you give away, the more it comes back to you. Start with yourself. Begin to love yourself the way you would love your best friend or sibling.