Reducing plastics

**bridge** · 08-10-2005, 05:04 PM

Has anyone reduced their plastic usage in their homes.

I have been researching this somewhat. I am debating on getting some pyrex storage containers vs. my rubbermaid ones.

I have swapped out all my plastic dishes & cups.

I just wondered if anyone else had concerns or had been working at this as a goal.....

I have read that some of the chemicals int he plastics can leach into our foods & air.

**QuilterMom** · 08-10-2005, 08:08 PM

I do have concerns with using them and hope to replace ours with glass as funds allow.

**psjkmom** · 08-10-2005, 08:52 PM

I'd love to get rid of all the plastic storage containers and switch to glass, but it's expensive and hard to find large glass containers. Any ideas out there on where to find some cheap?

**Nada.Leona** · 08-11-2005, 07:16 AM

Wow, I didn't know that about either of them. Thanks for the info. It seems like an all-natural lifestyle would be darn difficult and expensive, doesn't it? I eat a lot of soups and take them in plastic containers for my lunch. I'm not sure how I'd get around that.

I suppose there's probably aluminum in silverware and utensils, huh?

Bright Blessings!
Aphrodite Pretty

**bridge** · 08-12-2005, 05:44 PM

I use the stoneware for most of my baking. I love it.
The Pizza stone works great for cookies!!
Alot of folks use the Pampered chef stoneware, but mine is from Walmart and is Betty Crocker it was more reasonable price wise.

**kaykwilts** · 08-14-2005, 09:06 PM

Originally posted by geniebird
I use a lot of Corningware and Pyrex, but haven't found a solution for the cookie sheet yet.

I have the solution for you. Get a Pampered Chef baking stone. I use my Pampered Chef pizza stone to bake my cookies on. Another advantage to using the baking stone besides it not being aluminum is that the cookies bake more evenly and don't burn as much. I love my stoneware. I don't know how I cooked without it for so long. I have several pieces besides the pizza stone.

**tbs727** · 08-15-2005, 10:04 AM

[Bob's dad had Alzheimers so this is very important to him -- but boy, is it hard.

I would think it might be the same type of thing with plastics -- petroleum based products are all around us -- even in our clothing. I guess that most people wear at least some polyester or spandex.

I'm not bringing this up to scare anybody, but I do think we need to be aware of what we have done to the planet. [/B]

I think this is a great thing to bring to light. I am interested in the natural lifestyle for a couple of reasons. Two of my grandparents have died of cancer within the last 3 years. After Seeing how long and miserable their deaths were, I am terrified of getting cancer. They never smoked or drank or ate terrible foods. They both took fairly good care of themselves. I believe it was the foods they did eat and the chemicals in their bodies and in the air.

I recently read The Makers Diet. It's very interesting and it has changed the way I eat. I still have far to go to change my lifestyle though. Right now we can't afford all the natural foods b/c I am unemployed. I won't go into all my conspiracy theories (

) but I think there is a lot out there we aren't told.

I said all that to say, I am interested in the Natural life and would love to learn more.

**QuilterMom** · 08-15-2005, 10:11 AM

Tiffany - You might find Dr. Don Colbert's books of interest if they are available at your local library. That's what started us down the organic/natural living path a few years ago.

As for aluminum-free deodorant, most are expensive and still contain ingredients we choose not to use (propylene glycol being one that I know is in Tom's of Maine deodorants). We use a roll-on called Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal - http://www.tccd.com/ . It's pricey at the health food stores here, but WalMart sells it for $2.97 a bottle (3oz. bottle). My dh has a very labor intensive job and it works great for him. I also sometimes use the Burt's Bees herbal deodorant (a spray). It runs about $6.99 - $7.99 a bottle (6oz. bottle) at the local health food stores.

I also buy Rumford baking powder, which is the only one I've found for sale here locally that is aluminum-free.

**tbs727** · 08-15-2005, 11:44 AM

I have checked out one of Dr. Don Colberts books, but I didn't get around to reading it. I think it was called "Toxic Relief". I find the informtion in them so overwhelming. It seems like we have to change our entire lives. So we are taking baby steps in that direction.

I will recheck out some of his books, thank you for the suggestion.

**QuilterMom** · 08-15-2005, 11:59 AM

It can be overwhelming if you try to change everything at once. Baby steps is definitely the way to go.

**forestdale** · 09-20-2005, 09:10 PM

I never put plastic or plastic wrap in the microwave. I only buy glass containers now, never plastic. That's agreat idea about the pizza stone, I'll try that for my biscuits.

We sell aluminium-free deodorant in our store (I use the crystal that lasts for two years) as well as organic toothpaste, shampoos and conditioners. I've been amazed at the number of people who, when returning to buy more products, comment on how well they feel since changing to organic toiletries. Even things like lanolin cream that used to be in baby products is full of pesticides and ordinary sorboline moisturiser is made from petro-chemicals. We have a plant based sorboline moiusturiser that was recently developed by our local University; it's selling like hot cakes.

**inneedofhope** · 10-07-2005, 10:59 PM

I LOVE the body products from the 911 Earth store, especially the shampoo, when I was using it I was itch free!! they are soooo expensive though, so I'm looking for a cost effective way to go natural.

**catzz64** · 10-07-2005, 11:51 PM

My experience with organic and natural products has been tremendous...I had a baby 15 months ago...used organic diapers, no chemical detergents (for diapers or clothes) organic bath products (soap and shampoo), organic food, though we did use regular formula as I was unable to breastfeed due to medical problems and organic formula is not terribly cost effective. I also altered all my cleaning products in the house to chemical free...we use baking soda, vinegar, soda water, etc.

My son has not been sick one day. He has not had diaper rash. He had a very minor case of cradle cap that started at about 4 months, and cleared quickly after I started applying apricot oil nightly.

Aluminum has also been linked to breast cancer in women, and if you think about it you shave yourself, leaving microscopic cuts in the skin, then slather on aluminum to seep into your skin right there next to your breast and armpit lymph nodes for years and years. When a dear friend put it to me that way, I swore I would never again use regular antipersperant. Just read labels...deoderant normally doesn't have aluminum, but I figure it is worth a little bit more and give up something else in order to buy organic deoderant just to be sure. Of course you could always toss on a little baking soda....

Sorry for the rant, I do feel a bit strongly about the organic/natural, not necessarily processed products but just simple living, like Grandma did, without chemicals and not having to worry about having a mask on while we have our windows open. I still use aluminum cookie sheets, I just don't use chemically treated "easy release" aluminum foil on top of the aluminum sheets to make sure they don't stick or something...toss on parchment like in the old days...my Grandma made it to 91 so far

**geniebird** · 10-23-2005, 05:10 PM

A couple of posts here mentioned using a baking stone for cookies. I just bought one and it says not to in one place and in another it says to cover the stone with foil -- which would defeat my purpose since I want to get rid of my aluminum cookie sheet. Can anyone who has done this give me any hints or advice? Can I bake cookies on a baking stone or not?

**forestdale** · 10-23-2005, 05:48 PM

You can use the baking stone without aluminium foil, genie. When using your stone, put it into a cold oven and preheat the oven with the baking stone in there. When it's heated, place your cookie batter onto the hot stone. It's a pain, I know, but putting a stone into a hot oven may cause it to crack.

For those interested in aluminium-free toiletries, aluminium also goes by the code number E173. If you see that on your list of ingredients, the product contains aluminium.