Goal For The Green

Yes, there are safe and sensible ways to keep your food fresh, while minimizing your exposure to the potentially harmful chemicals found in plastic.

Here are some tips and pointers to help you make the safest choices for your food storage. You may already have some safer options such as corning ware, pyrex, and stainless steel canisters tucked away in your cupboards. Start searching , go to yard sales, and get on with making those changes.

Plastic contains chemical additives known to leach out when exposed to heat. Leaching may increase the risk of birth defects, developmental delays, certain hormonal disfunctions, and even breast and prostate cancers. Several university studies have indicated that leaching occurs when ANY type of plastic containers are used to heat food in the microwave. Another place leaching happens is in the dishwasher.

Rule of thumb is NEVER use ANY plastic, plastic wrap, tupperware, or styrofoam in the microwave. It is also best to wash plastic containers by hand in warm soapy water. This reduces the possibility of chemical leaching. Don’t ever use harsh cleansers or abrasive sponges on plastic. It can cause scratches in the plastic, which then causes chemical migration (leaching) from the plastic. If you have scratches or gouges in your plastic containers – ditch them IMMEDIATELY!

So, in your microwave only use microwave safe glass or ceramic cookware. Don’t use any plastic or plastic wrap. Cover food with paper or paper towel when microwaving.  Don’t use recycled paper towels because they could contain metallic flecks from ground up staples and ink that can be combustable.

In your fridge, use glass, ceramic, stainless steel, or PVC-free plastic wrap. Don’t use any type of plastic container that can leave a residue.  Scouring destroys the integrity of plastic.  Don’t ever store or cover hot food with or in any type of plastic. Always let it cool for at least twenty minutes before storing in your fridge.

For packing lunches choose foil, waxed, or butcher paper for wrapping sandwiches. If you like to use bags, use the ones made from number 4 plastic. For water, glass or stainless steel is best, or pitchers made from number 2 or 5 plastic.  Don’t use pitchers from number 7 (polycarbonate) plastic. For freezing, use foil, freezer paper, or number 4 plastic freezer bags.  Don’t use any glass or plastic containers that are not labeled Freezer Safe. The extreme cold can cause them to crack.  As mentioned before, allow food to cool before storing in the fridge or freezer.  For your pantry storage, glass, stainless steel and aluminum canisters are best or number 5 plastic.  Don’t store food in any plastic containers marked with 3(polyvinyl chloride) 6 PS (polystyrene) or 7 PC (polycarbonate).

Most plastics currently on the market are made from crude oil. There are also biodegradable, recyclable and compostable plastics made from starches such as rice, soy, and corn. These bio-based plastics comprise only 3% of the $280 billion plastic market. Concern has been expressed about the use of fertilizers and pesticides used in the growth of these grains, and then turning them into plastics.  Any bio-based products are better for your health, and are more of an earth and eco-friendly option, than any petroleum based products or counterparts.

It might be easier said than done. It’s everywhere and in almost every area of our everyday life. From baby bottles, trash-can liners, milk jugs, baggies, toys, toothbrushes and vinyl shower curtains. Almost everything that enters our home is packaged, wrapped or coated with some type of plastic.

As plastic weakens, ages or becomes exposed to heat, it can release harmful toxins such as BHA (bisphenol-a and phthalates). These harmful chemicals enter our bodies by way of the food we eat, water we drink, dust particles in the air we breathe and even by way of skin absorbtion.

Animal studies, especially during pregnancy have associated BPA to illnesses such as cancer and reproductive problems. Studies in humans show weakened sperm quality in males, and early puberty in girls. BPA is a known carcinogen and has been found to disrupt the endocrine system, as well as, disrupt hormone balance. 92% of children over the age of six, test positive for BPA in their system.

What you can do right now is avoid toys with #3 vinyl or #7 polycarbonate. Never heat anything in take-out food containers in the microwave. Only use glass or microwave safe containers covered with wax paper, or paper towel. Avoid #3-PVC, #6 Polystyrene and #7 polycarbonate. If you must use plastic, look for #’s 1,2,4 and 5.

I have converted most of my plastic containers to glass. It is easy to go from cooking, to storing, to freezing and re-heating with glass. Stainless steel and thermos are also good choices to use. It’s not an easy process going from plastic to glass, but well worth you health!

Here is a chart for download and printing to make your shopping safer and easier. Just keep it with you and you’ll always make an informed choice.

Written in association with plastic disposal experts

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Quick Start

Yesterday was an 80 degree day here in western Washington. We had many things to accomplish at the worm farm, where I work. Work starts at 8A.M. The workers arrive on the Access Bus, ready to start the day. They work a four hour shift. There are five adults, two young men and three young women, all in their 20’s or 30’s. Most of them are Autistic, and in this group they all speak.

We have three 4×30 foot bins that the clients help feed and maintain. The end result is a master gardener’s delight. The product is 100% organic certified vermicompost. A moist, rich soil amendment for both indoor and outdoor plants.

The plan for the day was to feed the worms, bag some product, pick a couple pounds of worms for a customer, and chop some more after market vegetables. Most of the time they do pretty good at staying on task, but yesterday they were just plain silly. They love music, so we have to have the radio on…the oldies station. We got the worms fed in about forty -five minutes. Each bucket is about 20 lbs of vegetable slop mixed with shredded newspaper. It is spread evenly in each bin. On top of that, goes used coffee grounds from coffee stands, and then a light layer of more shredded newspaper.

After the main project of feeding the worms, was done they wanted to work outside. So, they had their works stations with buckets, shovels, chairs and spinach that they needed to chop. Then that song “Shake Your Booty” came on the radio. They all got up and started shaking their booties and laughing. Then when it was over,one of th guys said in a high pitched voice “Chicken dance–Chicken dance.” Well, they all got a big surprise when Christa (my co-worker) and I, came outside doing the funky chicken! It was pretty funny…they were laughing and laughing. It’s amazing sometimes, how it doesn’t take much to amuse them or make their day sparkle and shine. They are all very scheduled and as is typical of autism, they don’t adapt well to change in their routine. All that aside, we do cut loose once in awhile and have fun, even at work.

It always amazes me how most of them usually always wear a smile. They could have so much more to complain about than they do. With autism though, many can not convey their feelings or emotions. For some they don’t feel physical pain and are unable to tell you where they hurt, or if they hurt. For me, I don’t know if I could cope with what they have to on a regular daily basis. That is why I feel they have as much reason and purpose in life as the rest of us do. They just have to try so much harder to have some kind of “normal.” They really do want to be “normal” just like everyone else. I feel like the lucky one, to give them a six hour slice of my day. Most of the time it’s not like work. Besides, it helps me be both thankful and grateful for the blessings in my life.