5 Ways to Green Your Kitchen for Earth Day

This post written by guest blogger – Lindsay Zwicker
The kitchen. Many people say it’s the heart of a house. For those of us who care about the food that goes into our bodies (and since you’re a Full Circle member I’m guessing you do), it might even be the most used room in the house! So much happens in our kitchen and as a conscious consumer, you have probably put a lot of thought into the safety of the foods you purchase – Is it Organic? GMO-free? Pasture-raised? Grass-Fed? Local? But have you thought about the safety of the materials you use in your kitchen?

This year, Earth Day is Monday, April 22. In the spirit of being environmentally aware, I’m here to give you five simple tips to green your kitchen. In my work as a health coach, I help clients complete a Kitchen Detox to rid their kitchens of environmental toxins. Greening your kitchen also means reducing your toxic load. The two seem to go together, don’t you think? Reducing toxins in our kitchens makes for fewer toxins in our bodies, and the environment. You, your family, and the planet will all be healthier!

Plastic

Go through your home and get rid of as much plastic as you can. Some offenders: water bottles, cups, plates, storage containers, cooking utensils, plastic wrap, baggies and more! The main concern with plastic is Bisphenol-A (BPA), but don’t be fooled by products claiming to be BPA-free, as many companies are using cousins BPF and BPS, which are looking to be just as dangerous. Bisphenols mimic estrogen and can contribute to weight gain, reproductive health, thyroid disorders, and ADHD.

Tip: Use glass or stainless steel for food storage and water bottles. Replace cooking utensils with metal, wood, or silicone. And don’t let plastic wrap or baggies touch food, especially when hot!

BYOB – Bring Your Own Bag

Every time you go shopping, bring your own bag. It’s become common for people to BYOB to the grocery store, but be sure to think of it at other shops as well!

Shop Local

Whether for food or other goods, buy things produced close to home. By doing so, you’ll support your community and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping things long distances.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

In that order, do your best to reduce the amount of waste you and your family create. Reuse what you can. This can make for great art projects! I use glass jars from peanut butter to store my grains and dried fruit. And if you can’t find a use for it, rinse it out and recycle it!

Natural Cleaners

You don’t need all those cleaning products lining the shelves at your local store. All you need is: Baking Soda, Lemon Juice, White Vinegar, Club Soda, and maybe some essential oils, and you’re set to clean most anything.

About Lindsay Zwicker

Lindsay has a MA in Counseling Psychology and is a Certified Holistic Health Coach. She supports women to regain lost energy, conquer cravings, discover their best selves, and live life to the fullest! The product of a health nut mother and a foodie father, Lindsay considers herself a healthy foodie. She is a big fan of both cooking and eating delicious food, usually with produce that comes from her weekly farm delivery box. Lindsay’s Facebook page is full of tips on how to live a healthy life, and to find out more about Lindsay and her health coaching services, including the Kitchen Detox, please visit www.lindsayzwicker.com.

The views and opinions of guest authors do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Full Circle.