i made about 90% of my kitchen non-toxic and here’s what i swapped🙅🏻‍♀️

first things first – this newsletter is soooo not intended to intimidate you. that is not my goal here in sending this out. i want us all to have a resource on what to buy if you are indeed interested in creating a plastic-free or somewhat plastic-free home. or hey maybe you are waiting for something to break to buy new things (i did that too). now you know you can reference this whenever you need.

this has been something i’ve slowly (but surely!) been working on over the last few months—ditching plastic in our kitchen, saying goodbye to those sneaky microplastics, and swapping out anything that might be leaching unwanted chemicals into the food we’re feeding ourselves and our families.

now before you’re like, “wait, do I need to toss my entire kitchen??” — NO. this isn’t about perfection or doing it all overnight. It’s about feeling educated and empowered to make swaps that feel doable and aligned with how you want your home to feel.

we’re talking: ✨ non-stick pans (bye teflon, hi ceramic or cast iron) ✨ plastic cutting boards (wood or bamboo FTW) ✨ food storage, utensils, water bottles, ALL the things we use on the daily ✨ and those sneaky microplastics hiding where we least expect them.

this post isn’t here to scare you—it’s here to gently guide you. i’ll share what i’ve learned, what we’ve swapped, and what’s made the biggest difference for us. you know I’m all about that low-lift, high-impact kinda change 💁‍♀️

my non-toxic kitchen staples:

but first – what’s the deal with microplastics and why should we care? about a non-toxic kitchen?

microplastics are teeny tiny plastic particles (like, smaller than a grain of rice) that come from things like broken-down plastic containers, water bottles, food packaging, non-stick pans, synthetic clothes… you get the idea.

and unfortunately, they’ve made their way into everything—our food, water, air, even our bodies. yep, wild.

here’s why that’s not great:

🧠 hormone disruption: many plastics contain chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and other endocrine disruptors that can mess with your hormones, especially over time.

🌿 inflammation: there’s growing evidence that microplastics can trigger inflammation in the body and gut, which we know is at the root of so many health issues.

🍼 impact on kids + fertility: early research is showing potential connections between plastic exposure and things like developmental issues, fertility struggles, and more.

THE run down on plastic-free cooking/baking things:

  1. enameled cast iron skillet and lodge cast iron skillet – we use this for so many things. many of my one-skillet dishes and roasting chickens, baking, etc. they really last for years and are well worth the investment.
  2. aluminium loaf pan and this loaf pan – either one of these are great.
  3. stainless steel kitchen bowls – great option instead of plastic mixing bowls.
  4. epicurean cutting boards – LOVE THESE BOARDS!
  5. stainless steel kitchen tools – worth the splurge and very good quality at least for us!
  6. silicone muffin tray – or this aluminum one great too
  7. silicone lids for bowls and pots/pans – these are a great option for a non-toxic cover for bowls/pots/pans.
  8. silicone baking sheet mat – i use this for baking and roasting veggies when i don’t use parchment paper.
  9. sheet pans – love these sheet pans. comes in different sizes too.
  10. glass kitchen bowls – we have had these for years. they LAST!
  11. wooden cooking tools – yup toss the plastic ones guys.
  12. parchment paper – i use this instead of tin foil whenever i can!
  13. grill pan – LOVE this grilled pan for making chicken, quesadillas, my grilled burritos at more.
  14. stainless steel measuring cups – i use these for all of my baking and cooking. dishwasher friendly too.
  15. stainless steel cookware – also a great option for non-toxic cookware
  16. glass measuring cups – for all liquid ingredients we use these glass ones. i have had the same ones for years now.
  17. wooden measuring spoons – i LOVE these. i have had them for years!

plastic-free food storage and everyday things:

  1. glass and silicone food storage – no more plastic here. this was a slow transition but we are finally there. i honestly waited for the tupperwares to break lol because i was stubborn about getting rid of them.
  2. chemex coffee drip – this is jordan’s prized possession!! 
  3. stainless steel shaker bottle – jordan’s favorite swap he has ever made. for his protein shakes at the gym obv.
  4. glass jars with bamboo lids – i use these for storing some produce like carrots, overnight oats, chia pudding and more.
  5. hot water kettle – guys please stop boiling hot water in a plastic kettle. it is toxic af to heat plastic like that.
  6. silicone food storage bags – i use these instead of ziplocks now! kids snacks and more.
  7. XL freezer bags – these are genius!!! instead of the galloon ziplocks.

plastic-free things for kids:

  1. silicone snack bags – we use these every single day for school snack!
  2. silicone snack cups – LOVE these!
  3. stainless steel drinking cups – i have been testing these with my kids for months now and i love them. they DO leak (a very small amount) if you don’t twist the cap on properly or if you pour it upside down for no reason. use for kids 2+. here are other silicone cups too.
  4. silicone plates, bowls and cups – i have had these for years and they are great.
  5. silicone stainless steel lunchboxes for kids – these ones are also fabulous.
  6. stainless steel sauce/dip cups – these are great to add to lunch boxes or even your salads for dressings.

what i kept and won’t get rid of for now:

  • ONE plastic cutting board for meat – I NEED FOR MY MEATS! some have stainless steel or tempered glass cutting boards for this too. i will eventually transition to that!
  • blender – glass blender kind of scares me. also i don’t know anyone who has ones but please feel free to correct me if you know of a good one!

what did i miss?!

a few of my favorite recipe to make with your new kitchen things: