I used to feel like almost anything that was sold (by major retailers and commonly used) were just safe, but as I researched credible sources, I found this is not the case. I don’t believe there’s some big conspiracy to make us unsafe. I just think there are different viewpoints on what amount of research proves unsafe.
I also personally feel that it’s not that just owning one of these products will make you drastically unsafe, but that it’s a cumulative effect. There are so many toxins we are exposed to both willingly and unwillingly, that my goal for me and my family is eliminating all the toxins we CAN control so the cumulative effect is hopefully smaller.
When you start really looking at all the ingredients in food and EVERYTHING in your life and everywhere you can be exposed to toxins, it can be a little overwhelming. I feel this all the time! The purpose of this post is not to overwhelm, but to start a discussion about all of these toxins and to make efforts to improve where we can. I think it’s important to remember every little change you make, makes a difference so we should give ourselves credit for each each change! If we overhauled everything in our homes, it would be prohibitively expensive. What we do that’s worked well is replace things when they run out with cleaner options. Or, if there’s something (like Tupperware) that has a long life, then we just gradually replace. For example we have a weekly/monthly budget for “other”. Household needs, etc. and we try to just consistently work in cleaner options for our home into this budget and it’s been a manageable and budget-friendly way to a cleaner lifestyle and it’s not so overwhelming emotionally or financially:)
Plastic
First, let’s start with plastic. The only place we use plastic in our home is Saran Wrap every now and then when it’s the only option. We use Stasher Bags, mason jars with these kids, glass tupperware, and wood cutting boards. Why don’t we use it? It’s bad for you and bad for the environment.
It’s bad for you because the chemicals used in manufacturing. Even BPA free isn’t safe. Below are some articles that explain this but in summary BPA has hormone and endocrine disrupters and its substitutes (BPS, etc) behave similarly in the body. It can reprogram your genes, is one of the causes of cancer, and causes reproductive and developmental issues. Stainless steel and glass are safer substitutes.
National Geographic: Why BPA Free May Not Mean Plastic Product is Safe
Politico: Why We Don’t Know if Plastics are Safe
NBC News: Even BPA Free Plastic is Not Always Safe
As we all know, plastic is bad for the environment for a million reasons, but especially because it ends up in oceans and landfills, kills animals, etc. Article below if you’d like to read more abt it. I think we are so blessed to live in such a beautiful place and have a duty to do our part to take care of it and protect it for future generations. Even all recycled plastic doesn’t actually get recycled and harms the environment.
National Geographic: We Made Plastic, We Depend on it, Now we’re Drowning in it.
So where have we replaced plastic in our home?
- SippyCups
- Watch out for lead (source and source)
- We use these and although I don’t love silicone, I feel it’s the best option for a toddler. They are not spill proof and just don’t let your kid chew on them because it causes holes (that was fun finding out 😉) , but they’ve worked well for us. I wouldn’t say they’re amazing (they spill if forcefully knocked over), but are the safest I’ve found. I’m still looking for better options. A lot of people love these, but my toddler was confused by it and refused to drink out of it 😂
- Tupperware
- We use glass storage containers, but I don’t like that the lids are plastic, so I bought ones with bamboo lids, but haven’t loved those either, so I’d recommend if you use the plastic lids, not filling to the top (so your food doesn’t touch) and not covering with the lid when hot
- Ziplock bags
- We use Stasher bags and I love them!
- I prefer to put everything in mason jars or glass tupperware, but there are some things that just work best with reusable ziplocks.
- Produce bags
- I LOVE these!
- Grocery bags
- We use old beach bags and any reusable bags we get, we save and keep some in the car, some in the home, one by the stroller, so we always have them on hand! Trader Joe’s and Amazon also have inexpensive, durable bags
- Disposable and reusable Water bottles
- Always ask the company abt lead. Many are contaminated with it.
- I just bought this water bottle and hate it, so I’m still looking for better options! Recommendations are always welcome!
- Mixing bowls
- We don’t ever use plastic mixing bowls because of what I mentioned above
- Glass or stainless steel are good options here.
- Many glass painted mixing bowls can have lead in them, so I try to go with clear glass. This has been overwhelming researching what’s safe and I haven’t even fully overhauled, but will post as I continue to. Tamara Rubin is a good resource here
- Plastic wrap
- Like I said, we just use mason jars and glass tupperware. If you absolutely need something, these seem like a good option (I haven’t tried them). I bought Trader Joe’s version of them and DO NOT recommend. They are horrible and don’t seal
- Baby Bottles
- I used BPA free plastic when my kid was a baby, but I will be using glass on the next one!
- Pacifiers
- I used bpa free plastic on my kid, but on my next will use something like this.
- Baby dishes
- We either use adult plates or put it straight on the high chair. If you want dishes, I’ve heard bamboo is great. Just make sure it’s bonded with safe materials and no paint containing lead
- We also LOVE these for on the go for snacks!
- Straws
- We love these
- I know some people like stainless steel, but I personally don’t recommend because you cant see if gunk is inside (which happens but is easy to clean with glass)
- Cooking tools (spoons, spatulas, etc.)
- Silicone, wood, and stainless steel. I love these and these.
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Love these but any stainless steel will do!
Where are we hoping to improve?
- Buying less food packaged in plastic
- Start composting
Non-stick
Next, let’s move to non-stick. We don’t use anything non-stick. The jury seems to still be out on it, but there’s enough controversy, that I just prefer to stay away. Below are some articles, but in summary, Teflon emits toxic gasses when heated.
We use stainless steel, ceramic, and cast iron. The cleanup is weird at first on the latter but once you get used to it, you’ll love how easy cleanup is! Just don’t let it rust!
With stainless steel and cast iron, don’t cook acids (tomatoes, lemons and limes, ACV, etc.) in them because higher levels of metal will leach. This is why I like to have ceramic for these items. I’ll go into it more below, but always ask the company about lead and other heavy metals and nanoparticles.
Food Matters: Is Your Cookware Safe
Wellness Mama: Ditch the Teflon (although she is not a scientific source, she cites many credible sources in this article and explains it in a great way)
We can’t always replace everything right away, so until you can, here’s a helpful article on how to limit your toxins in the meantime
Branch Basics: What to do until you can Replace your non-stick
Aluminum
We don’t use items containing aluminum because it leaches into foods when heated and aluminum has negative effects on the body including the large amounts of aluminum found in the brains of Alzheimers patients.
Wellness Mama: Aluminum Safety (awesome article citing a plethora of credible sources)
InternationalJournal of Electrochemical Science: Effect of Aluminum Leaching…
What do we use instead of non-stick and aluminum? Stainless steel, cast iron, and silicone.
A few notes about stainless steel:
- Make sure it’s 18/0. This means there is no nickel (which can be harmful to health)
- Stainless steel will scratch, but I really don’t care about that
- I also LOVE that you can scrub, cook with metal, etc. and it won’t release harmful chemicals. After I am done cooking, I spray with Branch Basics. If anything is caked on, I spray Branch Basics Bathroom Spray (higher concentration), then sprinkle Oxygen Boost (cleaner alternative to Oxiclean), then spray more Bathroom Spray and let sit, then fill with hot water and it comes off by rinsing or gently scrubbing. Sometimes I’ll let sit overnight if needed
Below are the things we have/are replacing:
- Cast iron panThere’s a little learning curve with cast iron and it seems a little strange, but once you get used to it, it’s THE BEST.
- If properly seasoned and cared for, it’s the best non-stick, easy to clean, can go in the oven and stove top, and is just all around amazing- just don’t let it rust!
- We love this one
- Stainless steel pots
- Stainless steel silverware
- Stainless steel cookie sheet. We love these cookie sheets and cooling racks and this for a smaller cookie sheet.
- Stainless steel muffin tins
- Silicone or stainless steel donut pans (still working on finding these- will post a link once I find something we like. I’m looking at a few, but don’t want to post until I’m sure I like it)
- Silicone muffin liners when we need liners. I research before to ensure it’s high quality and food grade with no fillers. Here are mine that I really like
- Stainless steel cake and loaf pans. Still trying to find some I like and trust and will post here when I have
Where are we trying to do better- we would also like to find an eco-friendly, safe alternative to parchment paper.
Ceramic
I have not found perfect ceramic options, but here’s some hopefully helpful info. Xtrema is touted as the safest and completely lead free, but Tamara Rubin has tested through XRF testing lead, so something fishy seems to be going on with that company. In addition to this, reviewers have said its raised in the middle which negatively affects the cooking and they break easily, so I don’t recommend them. I bought Caraway pans and LOVE them, but found out they contain nanoparticles, so I’ll be returning them. The Always Pan from Our Place looks great so far, but since it’s so new, things may be discovered down the road abt safety, but as of now, it looks pretty safe. I do wish, however, they disclosed all materials, but they are lead and cadmium free and do not contain nanoparticles. The Green Pan seems good (still waiting to hear back abt nanoparticles), but it quickly loses its non stick and becomes a nightmare to clean which shows the coating may not be stable enough.
we do use a crockpot, but as I was researching, I found that they contain ceramic which can also contain lead, so I’m currently trying to find a safer one that is lead free.
In addition to this, did you know some dinnerware/earthenware can contain lead?Even nice brands like Crate and Barrel. So if it comes in contact with your food, ALWAYS reach out to the company and check.
NPR: Can Your Ceramic Cookware Give You Lead Poisoning?
Australian Government: Department of Environment and Energy
Chicago Tribune: Getting the Lead Out
FDA: Q&A on Lead Glazed Traditional Pottery
Washington Post: Dangerous Dinnerware
Tamara Rubin: Lead Testing Methods
Looking for a ceramic free crockpot and will post here once I find one
I have linked quite a few articles here, but what it boils down for me is I go with what has been used for ages and has lots of data on it. It was and can be SO overwhelming with all the info out there and nothing is 100% safe under every circumstance. The bottom line is we will be researching forever, but will never know everything, so while I love to research and read scientific studies and believe in the importance of research, I will always believe we are safer and better off with what’s been used for generations.
Buckwheat Granola