Question from R.M.

Hi Debra,

I was bored today, and, remembering the recipe I saw for sugared nuts on your Web site, decided to cook. The recipe is yummy. I used pecan halves and organic brown sugar (evaporated cane juice).

I added a step, though. I lightly toasted the nuts (until they were slightly fragrant) in a dry skillet before preparing the sugar butter mixture. I was then able to put the sugar and butter right into the hot skillet (after removing the nuts, which I added back later).

Very yummy, thoughthe result was a little more buttery than expected.

I look forward to experimenting more with this technique, and trying the Quick Sweet and Salty Nut recipe.

Thanks for being such a “green” and culinary inspiration.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from joyce newkirk

I am considering installing a jacuzzi tub to ease my back problems, but wonder about soaking in hot water in a new plastic tub. Does the plastic outgas, especially when filled with hot water? I also wonder if they are prone to mold and/or bacterial build-up in the jets?

Joyce, NC

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know what type of plastic is used, however, I do know that hot water tends to release plastic, whether it is in a plastic cup, plastic food storage container, or a jacuzzi.

As to it remaining free of mold and bacteria, I’m assuming you are talking about a jacuzzi spa where you would leave the water in it, and not a jacuzzi bathtub that you would fill and empty with each use.

For the spa, you would need to maintain it as you would any spa, for bacteria will collect and mold will grow.

There are less toxic methods of controlling the water in spas without chlorine. You might want to look into those.

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Question from L.M.

Debra,

After hearing about how bad aluminum is, I switched from using aluminum foil to parchment paper. However, from your site I am now learning that the reynolds white/bleached parchment paper is no better, although I am not clear as to why. Is it for environmental reasons or health reasons? I also use the national brand paper towels and toilette that are white, and therefore, I will assume are bleached as well. I tried to search on your website and found information about chlorine and fluoridation in relation to these products. But I am still confused as to why these things are bad, I actually thought fluoride was good for your teeth. I am just learning to cook and trying to be as healthy as possible in the process, but it’s confusing/overwhelming!

Is there something I should look for other than unbleached. That is, I don’t want to find out I bought unbleached, but the unbleached product contains a worse chemical in it too(I can’t afford to spend money on the name brand health brands right now, so I will probably go with the store brand name ie Trader Joe’s brand). Thanks so much, I have learned a lot through your website and now understand the saying “ignorance is bliss” 🙂

Debra’s Answer

The problem with bleached products is that the chlorine bleaching process interacts with the paper to form dioxin, which is one of the most toxic substances in the world. This has been known for many years, which is why we now have unbleached paper products, and paper products bleached with substances other than chlorine (you might see the notation on a product that it was bleached with a chlorine-free process).

So the answer is that you want to stay away from bleached paper products primarily for health reasons, as it does leach into food, although it isn’t good to put dioxin in the environment either.

Any brand of unbleached parchment paper is fine.

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Question from Mike

There has been a lot written lately about plastic water containers and their affect on the endocrine/hormonal system.

I have been unable to find a water filter that does not contain plastic. Does such a product exist or is the plastic that houses filtration substances safe and free of any harmful chemicals, at least ones that might leach into the water being filtered?

thanks,

mike

Debra’s Answer

The Berkey Water Filter we have been discussing elsewhere on this blog has a model with a stainless steel housing.

I just typed “stainless steel water filter” into my favorite search engine and got a whole list of filters with stainless steel housings.

Is the plastic harmful? It’s generally thought that there isn’t much leaching from the plastic and if there is, it is removed by the carbon in the filter. I don’t know which plastic is used for water filters. But it’s not the same as say, water sitting in a plastic bottle for an extended period of time on a shelf in a store and maybe out in the sun on a truck or in front of the store for sale. Water goes through filters pretty quickly.

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Question from Laura

Debra, I have eliminated foil and saran wrap from my kitchen, however, I have been unable to find a good replacement for those products. What do you recommend for example when baking a chicken or roasting vegetables in the oven to cover baking dishes with when no longer using foil? The foil kept everything so moist. I feel like a heavy corning ware lid wouldn’t keep things as moist.

Similarly, what do you recommend wrapping things in instead of saran wrap. I have thought of wax paper, but to hold that together I would need to use tape and am worried tape has some other chemical in it that is not better. Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

In my kitchen I do use foil (made from recycled aluminum), and unbleached parchment paper.

I don’t use foil to cook food on or wrap food, but I will occasionally place a sheet loosely over food that needs a cover but still needs some air circulation (like when I make roasted beets–yum!)

If I need to wrap something, like a sandwich, I wrap it in unbleached parchment paper. There are ways to wrap things that hold together pretty well. Before there were plastic sandwich bags, we used to wrap sandwiches like this (no, I’m not THAT old…we’ve only had sandwich bags since 1957):

I rarely wrap sandwiches, but this is how I wrap anything.

I’m more inclined to use resuable containers than wrap, or wrap something in a clean cotton towel. But I’m not packing lunches.

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Question from TZ

I recently purchased a Wein Personal Air purifier because of my chemical sensitivity, my smell balance is way off. While I am working on getting this back in line, I find that walking into a room with any odor to be distressing. I have started using this personal air purifier. It is an ionic purifier. The booklet says that it gives off less than .028 ppm ozone output. Does anyone know about the safety of this device?

Debra’s Answer

I have no experience with this product, but I would like to point out that the Wein website says:

Note that it says the device “can substantially reduce the inhalation of toxic particles such as smoke, dust, pollens, molds, many allergens, fungi, germs and the most dangerous particles…” None of these are chemical vapors.

If what you are wanting to do is protect yourself from the toxic chemicals you are reacting to, this won’t do it.

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Question from Laura

Hello-

I’ve recently begun to have some bugs in my kitchen. Instead of using a Terminax type company, I wonder if there are any green friendly services to exterminate these bugs.

Much thanks in advance!

-Laura

Debra’s Answer

I’m not aware of any national chains. But I do know that some areas have independent pest control companies that use less toxic methods. We even have one here in Clearwater, Florida.

Ask around at your local natural food store, local nurseries, or in a local guide to green businesses.

Also, just look at the ads in the Yellow Pages. I have seen alternative pest control services advertised there.

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Question from JG

What would you recommend for a green garbage bag? Could you try to demystify the different materials used in the biodegradable ones?

Judi – Vermont

Debra’s Answer

There are two kinds of “biodegradable plastic” bags.

One is made from polyolefin or polyethylene (a petrochemical plastic made from nonrenewable crude oil), which has been modified with an additive that accelerates the breakdown of the plastic into fragments of “organic carbon” that can be processed by microorganisms in an ecosystem. The problem with plastic is not that it doesn’t break down, but that it can take 1000 years to do so. The additive causes the modified plastic to degrade in predictable and controllable timeframes. Landfill trials for showed that one brand lost more than 95% of its molecular weight in less than 10 months.

The other type of plastic is a bioplastic made from renewable resources such as corn, potatoes or wheat. These generally degrade at least 90% within 180 days or less when composting conditions (including heat, moisture, and aeration) are present. Such bioplastics include Polycaprolactone (PCL), Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Polylactic acid (PLA).

There are pros and cons to each.

The petrochemical plastic with additive is cheaper to produce and look, act and perform just like their non-degradable counterparts. But they are made using fossil fuels (which contribute to global warming through the release of carbon dioxide).

Bioplastics have poor strength–when used to store vegetables or filled with wet leaves and set out for trash pickup, they can begin to biodegrade and fall apart. So these are great for bringing produce home, but not for storage. They also may become defective from conditions during shipping and sitting on the shelf.

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Question from MJ

We’ve been looking all over the web all evening trying to find any kind of review of Persil laundry detergents and their ingredients without luck. We’re looking for the best detergent to use with a new Miele front-loading washer, while also minimizing impacts on our own health and on the environment.

To their credit, the manufacturers of Persil list their ingredients on the package. Looking for an MSDS sheet for the detergents has been difficult, and researching the listed ingredients leads to some bewildering yet interesting chemical notations. Here is what is listed on the package:

If anyone can comment on the natural and non-toxic attributes of Persil laundry detergents, we would be very much obliged.

Debra’s Answer

The problem is that there is little information on the sources of these ingredients, being renewable from plants or nonrenewable fossil fuels. Also no information on biodegradability. Zeolite is a natural mineral, enzymes are natural, fragrance looks to be artificial.

Check Debra’s List: Cleaning: Laundry for recommended brands.

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Question from Stephanie

Recently I have noticed a flood of Stainless Steel Canteens on the market as potential replacements for plastic water bottles.

My question is whether Stainless Steel Canteens are safe to use with water filtered via reverse osmosis.

I know that the reverse osmosis process creates very pure water, which can cause copper to leak out of copper pipes, which is why they use plastic tubing with the installation vs. the standard copper pipe.

Does reverse osmosis water interact with stainless steel to cause any leaching into the drinking water?

I would love to use the stainless steel canteen product, I just need to know it is safe before I do so.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know the answer to this, but let’s see if someone else does. Good question.

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