BPA, info on plastics and canned food

I was recently asked if canned tomatoes are ok to eat.

If you are not aware, there has been data that states BPA can be found in canned foods.

First here is a little info about BPA (Bisphenol A). It is used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin. It has been around since the 1800’s. It affects the endocrine system. It is linked to breast cancer, decreases testosterone, imbalanced hormone levels, and maladies for the body. It’s mostly effects fetuses, babies and children. It has also been connected to with cancer, obesity, diabetes, neurological issues, thyroid hormone receptor, heart problems, fertility/sexuality difficulties and DNA alteration.

Plastics: #1, #2, #4, #5, and #6 are unlikely to contain BPA, though #1 and #6 are not suggested for repeated human consumption.  #7 is a catch-all category that often contains BPA.

BPA-containing epoxy resins are found in the inside coating of most food and beverage cans. All canned foods should be avoided.

High acidity foods increase the rate at which BPA enters food.  This is why people are being told not to consume canned tomatoes, soda and beans.

A good alternative to canned tomatoes and beans are glass. This would be a great product to can yourself in glass jars.

Not to be mean, but if you drink a lot of soda, chances are that you don’t really care about your body. Just alone soda has horrible affects on your body. I enjoy a good soda about once a year…this is usually at our favorite root beer brewery, so I am not worried about this.

Do your research; there are some cans that state “BPA free”.  Keep your eyes out and if you only consume canned tomatoes and don’t buy anything else with BPA then you will probably be ok.

I hope this helps you all learn a little about BPA, I know I am not more educated in this area!

Just remember #2, 4 and 5 are the best plastic numbers and high acidic canned foods should be avoid if possible!

Simple black Bean Salsa

                                   Simple Black Bean Salsa

1 Can black beans

1 can of crushed tomatoes (or any other type of can tomatoes)

2tbsp of crushed garlic (we really like garlic, vary to your taste)

½ cup of salsa (add more if needed)

½ onion, chopped thinly

1 tablespoon of ground flax seed

Mix all ingredients and enjoy! 

For spice add finely chopped jalapenos!!

This is great on burritos, tacos and much more! Make quesadillas, by adding this and some cheese! Enjoy!!!

Healthy Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers

                                  Mini Stuffed Bell Peppers

**12 small bell peppers

1-2 lbs. of choice meat

Red onion, chopped

2 tablespoon crushed garlic

*Taco seasoning

1/2 cup Salsa (add more or less for your taste)

2 tablespoons Ground flax seed

2 finely grated carrots

*Whole grain rice, cooked

Shredded Cheddar cheese

Plain Greek yogurt (be sure to use plain and not vanilla, this is to replace sour cream)

1.    Preheat oven to 375°F

2.    Cut the tops off the peppers, and remove the seeds. Set aside

3.    Cook meat, onion and garlic until meat is done. Drain, put back into pan.

4.    Add taco seasoning, salsa, flax seed, carrots and rice. Mix together.

5.    Stuff each pepper with the beef and rice mixture, and place peppers open side up in a baking dish Cover the dish with foil, and bake until the filling is hot and the peppers are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

6.    Remove foil, and sprinkle the cheese over the top of the peppers. Return to oven; bake, uncovered, until cheese has melted, about 7 to 10 minutes.

7.     Top the peppers with a heaping tablespoon of the yogurt.

*see recipe below

**if you use bigger bell pepper, precook peppers for about 10-15 mins in oven until soften

Taco seasoning

3 teaspoons chili powder

    1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1teaspoon paprika

Mix seasoning together.

Whole grain rice

2 cups of water

1 cup of whole grain rice

Bring water to a boil, add rice, cover and simmer until done.

ReUse

I have covered reducing and recycling, now it’s time to cover reusing. As you can tell the three ideas all tie in together! 

Here is the big #1 thing about reusing!!! Ready for it….buy reusable items and reuse them!!!

As I talked about in reducing, get items such as glass containers instead of ziplock bags, so you can reuse it over and over and over from many years. This will save you so much money in the long run.  Let look at it in a mathematical way.

Ziplock bags- cost 2.50 (estimated) a box- buy 1 box once a month (I use to use this much) total year cost $30.  And if you are the way I once was I had about 3 sizes that I liked to use. So let say we buy three varietys at 2.50 a box and let say we bought two boxes a month instead of all three varietys. You are looking at around $60 a year! Multiply that by five years. You have a total of $300! Plus you have to think of all the waste!

Now I went to pyrex.com. I decided to go with a brand that is familiar and inexpensive. Pyrex is made in the USA! I choose the 17 piece bake to storage set and it cost only 39.99! View it at http://www.pyrexware.com/index.asp?pageId=14&CatID=380&SubCatID=1169&upc=71160058880

Let’s add the 18 piece storage set, just to be sure we have our bases covered to our kitchen. For the set is cost $35.99

http://www.pyrexware.com/index.asp?pageId=14&CatID=380&SubCatID=1169&upc=71160036093

I know for sure that these items can last for 5 years easy! I have had some of my pieces since I got married 2005. Add 35.99 and 39.99 for a total of 75.98! Which is $15.20 a year and $1.26 a month! What savings! And this is for five years. These pieces can easily last for much longer than that! My mamaw still has pieces around the family since I was a kid. Now you are talking pennies a month!

If you don’t like to buy glass products then buy cast iron or stainless steal products! You can find all types of durable and reusable products made in America just by looking online or at your local favorite store! Here is a site to help you find what you are looking for

http://americanmadeyes.com/household.html

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/kitchen.html

Don’t forget to look at yardsales, goodwill, ebay and other places for even cheaper prices on used items! They can be washed and disinfected easily!

This of creative ways to reuse items!

Did you know that…

Lint is a great fire starter or helps birds make nests?

Toilet paper rolls are great craft must haves?

Turn cans into flowerpots!

Egg shells make great fertilizer!

Old coffee can keep your dark's even darker!

Yogurt and egg cartons are great seed starters!

Shredded paper for packing!

I would love to hear your thoughts and fun ideas of how to reuse anything!!!