Making a number of dishes for the holidays, and being the self-appointed “you know her with the healthy and the green” member of the family, imagine my inner turmoil preparing all this delicious, wholesome, organic food with products that would never make it into the organic sections of the market. As we take steps toward a cleaner and greener kitchen, we’re really saying that we no longer want products with questionable toxicity levels coming in contact with our food. You know all the backlash you hear against toys made in China with toxic chemicals that kids put in their mouths? This is the adult version of that.
Quality cookware and ample cooking utensils are the mark of a good chef and the cornerstones of better cooking. Having the right tool for the job takes cooking from chore to cherished pastime. I’ve had many of my most memorable conversations in my kitchen, I even have a kitchen couch for visiting children, neighbors, and the occasional relative. Food is an important part of my family, even if they poke a little fun about my organic obsessions, I know they understand that organic is synonymous with quality, and that’s why we do it.
Here are some of my favorite green kitchen products that support my efforts to prepare wonderful organic meals for myself and the people I love:
Ginson’s 6-piece bamboo kitchen utensil set has everything you’ll need to prep and serve on a daily basis. Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource (it grows like a weed) that is remarkably lightweight and durable. It doesn’t swell or warp and this set is VERY reasonably priced.
Whether you’re washing organic veggies or straining fresh pasta, you’ll love Preserve’s colander, which features ideal handle placement, ergonomic design, symmetrical pouring spouts, and a tall base that keeps spaghetti off the counter and out of the sink — I’m finding very often that green designers are simply better designers because there’s a greater attention to detail and a higher level of thought going in, just try not to smile at these BPA-free, bright plastic colors!
The same designer must have also had a hand in developing their nested mixing bowls (set of 3):
If you’re a baker, then you’ll love these big scooping, easy-pouring BPA-free plastic measuring cups:
When it’s all said and done… leftovers! It’s a great quality screw top leftovers container that comes in two sizes:
Who needs more run-of-the-mill plastic junk? All of these items represent cleaner, healthier, high quality, and environmentally responsible alternatives to the standard-issue, cheap plastic junk that we’re all completely bored with buying. All of the plastics are BPA-free and recycled. Now you can cook with eco-confidence, knowing that you’re doing your part for the planet and adding a whole new layer to your organic cooking savvy.
