I went shopping today with the best intentions. And we all know how that turns out…

I went shopping today with the best intentions. And we all know how that turns out… here’s what went down:

I mentioned awhile ago that I wanted to find an alternative to plastic baggies for food storage. Since then, I’ve pinned all sorts of goodies that I *thought* would be the perfect solution. I narrowed it down to one particular craft template that used oil cloth to create sandwich bags. I made my list, printed my coupons and headed out to purchase the supplies I needed. All the while thinking, “Wow, I’m so smart, savvy and eco-conscious. This is going to save us so much money in the long run. Why don’t more people do this?” Ha.

I get to the section of the store with the oil cloth and see a warning listed on a nearby bolt of material: “The state of California recognizes this product as hazardous and may cause birth defects.”

Wait, what? I thought I was being a genius and duping what modern convenience had convinced me to believe. It was on Martha Stewart for goodness sakes! I decided to use my phone to do a quick google search on the safety of using oil cloth for food storage. It took all of 5 seconds to get a firm answer on that question: NO! It is NOT safe for food storage.

Cool. Needless to say I scared myself into leaving the store empty-handed. Since then I’ve done amore extensive search on what options truly exist for the everyday consumer to make their own leakproof food storage. There doesn’t seem to be one, general consensus on a truly perfect product on the market. I did, however, find a couple of vendors who sell pre-made reusable bags. I’ll probably end up purchasing from LunchSkins or snackTAXI.

It wasn’t a total loss – I ended up learning a lot from this experience and will never leave the house without doing my research again!

Am I over thinking this? Do you have any suggestions on materials that I can use to create a comparable item myself?

Purging Plastics

Remember how I mentioned getting rid of ALL plastic in my kitchen, well spring break offered the perfect opportunity to make this goal a reality. I went through every drawer, cabinet and shelf pitching all plastics into a box. I haven’t quite decided what to do with all my old plastics. Some will be kept as storage containers for small household items but everything else will probably go to Good Will or be recycled. In place of those pesky plastics, I’ve opted to stock my shelves with gently used CorningWare courtesy of my parents (yes, they scream 1980 and I love them!).

I’m not 100% plastic free, but I’m getting there. We live in such a disposable society. Nothing is meant to last and we (myself included) throw things away without a second thought. I want to create a different, more mindful lifestyle for J and I as a family. It’s been an adjustment already, but it’s all about establishing a new “normal.” What steps have you taken to be more eco-conscious?

Purging Plastics

I’ve decided that I want to eliminate (yep- ELIMINATE) plastic from my kitchen. It’s going to be a work in progress, but I took the first step by purchasing some good ol’ Ball jars.

Seriously, these little guys can do anything.

You are all well aware of my obsession with simplifying my life and making easy to grab snacks for heading out the door in a hurry, sooooooo…. here enters some handy dandy 1/2 pint mason jars. With 3 oz of yummy yogurt in each, they are a perfect size for mixing in some granola or fruit. I can now buy the bulk containers from the grocery store and no longer need to rely on Ziplock to portion out my servings. 

I still have a LONG way to go to end my relationship with plastic (ziplock baggies, plastic wrap and tupperware- just to name a few), but it’s a step in the right direction. I’ve got my sights set on some great glass storage containers that just might do the trick. 

Do you have any eco-friendly kitchen tips to share?