My earth-friendly kitchen goals for the fall and winter include creating and refining food prep methods to reduce food waste, using eco-friendly cookware and appliances, minimizing and
eventually curtailing plastic use, and opting for green cleaning and
storage solutions.
Look below for ideas
and tips to conserve money, time, and natural resources. Practice techniques to make the most of resources we have, as well as live sustainably for years to come.
Sustainability practices help everyone, because living green helps improve well-being
of both present and future generations by balancing social equity, economic viability, with environmental protection.
TIP 1:
Before you prepare a meal, wash your hands. Then do a quick declutter of kitchen counters, stove and counter tops, sink, etc. to have sufficient working space.
At least twice a year, declutter and deep clean your kitchen so even hidden spaces are sanitary and cooking gear is in good working order and in its place. Read "Tips to Make Deep Kitchen Cleaning Green and Healthy" and "Top Ways to Convert to a Greener Lifestyle" for tips about greening your life.
TIP 2:
Plan and shop
ahead for meals. Map out a blueprint of foods that are healthy, and avoid
eating-on-a-whim by grabbing highly processed fast food or convenience food
products.
Aim to incorporate locally sourced, non-gmo, organic, and seasonal produce
into your eating plan, the more colorful the better. Eating a variety of brightly colored produce, beans, legumes, whole grains, and nuts and seeds has a lower eco-impact than serving animal products, processed foods, or out of season or imported veggies and fruit.
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Writing out a meal plan helps us focus on creating balanced meals, and may prevent impulse purchases. Save money and curtail potential food waste by sticking to a shopping list. Read "Frugal Food Shopping Tips to Improve Health on a Budget" for hints about becoming a savvy shopper.
Tip 3:
Shop the bulk
foods section of the
market whenever possible. Bring a reuseable container from home to take a giant step in
eliminating plastic waste. Only get as much as you need, and
eliminate food waste. It's more economical and earth-friendly to get essentials
like rice, beans, and nuts in the bulk bins of a grocery shop than purchasing
pre-packaged items.
Bulk shopping fosters a more conscious approach to
consumption, allowing consumers to take greater control over the quantity and quality of ingredients
they bring into their homes.
Tip 4:
Carry reusable shopping bags for all shopping-not just the supermarket. A plastic bag can take up to 1,000 years to degrade in a landfill, yet Americans use over 100 billion plastic bags each year.
Get in the habit of shopping the perimeter of the food market first. One wall of most stores is designed for
produce, another showes protein sources, the third is usually dairy, and the
last is fresh and packaged bread. Work inward. Spend less time toward the center of the store. That's where the most highly processed foods are stored.
Tip 5:
People in the United States consumed the most beef in the world last year, yet many people are unaware or ignore animal products' environmental impact. Meat production results in massive amounts of waste, deforestation of the world, worsening of water and air quality, and species extinction.
Transition to a more whole food plant-based diet, by gradually incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods into your meals while reducing consumption of animal products. Make small, manageable changes over time, rather than trying to overhaul your diet all at once.
Tip 6:
Save leftover foods by storing them in reusable containers instead of one-use plastic ones. Gradually replace kitchen plastic utensils with stainless steel ones and plastic containers with reusable glass or metal containers. They are more sturdy, eco-friendly, keep food frozen or fresher longer, and will not leach plastic into food. Recycle glass jars from everything from applesauce to olives by washing jars thoroughly and repurposing them as food and freezer storage containers.
Our planet is becoming increasingly polluted as a result of our excess use of plastic.
Tip 7:
When you eat out, consider ordering an appetizer as a main course or sharing entrées. This can help prevent overeating, save money, and cut down on food waste.
Many restaurants serve oversized portions, and it's smart to bring along a take-out food container for uneaten food. Most restaurants let you pack up the leftovers yourself. Eat the food the next day (while it's still fresh). This practice saves time and money. It also cuts down on food prep time, as well as food spoilage and waste.
When possible, batch cook and freeze leftovers to defrost and eat later on. For example, a big pot of lentil soup or large pan of zucchini lasagna can be eaten fresh, then portioned out and frozen for additional meals in the future.
Batch cooking uses all ingredients, when they are freshest. Set the intention to reduce frequency of shopping trips and energy use, as well as choosing to buy unwrapped produce that decreases waste from packaging.
Find recipes that are whole food plant-based (WFPB) and say yes to unprocessed foods with less environmental and health impact.
Tip 9:
Conserve water. Repair the kitchen sink faucet, if it leaks. The aerator tip of the
faucet determines the maximum flow rate of the faucet and can be adjusted. If
you have an older kitchen faucet, consider getting an inexpensive new, water-effective
one.
Clean fruits and veggies the eco-way. Refrain from using running water
to clean them. Instead, fill the sink or a large bowl with water and immerse
produce to clean. Afterward, pour water on plants in your garden and dump cuttings on your compost pile. This can save 150 to 250 gallons
of water per month.
Use an Energy Star-certified dishwasher if possible, as it's more water
and energy-efficient than older models. Don’t run machine until dishwasher is full. If
you are handwashing a few items, fill a container with water instead of letting
water run. Once dishes are scrubbed, empty container and fill with fresh water
and rinse the dishes.
Keep a pitcher of drinking water on the countertop or in the fridge to
avoid running the tap.
Tip 10:
Good cooks work best in a sparkling clean kitchen. With some elbow grease and homemade kitchen cleaning products we can keep home maintenance costs down, protect lungs, skin, and the planet by using green ingredients, and contribute to a sustainable lifestyle. Learn which products work well for you and shout their praises.
Become proactive and express your environmental
concerns to law makers and the administration. Join groups and vote against issues
that adversely impact health, safety, and increase climate change.
Advocate for stricter regulations of plastic manufacturing and use, the removal of toxic chemicals in cleaning products, and higher taxes for fossil fuels.
Make a commitment to eat less meat, and pass laws that penalize companies and individuals who contaminate the environment by dumping manufacturing
by-products in the ground, air, or water. Advocate for more biodegradable materials, ones that use minimal
packaging. Be proactive and move toward zero waste. 👍
Every eco-step counts, and has a positive effect on planetary and personal health and life satisfaction. For additional reading see "Kick Off The New Year More Sustainably."
Are you concerned about the environment and do you believe in sustainability? Why or why not? Please comment below.
Do you want to learn more about how to food shop, prep, or cook meals that are eco-friendly? Please explain in the comment section below.
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