HOW ECO IS YOUR KITCHEN?

[sophieuliano]

What changes have you made to green your kitchen? Are you making your own non-toxic cleaning supplies? Do you regularly clean your fridge coils to save energy. Have you switched out your pans to a less toxic kind? Let's get some discussion going here. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that you have created a safe kitchen that is non-toxic and that you are saving money too.

[GreenOne]

I've started recycling as much as possible. Our county recently gave everyone great new recycling containers (as seen on Oprah). I can't believe my trash has been reduced by half, not only saving money on gargage bags, but also putting less of them in the landfill. Now when I'm at the grocery store I try to stick with the containers that I know can be recycled. (The iphone app is great to pull up when I'm in the store and want to know about those numbers inside the recycling symbol!). I also found a local grocery store whose bags can be recycled in my bin, instead of having to remember to take them back to the store. I try to remember my reusable bags, but I'm not always succesful on that one.

[0Jessica0]

Just finished reading your GG Diet book. First, I need to purge my pantry and then find their replacements. Next, I need to find a local organic farm to buy eggs, meat, and produce. (I know I can go to my local farmer's market for produce, but if this organic farm has it there why make two trips.) I wonder if this farm would have raw milk too. Then I want to buy some new gadgets (yogurt maker and bread maker). Next, I need to find The Wizard's Worcestershire Sauce, grapeseed oil, tea, pasta, and organic instant steel-cut oatmeal. Lastly, I want to grow my own herb and veggie garden in a planter box. I saw some ideas about drip irrigation and worm composting (and on rain barrels). I am trying to make what I read a reality. Wish me luck!

[Erikan73]

Just finished reading your GG Diet book. First, I need to purge my pantry and then find their replacements. Next, I need to find a local organic farm to buy eggs, meat, and produce. (I know I can go to my local farmer's market for produce, but if this organic farm has it there why make two trips.) I wonder if this farm would have raw milk too. Then I want to buy some new gadgets (yogurt maker and bread maker). Next, I need to find The Wizard's Worcestershire Sauce, grapeseed oil, tea, pasta, and organic instant steel-cut oatmeal. Lastly, I want to grow my own herb and veggie garden in a planter box. I saw some ideas about drip irrigation and worm composting (and on rain barrels). I am trying to make what I read a reality. Wish me luck!

Best of luck with the changes you plan on making. One suggestion though, make sure you make the changes in your life at a pace you are comfortable with. If you take on too much too fast with going green, it may be overhelmwing.

[jamieharrisevans]

I've been making my own cleaning supplies for a few months now, and have been recycling for a year now. I just got done reading the book, and I'm thinking about tackling my own small herb garden. Probably going to go to Lowe's this week!

[palmmermaid]

I've been recycling for about 5 years. My husband and I have less than 1 large can to put out every 2 weeks. If I am at home, there is less. He eats fast foof when I am out of town!

All the non-meat scraps go into the compost bin. All paper is recycled or shredded and used in the garden. I use no commercial cleaning products except for dishwasher, laundry, and dishes. Those are all on the list of good ones. I make my own cleaners for everything else. I don't use paper towels - just a box of rags for everything. We use cloth napkins at every meal along with glass plates and glasses - nothing paper. All of my cookware is either cast iron (my skillet belonged to my grandmother. Who knows how old it is!) or enameled cast iron. I bought a Le Crueset set about 30 years ago and have added pieces over the years from flea markets and garage sales. I take my bags to the market. I buy produce without packaging whenever possible. I buy everything else with as little packaging as possible.

[nutritiongirl]

I am currently enrolled in school to become a registered holistic nutritionist. We are always being taught by the teachers, most of whom are naturopathic doctors, the importance of living as naturally as possible. One thing I am currently doing is getting rid of all plastic containers and replacing them with glass or some really great new stainless steel containers. A cost friendly tip is to re-use glass jars that held pasta sauce, etc. - just put them in the dishwasher for a really good clean and they are good to go. I am always looking for good all natural cleaners - does anyone have any for cleaning granite countertops and stainless steel appliances?

[ecomama]

I've begun to buy food in glass jars rather than plastic bottles. I've also got into the habit of making my own food (ketchup, bread, even mayo!). when spring comes around I'll be busting out a small herb garden. i just found this ingenious 'urban garden' and thought even if it doesn't come out in a product line, i can make one!! take a look!

http://www.coroflot.com/public/individu ... _id=291230

[jackwarnel]

Get eco in your kitchen with these tips. From electricity, to water consumption, your kitchen can be earth-happy if you follow some simple guidelines to re-use items, minimise waste and be as environmentally friendly as you can.

Microwave - Cooking in the microwave and other small appliances can be extremely efficient compared to a stove. When buying one, go for models with the highest energy star rating.

Bamboo and aluminium steamers - Bamboo or aluminium steamers are perfect for conserving energy. Always try to combine cooking time and energy. For example, a roast and vegies can both be cooked in the oven at the same time, while a pot of pasta can also be used to steam vegies.

[GeeGeeJo]

Read your GG book last week - loved it! I was surprised how green I already am in some areas AND how much I'm not in others.

In my kitchen, I use CFL bulbs. I've replaced many plastic storage containers with glass. I use Corningware in oven and microwave and have Visions for stovetop so I can see what water is doing without removing lids. Since the early 80's I've used the microware to cook as much as possible instead of electric range & oven.

I take my trash bin for pick-up only every 2-3 weeks, but recycle goes out weekly. Here they take all plastics plus milk, cream and juice boxes. They probably ship it all somewhere for processing; not too much "landfill" on Gulf Coast -- too close to sea level!

After reading book, I went to Whole Foods and was nearly overwhelmed by all the stuff available! I'd only been there once when it opened because it's on the other side of town and they don't carry my "regular stuff!" Now I know why! I will be making the trip more often now. There is a "farmer's market" downtown every Sat morning - early! I'm not a perky morning person, so I haven't ever been there. Now if it was open between 12 & 2 am....

I'm getting rid of Red Alert products and gave all my Orange List stuff to my daughter. She has kids and will use them up faster than I will. It will take some time to get her "on board" with changes since my dear son-in-law does all the shopping!

I have only one complaint about conserving our natural resources -- money. I have taken my water usage down to the minimum measure of 100 cu ft since I live alone (with 2 pets) BUT I must still pay for 400 cu ft every month! My non-conservative side says "why not use it if I have to pay for it anyway?" I wish somehow I could save all that "extra" water for the dry summer months when I must water the garden! Will our suppliers ever reward use for our conservation efforts?

My natural gas usage is limited to winter heating and water heater. Everything else is electric. Finding more ways to conserve there is an ongoing project.