According to She Knows living Article By Elaina Verhoff
If you want to switch to a greener lifestyle, start in the kitchen.
From paper products to produce, the kitchen is filled with
opportunities to reduce your family's waste and reduce energy
consumption. Here are 10 simple swaps to help you green your kitchen.
Swap paper towels for cloth.
You’ll be surprised at how easy it is
kick the paper towel habit. Stock up on super-absorbent, fast-drying
cloths like Trader Joe’s Amazing Kitchen Cloths. They don’t get stinky
like sponges, and you can toss them in the laundry to reuse again and
again. If you want to take your greening to the next level, replace
your paper napkins with reusable cotton napkins.
Swap plastic baggies for reusable cloth sacks.
With all the fun and funky designs now
available, no planet-loving lunch packer should still be using plastic
zip-top bags. Check out the huge selection of sandwich and snack sacks
at snacktaxi.com or lunchskins.com.
Swap store-bought herbs for homegrown.
Why buy packaged herbs at the grocery
store when you can grow your own on your kitchen countertop or
windowsill? You’ll love having fresh herbs within reach, and since you
pick only what you need, there won’t be any waste.
Swap store-bought cleaners for natural or home-made cleaners.
If you cringe at the thought of making a
sandwich on the counter tops you just cleaned, consider swapping
chemical-based cleaners for brands that use natural ingredients -- or
make your own. With a few basic ingredients such as baking soda,
vinegar, borax and Castile soap, you can make your own all-purpose
cleaner, creamy soft scrub and drain opener. Make your own Eco-friendly cleaning products
Swap regular light bulbs for CFL.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs are good
for the environment and your wallet. CFLs last eight to 10 times
longer, use about 75 percent less energy, and produce 90 percent less
heat than their conventional counterparts. They cost more to purchase
but save money in the long run, because you won’t need to replace them
as frequently.
Swap bottled water for filtered water.
According to Food and Water Watch, the
production and transportation of plastic bottled water in the United
States used the energy equivalent of 32 and 54 million barrels of oil
in 2007, respectively. Even worse, 75 percent of these plastic bottles
end up polluting our landfills, lakes and oceans. Green your kitchen
with a faucet filter or pitcher filter, and drink clean pure water
without the waste.
Swap tossed kitchen scraps for composting.
Instead of tossing coffee grounds,
banana peels and egg shells in the garbage, start a compost bin.
Collect kitchen scraps in a countertop bin, then empty into an outdoor
compost container to which you’ll add leaves and other brown waste.
Churn your compost regularly, and use the resulting mix to nourish your
garden.
Swap old appliances for energy-efficient models.
If you’re in the market for a new
kitchen appliance, look for a refrigerator or dishwasher with the
Energy Star label. This stamp of approval represents a quality
appliance that uses energy efficiently, so you’ll save some green while
going green.
Swap overly packaged goods for bulk buys.
Instead of filling your grocery cart
with single-serve yogurts, oatmeal packets and other products with
excess packaging, buy in bulk. Bring your reusable containers with you
and fill up for less. For practical tips on bulk-buying and other
waste-free swaps, check out this video about the Zero Waste Home --
literally, a family who produces no garbage.
Swap grocery store produce for Farmer's Market or CSA.
It’s no surprise the produce at your
grocery store looks a little sad. You would, too, if you had been
trucked hundreds of miles or flown halfway around the world to get on
the shelf. Support your local farmers and stock your kitchen with fresh
produce from the farmer's market. Sign up for a CSA and get a share of
fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables every week.
Keeping our home clean and healthy should not be a choice, it should be a
habit. As we all know keeping it simple and toxic free can be
beneficial to our health. 
Cutting board 
Tableware
