amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

3Gs4Me · 05-09-2003, 08:51 AM

Thought I would share some of my strategies incase anyone is interested.

I have replaced the majority of the plastic in my kitchen by going to garage sales. You can usually get glass stuff cheap because people want to get rid of it for the new and improved, lighter plastic models

It is also easy to find old metal cooking utensils for the same reasons.

I usually get covered casserole dishes for 75 cents to a buck. I also store leftover liquidy type stuff in empty apple sauce jars. When I buy cereal or baking supplies, I automatically bring it home and take it out of the plastic bags and put it in those glass containters that people buy those expensive holiday nuts in. You can also go to a deli at a store and see if they have any large glass jars that deli items sometimes come in. They usually will let them go for free or a nominal fee.

My mom thought I was nuts when I got rid of all the boys plastic plates and cups other then 2 sippy cups (and those are the old tupperware ones so supposedly they are safer) for traveling but they are doing great and haven't broke any of the stoneware they use. For dh and I, when we travel we carry our water in an applesauce jar.

Another important switch is to get rid of the pans you have with teflon in them. I have one set of stainless steel Revere Wear (hard to get cheap but ask for it for a gift) and I have two cast iron pans (one is a hand down from my stepmom, and the other I found at a garage sale for $3). Alot of people gripe about cast iron pans being a pan but if you keep them seasoned then they are virtually stick free and very easy to use.

Hope this helps someone. If you have any tricks in regards to this subject, please post them for all to benefit from.

It really doesn't have to be expensive to make the switch. The only things I have found that I need to buy are stainless steel measuring cups and spoons (can't find those at garage sales).

ktashes · 05-09-2003, 09:10 AM

When we switched from plastic to glass I did it slowly. I figured it we had already been dealing with plastics this long and our budget just couldn't deal with a major overhaul. I managed to get a few things from the local thrift store and the rest I got at walmart, one dish a week at a time. I find I really don't need all that much. Two mixing bowls, a pie plate, two different sized cassarole dishes, a deeper glass thingy that is good for roasts, crock pot, a set of drinking glasses and my cast iron skillet. I do use a regular cookie sheet but I cover that with aluminum. I haven't found a good alternative for that. We also use plastic sippy cups but the drinks area always cold, plus it outweighs the dangers of broken glass.

A small cassarole dish can be bought new at walmart for $3, the larger 9x13 are around $6. Not as good as the pyrex stuff but close enough for me. Pie plates are about $3 or sometimes they will run a special for a set of 3 for $6 or so. Considering how long they last (if you don't break them) totally worth it IMO, though I would have gotten it all used could I have found it.

rhonda · 05-09-2003, 09:48 AM

so how do you season a cast iron skillet. I have a couple of them, but dont use, because everything sticks.

TIA

BlueRoseMama · 05-09-2003, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rhonda
so how do you season a cast iron skillet. I have a couple of them, but dont use, because everything sticks.

TIA

You take an oil... perferably cooking oil, as olive oil can season your food too... lol... and you put it all over the pan. (out side too) then you bake it for about 2 hours at 200*. This done every couple of weeks for the first few months will start to season it. Then after it is well seasoned it should be coated with oil on the inside every couple times you use it. If you really want to make sure it stays nice, keep one of those Pampered Chef oil squirters handy and spray a little oil in it everytime you use it.

The biggest thing about using cast iron is that you should not scrub it or soak it. If it is seasoned you will not have to... the stuff will just come off. But if it is not seasoned (meaning the oil and the oven thing done about 3 times) then it will start to loose its "non stickness".

Must go test my son on spelling! hugs to all!

Love Val

TeresaLock · 05-09-2003, 12:09 PM

I just read an article from seventh generation yesterday that says tupperware is safe as well as listing other rubbermaid products etc. Just wondering if there is another source saying the opposite?
thanks

BlueRoseMama · 05-09-2003, 12:43 PM

Tupperwear is safe as long as you never heat things in it. At least that is what I have heard and I practice. I just never use plastic for heating things, and use wood instead of plastic cooking most of the time. I have 2 plastic spoons that I love... but for the most part I use wood. I use glass for all of my pantry stuff... My kids do have sippy cups, but have never used bottles. etc... I think for me it is everything in moderation... I take safty first, and then what ever takes the stress off...

I would love to hear some more info on this.

Love Val

bluehalo · 05-09-2003, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ktashes
I do use a regular cookie sheet but I cover that with aluminum. I haven't found a good alternative for that.

Try parchment paper over the cookie sheet ... it's non stick, stuff just slides right off of it! I've found that I can get several uses out of each piece too.

3Gs4Me · 05-09-2003, 02:11 PM

My dh's parapro's mom works for the commission on aging and she can get ahold of a dozen stainless steel very large cookie sheets (also could be used as a jelly roll pan) for $60. I have never gotten them because I only need two and don't know anyone who is health conscious enough to want any of the remainder.

I wonder how much it would be to ship them?

TeresaLock · 05-09-2003, 05:29 PM

I might be interested in 1 depending on shipping etc.

TeresaLock · 05-09-2003, 05:31 PM

Ok, another question now (LOL) If you don't heat in plastic what do you use to store stuff in the freezer? Like i use tupperware to stock up meals in the freezer to reheat later etc. Do you only use glass? How do you stack efficiently? I have SO many things i want to work on (LOL)

KimberMama · 05-09-2003, 06:24 PM

Costco has a set of 3 stainless steel cookie pans/sheets for under $15.

The first step I took while switching away from plastic (almost there) was to pull down all of the glass stuff I wasn't using. For example, I used to use my glass casseroles and pie plates in the oven only, and now I use them in the microwave too. I got rid of all of our plastic containers except some Tupperware ones sold for use in the microwave. I try not to use them, but DH likes them for leftovers. I've been saving glass jars for storage, and I bought a few bigger jars on sale at Kmart.

We are also moving away from aluminum. I bought a set of Farberware cookware cheap from Amazon, and moved the aluminum Revereware to our trailer. (The set came 3 stainless steel mixing bowls, so I only had to buy 2 bigger mixing bowls for my kitchen.) I figure we don't use the stuff in the trailer on a daily basis.

Kimberly

KimberMama · 05-09-2003, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TeresaLock
Ok, another question now (LOL) If you don't heat in plastic what do you use to store stuff in the freezer? Like i use tupperware to stock up meals in the freezer to reheat later etc. Do you only use glass? How do you stack efficiently? I have SO many things i want to work on (LOL)

I store some things in glass, leaving space at the top for expansion. I also store foods in Tupperware CrystalWave containers. I will admit that I don't bother to take things like bread out of plastic, etc.

Kimberly

BlueRoseMama · 05-09-2003, 07:26 PM

I don't bother to take bread and cheese and things out of the plastic either... it is just easier and sometimes I placate myself just to save sanity. I am in the process of collecting Pyrex right now... and you can get it really cheap on E-bay if you want. I have a bunch of bowls (Great colors too!) and quite a few casserole dishes too. I also have a bunch that I have gotten from Goodwill and that has been a great life saver for those left overs. I do occasionally use the plastic in the fridge, but never in the microwave, or stove...

I use the Pyrex with the blue plastic tops quite often... does anyone know about those? I do not usually heat in them... but I have and would like to know if that is safe... what do you think?

For those of you who do take bread out of the plastic... what do you move it too? My mom has hers in tupperwear, but that is just another form of plastic. She believes that it is better though.. Thoughts?

Great thread ladies... I have not thought about this for a while...

Love Val

~Denise~ · 05-09-2003, 08:03 PM

Teflon is bad too?

atgep · 05-10-2003, 10:29 AM

I use a lot of mason jars to store things in. I use these for both shelf items and freezer items. I bought the set of baking sheets from Costco, and they are great with a good price too. Why are people lining their pans? I have very few Rubbermaid or Tupperware items left due to DH never remembering to bring them home. I decided not not replace them with plastic, and am looking around for more glass. During a previous move, I lost a huge lot of glass items from Italy. I was so upset. I use mainly glass in the microwave, but DH still uses the plastic at times...makes me cringe. I don't use plastic wrap anymore (unless I'm raising bread dough). I bought a box of waxed papers sheets from Costco...they are called Wacks or something like that. They can be cut down if you need a small piece. I have 2 of those Tupperware cereal containers for bulk items, are they safe to use? I can't see throwing them away since they cost so much. I buy flour, sugar, tea bags, brown sugar, etc. in bulk. But, I do keep small quantities in some old Tupperware cannisters. Is this safe, or should I find some glass containers? I like the fact that they stack and don't take up much space. I must admit that our drinking glasses are plastic I think...they are the Tervis Tumblers. Heard of these? I switched to them when DH broke 8 glasses in one week...before we had kids! All but two of my pans are not nonstick. I have a Paella pan from France that is nonstick and my smallest skillet. I use mainly wooden or metal spoons and spatulas, but I do have some very nice plastic I guess spoons that I use on the nonstick. Oh, I almost forgot, we do use the Food Saver with the bags for storage. They say that you can heat by boiling or microwaving the bags. I do not do this...I just use them for storage. Is there any information about these bags? That's all that I can think of at the moment.