Did you know that plastic baby bottles have just been banned in Canada? Over the years, there have been increasingly worrying reports about the health hazards of plastic. Reheating a dish in the microwave in a plastic container for instance, especially if the dish contains any fat, will cause plastic molecules to migrate into your food, while refilling plastic bottles over and over again, as I used to do in order to not use too much plastic (a petroleum-based material...) will have the same effect; the ingestion of plastic molecules has been shown to cause hormonal dysfunction in rats.And if the Canadians banned plastic bottles for babies, all I'm saying is, it can't be good for us grown-ups either.
On the basis that when it comes to health I'd rather be safe than sorry, I have been trying to shun plastics around the kitchen for a long time and as an ever-thirsty creature who always schleps around a bottle of water, I had been looking for a clean and light container for my water. I finally found a stylish answer with Sigg's aluminum canteens. They're very light, plastic-free, safe, can be used over and over (and over) again and they're stylish, too!
Emily Dickinson
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22 comments:
i need one too..can you find anything similar in paris?
MARIE - I am not sure you can find this exact brand in Paris (I bought mine in Los Angeles). One thing you can do is go to a sports store (such as one of the many Decathlon) where they have aluminum canteens (ask for the "randonnee" section of the store), or a camping store such as Au Vieux Campeur (rue des Ecoles, at the intersection with the rue Saint-Jacques), where they also have such items and may carry Sigg.
i have said for years, plastic might someday be illegal. I also fear it in the kitchen, and don't love synthetic anything. Tossed the microwave too; but how good is aluminum? Is it coated?
they have an online store and some great designs.
I ll see if I can get one in Miami, thanks for sharing this info!!!!
We are long time SIGG users too. That one in your pic is gorgeous.
Sigg is a swiss brand so I'm sure they have it in Europe:
http://www.mysigg.com/
I think one day we'll look at plastic as we now look at lead and wonder how so many generation ate out of the stuff! In the mean time I'm trying to buy objects not made out of plastic and avoid it grocery stores too. Everything is wrapped in plastic. It takes a LOT of work to avoid it.
Oh, yes, you're bery right to contribute to general awareness of the risks of plastic!
I am so glad that you raised this issue and that your thoughtful readers agree. Let us all make intelligent choices as consumers! Consumption of plastic bottled water has gotten out of hand. The use of water to produce each bottle in addition to the petroleum in production and transport makes them such a costly and regressive choice.
Thank you for the info! I will be aware and rather be on the safe side too!
yes i thought it odd as well that they would ban plastic for the baby bottles but then still allow it for other uses (am i to assume that as an adult, i cannot get sick as a result??). with that said, i try and use as much glass as possible, you can always find lovely bottles to hold water etc. and i like the idea of when i open my fridge i see a sea of ceramic bowls (i had a lot of potter friends whilst in university) with just a plate on top to keep out of the air. it,s all in the details...:)
nancy
Great and pretty alternative, if only we could get rid of plastic! Did you see the exhibition Bouquets de souliers at le Bon Marché? I thought about you when visiting it, and did a post this morning.
I thought aluminum caused Alzheimer's? Or is that only if you heat it like with cookware?
Why don't you get a stainless steel vacuum bottle like the Zojirushi TuffSlims?
Thank you for the tip...I would like to have a canteen like that! (or maybe I should wait to buy mine at Au Vieux Camper, as that would be much more fun.)
I love those canteens. There are several companies that have come up with that option and they are so cool. I love the one you posted - it's fun. I use an aluminum canteen now when I go running.
KARINA - Im sure you can find one in Miami if you look for a store that has some hiking/camping /outdoor gear.
CORINNE - thanks for the link! I totally agree with you. One day in the future we will look at out use of plastic and go "What were we thinking???"
NANCY - yes, I also love ceramic bowls and that's how I keep leftovers in the fridge too. You're right, it's not just safer, it's also prettier.
MISS GLITZY - I must check out that exhibition, thanks for the info!
TAB - I never heard aluminum was bad for your health. You may be thinking of teflon-coated pans etc? Those are bad indeed.
But I'll look into what you mentioned.
And I'm not familiar with the steel bottles you mention, Ill look them up, thanks! I love the aspect of steel...
TAB - I did some research on aluminum and Alzheimer.
Here's what the British Alzheimer's Society says (http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=99):
As evidence for other causes continues to grow, a possible link with aluminium seems increasingly unlikely.
The EHSO says, (http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/alzheimers.htm) moreover:
Over the last few years, there has been concern about the exposures resulting from leaching of aluminum from cookware and beverage cans. However, as a general rule, this contributes a relatively small amount to the total daily intake. Aluminum beverage cans are usually coated with a polymer to minimize such leaching. Leaching from aluminum cookware becomes potentially significant only when cooking highly basic or acidic foods. For example, in one study, tomato sauce cooked in aluminum pans was found to accumulate 3-6 mg aluminum per 100 g serving.
thanks for that information
and importantly for the solution to the problem too!
(i agree with mansuetude, "toss the microwave" )
thanks to corine for the link : )
LITTLE BIRD (and MANSUETUDE) - I agree with you both, I have never ever owed a micro-wave. Nor do I intend to buy one...
this post was so important: all day yesterday i was re-awakened to SEE all the plastic in my house (nonetheless). Its so hard to avoid.
Klean Kanteen , only guranteed safe container for water. Ceramic lining in your bottle could crack.
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