all this and more

pots & pans

Thought I would showcase the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Cookware I bought. Absolutely love them! A fraction of the cost of All Clad, same quality – better price. You can get a 12 piece set at everythingkitchens.com for $249 plus a free saucepan and free shipping. Here they are…

 

Cuisinart MCP-12 Twelve Piece Set includes the following:
MCP19-16 1.5 Qt. Cuisinart saucepan with cover
MCP193-18 3 Qt. Cuisinart saucepan with cover
MCP33-24H 3.5 Qt. Cuicinart Saute´ pan with helper handle and cover
MCP66-24 8 Qt. Cuisinart stockpot with cover
MCP22-20 8" Cuisinart skillet
MCP22-24 10" Cuisinart skillet
MCP1163-20 20 cm Cuisinart steamer insert with cover

Cuisinart Cookware Set - MultiClad Pro 12 Piece Product Features:

Cuisinart Stainless steel Cookware for professional results

18/10 stainless cooking surface does not discolor, react with food, or alter flavors

Cool Grip™ Handle Solid stainless steel riveted handle

Drip-Free Pouring Rim

Tightfitting cover

Cuisinart Cookware is Dishwasher safe

Limited lifetime warranty

clean sweep - all around the house

Creating a less toxic environment for your family

 
Post # 4: ALL AROUND THE HOUSE

 

Was your home built before 1978? If so, it probably contains lead paint. When repainting, use a wet sanding technique to reduce dust, choose low VOC paints and always paint with the windows open for good ventilation. Keep kids away from rehab dust and loose chips.

 

Got foam furniture? Foam products (like stuffed furniture and mattresses) are often treated with toxic fire retardants, so keep them well-covered. Ask whether a product is treated before you buy and choose naturally fire-resistant materials, like cotton and wool, when possible. Don't "protect" your fabrics and carpets with sprayed-on chemical coatings -- simply clean spills quickly.

 

Do you use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)? They contain mercury and should be handled and disposed of with care. Use them where there's no danger of breaking near children; clean up broken bulbs quickly and safely.

 

Do you use pesticides or insecticides? Try non-toxic alternatives first; pesticides are a last resort. If you choose to use them, store them out of reach of children. Organic gardening is healthier for kids and pets, since they live closer to the ground.

 

Do you have a wood deck, picnic table or playground set? Those made before 2005 likely contain arsenic. Test to confirm and either replace with safer wood or reduce your exposure by sealing it, replacing high-use areas and washing hands after touching, especially before eating.

 

What materials are your kids' toys made from? Top contaminants to avoid are: lead paint, play make-up, cadmium and lead in play jewelry, and phthalates in soft plastics (like teethers and rubber duckies). Choosing non-toxic toys for young kids is especially important because so many end up in their mouths.

 

{Learn more at www.ewg.org; picture from Southern Living}

clean sweep - laundry & cleaning closet

Creating a less toxic environment for your family

 
Post # 3: LAUNDRY & CLEANING CLOSET

Are your cleaners green? It's hard to know without a full ingredient list, which most products don't have. Find out the ingredients by calling the manufacturer, avoid the toxic ones and choose green-certified products whenever possible.

 

Do your product labels list all ingredients? Most don't, but they should. Support companies that disclose all ingredients by buying their products -- you have a right to know.

 

Do you need all those products? Most homes can be safely cleaned with a few non-toxic ingredients: vinegar (it's anti-bacterial), baking soda, water, a HEPA vacuum, microfiber mops and cloths -- and some elbow grease! Skip laundry products you don't need, like dryer sheets, fabric softener, and chlorine bleach.

 

{Learn more at www.ewg.org; picture from Cottage Living}

clean sweep - kitchen

We had a wonderful time on our trip to Birmingham, Atlanta and the North Georgia Mountains. The girls had so much fun, but are completely exhausted (as is their mother). I will be posting more about our roadtrip later in the week. For now...

Create a less toxic environment for your family

 

Post # 1: KITCHEN (Monday)

Post # 2: BATHROOM (Tuesday)

Post # 3: LAUNDRY & CLEANING CLOSET (Wednesday)

Post # 4: ALL AROUND THE HOUSE (Thursday)

 

Post # 1: KITCHEN

 

Do you cook with non-stick cookware? Replace with cast-iron, stainless steel, or glass when possible. Stuck with it? Take care not to overheat it, which releases toxic fumes.

 

Do you use plastic food containers? We recommend glass over plastic. Never microwave food in plastic containers. For baby, use glass or BPA-free plastic bottles.

 

Do you filter your tap water? Check EWG's online tap water quality database for local contaminants and a filter that removes them, if needed.

 

Do you drink bottled water? Kick the habit. For water on-the-go, get a reusable water bottle, like stainless steel (not plastic or aluminum lined with plastic).

 

Any canned food in the pantry? Cook with fresh or frozen whenever possible; most food cans (including liquid infant formula) are lined with bisphenol-A (BPA), a toxic chemical that leaches into the food.

 

Do you eat conventionally grown produce? Be sure you buy organic when pesticide residues are highest.

 

Do you use iodized salt? You should. Iodine is necessary to maintain healthy thyroid function.

 

Do you eat high-mercury fish? Ask before eating and head for the lower-mercury types (especially for pregnant women and young children).

 

{To learn more go to www.ewg.org (Environmental Working Group located in Washington, DC) All information listed above can be found on their website.}

 

Also, I look up many of the ingredients on the food labels in this book

 

 
  

Scary what they are putting in our food.

 

clean sweep - bathroom

Creating a less toxic environment for your family

 
Post # 2: BATHROOM

 

Do you use air fresheners? Don't! Most contain a number of toxic chemicals that contaminate the air you breathe.

 

Is there fragrance in your personal care products? We don't know what's in "fragrance," so it's safer to choose all fragrance-free personal care products. Always check ingredient lists to be sure.

 

What kind of toothpaste do you use? Choose fluoride-free for kids younger than 2 and teach older kids to rinse and spit; fluoride is toxic if swallowed. Also, pick a paste without triclosan -- you'll see it on the ingredient list. Learn more about fluoride and triclosan.

 

Do you use liquid hand soap? If so, avoid anti-bacterials -- the American Medical Association recommends against using them at home.

 

What material is your shower curtain? Avoid vinyl shower curtains. If you get a new curtain (whatever the material), leave it outside for several days before using.

 

Do you have extra products? Less is more. Skipping cosmetics like hair spray and detangler, body sprays and powder is less toxic -- and cheaper!

 

{To learn more go to www.ewg.org; picture from Coastal Living}