This is the first of a series of paired pictures - one plastic, one not. It's an effort to show you how simple choice switches can have a big impact on your overall plastic consumption!
Below the pictures, you'll find a very convincing argument for switching :)
TODAY'S SWITCHEROO: CONTAINERS
THE PLASTIC CONTAINER VS. THE MASON JAR
Choose this---> 
PLASTIC -
PROS:
-Don't break
-Cool colors, shapes
CONS:
-Leach TOXINS into your food
-Get permanently STINKY after use
-Tend to MELT in microwave
-You're always losing the lids
-Often thrown out due to other cons
(Thereby adding to landfill waste & pollution)
MASON JARS -
PROS:
-Don't leach anything
-No stink! It's glass.
-Don't melt in microwave
-Screw-on lids (good for canning!)
-If you lose the lid, the jar is now a cup!
-Built-in volume measurements on jar
-Glass lets you see what's stored
-Easy to stack/store in pantry/fridge
-Great for storing single portions
-They've got that old-timey charm
-Multi-purpose! Pasta, lemonade, pickles,fruit, homemade jam, spices, & more!
CONS:
-Might break if you drop them
-You might become addicted.
Get wise! Jar 101
Mason jars come in many sizes, shapes, and colors, and -- they will save your life! I use them for almost everything to do with food and drink. For everyday affairs, I put my leftovers in them so they're ready for microwaving later. Because they're clear, you can always tell what's in them and if something's gone moldy BEFORE you open them.
I get the wide-mouth jars, because you can fit a ladle in when filling them.
PLUS, here's a secret: If you buy pasta sauce in glass jars, you not only get sauce, but a FREE mason jar!!! At least the kind I get has lines with volume measurements on the side. Perfect for knowing how much you've got, and for measuring during baking or cooking.
When I put something hot in, I put the lid on immediately and screw on the top part (the lid comes in two parts). As the food cools down, it seals the jar so no air gets in or out! With a moderate pry, it pops open again! If you can your food (tomatoes, etc.), it will keep for months unchilled! (**If you just put the lid on after filling, you DO need to put it in the fridge.)
For gifts, you can make a layered brownie, muffin, bread, or spice mix and put a nice ribbon on! Or, make your own jam/chutney, then attach a basting brush with hemp string. The jars are bake-safe. You can also re-purpose mason jars.
Mason jars are exactly the same as plastic containers, only better.
jars are also great for storing fresh produce. i like to prep stuff with a day or two after buying it, then put it in jars and vacuum seal the jar. the produce stays fresh for at least two weeks. the only downside is that this isn't quite optimal for leafy greens, but it does work great for things like onions, garlic, peppers, and tomatoes.
ReplyDeletefor vacuum sealing, i take the tubing off a foodsaver jar adapter, then shove their handheld sealing device onto the top of the adapter to form a seal. this all makes more sense when you actually see the devices.