Take The Organic Kitchen Challenge Reduce Household Pollutants
Reducing the household pollutants in your kitchen will protect your organic foods from harmful chemicals and therefore help protect your family.
Remember everything takes time. Read up on an organic lifestyle on this site and make changes as you see fit.
Every little bit is worth it. As I've said before I was not making a lot of money when I resolved to be as organic as I could.
One tip that helped along the way was letting friends and family know about my decision.
Over the years I've gotten gifts of glass containers, gourmet organic foods, organic food coupons and organic cotton clothes!
So let every one know what you have decided and they can help you in reducing your household pollutants and maybe their own!
Another money saver...try garage sales and flea markets (watch out for leaded crystal).
Organic cooking deserves the best back up routine and that means using safe cookware, utensils and storage.
Aluminum Pots and Pans
Get rid of any aluminum pots and pans. It is TOXIC
Not only has aluminum been linked to Alzheimer's disease, but colic, rickets, gastrointestinal problems, interference with the metabolism of calcium, extreme nervousness, anemia, headaches, decreased liver and kidney function, memory loss, speech problems, softening of the bones, and aching muscles can all be caused by aluminum toxicity!
Use stainless steel, glass, or cast-iron cookware for your organic cooking.
One of the advantages of cast-iron is that it can provide small amounts of iron to your diet.
Taking small steps in the right direction will dramatically reduce your families exposure to dangerous household pollutants.
Teflon
Get rid of any Teflon cookware.
I cringe when I think about the condition of some Teflon pans I've seen in people's cabinets. They are poisoning their food and themselves without even realizing it.
Teflon pans can release at least six toxic gases, including two carcinogens, two global pollutants, and MFA, a chemical lethal to humans at low doses!
If that's not a household pollutant I don't know what is.
They become cracked and worn after being exposed to heat and detergents, leeching potent chemicals into your food and air!
Stick with stainless steel, cast-iron and glass cookware.
Plastic Utensils
Eliminate plastic utensils from your organic kitchen. Plastic melts when it gets hot, and guess what...cooking usually involves heat!
A hot frying pan is not a good choice for a plastic spoon or spatula.
Choose instead stainless steel utensils, wooden spoons or spatulas, bamboo items, and glass or metal measuring cups.
Plastic Containers
Many plastics start to break down as they age and when they are heated, scrubbed or subjected to harsh detergents.
Bisphenol A is the main ingredient in polycarbonate plastic, which is commonly used to make reusable milk bottles and reusable water bottles.
Bisphenol upsets natural hormone levels and causes genetic damage and miscarriages in lab mice.
Household pollutants are unfortunately hiding everywhere in our homes.
To minimize your exposure to the chemicals found in plastics, start by buying as little plastic as you can from the grocery store.
Remove the plastic packaging and wrap all your cheeses and meats in freezer paper or waxed paper before putting them in a plastic storage or freezer bag.
This keeps your food from coming in direct contact with the plastic and absorbing the chemicals.
Transfer other store bought items into glass or stainless steel containers.
Re-pour milk and water into glass jugs. A stainless steel funnel helps with this.
Metal Containers
Acidic foods such as tomatoes, sauerkraut, fruit, lemonade, carbonated beverages, tea and wine can react with metal in containers and become poisonous.
Avoid canned juices, opt for glass bottles instead.
Zinc: Galvanized metal containers may leach toxic amounts of zinc into the food.
Copper or brass: Makes lemonade, wine, tea, coffee and tomato sauce toxic.
Lead: Traditional pewter contains 25% lead. Many antique ceramics have lead glazes. Also be wary of lead crystal.
Use glass containers for your drinks. Glass pitchers and jugs are widely available, inexpensive, and look nicer than plastic.
Note: Part of the challenge is keeping a journal. Order your "Openly Organic" journal to get ready for your challenge by clicking on the picture to the right! (Purchase not required you can use any journal)
Need to update your challenge? Click here. (You will need your password)
Openly Organic logo design by: Gwendelynn Brown (inspired by the work of Shel Silverstein)
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