Have A Healthy Kitchen

This time of year there's usually a lot of cooking, baking and eating going on. =) So here are a few tips on keeping a healthy kitchen.

*Healthy dishes - 

Use glass dishes, cups, baking dishes, etc. Or use made in the USA corelle dishes or ceramic dishes, bowls, mugs, etc. Be sure to read labels and avoid any dishes made in China, as they often have high levels of toxins. 

Use stainless steel pots and pans. Avoid all teflon or non-stick coated dishes. 

Use stainless steel silverware and utensils. If you read labels, you can usually find some not made in China. 

Avoid plastic dishes, cups and silverware, as they can leach harmful chemicals including BPA and phtalates. (Here's a good article about the dangers of plastic dishes.) 

If you buy foods in plastic containers or buy bottled water, be sure to check them and look for the less-toxic plastic. Plastic bottles and containers should have a number on the bottom or somewhere indicating what kind of plastic has been used. Numbers 3, 6, and 7 are the worst, containing dangerous chemicals that leach more easily. Plastic numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5 are less toxic, but glass containers are still the best. 

*Healthy cooking - 

Never microwave foods or liquids. If you haven't read it before, here's my post on why you should say goodbye to your microwave.

Use butter or coconut oil for cooking, never margarine or "vegetable oil" which are toxic to the body. 

Try to cook meats within 24 hours of purchasing if possible. Meat that sits in the fridge for several days can grow bacteria, mold, etc. 

Once you cut an onion, don't store part of it in the fridge to use later. Onions attract bacteria, so they must be used as soon as they are cut, or you may eat the bacteria and get an infection. 

*Healthy food storage - 

Use cellophane bags (less-toxic) instead of plastic ziploc bags. Use glass jars or glass dishes for food storage instead of plastic tupperware.

Store leftovers in the freezer, unless they'll be eaten within 24 hours. Mold begins to grow on food very quickly in a refrigerator, so storing food in the freezer is the better option. (Tips for using your freezer to eat healthier.) 

*Healthy clean up - 

Use baking soda or non-toxic dish soap for washing dishes. Use Heinz vinegar for wiping off counters. Avoid chemical cleaners, anti-bacterial sprays, bleach, etc. Also, if you do use plastic dishes, don't put them in the dishwasher, as it will cause them to leach more chemicals. (And never put plastic water bottles in the dishwasher to reuse.)

Well, these are just a few tips. I hope they're helpful. Feel free to add anything else you can think of in the comments. =)