Glass:

• Glass is best, followed by silicone and metal.

• Never store leftover foods in cookware made of non-sticks (ceramic, anonized), aluminum, stainless steel and with glass and enamel coating, beware of lead. Only store in the highest grade stainless steel. Learn more in Cookware.

• Make sure glass storage and glassware is lead free. Any lead crystal in the house?

Plastic

• Avoid plastic when possible as plastic may react with foods (especially liquids and hot food).

• Bees wax Reusable Wraps are a clean way to cover and store your food. Plastic wrap is second to bees wax. Avoid both in microwave.

• BPA free- great.. but are your aware of BPS? BPA can act like the hormone estrogen in the body and disrupt the endocrine system. BPS is structurally similar to BPA. Hormonal issues? Hmm... I'll pass on the plastic. Learn more about what has BPA and BPS in it on the EWG (Environmental Working Group) website.

• Side note: store receipts aren't always BPA free. If a receipt is BPA free, it will say so on the back. Avoid BPA by washing hands after touching. Click here to learn more about store receipts.

Aluminum

• Choose unbleached parchment paper over foil.

• Avoid drinking from cans.

Here's why:

1. The aluminum in the foil actually transfers into your food when it’s heated. Adults typically consume on average 1 to 10 mg of aluminum daily through water, processed foods, and contamination through cookware and utensils.

2. The CDC also reports that consuming higher than average levels of aluminum may be linked to the nervous system (especially linked to dementia and Alzheimer's disease- that one really scares me! I want to know my children, grandchildren and husband when I am older!

3. Make an easy change today and stop cooking in foil pans or lining your cookie sheets with foil. Your body and brain will thank you!

Microwave:

• Always reheat on the stove top or in toaster oven when possible. Use microwave only when necessary! Microwaves decrease nutrition from your food and can leach chemicals from containers you might be heating in. If you must use the microwave, transfer to a glass bowl and do not cover with beeswax or plastic wrap. Never use plastic in the microwave! After glass silicone would be the next preferable material for use in the microwave, but I just avoid it all together.

Drinking Water:

• Drinking out of glass is best. Avoid plastic water bottles when possible or purchase glass water bottles. Its best for the environment and your health! Bottled water isn't safer than filtered tap water. The bottle industry is not required to disclose results of it's testing. Read more on the EWG website or contact me for more information regarding drinking water.

• Don't forget about your drinking water! Call your local water company to get a report on exactly what's in it. Even better, have your water tested.