With my newly remodeled kitchen, I felt called to make a deeper commitment in this new year—one that goes beyond what I add to the space, and speaks to how I care for my body, my food, and our planet.
It’s led me to sit with a simple yet powerful question:
What would a more meaningful kitchen upgrade look like this year?
For me, being blessed this past year with a full kitchen remodel,
I wasn’t looking for a new appliance or a trendy new gadget, it became more altruistic, a deeper commitment in our home and how it supports a better world for all.
Seeing how committed Meg has been since having her baby, I got inspired by her commitment of using less plastics in their home. It became clear that this year my kitchen upgrade would be to use less plastic in our kitchen, home and life.
Truth, letting go of plastic hasn’t been easy. Plastic bags and plastic bottles are so convenient and used for everything — food and water storage, lunches, organizing, packing… you name it.
But the more I learned about microplastics in our food and bodies, the more unsettled I felt — especially now that I’m caring for my grand-babies. Microplastics are hidden contributors to inflammation, hormone imbalance, and fatigue. You can read more about them in this article. That was my wake-up call.
To be honest… I even did a big Target run at the beginning of the year, and bought a whole variety of plastic zip-lock bags. But when I got home, something didn’t feel right. I realized I didn’t want them in my home anymore — so back they went.
Instead, I ordered the zip-lock compostable bags I’d used at Megs’ house — and it felt so good to make this switch.
This big decision opened the door to more changes. I let go of my plastic food storage containers and invested in glass containers in all sizes (I’m also a big fan of glass Ball jars!). We also have two kinds of water filters, so no more plastic water bottles too!
So far, I’ve:
- Switched to compostable bags
- Removed as much plastic as possible
- Invested in glass containers for food storage
These changes may feel small, but they make a huge difference overall — for our health, the quality of our food and our planet.
🌿 How I Store Food to Make It Last Longer
I’m often asked how to keep produce fresh longer, so here are a few simple practices I swear by:
- Shop local and in-state whenever possible.
- Food grown closer to home doesn’t spend weeks in transit, which means it’s fresher, more nutrient-denser, and lasts longer in your fridge.
Farmers markets are the Gold Standard as is growing a garden.
💚Seasonal, local produce holds up better and tastes better — and farmers are some of the coolest people on the planet. Honestly, farmers markets have been my therapy for more than 30 years 💝
While not everyone lives in a climate that has farmers markets or the ability to grow your own food garden, there are ways to choose seasonal foods using a CSA ( community supported agriculture), Farm Fresh to You direct or shopping within the seasons at your local grocer.
💚Avoid out-of-country produce is best. The farther food travels, the faster it breaks down once it gets to you.
💚Don’t wash produce until you’re ready to use it, moisture shortens shelf life.
Instead:
* Keep produce unwashed
* Wrap it loosely in a paper towel
* Place it in a reusable or compostable bag
* Store it in a fridge drawer or glass container if possible
With these small shifts, you will reduce waste, keep foods lasting longer and save money!
How are you upgrading your kitchen this year? Comment below