Reducing my ziploc habit?

[Violet2]

I'd like to reduce the amount of ziploc bags we use and wondered what you are doing to replace them.

For example, we store opened hard cheeses (i.e. cheddar blocks) in ziploc and I was wondering if I could use parchmant paper or wax paper? Could I use that for storing meat in the freezer as well?

What has your experience been?

V

[EnviroBecca]

We keep cheese in a glass jar. We save jars from jam, salsa, and such and wash and reuse them. If cheese gets moldy, we cut off the moldy part, wash the rest under hot water, put it in a clean jar, and wash the previous jar.

[laohaire]

Another poster jumping in. How about avocado halves? I usually eat half an avocado (in a salad) per day, and keep the other half for the next day. It browns radically if put into a tupperware style container. It still browns a bit in the ziploc, but a lot less, and a very light scraping is all it needs to get rid of the brown layer. Ideas?

[lilyka]

zip locks are my weekness.

for cheese I just use the same siz lock from one block to the next. we go through cheese really fast (and usually get it pre-shredded because believe it or not it is cheaper that way here) so it doesn't get moldy or anything. another option would be to just use a non-disposable container.

avacados. . . I don't know if this is beter from an environmental standpoint but I use saran wrap and just press it to the top of the avacado.

for storing meat in the freezer if I need something split up from the original packaging I have the guy in the meat department split it for me and wrap it in butcher paper. I have always just freezed stuff in butcher paper.

[littleaugustbaby]

Originally Posted by laohaire

Another poster jumping in. How about avocado halves? I usually eat half an avocado (in a salad) per day, and keep the other half for the next day. It browns radically if put into a tupperware style container. It still browns a bit in the ziploc, but a lot less, and a very light scraping is all it needs to get rid of the brown layer. Ideas?

Try putting a little lemon juice on the avocado before you put it in the tupperware. I usually just eat the brown part anyway, it won't hurt, it just looks icky.

[fanniefarkle]

I use plastic bags, but I use them over and over until they are just in sad shape. I just wash them out and let them dry over the dish detergent bottle. I know that I must use each bag at least 50 times before it gives out. I can't believe that I used to throw them out after one use (a long time ago. I didn't know any better back then.)

[lilyka]

another way to do avacodos - remove the pit and place them cut side down in the tupperware/glass container. this will keep air from getting to it.

[Violet2]

Originally Posted by sidshappymamma

I use plastic bags, but I use them over and over until they are just in sad shape. I just wash them out and let them dry over the dish detergent bottle. I know that I must use each bag at least 50 times before it gives out. I can't believe that I used to throw them out after one use (a long time ago. I didn't know any better back then.)

They say you're not supposed to reuse as there is a risk of bacteria. Saw it on Oprah so you know it must be true.


So no one has tried wax paper or parchemant paper?

V

[traceface]

Originally Posted by lilyka

another way to do avacodos - remove the pit and place them cut side down in the tupperware/glass container. this will keep air from getting to it.

oh, I thought, though, that it's the pit that helps keep it from browning. I remember hearing that somewhere.

a squeeze of lemon juice on the exposed avocado definitely helps though.

[Vancouver Mommy]

I keep cheese in a small pyrex container with a plastic lid. I put avacados face down on a small dish with the pit removed and in the fridge. I don't worry about covering them as they are still in their skin. I used to wash plastic bags and use them again, but I don't anymore. I worry about bacteria. My big question is what to do with produce that doesn't involve plastic?

[jyurina]

I use wax paper bags. I just fold it over and put the folded part under the cheese. The cheese stays fresh. I use them for veggies, etc and we have had no problems, in fact juicy stuff like cukes tend to stay fresh longer.

[ParisApril]

I don't buy waxed paper, plastic wrap or plastic bags. When you don't have them it is easy to figure out what to use that you do have!

I do reuse some of the bags my bread comes in, usually to freeze baking. I don't wash them first I usually just shake the crumbs out. Corningware with glass lids store food great. I store almost everything in glass jars that my food comes in. My produce keeps well in mesh laundry bags in the fridge or my fridgesmart tupperware. I think only the rock and serve stuff has the bad plastic in it. Tupperware must be safer to use than single use plastic bags. I know it is much, much better for the environment.

We keep avacado in glass once it is mashed. Face down on a plate should be good for a half of one.

[ssrebq]

Large and small yogurt tubs and salsa jars are the best... they keep everything fresh, I've never had problems with cheese, etc... in them.

[camracrazy]

I keep opened cheese in an empty cereal bag. It stays fresh and doesn't get the hard edges on it. I just put it in the bag, fold the bag in half to close, and toss it in the fridge. I've heard it also works for fruits and veggies.

[annethcz]

Originally Posted by ParisApril

I don't buy waxed paper, plastic wrap or plastic bags. When you don't have them it is easy to figure out what to use that you do have!

I do reuse some of the bags my bread comes in, usually to freeze baking. I don't wash them first I usually just shake the crumbs out. Corningware with glass lids store food great. I store almost everything in glass jars that my food comes in. My produce keeps well in mesh laundry bags in the fridge or my fridgesmart tupperware. I think only the rock and serve stuff has the bad plastic in it. Tupperware must be safer to use than single use plastic bags. I know it is much, much better for the environment.

This is pretty much exactly what I do.

[emilys_mom1]

Originally Posted by sidshappymamma

I use plastic bags, but I use them over and over until they are just in sad shape. I just wash them out and let them dry over the dish detergent bottle. I know that I must use each bag at least 50 times before it gives out. I can't believe that I used to throw them out after one use (a long time ago. I didn't know any better back then.)

Same here. I wash them and just let them dry. I always have at least 5-8 drying on my counter everyday.

[motheringforme]

I wash my plastic bags, and I don't give a flip what Oprah says. How is washing a plastic bag with soap different than washing a plastic container with soap?

[happyhats]

I was reusing my plastic ziploc bags but now I've decided to go a step further and just discontinue buying them. I'm going to reuse the cereal bags, ziploc type bags, etc that come every day with other products (at least until I hopefully eventually weed out most processed food...ha...hey, one small step at a time, right?) I'm also saving the plastic wrapping that comes on some foods to be washed and reused again; these will mostly be used for gifting though.

[roostery]

We wrap our cut cheese in zip-lock bags but we're not happy about it. This thread made me think about using oil-cloth to wrap cheese in, because of cost, plastic being made from oil, and the evil plastic molecules migrating into our cheese.

Here's a thread about making oil cloth.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=829265

After looking at the thread about making oilcloth I think I might just start wrapping my cheese in heavy fabric, like canvas, and see how that works.

Wax paper falls apart when it gets wet and the wax glops up the composting system here, and I'd really rather use somethingthat is re-usable for years, rather than a week. Parchment paper might work for a while, but it will probably tear eventually and then you'll have to throw it away. I'll let you know how the cloth wrapping works for me.

[hubris]

We put everything we possibly can in glass or plastic containers (moving toward all glass).

Originally Posted by lilyka

another way to do avacodos - remove the pit and place them cut side down in the tupperware/glass container. this will keep air from getting to it.

Exactly what I was going to say. Just leave the skin on the uneaten half and put it face down!

I believe the browning is from oxidization of the exposed fruit (like with apples). Haven't heard that the pit does anything magic.