Ten Easy Eco Kitchen Changes You Can Make
May 24, 2008 by Jennifer
- Instead of foil – go without and wash your cookie sheet or pan.
- Instead of paper muffin cups – use Silicone Baking Cups.
- Instead of packing snacks and sandwiches in plastic baggies – try small containers with lids or these.
- Instead of polyurethane laden sponges – use a washcloth or a greener sponge option.
- Instead of spraying your kitchen counters with chemicals – don’t. Bonus point for not using paper towels.
- Instead of keeping your coffee pot on – transfer hot coffee to a large thermos.
- Instead of individual packaging i.e mini cereal and applesauce cups – buy the biggest package possible that your family can use up.
- Instead of boxes and jars – buy bulk when possible (use your own containers). Try with items like raisins, spices, chocolate chips, and sugar.
- Instead of an empty freezer – fill it up to conserve energy and make items colder.
- Instead of boiling soup and steaming veggies on the stove top – use your microwave if you’ve got one.
[Image via stock.xchng]
I like silicone, but it worries me. I read one report on how it can possibly be unhealthy, though I have only seen just the one report while every other says it is safe.
I meant to write and ask you about it a while back when I came across the article. Have you ever heard of any unhealthy side effects, this article mentioned something about oils leaking from the silicone.
It was in the local paper, so I will need to see if I can track down a copy on their site for reference. I’m not so sure I trust the source, though.
Julie I have a post on the safety of silicone on my baking delights blog… it is perfectly safe.
Jennifer…I got them all plus some… and as far as #7…better yet, buy fresh and can it, freeze it, or dehydrate it yourself.
Oh and #1- silicone cookie sheet liners are another option.
ANother thing…In our family there are half drank glasses of water sitting around…we dump these into a container to use for rinsing dishes, watering plants or what ever.
Julie – I was going to tell you what Marye did – she has posted about the safety of them before (I note that in the silicone post).
Marye – not surprised. That half drank water tip is really good. Cedar’s always trying to dump water down the sink, but we do have a container garden to water, so I try and save his water. If I catch him. Also, I forgot about silicone liners. This is why I don’t blog food.
You can do the same with leftover coffee and juice as well. Just remember that coffee, tea and juice need to go on acid loving plants.
Thanks, just came back in from having the chilluns in the warmth for the first time in a while. I’ll take a peek at that, that article had really worried me.
What’s the solution when the dish you are cooking calls for Foil to wrap over the top of dish while it’s cooking?
@Liz I’ll write a post about your question tomorrow (Monday). After that, I’ll come back and link it here in the comments.
I also have stopped using baggies and use containers instead and also stopped using paper towels. All of these changes end up saving us money too.
Rosemary
http://her-home-blog.com
@Rosemary yup, going green is actually more of a money saver than people think. We usually just hear about how green is so costly. But with the right decisions, it’s not.
Did I miss the post for the alternative? I’ve been busy moving so I haven’t been checking as often.
@Liz sorry, I meant to post it here: http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/alternatives-to-foil-use/
Hope your move goes ok. I hate moving.