Happy Sunday Everyone!

You have probably chosen to introduce organic produce into your diet in an attempt to have a healthier lifestyle and to reduce your impact on the environment. But did you know the things you cook with can have an impact as well? Please read on below for ideas on how to give your kitchen a detox.

Additionally, in response to your requests, we have introduced an automated routing system so that you can keep track of your delivery. The system provides our customers with scheduled time delivery SMS or email notification along with alerts when your order is 10 minutes away, with real time tracking! This is great for knowing exactly when your order is due, and delivered, especially on these hot days.

This feature is not yet available for our Tuesday Southern, Northern and Barossa customers, but we are working on having it up and running as soon as possible. Please let us know if you wish to opt out.

As always please note to have your order in by 9pm Sunday nights (we are flexible so don't stress if you are late), and email any orders and box changes to changes@organicbox.com.au. Please also remember to leave your old boxes out for the delivery driver to collect.

Does your kitchen need a detox?

Cookware and Utensils

Teflon

Teflon is one of the worst choices you can make in your kitchen. Although the non-stick cookware is incredibly convenient for washing up, it is coated in the toxic plastic polymer, polytetrafluoroethylene. Teflon also contains small amounts of PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), which has been linked to various reproductive cancers.

You can buy PFTE and PFOA non-stick cookware such as granite, however this coating is thin and chips easily, making it unsafe to use. By far the best choice for non-stick is cast iron cookware. It heats evenly, doesn’t leech toxins into your food, and is a great way to naturally increase your iron levels.

Aluminium

Because aluminium is strong, lightweight and versatile you may find it lurking in your kitchen. However it is a neurotoxic metal linked to various diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and ALS.

Although aluminium cookware is usually coated, it is prone to chipping and may then begin leeching into your foods. This coating can sometimes contain lead and cadmium, which are also heavy metals.

It is also found in cans and aluminium foil, which may leech into your food especially when exposed to acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus.

A safe alternative is glass cookware with a lid. It doesn’t leech toxins and is an environmentally friendly choice. Leftovers can be placed directly into the fridge with the lid replaced, avoiding the use of aluminium foil.

Another option is 100% ceramic cookware (ceramic-coated cookware are prone to chipping and therefore not a good choice).

Aluminium Cans are sometimes coated with polymers (which may also be toxic), and may leech aluminium into its contents if left untreated. Acidic foods such as tomatoes are the worst for leeching.

The best option is to avoid the use of cans and buy products in glass jars where possible. You can then wholefoods and make your own preserves in bulk to store in sterilised leftover jars.

Copper Cookware

Copper cookware may look pretty, but it does contain a toxic heavy metal. It is often coated with nickel, and when this wears away the copper itself can leech into your food when exposed to acidic foods.

The best option is stainless steel cookware, which is lightweight and durable.

Avoiding Plastics

Although may food grade plastics are now BPA-free, they often contain other harmful chemicals. The best option is to avoid plastics in the kitchen where possible.

Try to buy stainless steel or wooden cooking utensils, swap plastic handles for steel handles, and always avoid the use of plastic in the microwave (or avoid the microwave completely!!), especially for fatty foods heavy in cream and butter as fats absorb more of these harmful chemicals.

Reusable glass straws, reusable beeswax wraps and silicone ice-trays and some great environmentally-friendly way to avoid toxic plastic in your kitchen.

Water

Another way to avoid harmful toxins in your kitchen is to invest in a good water filter to remove toxins such as heavy metals, fluoride, chlorine, pesticides and herbicides that can be found in our tap water.

The best choose for water is a reputable pure spring water (not water that has been filtered and labelled spring!!)

If going with a filter you can choose a jug filter which is cheaper, but requires regular filter replacement and is slower to filter the water, or a counter top or under sink water filter, or a reverse osmosis full house filter if you have a big budget.

Keeping Clean

Cleaning products such as oven cleaners, bleach and multi-purpose cleaners all contain harmful chemicals that may leech into your food during preparation and cooking. The best option is to choose organic and natural cleaners, especially for the kitchen. Or even better, to make your own with vinegar, citrus, bi-carb and organic essential oils!

These may seem like a lot of changes to make, but we use our kitchens so regularly that keeping toxins out is definitely a priority. If you aim to take small steps, changing one thing at a time, you will be on your way to living a better and healthier organic lifestyle.

Please Order Before 9pm Sunday

Just a reminder that order cutoff time is now 9pm every Sunday. Please note we are flexible, we know Sunday nights are busy, so if you cant make your order in time just email us and I'm sure we will be able to fit you in.