Glass milk bottles
Organic milk comes in these and they are produced by only one manufacturer in the
USA at this time. There is a list
on Mindfully.org of dairies using such bottles. Please add your dairy to the list
if they use glass bottles. These bottles are perfect for refilling with other drinks such as orange juice, lemonade,
water to
drink or to water plants with. Because the cardboard containers that orange juice
is packed in is coated with plastic (polyethylene), pour it into one of these bottle when you get home from the
grocery store. Nonorganic milk is made from cows injected with rBGH,
a growth hormone that causes mastitis, which in turn requires the cows to get
antibiotic injections. Nonorganically-raised cows are fed pesticide-ridden
grains and genetically engineered feed such as Monsanto's Roundup
Ready corn. The food they eat is also grown with sewage
sludge as fertilizer. Here's a general article titled, "Why
Eat Organic Food?"
Small glass jars
They come in a wide variety
of sizes and shapes. When they are empty, most people recycle them. I do
that too, but many are saved from products such as mustard
purchased at a grocery store, jelly purchased at the local Farmer's
Market, apple juice bottles purchased along the way when my own ran out or
couldn't find a good source of water. The lack of uniformity is in part a
sort of fashion mostly a denial of fashion but it is also a means of
reduction of waste and consumerism. The heights
of the jars fit in a kitchen drawer with almost no space to spare. Write the
names of the spices in small script on scraps of paper from your recycling bin
and tape them to the top of the jars so they are visible without lifting them.
Our cat loves us because we have glass bowls for his food and water. His dry food is kept in a large glass bottle and refilled from 20 or 30 pound bags (see below).
Tiffin
Kitty likes* this
stainless steel (s/s) tiffin that was purchased at an Indian
goods shop. The shop I got it at carries a wide range
of s/s goods such as round spice boxes, cookware, cutlery, bowls, trays,
plates, containers, tea & coffee sets, and more.
*note: He really only cares about sitting on the paper used as a background for the photos, and being where ever the action is.
Large glass bottle
One of the two
smaller glass jars in front had honey in it that was purchased at the
Farmers' Market. The other was from something like pickle relish. They are
used for smaller quantities of stuff like dried fruits. The larger jars (1
gallon) were purchased from a great herb shop, Lhasa
Karnak Herb Company in Berkeley. The one on the left
has flour in it and can hold about 5 pounds. And the one on the right has cereal from the bulk foods area
of the grocery store. I buy it by the case and save and additional 10%.
When the glass bottle is empty, we refill the cereal from the case using a metal
soup ladle. The next size down on the right has oatmeal in it. Before
plastic grabbed the honey people, I had been purchasing honey in jars that
size. I think it holds about 5 pounds of honey. It may still be possible to find pickles in the larger jars. But
probably they've been plasticized as well though. The smallest jar on the
left is a small size from the Farmers' Market honey vendor, and the one on the
left is from some store-bought product. I buy as little prepared foods as
possible. And almost no prepared foods in metal cans. The lids on bottles, even
canning jars, are coated with plastic. But if the bottle is stored upright, the
contact is quite minimal.
Mixing Bowls
Mixing bowls are
commonly made of plastic these days, as are all other kitchen implements.
But stainless steel is making a comeback. The yellow bowl is an old Pyrex
bowl that was my mother's. Some foods must be kept away from metal, so
find out about them. There is no store that sells all of the kitchen
tools and containers on this page. They were accumulated over a few years.
The yellow bowl was my grandmother's.
Stainless Steel
Colander
Not all of these stainless steel colanders are created equal. It's worth
holding out for one that has many holes at the lowest point so as to drain
more easily and effectively. This one is just OK, no better. If I need to
drain pasta, I might do it by placing the pan's lid slightly off, leaving
a gap that is a bit smaller than the pasta. Sometimes I use a s/s wire
mesh colander or strainer. Be sure to thoroughly rinse and scrub them
before the pasta has a chance to dry on them. Do it before eating.
Here's a top view of (left to right) a colander, food mill and a strainer. A chinois (not shown) works well too. It has conical shape, with the tip pointing down. I use the strainer for sifting flour and straining the solids from a stock.
This food mill is great for crushing tomatoes. The seeds and chunks of skin are left behind. I once had one of those stylish kitchen tools called a Cuisineart food processor. It took more time to clean it than it was worth. It also wastes a lot of space in the small kitchens that many people have. And for some of us, cranking the food mill or chopping with a knife is the only exercise we get. I do have an old blender that has a glass top rather than a plastic one. I think the newer models have polycarbonate tops. Lexan is one brand of polycarbonate plastic. To learn about polycarbonates, please read this article: "Get Plastic Out Of Your Diet".
Cast iron waffle
mold
This one was made in about 1860 and purchased online for about $25 including
shipping. It was my birthday present a couple years ago. It makes exquisite waffles without being
exposing us to the Teflon coating
that is standard with all waffle makers today. See that these glisten from
the oil coating. They need to be "seasoned" before using them so
as to keep the batter from sticking and so that they don't rust. Did
you know that cooking in a Teflon-coated pan can kill your pet bird?
Teflon is also being used in a rapidly expanding set of cloth consumer
goods as Gore-Tex.
It supposedly seals out the rain, but unfortunately, it also seals in body
moisture in the form of sweat. I avoided it for years because of that. But
having learned it is just another form of Teflon, I feel the need to warn
others.
One-Gallon Glass Jug
Ahhhh! Bernie's
apple cider. Where I live, there is a constant threat of earthquakes.
After rinsing several times and washing in the dishwasher a few times,
they get filled with water and stored in the cardboard cases they came in.
The cases have cardboard dividers that keep the bottles from touching each
other. If the house feel on them they would most likely break. But then,
so would plastic jugs. They get stored in all areas of the house.
I save corks for reuse. They can be washed any number of times.
Glass Refrigerator Storage
These are Pyrex with a plastic lid. At the time I purchased these, I could find
none with glass lids. I therefore allow food to cool thoroughly before
putting the lids on. I start by cooling the food in it on the counter for a
little while. When it is closer to the ambient room temperature, place it in the
refrigerator without the lid for a while. Before leaving or going to bed, seal
the lid on it. But be very careful not to cool meat in an open container. If I
need to cool meat, I do it in the refrigerator. If it is in a stew, I place it
in a bowl floating in cold water. If it needs to be done very quickly, put ice
in the water. Ice is energy intensive, so use it sparingly.
Stainless steel containers imported from
India
Can be found at an Indian imports
shop in Berkeley, CA. Sizes from largest to smallest: 2900
ML/13.5 OZ (7"h x 6"w); 2150 ML/ 72.7 OZ (6.5" h x
5.5"h); 1700 ML/ 57.5 OZ (6"h x 5"w); 400 ML/ 13.5 OZ
(3.75"h x 3.25"w). Other sizes available depending on the
outlet's buyer. In the future, I would like to convince the shop owner to
import larger sizes. I use these for all sorts of
food stuffs wet or dry. The seal is metal to metal with no other
material involved. They fit tightly. Not sure how airtight they are. But
dry stuff such as flour in one of these is probably pretty close to being
as airtight as in a glass container with a screw lid and PVC seal. I make
up large batches of granola that fills two of the largest cans shown here.
Bulk peanut butter in a salsa jar. Buy only as much as you'll consume in a week or so. For me, that's less than 1/2 a jar full. Weigh the jar and mark the weight on the top or side so that it may be subtracted at the cash register. Ask the manager about this before filling the jar. I had been purchasing olive oil as a bulk commodity in 1-quart juice bottles until I found an olive farmer who will refill that 10-litre stainless steel container above. I keep extras of these so I can buy fresh peanut or almond butter while the old one is being washed.
Lids
At left are canning lids and at right used lids from a variety of
products. Canning lids can be used more than once if they are handled
carefully. One way to extend their useful life is to trade them for lids
from other jars. For instance, you might purchase tomato sauce with the
same size lid as canning jars. Once the canned fruit or vegetables are
opened, rinse off the lid and replace it with the other lid. If you see a
scratch or rust spot on the inside face, then do not reuse the canning
lid.
Nonplastic Kitchen Tools
The thing that looks like a rake is for pulling spaghetti from the water
or a bowl. There are a couple old wooden spoons, some spatulas, a pastry
brush hiding in the back, a large bottle brush and a pair of heavy-duty
kitchen shears. All are in a ceramic container.
You can carve your own spoons and tools out of solid blocks of wood. I
have a retired neighbor who makes wood bowls for his grandchildren.
Bulk
Liquid Storage
10-litre
stainless steel container with spigot made by Fustinox
used for olive oil. I keep it cool in the basement and refill the glass
bottle topped with a natural cork from a wine bottle. Brown glass protects
the contents from UV sunlight, but green does not. The brown bottle is 1/2
litre beer bottle. Any size one needs is available.
Old wine and beer bottles can be cut with a glass cutter to make table
glasses. There are special cutters one can purchase, but with a little
practice you can make a simple jig and use a small hand-held glass cutter
that is typically used to cut window panes or mirrors. Mark the bottle
where it is to be cut. Keep a firm and steady pressure on the bottle with
the cutter. Turn the bottle at the same time. The trick is getting the
score to begin and end at the same place. Tap it with the balled end of
the cutter and the two parts should separate. Sand off the cut edge using
a fine 320 grit silicone carbide paper, being careful not to breathe or
get any of the dust in your eyes. Afterwards, wash the glass as well.
Lunch Containers for School or Work
Padded
cases for carrying in backpack for lunch at work of school. The glass bottle is a
12-oz. juice bottle from Bernie's cider. The flatware is purchased very
inexpensively at a salvage shop. The food container is a Pyrex round glass
container (see above). Food that goes into it is always
cold and is kept cool by the padded case. I also try to keep the lid
pointing up if possible. And always remove the lid before heating the food
in the container. Never ever microwave food in anything. What is meant by this
is that microwaving is unhealthy in any container, whether it is plastic or
glass. Microwaving increases free radicals that promote cancerous cells. many
daycare centers heat children's food in plastic Tupperware containers. But you
should be sure not to allow them to do this with your child's food. There are
may ways of avoiding it. One is to serve is cold. What's better is to let it sit
out for a half-hour before serving. But this kind of practice would be next to
impossible to get the staff to do. Serving cold would be more likely to happen.
If microwaving still is the only method acceptable to parents and staff, then do
so without the lid on. Write on the lids with black markers, "REMOVE LID
BEFORE HEATING ! !"
Cast iron muffin pans from Lodge Mfg. must be seasoned with cooking oil to reduce sticking. The muffin holes are a bit too small for my liking, but they work great.
Stainless steel canteens by Kleen Kanteen. Be sure to get the s/s lids with them. I have two sizes 20oz. and 44oz.
Large and small stainless steel bowls
I use the large 16" s/s bowl for mixing large batches of bread and 7"
one is sometimes used for really small jobs. My favorite bread recipe is a
modified version from Edward Espe Brown, The Tassajara Bread Book Shambhala
Publications, Berkeley (1970). This bowl is big enough for about 4 or 5 heavy
whole wheat loaves. I also use it as a serving bowl at picnics and other events
when I need to feed many people. It'll hold about 2 pounds (dry) of cooked pasta
with a tomato sauce or a great big bean salad. Enameled bowls and pots
work. If they get overheated, the glazing with craze and later fall off in
minute particles.
Large Enameled Cast Iron Pan
Purchased as slightly damaged at a sale in the mid-1970s for about 20% of the
price for a perfect one at that sale. It gets used pretty much every day.
There's no Teflon coating. It's heavy but does a great job of cooking food
evenly. Nonenameled cast iron pans work just as well and can be purchased at tag
sales because the seller usually has the "modern" nonstick
Teflon-coated pans that offgass some pretty terrible fumes that can kill your
pet bird and get into your body too. Can Teflon
affect you and your family? Of course it can. But did you know that Teflon is
being used in just about every kind of product that is made with cloth? It's
called Gor-tex.
Your feet probably don't get as hot as a frying pan, but there has been no
meaningful testing of such products done to my knowledge.
Mismatched stainless flatware and ceramic plates
Purchased at a shop that sells used goods. One or two of each may have a
match. They take the place of paper plates and plastic utensils. Use them at
home or at a picnic. If you take them on a picnic, be sure to wrap them sufficiently.
I use cloth napkins and towels, and/or paper from my recycling bin. Cloth
napkins will be needed anyway, so using them as packing will save space and
protect the plates. Pack them into a big canvas bag and be sure to secure the
bag on the trip to the picnic. It's a heavy load. But people rarely complain about
their cooler full of beer and soda, which, by the way, we
shouldn't drink anyway. Well, maybe just one or two beers.... please.
Camp wear
Purchase stainless steel plates and mugs at a camping goods store and use
them with the mismatched flatware from a store that sells used goods. Take them
to farmers' markets to eat from vendors or to restaurants that serve on paper or
plastic.
Measuring cups and spoons
Glass and a glazed cast iron pie plates
Stainless steel steamer adjusts itself to fit the pot it is placed inside of. I steam a lot of food. Sometimes I use a large cylindrical steamer that fits atop a large pot. It has room for a few ears of corn, some small potatoes and a half-head of cabbage that is cut into smaller sections.
No photo
Paper Bags
In the land of consumerism, paper bags are single-use products. Everything must be placed in a bag at the point of purchase, even if it is already in a bag and we only buy that one item. If I don't have my canvass bag, I would merely carry that one item without another bag. If I purchased so many items that I could not carry them without a bag and my canvass bag was not with me, then I would take a paper bag rather than a plastic bag.
That paper bag must be treated with respect so as to reuse it as many times as possible. I carry used paper bags in my canvass bag when I shop. If I am buying some flour, I would use a bag that is just about worn out. But I would double it by putting it inside another bag. After the flour is dumped into a large glass jar with a tightly sealing lid, the interior well-worn bag that is now covered with flour is retired to the recycling bin. The outer bag is reused until it too can only be used to protect another bag from becoming covered with flour.
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber pacifiers and nipples I have not researched natural rubber enough, but I think this is the right product. One outlet is Cotton Babies. They also have organic hemp cloth diapers and other stuff. I do not endorse this website, but only put it here as an example. Use glass baby bottles too. Never put food in plastic.... never.
Transportation
Also. . . don't drive your car to the grocery store. In fact, avoid driving one at all if possible. Avoid owning one too. Walk or ride your bicycle with saddle bags or baskets on it. Some people around Berkeley have trailers that attach to the back of the bicycle that can carry a fairly large load. There is a bicycle delivery service in Berkeley -- Pedal Express -- that can deliver up to 1,000 pounds on a bike! In a city, motor vehicles don't have as much of a speed advantage as on highways.
But then when you think about it, most people travel between two points without knowing anything at all about everything in between. The journey has become a painful process as we are stuffed into cramped, toxic spaces of cars and planes. Not to mention being shot and killed if we don't fit the standard model of a citizen.
Pay more attention to the doughnut than the hole. Take time to live and enjoy life rather than doing the things that the system teaches us to do and expects of us. These things are what keeps order as it is. Avoid doing those things that keep the dysfunctional system intact. Stop using it when ever possible. Deny its power each day by finding one more way to take control of your life. . . and doing it!. The things they have to offer, I don't want. They make me sick and drive me crazy. They are bad for the health of all life.
