In pursuing a plastic-free lifestyle, I often dream of my kitchen becoming the kind of thing worth showing off on Instagram: neatly arranged on shelves are various vintage glass bottles, filled with colorful dry goods and tempting snacks, each with exquisite labels. Hey, this is life!
But let's return to reality: the glamorous "plastic-free essentials" and enviable storage rooms on social media often make people feel distant and unrealistic. My kitchen storage room reflects more of my living situation - recycled peanut butter bottles filled with dried fruits and old tomato sauce bottles have become the new home of beans. That's right, this is the real sustainable life.
If you also want to know how to use the existing items on hand to move towards a zero-waste lifestyle without wasting money, then you have found the right article. Firstly, let's take a look at the "invisible warriors" in the kitchen, these items that you may already have, waiting for you to give them new life and purpose:
1. Empty glass bottle The glass bottles that used to hold your favorite jam, honey, or pasta can now become the perfect container for kitchen storage of bulk food. Clean thoroughly, peel off the labels, and they are ready to fill your nuts, seeds, dried fruits, beans, or homemade seasonings.
2. Reuse old items at home My life is filled with small tricks of reuse and creative reengineering, such as turning T-shirts I no longer wear into supermarket shopping bags or old towels into kitchen rags. This is not only a form of thrift but also a change in attitude towards life, transforming "old" into "new."
3. Old newspapers and magazines Old newspapers and magazines are more than the end stops for reading materials. They can be used as wrapping paper for food or as padding in your drawers and cabinets to keep them clean and tidy.
4. Environmentally friendly silicone bags Durbl silicone bags have become the vanguard of change in our pursuit of a plastic-free lifestyle. They completely changed our traditional concept of food storage and provided us with an environmentally friendly and practical choice. These reusable silicone bags, with their excellent durability and reusability, demonstrate how to reduce the use of disposable plastics without sacrificing convenience.
These silicone bags, with their excellent durability and reusability, demonstrate how to reduce the use of disposable plastics without sacrificing convenience.
5. Discoveries in the second-hand market and flea market Finally, consider the treasures found in second-hand and flea markets. Those unique ceramic jars or vintage glass water bottles add personality to your kitchen and take another big step towards a plastic-free lifestyle.
6. The Path of Wardrobe Innovation In pursuing sustainable fashion, you can spend a little money pursuing high-end, environmentally friendly brands. Why not hold a clothing exchange party with friends?
This is environmentally friendly and can update your wardrobe, killing two birds with one stone. For those special occasions, renting formal dresses is also an economical and environmentally friendly choice.
7. Jump out of the conventional thinking framework The real challenge on the journey of sustainable living is how to approach everyday, seemingly ordinary items from a fresh perspective.
For example, who would have thought that the rubber band used for vegetable bundling and the old glass bottle cap could be combined into a practical soap rack?
summary In this era of excessive consumption, the most sustainable way of life is to make the most of our existing resources. So, the next time those shiny new products attract you, it's worth stopping and seeing if you can meet your needs by reusing the items on hand. Let's use creativity together, not wallets, to define our way of life!
If you're striving for a more sustainable lifestyle, finding genuinely useful eco-friendly alternatives can be tougher than expected. But we're here to recommend one: Durbl Bag. We tested them by packing, washing, microwaving, freezing, and boiling them to see if they hold up. After all that, we can confidently say we're never buying another plastic bag again.Durbl bags are reusable bags crafted from platinum-grade silicone, known for its top-notch quality. They're BPA free, BPS, and phthalate-free, meeting both FDA and EU standards for food safety. This ensures you can confidently use Durbl bags for packing lunches, storing leftovers, and more, without concerns of plastic or chemical leakage, as they're safe for the freezer, microwave, oven, and boiling water.
Benefits of using Durbl bags
The versatility of Durbl bags knows no bounds. From freezing leftovers to microwaving popcorn, reheating leftovers in the oven, and even sous vide cooking a perfect steak, the options are limitless. They outshine traditional plastic bags, offering safety, versatility, and overall superiority. How to close the Durbl bag?Durbl bags feature a double-sided strip seal design, ensuring excellent sealing to keep any food and leftovers fresh. You can test it by filling the half-gallon bag with water, then turning it upside down and shaking it, believing that not a single drop of water will leak out. Some handy tips:
Pinch along the protruding position of the seal
Pinch along the upper part of the seal (pay attention to your action, buckle and then pinch)
As you pinch firmly, you should hear a sound "kapa".
After sealing, check the closure; the two sides of the bag should fit tightly together. Then, you can store the bag in the fridge, confident it will keep your food fresh for a long time.
Durbl comes in various shapes and sizes, far more than just a replacement for plastic bags. They can meet many different needs, truly a highly versatile tool worth having in your kitchen.
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This Valentine's Day, elevate your gift-giving with Durbl silicone bags. Create unique, eco-friendly presents like a "Treasure of Love" map, "Stress-Buster" squeeze balls, and a "Starry Night Picnic" kit. Each Durbl bag idea carries heartfelt messages and promotes sustainability. Celebrate love while reducing waste with these creative, reusable gifts.
Fresh-baked treats are always a joy, yet they don't stay fresh for long. If you find yourself with too many baked goods after a baking session, freezing is a great way to keep them fresh for months. The method varies depending on the item. Silicone, durable and chemical-free, is ideal for storing these goodies. We'll show you how to use reusable silicone bags and containers to freeze baked goods well and tell you which ones freeze best.
Preparation Before Freezing
Essential steps before freezing baked goods include:
Cool Completely: Ensure baked items are at room temperature to prevent moisture build-up in the container.
Portion: For larger baked goods like cakes or bread, slicing them into smaller pieces facilitates easier defrosting.
Wrap: Use cling film or parchment paper to wrap the goods, then place them in silicone bags. This helps retain freshness and flavor.
How to Freeze Sandwich Bread and Burger Buns
Soft breads like sliced bread, burger buns, and hot dog buns last longer than hard breads. But they can still get moldy or stale. The good news is that they freeze well in gallon bags. Just make sure the bag is closed tight. For extra safety, put bakings in reusable freezer bags and keep them for up to 3 months. To thaw, leave them out on the kitchen counter.
How to Freeze Muffins and Scones
Freeze single-serving baked goods like muffins and scones using the same method as for bagels. Wrap them individually in cling film or place them in reusable sandwich bags. Group the wrapped items in a larger freezer bag for storage and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat frozen muffins and scones, put them straight into the oven or toaster at 300℃ to 325℃ Fahrenheit. You don't need to thaw them first.
How to Freeze Bread
Wrap whole loaves (like farmer's bread or yeast bread) in cling film twice, then seal them in a large freezer bag. If you plan to use the bread for sandwiches or toast, slice it beforehand. This way, you can take out only what you need; the rest can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature to allow it to reabsorb the condensate formed in a Silicone bag.
How to Freeze Bagels
Fresh bagels are wonderful, but buying them in bulk is cost-effective. To maintain their freshness, slice the bagels in half before freezing. Wrap them tightly in cling film or store them in reusable sandwich bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
Defrosting Method
To defrost, move the silicone bags or containers from the freezer to the fridge. It usually takes a few hours to overnight to thaw slowly. Some items, like cakes or bread, can also be defrosted at room temperature for a few hours. Avoid defrosting in the microwave, as it may affect the texture and taste of the food.
Using silicone bags and containers to freezer baked goods is both a convenient and eco-friendly method. It not only helps reduce food waste but also ensures you can enjoy freshly baked delights at any time. Using the right methods, you can keep most baked items fresh for a long time.
I had the kind with a plastic slider on the top - I hated using them & they didn't seal well and things got freezer burn quickly. These seem to seal much better and are much easier to use, and the silicone being really clear so you can see the contents easily is very helpful too. You can fit a lot more in them than you think, I've been using the snack size more than I thought I would. I wish they would offer the quart size individually - I don't understand why you can get every size except that one. Definitely recommend them
These are great, but I wish they would offer more buying options. They only come in a 3-pack and they don't offer just the size you want individually. I am loving using these for work lunches and that they are safe to heat up in the microwave. They seal well and are heavy duty enough to be sturdy, but don't feel heavy to cart around.
I bought these to stop buying 1-time use Zip-Loc bags. They aren't quite as convenient to use or store, but overall MUCH better. I will buy more. I also bought another top brand but I am sticking with Durbl.