Living in a Plastic World

Right up front I want to say that I am not a fanatic about nutrition or the environment. However I do believe we should be good stewards of our bodies and our world. So when presented with the “problem” of plastics being toxic (http://www.foodmatters.tv/articles-1/5-reasons-to-avoid-plastic-containers), I had to look at my own little world. We have all heard that plastics are toxic and should switch to BPA-free plastics....now we are told that that is not good enough. And as I look around my kitchen (because the food that comes in contact with said plastics would be the place to start) I see PLASTIC everywhere! I use plastic containers for storing food in the refrigerator, freezer and pantry. I use plastic cutting boards (they are just so handy). Even my favorite “glass” is plastic. The paranoid side of me wants to chuck it all and start over.....the practical side of me will start slowly.

When my plastic containers “die” I will replace them with glass, ceramic, silicone or metal. I’ve already started using glass canning jars for storage. I will replace my plastic cutting mats with silicone or wood (Rusty has been dying to make some cutting boards). One thing I will do right away is purchase a glass or stainless steel water bottle to replace the plastic ones. At any given time I have a bunch of plastic bottles rolling around in my hot car because I always keep water with me. I guess heat plus plastic is the worst....my bad!

Be practical.....if you are out and about and need to buy water in the dreaded plastic.....remember that a bit of “plastic toxin” would be better than dehydration. You do what you can and don’t worry about the rest. Remember it is not the occasional odd unhealthy thing we do, but the daily habits that make the difference to our health and our world.

                                                   Seems old ways are sometimes best......