Wellness: Adopting A Green Kitchen Lifestyle
A green kitchen lifestyle does not end at eating healthy and nutritious meals, neither is it limited to preparing wholesome meals for your family. A green kitchen lifestyle extends to energy efficient preparation habits, using sustainable materials in the kitchen, minimising the use of toxic substances in the kitchen and much more. The best part about green kitchen living is that, it requires no expensive equipment or technology, all it needs is some common sense and practicality. So here are a few tips that will help you adopt a greener lifestyle in your kitchen.
Wellness: Adopting A Green Kitchen Lifestyle
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Choosing Cookware
There is nothing healthier and safer than an iron skillet to cook your meals in. Stainless steel is another good option. The ones to avoid are teflon coated non-stick cookware as it is known to emit toxic substances on heating. Non-stick cookware that has scratches is another hazardous cookware to use. Anyways, if you come to think of it, a solid iron skillet will last much longer than your non-stick cookware. Not to forget that it will be lighter on your pocket, initially and eventually too.
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Energy Star Rated Appliances
Energy Star rated appliances save big time on energy. Energy Star appliances such as a dishwasher can reduce your water output drastically, even lesser than what you use by hand washing utensils. The same goes for refrigerators, stoves etc. Talking of fridges incidentally, try and not place the fruits in the fridge, as they will rot much faster because of the trapped gasses in there.
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Energy Saving While Cooking
Use pots and pans that fit your burner heads. Smaller pots on bigger burners waste a lot of energy. Also use lids while cooking food. It will help the food cook faster and save a lot of energy. Pressure cookers are another great way of saving energy and time. The best of all practices would be to eat fresh fruits and salads that require no cooking whatsoever 😉
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Buy Local Produce
Buy food that is grown locally and help reduce the carbon footprint. Not only will it give your local industry a boost but also ensure that you have fresh produce. So go explore the local markets or better still purchase directly from the farmers. A home grown kitchen garden isn’t a bad choice either.
Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies
Buy cleaning supplies that are non-toxic, biodegradable and plant-based. Petrochemical based cleaning agents aren’t very eco-friendly. Better still, explore DIY options like vinegar, baking soda etc. and make your own cleaning agents at home.
Consider Revamping Your Kitchen
If you are wanted to restyle your kitchen, consider using recyclable materials like salvaged wood. From glass based countertops to bamboo and cork flooring there are numerous green options for homeowners to follow. Also try and make sure that the wood that you use comes from sustainable plantations.
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Besides these a few green kitchen habits like using cloth napkins instead of paper ones, covering the pots and pans while cooking, using glass containers, turning off the appliance mains after use etc can lead to healthier greener lifestyle changes. Try and shop in bulk to reduce your trips to the market, use home grown veggies and use grandmas tips and tricks at home to be free and safe from chemical exposure. It would be great to hear from you on what green kitchen habits you follow at your home. Do write to us.
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