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Six Ways to Green Your Pantry

Cut the Clutter and Chemicals in the Pantry with These Simple Steps.

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By Annie Bell Muzaurieta

Green Cleaners In PantryGlass Jar PantryHerbs And Spices PantryKnowing Labels In PantryProcessed Foods PantryGrain Pantry

(Green) clean the fridge and pantry.

You're going to green your pantry. It's also the perfect time to clean, as you'll be removing and organizing items. Since you might be incorporating more fresh produce into your diet, you'll need to make room in the fridge too. Use an open container of baking soda to absorb odors and wipe down surfaces with a green cleaner from a biodegradable, nontoxic line such as Ecover, Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyers or Shaklee.

James Baigrie / Getty Images

Out with the plastic, in with the glass.

You won't see much plastic in a green pantry. Instead of keeping flour, sugar and other pantry items in plastic containers or plastic bags, try using sturdy, eco-friendly glass containers. If you insist on going the plastic route, stick to food containers made from recycled plastic such as those by Preserve.

K. Ovregaard/Cole Group / Getty Images

Freshen up.

It's time to examine those expiration dates and get rid of any old goods. Remember, herbs and spices can get stale too, so consider replacing some of the older ones. Think smaller quantities so you can keep them up to date.

Martin Harvey / Getty Images

Know your labels.

Food labels can be confusing. When greening your pantry, you'll want to be familiar with these terms:

The '100% Organic' label means that products can contain only organically produced ingredients. 'Organic' means that 95% of the ingredients listed must be organically grown.

Organic certification is government regulated and does not permit the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic engineering and other excluded practices.

Fair Trade Certified: This label helps to ensure that farmers are paid fair, above-market prices for their products. It also guarantees that farm workers are paid fairly for their labor.

Certified Naturally Grown: This label is used on items produced on smaller farms that use USDA Certified Organic methods and sell locally; it's like USDA Certified Organic Lite. Small-scale farmers who use this eco-friendly label do so to emphasize the natural farming methods used to grow your food.

Paul Burns / Getty Images

Cut down on processed foods.

Purge your food closet of processed, high-fat foods. Cut down on chemical-filled snacks made with high-fructose corn syrup (read the labels!), sugary cereals, prepared canned meals that could live on your shelf forever. You needn't be wasteful: Donate any canned goods or unopened snack foods to a local food pantry.

Istock

Stock up on whole grains.

Get rid of refined grain products such as white bread, white rice, pasta and all-purpose flour, which are less healthy for you. You're going to be replacing them with whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta and brown rice. If you've got a sack of all-purpose flour that's already open, just substitute half the recipe requirement with whole wheat or unbleached flour the next time you need it.

Stephanie Connell / Istock

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comments
4.25.2008
3:59PM
food pantries as dumping ground for processed and other unhealthy foods
how is it that foods you consider of poor quality and would not feed to your dog, considered "unwasteful" when you donate it to your local food pantry that feeds children in your community? Also, have you considered the message we continue to give the poor by pretending we are being charitable when we stock the shelves of food pantries with poor quality, outdated, often parasite infested processed foods? rexisb
posted by rexisb
4.25.2008
11:12AM
plastic
I agree, debbb24, with you. I am using Tupperware modulars that have to be 25yrs. old. They cost a small fortune when I was on a limited budget but they still care that old warranty. Anything that I get new these days is glass but "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
posted by rosemsz
4.8.2008
3:08PM
when it involves buying new stuff you don't really need...
I think the part that suggests you replace your plastic storage with glass should include the phrase, "when you feel it's time to replace your plastic storage containers." This trend of thinking you're being greener by buying more is b.s., IMHO.
posted by debbb24
4.7.2008
11:49PM
no subject
I think it’s great that you’re talking about green cleaning products. It’s so important that we get all the toxic chemicals out of our houses. There’s a great summary of what toxins are in “traditional” home cleaners at this website: http://www.veryhealthylife.com
And if you’re looking for a good source for buying Shaklee Get Clean products, I can recommend this site: http://www.shaklee.net/veryhea
posted by catherineann12
4.7.2008
11:47PM
no subject
I think it’s great that you’re talking about green cleaning products. It’s so important that we get all the toxic chemicals out of our houses. There’s a great summary of what toxins are in “traditional” home cleaners at this <a href="http://www.veryhealthyli Pretty scary stuff!
<br><br>
And if you’re looking for a good source for buying Shaklee Get Clean products, I can recommend <a href="http://www.shaklee.net/v website</a>
posted by catherineann12

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