12 Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Kitchen

Photo from House Beautiful

Having an eco-friendly kitchen is not just about eating green - it's also about energy-efficient food preparation, non-toxic cleaning habits, and careful, thoughtful use of foods and supplies. Here are a dozen suggestions for turning your kitchen into a planet-healthy gourmet haven. 

1. Start by practicing energy-efficient cooking methods. Tailor your cooking style to make the most efficient use of both energy and time. When cooking on the stove top, match the pot size to the burner size and cover pans with tight-fitting lids to maximize heating. If you're buying new pans, check out copper and cast-iron options for the most conductivity. If you're cooking in the oven, keep the door shut as much as possible and don't preheat longer than necessary. Use ceramic, glass or cast-iron bakeware for maximum heat retention, and try to cook more than one dish at a time while the oven is hot. Microwave ovens are a highly efficient means of cooking food, using two-thirds less energy than an oven. They also heat food quickly without making the kitchen uncomfortably hot. One more tip: try a pressure cooker. Not only are they highly efficient, reducing cooking time by cooking at higher temperatures and pressure, they often produce food much more flavorful than standard oven and stove top cooking.
2. Maintain your refrigerator for efficiency. The fridge and freezer actually use less energy when they are full rather than empty - I keep extra ice and cold packs in my freezer to keep it full when I don't need the space. Check the seal on your fridge and freezer doors by closing a dollar bill into the door and pulling it out. It should slide out, but with effort. If it slips out easily, it's time to replace the seal. For maximum energy efficiency, your fridge should be set to 35° to 38°F and your freezer should be around 0°F. Don't forget to clean the coils underneath the fridge regularly -- use a vacuum or broom to sweep the dust off the coils and keep it clean.   
3. Avoid Teflon-coated cookware - it contains perfluorochemicals that have been linked to female infertility and flu-like symptoms in people when heated in an enclosed area. Scratched teflon pans are a potential health hazard - if you have scratched Teflon, get rid of it ASAP! Teflon-coated cookware is also nearly impossible to recycle. As you buy new pots and pans, look for copper or cast-iron options for maximum durability and heat conduction.
4. Choose cookware and utensils that can stand the test of time and won't have to be replaced often. Low-quality wooden spoons can rot, and plastic melts if you leave it on the stove too long. Buy high-quality knives that you can sharpen by hand. Make the switch to reusable cloth and microfiber towels that you can wash instead of buying paper towels. Go for quality items you'll use often, and get rid of the gadgets that never see action. 
5. Use the dishwasher instead of hand washing. A dishwasher uses only half the energy, one-sixth of the water, and much less soap than washing dishes by hand. Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it, and open it up to air dry instead of using the heat dry cycle. For your handwash-only items, fill a sink or dishpan with warm water and wash everything at once, then rinse everything all at once, instead of letting the faucet run the whole time. 
6. Use natural, non-toxic cleaning supplies. Some of the most toxic household chemicals in the home can be found in kitchen cleaning products. Dishwashing liquids, dishwasher detergents and other cleaners can contain chemicals that are detrimental to water quality in lakes and rivers. Switch to natural, eco-friendly options, and keep the toxic chemicals away from your food. 
7. Avoid purchasing prepared, frozen foods; make it yourself instead. You'll know exactly what is going in to your food, and, hopefully, where the ingredients came from. Buy local, and cut out the extra energy wasted in processing and transportation while supporting local farms and gourmet artisans. Grow some of your own fruits and vegetables, using your own composted kitchen waste as fertilizer. Cook with fresh, whole foods, and avoid preservatives and additives whenever possible for the healthiest, tastiest food. 
8. Reduce food waste and promote a healthy diet by creating a menu, or meal plan. Having a plan in place for the evening meal not only saves your sanity, it will save you money and give you an easy way to ensure a healthy meal at the end of a long day. Plan menus according to what you already have on hand and what's local and seasonal to make the most of your budget and reduce waste.
9. Reduce your meat consumption. Livestock production accounts for almost 20 percent of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and almost 25 percent of water used globally in agriculture. Even if you're not up for becoming vegetarian or vegan, simply try cutting back on the amount of meat you consume and try substituting one or two meals a week with vegetarian fare. 
10. Avoid cooking too much food - unless you regularly consume all your leftovers, pare back how much you buy and cook to reduce food waste.  
11. The kitchen generates the most waste of any room in your house, so take steps to minimize it. Buy out of bulk bins when possible, and take your own bags for buying fresh, unwrapped fruits and veggies (try reusable mesh produce bags or clean lingerie washbags).  Reuse glass jars or bottles to hold leftovers and fresh foods instead of using plastic. Compost organic waste (including cardboard and paper), and use the compost to grow your own veggies and fruits. 
12. Buy a packable reusable bag and keep it with you for impromptu shopping trips. Many stores will credit you a few cents for bringing your own bag.

Guest Post: Planning for Valentine's Day

Editor's note: Today I'd like to welcome a guest post from Mary Ann Rosenthal from www.cybermondaydeals.com.

 © Kati Molin | Dreamstime.com

A former co-worker of mine set the bar high in planning for the February 14 holiday we call Valentine's Day. Because he grew up in a household of five sisters and no brothers, he's particularly tuned in to the women in his family as well as his women friends. Each year he saves and plans to make some really special treats for the people he cares about. It's the wonderful treats that he brought to the workplace for co-workers that really surprised and delighted us. One year it was strawberries dipped in chocolate that he had to carefully transport in a cooler. Another year it was hand-made chocolate truffles; another year it was fudge — I could go on and on. Although the traditional gifts of roses and chocolates are wonderful, if you don't want to go into debt as you are just recovering from the big December holidays, try some of these ideas to create a little loving kindness this year. 

• Send or pick up a pot of tulips or a beautiful pink potted orchid this year. They usually run a little less at the florist than red roses and have the added bonus of lasting much longer if nurtured in their container. 
• Speaking of containers,  I am an unashamed recycler. Lately I have tried to think outside the box when selecting flowers for an occasion or a dinner party. I often pick up unusual vases at garage sales or the thrift store and then buy my flowers in bundles from a grocery store. If you are lucky enough to have all those you love within driving distance, arrange your own flowers from the grocery store in an unusual container and hand deliver it. The extra time you spent arranging and selecting your gift will show, and the fact that they were hand delivered will be appreciated as well. 
• Treat yourself to something new. If you don't happen to have a mini cupcake pan, treat yourself to one. They are great to have on hand for small children, and you can make an easy chocolate treat in the form of rich fudge brownies. The arts and craft store or even the grocery story may have decorated or pink paper baking cups. The brownies can be iced and sprinkled or topped with chopped nuts. Check out your favorite recipe or online source for easy or rich chocolate brownies and try your hand at decorating them! 
• Finally, how do you make something special for the family? If you are a busy working mom or dad, maybe you don't have time to bake or even make a trip to the arts and craft store, but your local grocery store is filled with special treats at this time of year. And if you are on a budget how about this — just purchase red sprinkles and serve on top of chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream. The sprinkles will keep for next year's holiday cookies if you don't already have them in your pantry and the extra effort will make your family smile! 

Mary Ann Rosenthal is a grandmother to four beautiful children under the age of five. She is dedicated to helping her friends and family save money and works with her son Aaron at www.cybermondaydeals.com. She is also an artist, writer and aspiring photographer living in Saint Augustine, Florida.

"Simple Mornings" in Green Child Magazine

The new Late Winter issue of Green Child Magazine is now out, and it's fantastic! I have an article on page 31 on "10 Simple Habits to Manage Your Mornings," so I hope you'll spend some time checking out the issue and let me know what you think!

10 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Bedroom

The bedroom should be reserved for relaxation and rejuvenation. We spend a third of our lives sleeping, so it makes sense to make your bedroom as eco-friendly and non-toxic as possible. Here are 10 tips for making your bedroom a green, restful sanctuary.

1. When choosing a new mattress, beware of conventional mattresses. They’re usually made with synthetic materials that off-gas toxic byproducts, including PBDEs and petrochemicals, and many mattresses are also covered in formaldehyde-based coatings to make them stain-resistant. Fire retardants are also often used to coat mattresses. Instead, look for natural fibers, which can be more expensive but are a worthwhile investment that can last a decade or longer. Options include organic cotton and natural latex mattresses. 
2. If you can’t afford a new mattress right now, consider adding a pure wool or natural latex mattress topper to your current bedding, and encase your mattress and pillows in organic cotton barrier cloths to protect yourself from dust mite allergens. 
3. The next time you buy bed linens, go organic. Cotton farming accounts for about 25 percent of worldwide insecticide use and 10 percent of pesticide use. Those chemicals leave a residue on the finished sheets that lingers. Organic cotton farming leaves no chemical residue on the finished material, which is much safer for you and the planet. Other natural fibers to consider include linen, silk, jersey and flannel – just be sure the material is organic and that it specifies that no chemical retardants or stain protection chemicals were added. Don’t just look at the content of your sheets – be aware of what all your bed linens are made of, from the mattress pad to the comforter. Avoid down comforters and pillows, particularly if you’re in a humid climate, since they draw moisture and can be slow to dry out, producing mold and attracting dust mites. 
4. Choose your pillow wisely – again, look for organic cotton, wool, buckwheat hulls or natural latex foam pillows. Don’t forget to add a pillow protector, which can lengthen the life of your pillows and protect against dust mite allergies. 
5. When decorating your bedroom, keep it simple. A clutter-free, simple bedroom is relaxing and can be a sanctuary from the chaos of daily life. If it's not restful or sensual, it's got to go. When shopping for furniture and décor, opt for eco-friendly materials or check out resale shops and antique stores. Not only are you avoiding the cost (both monetary and environmentally) of new materials and the waste that goes along with creating new products, you’ll avoid the off-gassing period from the manufacture process. 
6. When possible, remove old carpeting, which is a breeding ground for dust mites and mold. Replace floors with hypoallergenic cork, ceramic tile or wood floors treated with a non-toxic finish. Use rugs that can be easily washed and air dried outside in the fresh air. Avoid paints, stains and sealants with VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and air out rooms and bedding regularly by opening windows to circulate the air. 
7. Use all-natural cleaning products that don’t contain chemicals or additives to clean your bedroom. These are much healthier for you, as well as more eco-friendly. 
8. Don’t use air fresheners – commercial fresheners are loaded with phthalates and are toxic! If you want a bit of scent, try making your own linen spray. 
9. Replace your lightbulbs with eco-friendly CFLs or LEDs, and use the lowest wattage necessary. Opt for low-dose mood lighting and beeswax candles instead of harsh overhead lighting. 
10. Keep the electronic items out of the bedroom, using only necessary items such as a lamp or alarm clock. Keep electronics turned off, and unplug them or use a power strip to shut them down when not in use.

Day 31: 7 Simple Tips to Go Green

Here it is, our last day in the 31-Day Fresh Start Series, so I want to hit a topic close to my heart: going green. Being more eco-conscious is a great way to simplify your life, because chances are that the steps you take toward being more green will also go a long way toward making your daily routine simpler, with less "stuff" and more "life." There are literally thousands of ways to reduce your impact on the Earth, but let's focus on just 7 of my best tips for going green the simple way.

1. Reduce the amount of "stuff" that you have in your home. Cutting back on the amount of stuff allows you to focus on what you do have and can also keep you from buying more stuff you don't need. Reducing consumption is one of the most important steps toward a sustainable lifestyle. As you shed your stuff, you'll have more energy and focus for "life" and you'll free up time to do things you really want to do instead of worrying about taking care of and accumulating more stuff. Dispose of unwanted and unneeded stuff responsibly, by selling it or giving it away to people who really need it and by recycling as much as possible what's unusable. Save the landfill for the last resort.
2. Find a good reusable water bottle and a good reusable mug and use them. Almost 75 percent of plastic water bottles are not recycled – they end up in landfills, litter roadsides and pollute waterways. Public tap water is subject to strict safety regulations, while the bottled water industry is not required to report testing results for its products. According to one study, 10 of the most popular brands of bottled water contained a wide range of pollutants, including pharmaceuticals, fertilizer residue and arsenic. Brew coffee at home and use a reusable mug for taking it on the go, and take your reusable mug to local coffee houses – many places offer a small discount on coffee when you bring your own travel mug.
3. Plant a garden, whether you live in an urban loft or a suburban neighborhood. Growing your own vegetables is a simple way to bring fresh food to your table, and you might get some exercise as well. Growing at least a little of your own food, whether in a vegetable garden in the back yard or a planter box on the window, can give you healthy veggies and herbs and reduce your grocery bill.
4. Reduce your meat consumption. Livestock production accounts for almost 20 percent of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and almost 25 percent of water used globally in agriculture. Even if you're not up for becoming vegetarian or vegan, simply try cutting back on the amount of meat you consume and try substituting one or two meals a week with vegetarian fare.
5. Audit your electricity usage. Many utility companies offer energy audits free or at low cost, so check with your utility company. Knowing where your power is going is the first step toward reducing your usage. To save energy, make sure your doors and windows are adequately insulated against air leaks, and unplug electronics when you're not using them. Use power strips to control banks of electronic gadgets. Switch out your regular light bulbs for CFL or LED options. Turn off lights when you leave a room, and bump your thermostat up a couple degrees in the summer and down a few degrees in the winter. Use cold water cycles on laundry washing machines to save the energy that goes into heating the water.
6. Save water by fixing dripping faucets and leaky toilets. Switch out shower heads for low-flow models. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth or soap up. Run dishwashers and laundry washing machines only when they're full, and choose the shortest cycle that will get the job done. Water landscaping responsibly, and catch rain water in a rain barrel for watering gardens and plants.
7. Keep a few reusable shopping bags in your purse or car, and don't forget to use them. Plastic shopping bags are a huge strain on an already overtaxed garbage system, and many blow into streams and waterways and make their way into the ocean. Bringing your own bag may also save you a little money too – many stores offer a discount if you have your own bag, and an increasing number of stores are now charging for every disposable bag you use if you don't BYOB.

Thank you for sticking with me for the past 31 days! I would love to hear about how you're doing with your efforts to simplify and create your own Fresh Start. Please email me at FreshStart@modern-simplicity.com with what you're working on, and feel free to include photos. I'll feature them in a future project I'm working on! I'd love to hear about how your simplifying is going, so emails and comments are always appreciated!

This post is part of the Fresh Start Series, 31 days of tips and tricks to simplify in the new year.