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I pulled up a news story today stating that the Earth is currently on track for a temperature increase of 4 degrees. Widespread catastrophe is supposed to occur at a 2 degree increase. For those that haven’t read my bio I’m more than just a health coach; I also have an environmental science degree. When I graduated from college in 97′ the mention of climate change drew strange looks from most people. Now it’s becoming more mainstream and the jig is up; we can no longer ignore the impact we have. Recycling isn’t enough, we have to Reuse as much as we can and give up our throw away habits. Here are some of the products I own and use.
Reusable Silicone Bags and Bowl Covers
I’ve had this set for a few months. I wanted to try silicone bags to see how I would like them and the bowl covers were an added bonus. The bags in this set are about the same size as quart sized zipper bags but they’re wider at the top and slightly shorter. So far they’ve been easy to clean, dry, and they haven’t held on to any odors that I’ve noticed. I’ve used the bags to store onions and sausage without any sort of lingering odor issue. They’re easy to open and close with a sturdy piece that slides over the top of the bag. The bags have never popped open on me, but I also haven’t intentionally overstuffed them. I’ve been happy with them and I’ll definitely be adding more silicone bags to our collection.
I’ve used the bowl covers a few times. Evidently I don’t use regular bowls for food storage much. When I have used the bowl covers they have a nice lip on the edge that hangs over the edge of the bowl and helps keep them from slipping off. The lids have never slipped off while sitting in the refrigerator. I haven’t tried to see if liquids will spill out if the bowl is tipped but I’m willing to bet that if it’s left long enough a liquid could find its way out.
Healthy Human Water Bottles
I love my Healthy Human water bottle. Mine has a wood grain finish which always makes people ask about it. They’re stainless steel reusable water bottles. Why should you give up plastic water bottles for good?
In 2007, US consumers purchased more than 33 billion liters of bottled water, or 110 liters (30 gallons) per person. The total energy required to produce 33 billion liters is equivalent to 32-54 million barrels of oil (although not all the energy used comes from oil). Energy to produce bottled water accounts for about one-third of one percent of total US energy consumption. – phys.org
Having your own reusable water bottle is an easy way to reduce your environmental footprint and always have a healthy drink in your hand.
Canvas Grocery Bags
I bought these a few years ago and I love them because they can be washed. I’ve noticed that many reusable grocery bags don’t hold up to getting washed which defeats the point of a reusable bag. If it’s made to be reusable it should be reusable for a long time. Turtlecreek makes 2 handle lengths. I have the long handles which is great for throwing a bag of groceries on your shoulder for easier carrying. I’ve washed these a few times and the stitching has always held together without any issues. Plus many stores offer a credit for each reusable bag you use. It all adds up.
Reusable Mesh Produce Bags
I’ve had this set for about a year and I love it. The price is right, they wash well, and many stores can scan produce codes through the bag. (I have had some cashiers struggle to scan things on occasion.) The various sizes are perfect for the various types of produce you might purchase. I’ve even used these in the bulk section for large things that aren’t too dusty like nuts. When checking out if you ask them to count your reusable produce bags in your bag credit total more often than not they will.
Mason Jars
Your most environmentally friendly choice is to reuse the jars that you buy in the grocery store. They’re a great alternative to plastic storage containers if you’re trying to avoid foods that have been in contact with plastic. It’s a thing. I don’t buy many things in glass jars so I have a couple of sets of Mason jars. They’re our drinking glasses, storage for dry goods like flours and nuts, and I also use them to freeze soups and broth. (Make sure the lid isn’t tight if you’re going to freeze a liquid otherwise the grass might crack.) Of course there is also their primary use which is for canning. To get a good seal when you’re canning you can’t reuse jars from the store; that’s where these come in. When you want to reuse them for canning all you need to buy is new lids.
Silicone Baking Mat
I own a Silpat baking mat to use in place of parchment paper. I’ve owned mine for years without issue and it bakes cookies perfectly. There are less expensive silicone baking mats on Amazon which I’m sure are fine but since I haven’t used them personally I don’t want to suggest something I haven’t tried myself. When I watch cooking shows they typically use the brand Silpat so I know it’s a widely recognized brand. If you haven’t used a silicone baking mat they’re awesome because they clean much easier than most pans do. Plus, you’ll be saving the surface of your pans from harsh scrubbing which will prolong their life.
Reduce Consumption
The best way to reduce environmental impact is to reduce our consumption. Until we establish a system with universal green energy, and green products, our reduction of what we use is critical if we want to impact climate change. The kitchen is a perfect place to start because things are always coming and going in this room of the house. Finding ways to reduce how much your throw out or recycle from this room of the house can have a huge impact, especially if everyone gets on board.
Originally posted on November 28, 2018 @ 19:14
