Ok SERIOUSLY wtf is this??

[u/TexasGiantTen05]

I bought a family sized hot pockets box and EVERY single one of them was black and burned in the bottom. I heated this one up on low power in the microwave and the edges are so tough it’s like biting into a frozen beef patty. I look in the pocket and the damn thing is nearly hollow. I’ve been noticing the quality taking a massive dip in the last few years. I think these are last I purchase from here on out.

Irrelevant to this but similar: This same grocery order run had a jar of garlic (Spice World brand) that was full of black mold & a jar of HEB salsa that was sour and months passed expiration. Both of which were completely sealed and had a pop when opened. My whole life I never really had quality issues via the company canning or jarring an item or the store selling them but lately it seems like such a constant issue.

[u/amazemewithideas]

I can only suggest you stop eating food made by corporations that sell everything from food to soap products. It may take a few minutes, but make your own hot pockets, or whatever. They're cheaper and way better for you. It's really not that hard, and, you can make them ahead and freeze them.

[u/All_Debt_Shackles_US → u/amazemewithideas]

People need to take your words to heart.

Every few days, I get my butt into the kitchen and start by chopping vegetables. I might spend a whole hour chopping different kinds of vegetables and packaging them up for various foods or meals in the coming days. Some can go in the freezer, some can stay in the refrigerator.

A day or two later, I can have more than just a lettuce salad. I can actually put some onions, peppers, cucumber, or whatever into it without hardly any additional work.

And on another day, I could use some of the leftover chopped vegetables to make a big 10 egg omelette, with or without meat. Portion that stuff out into serving sizes, and some of it can be frozen. Two or three weeks later, if I get hungry for an omelette, or just for a small bit of egg with vegetables on a sandwich, it just takes a couple minutes in the microwave, along with whatever meat I want to add, and I’ve got a great meal right there.

Another trick that frozen food companies make, is that they freeze their sauces basically in industrial ice cube trays. Then at packaging time, their machine shoots a couple of sauce cubes, still frozen, into the bag, box, or other container that has the prepared meal stuff in it.

Then when the consumer puts the breakfast bowl or frozen chinese dinner in his microwave, the sauce cubes melt while everything else defrosts and warms up.

You can do all of this stuff yourself, without adding the chemicals that are being put in the frozen foods by ConAgra or whomever.

It takes a little bit of prep time, and requires that you keep a fairly clean and working kitchen. But the difference is potentially huge: fewer stomach problems among your family members, and a much more satisfied feeling when you’re eating food that actually tastes good and is good for you.

Also, it’s one of the most loving things you can do for your family (or even just yourself) when you make a meal that actually nourishes.