With all the news in the media about global warming and the economy still trying to recover, everyone is trying to find ways to save money and go greener. One way to contribute is in the kitchen, and it’s easy to be green in the kitchen.
Reduce the amount of meat and poultry you eat. The more we reduce these foods, the more we can better use the land they live on and reduce water pollution caused by their by-products and the chemicals used to raise them.
Buy fish that is not caught in trawl nets. Trawl nets do not discriminate which fish or aquatic mammals they harm or kill. If the fish are raised in fish farms, ask your fishmonger or fishmonger where they were raised and what kind of chemicals are used to raise them. If he can’t tell you, find a new place to buy your fish.
Check out the local farmers markets. Not only will you buy fresher vegetables and fruits because they have traveled a shorter distance than the produce you get at your local supermarket; But farmers’ markets usually have a plentiful number of farmers who practice organic farming. Organically grown produce has been grown without pesticides or organisms that have been genetically altered. By patronizing local farmers’ markets, you’re also helping support your local economy.
If you are concerned about water quality, install a water filtration system. Not only will you save money by not having to buy bottled water, but you’ll also be green by saving the environment tons of discarded plastic that never biodegrades.
Use cloth napkins. They are much more environmentally friendly than paper napkins and are much more durable. You can find cloth napkins that are more eco-friendly than others by checking what they are made of. You want organic cotton or hemp to be truly eco-friendly in the kitchen.
We all love takeout from time to time, but everything about packaging is NOT green. If you succumb to taking food out and it is delivered, be sure to make it very clear to the order taker that you do NOT want utensils, condiments, or napkins. If you frequent a particular restaurant, ask the manager if he can bring his own food container and let you keep that nasty Styrofoam box.
When you wash fruits and vegetables, fill a container with cold water to wash them instead of keeping the water running in your sink.
Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge to refill glasses throughout the day instead of turning on the faucet every time you want to drink.
Buying in bulk will not only save you money, but you’ll avoid all the excessive packaging that comes with buying smaller packages.
Cook in bulk whenever possible. You’re using less heat by cooking things at once, and then you can bag leftovers to keep in the fridge for lunch or store in the freezer for future use.
If you’re cooking in bulk, you won’t have a problem keeping your fridge stocked; this is good because it reduces the amount of energy your refrigerator needs to stay cold.
It’s easy to be green in the kitchen, you just have to stop throwing away as much as you used to and shop wisely when it comes to the food you put on the table.