One Machine, Lots of Uses + Giveaway

A while back, I showed you how I used my new FoodSaver® System and how I’m using it to save time and money in the kitchen. Well, I thought I’d share some other ways I’ve used it the last couple months.

When we traveled to Turks and Caicos in October we were tight on space going there because I brought a backpack filled with school supplies and books for a charity there. In order make more room, I decided

to put Owen’s clothes in some of my FoodSaver® storage bags.

First, I rolled up each piece of clothing and put them in a bag.

clothes storage with foodsaver

Then, I sealed the zipper part and used the accessory part of the FoodSaver® System to suck the air out, making it more compact.

foodsaver attachment

In all, we took three bags of Owen’s clothes and fit them into our suitcases.

 clothes in foodsaver bags

For some stocking stuffers this year, I decided to make some hot chocolate in a jar gifts.

hot chocolate gift jar foodsaver

I poured 1/3 cup of hot chocolate mix in a one pint mason jar, followed by a layer of Andes mints pieces, and then topped it off with some mini marshmallows.

I used the canning attachment to seal in the freshness of the hot chocolate ingredients.

hot cocoa jar foodsaver

I might try some other combinations like using peppermint candy pieces and mini chocolate chips instead of the Andes mints pieces.

foodsaver hot chocolate

While we’re on the subject of marshmallows, who can relate to storing their marshmallows like this? Twist the bag and add bread tie.

foodsaver storing marshmallows

Well, the FoodSaver® system does a much better job of keeping marshmallows fresh than the ole twist and tie method.

I transfer my marshmallows into a FoodSaver® zipper bag and use the accessory attachment to pull out the air.

storing marshmallows with foodsaver

Not gonna lie, after the air is removed the marshmallows look like they’ve melted, but they haven’t.

marshmallow foodsaver

I’m also using the FoodSaver® system to store some of my Christmas decorations. I had these glittery snowflakes in a tote with some other decorations. The problem was that the glitter got everywhere. 

  storing ornaments foodsaver

So I put them in a FoodSaver® bag and sealed it. I didn’t remove the air because I didn’t want to risk breaking any of the ornaments.

using foodsaver bags

Now all that glitter (can you see some of it already pooling in the bottom corner of the bag?) is contained for good until I decide to break out those ornaments.

foodsaver ornament storage

 

For more information on the FoodSaver® system you can visit their website here. You can also follow them on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Youtube.

How do you use your FoodSaver® System to create, seal and share during the holidays? Tell me in the comments for a chance to win a $100 VISA gift card!

 

Entry Instructions:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post with the hashtag #SweepstakesEntry

2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post or with the hashtag #SweepstakesEntry, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 12/7/2015 – 12/31/2015

Be sure to visit FoodSaver’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

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151 Comments

  1. susan hatfield says:

    I don’t have one of these great machines but if I did I would use it to bag and seal some of my card making supplies, and would definitely use it for food. We toss way too much food due to freezer burn. It would be fun to use it for some mementos that I put into my scrapbooks that I don’t want coming open, like the kids baby locks!

  2. I didn’t even know there were canning attachments for those things! So interesting!! I love the hot chocolate gifts. I’d totally make that happen!!! #SweepstakesEntry

  3. We have an annual cookie bake day at my house with about ten ladies. We always use the food saver to seal all those yummy cookies we bake so they won’t get old and stale since it’s too many to eat in one sitting or in several days.

    1. We have an annual cookie bake day at my house with about ten ladies. We always use the food saver to seal all those yummy cookies we bake so they won’t get old and stale since it’s too many to eat in one sitting or in several days. #SweepstakesEntry forgot to add that 🙂

  4. Lisa Brown says:

    I would use the food saver to create sealed food packages for family,
    friends and neighbors, and then use the system for all the holiday
    food leftovers. #SweepstakesEntry

  5. Lisa Brown says:

    tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/673868144948076544

  6. Julie Wood says:

    I would use the Food saver to pack leftover goodies from my Christmas Cookie and candy party that I host every year. This food saver would keep all my cookies fresh for a long time and I could even freeze some of the Christmas goodies.

  7. Julie Wood says:

    tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/673868987168501760

  8. Amanda Hayes says:

    I have wanted one of these for a long time! But I didn’t know you could use it for more than just food!.#SweepstakesEntry

  9. I buy “bulk” meat bundles and freeze appropriate size portions with my food saver system. Love it! #SweepstakesEntry

  10. I would use FoodSaver System to keep my Christmas cookies fresh
    Thank you for the giveaway!

  11. We had on growing up and it was so nice to use for cookies! You could bake up sugar cookies, seal them up, throw them in the freezer, then decorate them later. And they were still super-fresh! I like the idea to use it to store glittery items. My glittery ribbons shedded everywhere.
    #SweepstakesEntry

  12. Dorothy Boucher says:

    I don’t own a food saver, but if I did , I would be able to save not only my Christmas cookies but my vegetables, left over food. I would definitely get use out of this for canning some homemade sugar scrubs /facial scrubs, and body lotions. I also think this would be wonderful to put to use for giving out Christmas goody bags to the homeless #SweepstakesEntry
    @tisonlyme143

  13. I would use this to make hot cocoa gifts for a few of my friends. Love the ideas.

  14. I have been wanting to try the canning attachment for salads. I don’t have one but would love one. I would also use it for freezing meat.

  15. I love how many different uses this has – I never realized it could be used for more than sealing up food. I would love to win one of these. #SweepstakesEntry

  16. I don’t have one but I’d love to own one! I would use it for sealing the meat we buy in bulk or on sale so it doesn’t freezer burn so quickly. I love the ideas you showed too! I would never have thought of using it for canning! I love that! #SweepstakesEntry

  17. #SweepstakesEntry forgot to add this! Would really like one of these machines. Especially for freezing meat.

  18. I would use the Food Saver for large meat purchases. #SweepstakesEntry

  19. I would use the FoodSaver® System to create, seal and share during the holidays by packing up extra food, and then dropping it off at a local shelter. #SweepstakesEntry

  20. What great ideas! I never would have thought of any of them. I would love to use the canning attachment to make cute jar gifts like yours, so fun! Thanks for the opportunity for the #sweepstakesentry.

  21. I feel like we always throw leftovers away…so I’d use it to save it longer #sweepstakesentry

  22. Nona Cheryl KnightG says:

    #Sweepstakes entry
    I love my Food Saver. I also have the mini that works with the reusable bags. Gotta tip for you. My husband pointed out that it can be a pain to have to wash the bags to reuse them. Before you store food stuffs, tuck ’em into a regular zip-up bag, squeeze as much air out as possible, then stick that bag into a reusable Food Saver bag and follow the procedure to seal it up! I can reuse a bag several times this way without having to clean them.
    My son is a hunter and I’d love to be able to give him his own Food Saver! Thanks for the giveaway!

  23. I don’t have FoodSaver® System, but it could save a lot of my herbs from the trash 🙂
    Thank you!
    #SweepstakesEntry

  24. #SweepstakesEntry I would love to make the homemade hot chocolate for the girls I work with. The FoodSaver makes it so much easier to share! It would also make mailing bulky stuffed animals or shirts a bit easier for the holidays!!

  25. #SweepstakesEntry I would use the FoodSaver® System to create, seal and share during the holidays by making care packages of christmas baking for my kid’s to give out to their classmates and teachers, as well as care packages for friends.

  26. I love the idea of using it in order for ornaments to stay in one piece. I will have to start using mine for that as well. Typically use it to store foods that we make too much of and our sweaters. #SweepstakesEntry

  27. I love the wide variety of ways you’ve found to use it. I cringe thinking of another appliance unless it has a million uses, like this one! Love the canning attachment. #SweepstakesEntry

  28. LOVE all of the non-food uses for the food saver! I really love the canning attachment. That really adds a lot of value to the product. I definitely need one of these guys! #SweepstakesEntry

  29. I would love to use this for everything, from packing to food storage! I have wanted one for a long time! I should have put it on my Christmas list! #sweepstakesentry

  30. I would use the food saver system to keep the Christmas cookies I bake nice and fresh for all my neighbors and friends that I give them to!

    1. I forgot to add #SweepstakesEntry to my comment

  31. I have used my foodsaver for sealing in Holiday Goodies many a time! I have used both the bags and mason jars to get treats to my hubby when he’s deployed. I always hope they make it around the world a little fresher! He always says they are delicious! #SweepstakesEntry

  32. It’s great for saving holiday cookies.

  33. tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/673978302273581060

  34. Mary Stewart says:

    I ship lots packages to my relatives all the time. I use to send handmade scented candles, bath salts, lotions etc., but stopped because the scent would carry over onto clothing, cards etc. I think I could use the sealer as a way to prevent the scent from creeping through everything. I don’t have one but I’m sure it would help with my “smelly” problem!

  35. I wish I had one of these!! I would love to use it to keep all my baled goods fresh for the season!

    1. I bought one broke after about ten bags called company they said tough. And that do not have any sever ice centers to get repairs. So I would not have one at all.

  36. I would use the FoodSaver System to seal and share gingerbread men cookies during the holidays

  37. I don’t have a Food Saver machine but if I did I would definitely use it to prepare leftovers for the freezer. I usually save lots of holiday leftovers in the freezer, but too often they get freezer burn.

  38. I bet this would work great for keeping homemade cookies fresh so they could be sent to loved ones in the mail!

  39. Jessie C. says:

    I use FoodSaver System to help with clothing packing for holiday travels.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

  40. Jessie C. says:

    tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/674041485923233793

  41. #SweepstakesEntry

    This would save me so much time when it comes to preparing meals

  42. Hiya!!! I’ve never had the pleasure of owning a FoodSaver system, but some of my relatives have. I think they’re incredible. Would love to have one, and would probably use the gift card for just that purpose. Thanks for having the giveaway. Blessed be, hugs!!! #SweepstakesEntry

  43. I would use FoodSaver® System to create, seal and share during the holidays by giving away baked holiday treats to my friends and family. We love to giveaway Christmas cookies to loved on

  44. #SweepstakesEntry Sadly, I don’t own a FoodSaver System, but I sure would love to! One of my favorite Christmas traditions is making cookies and treats. I often share them with family, friends, and neighbors. A FoodSaver System would make this such an easier job as I could store them in the bag and keep them fresher for longer. The extras would go in the freezer for after the holidays!

  45. I don’t have a food saver but have always wanted one, If I had one I imagine I would use it for all the cookies I make during the holidays.

  46. I use the food saver for all the bake goods I send for gifts and also to put in freezer to last a lot longer such as pies and extra cheese during the year ..Thanks

  47. I would use it for Christmas cookies #SweepstakesEntry

  48. carol clark says:

    #SweepstakesEntry We use this to seal food up from christmas for travel and store in cooler until we get home

  49. Currently don’t own one but have a friend that does. I see her using it to store foods in freezer so as not to get freezer burn and also to make food last longer periods of time. #SweepstakesEntry

  50. I don’t have one, but I have been looking into buying one. I would definitely use it for food. I love the idea about the clothes. I would have never thought to do that. Now I want one even more! #SweepstakesEntry

  51. D Schmidt says:

    I would use it to prep vegetables for holiday meals

  52. Love the canning attachment! #SweepstakesEntry

  53. Elisabeth says:

    We actually don’t own one but I love that you can use it to pack more efficiently!

  54. I would use it to seal meat #SweepstakesEntry

  55. I love the idea of using the Food Saver for marshmallows; I am all too familiar with the molten glob they become when left alone for a couple of months. Not good eats right there.

  56. I would use the Food Saver for make ahead freezer meals. #SweepstakesEntry

  57. Brenda Jahnke says:

    I got an error message when I tried to go to the official rules to find an alternative to tweeting/blogging for a second entry, but I pinned on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/90564642484442877/ and shared on Facebook! Thanks for offering this great giveaway! #SweepstakesEntry

  58. This would be great for extra produce and freezer meals!

    chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com

  59. this machine would save my family so much money. it looks like it works well

  60. I use it to pre-buy meat on sale #SweepstakesEntry

  61. I would use the food saver when I make meals ahead of time. Then if we have unexpected company around Christmas I can pull out an extra serving from the freezer. #SweepstakesEntry

  62. I make homemade truffles as a gift, and I would love to be able to use the food saver to make them easier to ship.
    #SweepstakesEntry

  63. I’d use it to keep leftover and cookies fresh.

  64. i would use this to portion and freeze cookie dough

  65. I use it to keep my baked holiday items fresh for the ones I bake prior and then keeping the extra good to go for when we want it.

  66. Sarah Hayes says:

    wed love to use it to share holiday treats with family #SweepstakesEntry

  67. Karine Traverse says:

    I don’t have a Foodsaver yet (hoping during tax season), but I would use it to send cookies to family and friends

  68. Love the idea about packing baby clothes! #Sweepstakesentry

  69. I’d love to have one of these. I’d use it to seal the Christmas cookies I bake throughout the month of December.

  70. We buy meat in bulk and freeze it. The FoodSaver keeps it fresher longer than Ziploc Freezer Bags. #SweepstakesEntry

  71. How clever! love your ideas. I would use my food saver system to keep cookies fresh longer and share with family this holiday season.
    amy [at] utry [dot] it

  72. I don’t have one of these, but they look very useful, especially around this time of year when food is in over abundance!

  73. I would buy in bulk at costco to save money, then store in food saver bags to keep items fresh.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com

  74. tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/680048722462507009

  75. Susan Smith says:

    I’d love to have one of these. I’d use it to seal the Christmas cookies I bake throughout the month of December so they stay fresh for later.

  76. Thomas Murphy says:

    I bake Christmas cookies and seal them up and give them out.

  77. I would use it to store leftovers in the holidays!

  78. ELIZABETH P says:

    I would use it on meats and crockpot frozen meals.

  79. Tabathia B says:

    #SweepstakesEntry I would use it to keep my brownies fresh for family

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  80. shelly peterson says:

    I would use this for left overs and freezing meat.
    cshell090869 dot com

  81. I’d be able to really utilize this machine for storing veggies longer, and keeping meats fresh. #SweepstakesEntry
    westiemks5 at yahoo dot com

  82. Cynthia C says:

    I vacuum seal a lot of my holiday baking ingredients in mason jars for maximum freshness. #SweepstakesEntry

  83. I would use it for the cookies I like to bake ahead of time to keep them frsh for the holiday parties

  84. Seyma Shabbir says:

    I would use the system to freeze cookie dough and keep fresh for the holidays!! Also frosting!! #SweepstakesEntry

  85. I would use the FoodSaver to create food in jars for family and friends. I like homemade gifts that come from the heart! Soups mixes along with cookie and brownie starters. #SweepstakesEntry

  86. Danielle Kniep says:

    Both my parents and my fiance’s parents have and love their foodsaver systems! I remember spending long nights making 1# bags of ground meat after each of my dad’s hunting trips! Thanks for all of the alternate ideas and ways to us e the system, Chelsea! I never would have thought of some of them! This item will definitely be on our wedding registry! #SweepstakesEntry

  87. Stephanie Phelps says:

    I love to use mine to save plates of food and sweets for the elderly in our community! #SweepstakesEntry

  88. Margaret Smith says:

    I like to make sweet breads and give them as gifts. This would be perfect for keeping the breads fresh.

  89. I would use it for cookies and baked goods. #SweepstakesEntry

  90. #SweepstakesEntry I’ve just started using a foodsaver so i am just now learning ways to use it

  91. Ellie Wright says:

    I would use it to seal all the fudge and other baked goods I bake and share with family and friends. #SweepstakesEntry

  92. sherri crawford says:

    to keep cookies separate and fresh

  93. I would use the system to do bulk baking ahead of time and sealing the finished product for later.I’d also like to use it to store leftovers to create individual dinners that I could take to work with me.

  94. Janice Cooper says:

    I don’t have one but I would use it to freeze fruits and vegetables and also for my holiday sweet treats

  95. I don’t use this but it would be great to use for baked goods, so that you could bake in advance and still serve “fresh” baked goods!

  96. Whitney Bellows says:

    I use my food saver for chicken, ground beef & steak #SweepstakesEntry

  97. LOVE THAT IT SAVES ENERGY AND CUTS DOWN ON THE BILL

  98. wow, thanks for the update, This machine would helpful to me…

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