Slow Living: Kitchen

In our second installment, we look at health- and eco-conscious kitchen alternatives

• Reusable grocery bags

Filling up your pantry after a shopping trip can be a cozy and satisfying feeling, but usually we haul our food home in plastic bags that get tossed out after a single use, and end up in landfills. Using a small reusable grocery tote each time you go shopping, and canvas bags for fresh produce, cuts down on waste.

• A wooden cutting board

Plastic cutting boards quickly develop nicks and cuts from knives, which allows bacteria and toxins to breed. Wooden boards, however, have antimicrobial properties that prevents those germs from multiplying, and although you can’t toss it in your dishwasher, investing in a hard wood like this maple cutting board will be a longer lasting and more sanitary option for your kitchen.

• A dish brush

Regular dish sponges become dirty incredibly quickly and aren’t compostable, plus they’re a haven for germs and old bacteria. Dish brushes like this one are easier to clean, and are fully compostable when it’s time for a replacement.

• Glass containers

As sure as you’ll find plastic Tupperware in fridges around the world, you’ll also discover a cabinet of mismatched lids and stained containers. Plastic Tupperware may seem convenient but long-term use is proven to be harmful, as it contains BPA additives that can lead to cancer and obesity. Even BPA-free plastics have raised health safety concerns, so the best (and most eco-friendly) alternative is to use glass jars or stainless steel for food storage.