Confused about Reusing Plastic Bottles

Plastic, etc.
Hi Jan,
I agree that the whole subject of plastics and other potential toxins in our lives is confusing. I use a stainless steel water bottle when I am able to bring water from home. They are available at many natural food stores and places like REI. I have a reverse osmosis water filter at my kitchen sink, and when I travel overnight by car, I often take a Brita water filter to refill my stainless steel bottle. The Brita is plastic--but is supposed to be BPA free. I also try to avoid chlorine which is in many public water systems. Both the reverse osmosis and the Brita remove the chlorine. I try to use glass rather than plastic for food storage. Wide mouth canning jars can work well for this and are not expensive. It is impossible for us to remove all possible toxins from our lives, but I do try to minimize it where I can--and then I try not to worry about it.
Best wishes to all!

Plastics, teflon, canned foods
Great article! I've been confused, too. I have done some research and I've decided to eliminate plastics as much as possible; buying paper carton OJ now and avoiding plastic packaged...just eliminated milk products from diet--worried about hormones and the casein question. Also avoiding plastic produce bags, too. I have moved to pyrex, cotton mesh reusable/washable produce bags, and no teflon (though I haven't heard anything about it, have not specifically researched it). Also, washing hands after dealing w/ ATM/credit card-type receipts since it was just discovered they are a source of BPAs (see 8/8/10 post). My preference is glass over canned products (see last article). Just trying to move away from everything that is questionable.

I thought this first article was good though not sure how authoritative the source is. I've read women carry more toxins in their bodies than men and all babies are now, horribly, pre-polluted with toxins. Guess that includes pets, too. Of course, human fat holds these environmental xenoestrogens so it's important to not be overweight.

Kitchen Plastic: Easy Greening

This article is on canned products.
Bisphenol A: Toxic Plastics Chemical in Canned Food: BPA is toxic at low doses -- Environmental Working Group, 3/5/07

I have a glass jar I bring my to-go beverage in and a handy carrying case. Also, learned that pyrex, not glass, can go from freezer to microwave.

jazzy1 said:

Llight...thanks~
I met with a nutritionist and she mentioned to avoid any milk products -- cheese, milk, etc. Only thing I have is Greek yogurt in place of ice cream for dessert...yummie!

Glass is the way to go, to avoid most of the BPA and/or toxins. I've been trying but tend to fall back with the storage container and Tupperware for leftovers. Not many glass containers in my home, guess start moving away from them too. Gee!

Don't eat much out of cans outside of the winter months with tomatoes and beans for chili. But...have to work on that part too.

One thing I read in the Anti-Cancer book the other nite, being overweight really puts one in higher category for cancer and other health issues. Plus, sugar issues....you'll have a lesser chance finding a diabetic with cancer....makes sense doesn't it?

Thanks again wonderful info!
Jan

Jan
Aluminium is NOT last resort at all. Aluminium got tendency to end up in the brain, good for that German guy, you know Alzheimer.
For food storage I bought glass containers in Costco. Proper size like 1 liter for salad or fruit or bough. And good sign is extra work out. I am taking with me to work 2-3 of this containers plus glass water bottle. Over all 3kg or about 6lb.

Teflon is not good as well. On the other hands, I got my stainless steal cook ware for 15 years and end up with cancer, so who knows.

llight said:

Glad to hear no milk products!
Hi Jan,

Really glad to hear you are off milk products except yogurt. My onc nutritionist said she thought a little yogurt was ok, too...good for the bacteria and Vit K.

I just bought a set of Pyrex for $24; it's not that expensive, just heavier but good for our muscles like Culka said.

I agree with Culka, no aluminum--invites Alzheimers. Go for the stainless steel containers. Alum and stainless steel look alike w/ the latter being higher priced.

Yes, being overweight is a risk factor. And keeping sugars to a minimum is the Anticancer way. Have you looked at the Anti-inflammatory diet? My onc nutritionist said it's not a bad idea, there is the cancer-inflammation connection, but said there has been no formal "cancer" research on it...of course. Foods are IF (inflammation factor) rated. Monica Reinagel's book has IF charts in the back and nutritiondata.com lists IF ratings, as well. It's very interesting and makes sense to me. I've been stressing high IF foods, like small fish, some nuts, veggies, low-sugar fruits.

You go, girl! I know, tossing out plastics, another thing to do.

pyrex
I also use nearly all glass - I've found those salsa jars to work great. I do have a stainless water bottle. And I just purchased a glass whistling tea kettle from Amazon. Works great - cheap - $11. I feel better than using metal.

I am not using microwave anymore - I use bamboo steamer now. Very few canned products. It does take more planning but adds more peace of mind, I think.

culka said:

And how are you Mary Ann?
Seems like little by little and we will be here almost forever.

I don`t care about my diet any more. If I`m eating mostly fruit and veggies, till I feel full and occasionally some cooked grains with more veggies, I`m fine. If not oh well. It looks to me that time what we have here we just borrow from future. At least we have time to say goodbye, not like earthquake victims.

Hi Jana
I am wonderful. I am into positivity!!!! The journey, that I am lucky to still be on, continues and I am building more memories each day. My goal is to continue to let go of extra baggage that no longer serves me -

Be joyous and free, my friend. Love, Mary Ann

jazzy1 said:

Pyrex
Did my Sam's route today and checked out the Pyrex. I found reusable glass containers with plastic red lids (for leftovers), and the numbers on the lid don't really conincide with what the reports read. Is this what a few of you have mentioned to purchase?

Glass containers are fine, but then with plastic lids then what? Also, wouldn't the lids be okay no matter what number as long as don't heat in micro or dishwasher. Over weekend started throwing out and/or setting aside for garage sale in Fall, more and more plastic containers. Amazing how many I've got and what a melt down the trash crew could have with just my route....hee! hee!

Just trying to understand!

Thanks,
Jan

When I shopped on Amazon for my Pyrex a reviewer mentioned how the lids are not numbered; bad move for the environmentally-minded purchaser. I read somewhere else that the lids were okay but not to put them in the dishwasher -- hand wash the lids. Since the lids usually don't touch the food nor go in the microwave, I'm not fretting over not knowing that part.

Also, I read Pyrex can go from freezer to microwave and glass cannot. I thought that was a better feature for me to have just in case so I opted for the Pyrex.

I know what you mean. I feel like I'm swimming in plastic containers. Kinda creepy when I think about it.

llight said:

When I shopped on Amazon for my Pyrex a reviewer mentioned how the lids are not numbered; bad move for the environmentally-minded purchaser. I read somewhere else that the lids were okay but not to put them in the dishwasher -- hand wash the lids. Since the lids usually don't touch the food nor go in the microwave, I'm not fretting over not knowing that part.

Also, I read Pyrex can go from freezer to microwave and glass cannot. I thought that was a better feature for me to have just in case so I opted for the Pyrex.

I know what you mean. I feel like I'm swimming in plastic containers. Kinda creepy when I think about it.

More on Teflon
"Cut down on stain- and grease-proofing chemicals.

'Fluorochemicals' related to Teflon and Scotchgard are used in stain repellents on carpets and couches and in greaseproof coatings for packaged and fast foods. Some of these chemicals cause cancer in lab studies. To avoid them, skip greasy packaged foods and say no to optional stain treatments in the home. Download EWG’s Guide to PFCs here: href=http://www.ewg.org/Health-Tips> http://www.ewg.org/Health-Tips."
href=http://www.ewg.org/files/EWG_preventing_cancer.pdf>http://www.ewg.org/files/EWG_preventing_cancer