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Sloan Barnett

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4 Ways To Keep Your Kitchen Greener And Healthier

Posted: 10/13/11 09:33 AM ET

I just plain love food.

To me, it's so much more than fuel that keeps us going. For one thing, it's so sensual: Choosing, cooking and eating appeals to all the senses -- taste, obviously, but also sight, smell, touch, even sound. It's also communal, the moment when family, and sometimes friends, gather and visit. We pause. We talk. We argue. We laugh.

So, let's talk about this important aspect of our lives. As you know, there are real health hazards to be found in the kitchen. But they can be prevented simply and naturally. You just have to know where to start and how to keep bacteria, microbes and toxic chemicals at bay.

We'll take a look at the top priorities -- from the food you buy, to preparation techniques, to the kitchen products you use.

Preventing Cross-Contamination
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Cross-contamination plays an important role in the transmission of food-borne illness. Research shows that dish-washing doesn't get the whole job done in preventing the spread of bacteria.

A good general rule is to use two cutting boards, one for raw meat and a different one for the rest of your food.

Other important ways to prevent the food-borne illnesses is to keep kitchen cloths and sponges clean, and to wash your hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat (and its packaging).

Many cooking specialists recommend using bleach to sanitize countertops after food prep. I say skip it and use vinegar instead.

Vinegar is an effective natural disinfectant, and even kills both salmonella and E. coli, making it a valuable sanitizer in the kitchen.
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I just plain love food. To me, it's so much more than fuel that keeps us going. For one thing, it's so sensual: Choosing, cooking and eating appeals to all the senses -- taste, obviously, but als...
I just plain love food. To me, it's so much more than fuel that keeps us going. For one thing, it's so sensual: Choosing, cooking and eating appeals to all the senses -- taste, obviously, but als...
 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
rawfoodsphd
Rx for Body, Mind & Spirit
11:46 AM on 10/16/2011
I also use a lot of hydrogen peroxide for cleaning and disinfecting. When I wash the fruit/veggie bins in my fridge, I let them soak for a bit with hot water and hydrogen peroxide before rinsing and drying. Also using white paper towels to line the bins is an easy way to clean up between washing. For cleaning fruits and veggies no need to invest in those expensive washes - just vinegar and baking soda diluted in water. Spray on and let sit for a few minutes, then rinse. www.rawfusionliving.com
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Edna Crabapple
Who watches the watchers?
10:24 PM on 10/13/2011
I ditched my Teflon pots years ago. Non stick pots are very toxic.
I don't much like cast iron, it's too heavy plus it's reactive unless it's the enameled kind.
I mainly use stainless steel for my regular pots and carbon steel for my woks.
Yes, sometimes things stick to stainless. Big deal. Put some water in the pot, sprinkle some baking soda into the water, and let it sit overnight.
I guarantee the baking soda treatment will loosen ANY burnt on food residue.
Now what I really need is a dehydrator that has steel racks instead of plastic, and that I don't have to re-mortgage my house to afford...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Edna Crabapple
Who watches the watchers?
10:12 PM on 10/13/2011
Do you know you can stop using overpriced chemical rinse agents in your dishwasher?
Next time you need to refill the rinse agent reservoir, fill it up with plain white vinegar instead. It works just as well and costs just pennies.
08:30 PM on 10/13/2011
Good tips, thanks. And vinegar is great.
05:42 PM on 10/13/2011
Vinegar eh? Good tip, thanks.
02:20 PM on 10/13/2011
I agree, vinegar is an excellant disinfectant and can be used for any type of cleaning. Most people have a hard time with the smell but that disappears relatively quickly and does not linger. Vinegar also hasn't any cancer causing chemicals to breath in and is cheap.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
terwalk2
02:51 PM on 10/13/2011
myself, i like the smell of venigar. my lower legs itch a lot and i put vinegar on a cloth and wipe it on my legs,bingo itch is gone, i also spot clean the carpet with it ,works great. just thought id put my 3 cents in.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
aznurse
03:52 PM on 10/13/2011
ha! I'm old enough to remember when it was just 2 cents!!
01:41 PM on 10/13/2011
For a greener kitchen just grow your own.
Growing The Largest Vegetables in Your Neighborhood
Most backyard gardeners love to show off the fruits of their garden labors especially when they harvest a few over sized pumpkins. How do they do it?
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/growing-the-largest-vegetables-in-your-neighborhood-2592500.html