With all the talk I’ve been hearing lately about how plastics are so bad for us, I made the decision to stop heating up leftovers in my plastic ware. I’ll admit, I’ve done it plenty of times in the past. But, it can’t be good for us, can it? My mom and I were talking about this before Christmas and she had made the decision to get herself a set of glass storage pieces with lids and she got me a set too. I was thrilled! 
Red lids to match my kitchen too. Now I’m all set for my storage needs and can put the leftovers directly in these cute little containers, complete with their own lid and warm up in the microwave without the fear of plastic poison. I don’t want to eat plastic! 
My storage cabinet went from this jumbled mess….
To this. Neat and somewhat tidy. I’ve gotten rid of all the mismatched pieces, but still held onto some of my old Rubbermaid and Tupperware plastic pieces with the tomato sauce stains. I need those for soups and pasta sauce storage. Tell me you have stained plastic too. What is it about tomatoes that does that? Maybe the acid?
Anyway, I won’t be heating up in my plastic anymore, now that I have these cute glass pieces. And my cupboard looks a lot better too.
Have you switched to glass yet?
I’m sure you are all watching the news of the Haiti earthquake disaster, which is just horrendous. Just wanted to take a moment to urge you all to give during this time. I’m going to give to Compassion International, since I support them, but here’s a post from Money Saving Mom about several agencies that you can donate money to. Let’s ALL help!
I have not used plastic in years. I just don’t like it. I think it makes the food taste funny…and it’s really ugly.
I have the same funky old bowls. The ones with the handles. I was surprised to see them in your cupboards. They make excellent storage containers. I put a little saucer plate on top of them. that works great for stacking things in the fridge also.
Wow! I never gave it much thought about reheating leftovers in plastic. I don’t reuse the plastic drinking bottles but never thought about reheating plastic. Thankfully, I only store my leftovers for us at home in Pyrex that I’ve had forEVER! I do, however, use plastic for hubby’s lunch…everyday! I guess I need to make a change! Thanks!
On a side note, if you put your tomato stained Tupperware outside in the hot sun and the stains will vanish. This is good for fabric too. I had a blanket where a bowl of salsa was dropped on it and it was horrible stained for years but I never threw it out because it was so warm. My Mom was at my house one time and was helping with laundry. She put it outside over a drying rack to dry and NO MORE STAIN! Moms are so smart, aren’t they?
I am switching to glass also, and I used to save my tomato-stained plastic too, until I realized that the sauce won’t stain glass so what was I saving them for? Especially since your tops are red, I think you’d be safe getting rid of the plastic.
I never really thought about the risk from heating food in plastic containers. They do become stained and scratched and out of control very quickly. Definitely somethingn to consider and make a change over to in 2010. Great post – thank you!
I try not to heat up plastic anymore, either. I’m not perfect with it – but, I usually transfer to a plate before microwaving. Your containers look like the perfect solution! I am finding that I use my plastic bowls less and less, and am liking glass bowls all the more. Of course I have red stained tupperware! If I can stand to do it – I can get those stains off with a drop of bleach in the dishwater. It works like a charm, but wreaks havok on my hands. I need to look into some bowls like you’ve got.
Have a great weekend!
Pam
Good Morning Rhoda! I have to say that when we moved two years ago I sold all of my Tupperware at our yard sale for $3! I wanted it gone! The only thing I have left is my colander and a few pitchers. I stopped heating stuff in plastic years before that after I had read in article in the paper about kids going through puberty early and they think ONE of the causes could be our use of plastic! I was pregnant with my son at the time so I decided right then and there I was gonna make some changes! I have seen a lot of really nice glass storage pieces at TJ Maxx lately. The glass doesn’t cost much more than buying plastic! Good for you on making the switch!
I made the switch several years ago and haven’t looked back. I also use an aluminum water bottle which, while it has its own evils, is still better than plastic. I would love to be able to afford milk in glass bottles, but that’s not happening….
I keep wanting to switch from plastic, my hubby wants us to get the glass bowls too but I wasn’t sure about the plastic lids. I’m assuming it’s ok to use them to reheat food if you just lay it on top to stop any splatters… it isn’t touching the food is it, so it should be ok? You’ve inspired me to start getting some 🙂
Good morning Rhoda 🙂
I threw out almost all my plastic ware awhile ago, except for the kid’s sandwich holders. I store everything in Pyrex now and haven’t looked back. No more random lids 😉
I think I read somewhere that you can spray the plastic bowls with Pam and it prevents staining, but don’t take my word on it.
xoxo,
rue
Oh I love your new glass containers with the red lids! So pretty as well as much healthier, Your organized cabinets r coax me on to keep getting more orderly. I love freshly organized cabinets! Isn’t it nice you can take pictures of your work and share. Have a great weekend! Miss Bloomers
I haven’t switched yet, but I know I need to! Love your set with the red lids.
Good for you. My sister-in-law had breast cancer 15 years ago, and the first thing they are told in their mtgs is not to heat food in plastic containers. It’s pretty stable cold, but not hot.
I, like you, keep some for storage … big ones in glass are just too heavy! … but don’t heat in them any more.
My husband was shopping in Lowe’s for work-related stuff–he’s a truck driver/maintenance man where he works. Anyway, Lowe’s was selling Pyrex sets very inexpensively. Now, I have a set of mixing bowls with colorful lids as well as a set of smaller bowls for leftovers. I had lost most of our plastic lids and bowls and containers anyway, so this was a pleasant surprise. Now, I have neatness and glass! I am a happy camper.
I switched to glass ages ago. I hate plastic and keep some on hand for freezing, but won’t reheat. I think it gives food a funky taste.
I love your red containers! They are great!
Have a great weekend!
I just found Open Sky! Way to go Rhoda. You have beautiful stuff. I want to save up for a cast iron skillet. Congratulations and I wish you all the success in the world!
I have been looking to do this for a few months; just need to do it….where did she get the set?
Suzanne
Though I do still sometimes store things in plastic, I try to be diligent about not heating things in plastic. A tip my sister-in-law gave me that I thought was so clever, not to mention free and “green,” is to reuse all the jars so many things come in (like sauces and dressings) as storage containers.
I have, I have!! 🙂 I did keep a few plastic containers for traveling, etc…but I only store and reheat our food in glass. It looks so much nicer too!
I switched to glass a few years ago, too. Before that I was the rubbermaid queen. I also used waxed paper bags for sandwiches. Another place you can get these in all different sizes is Garden Ridge. I’m always in need of the larger bowls.
I love using glass. It seems so much cleaner!