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 do freeze in plastic containers, but I am trying to only reheat in glass. It is hard to break old habits. Love your new containers. Love & blessings from NC!
How did you get pictures of my cabinets with all those plastic bowls and lids falling over?
There are plastic containers that specially state on wrapper that it remains free of tomato stains. I have purchased three of these containers and used them and they work. I try to use paper plates and paper towels when microwaving – mainly because some plastic can “melt” in the microwave. Your new glass set with the red lids is very pretty.
Teacup Lane (Sandy)
I quit heating in plastic some time ago, though I still use plastic for storage. I’ll pick up more glass as the budget allows. BTW, styrofoam is also one of those heating no-noes, &, like plastic, molecules of it will travel into your food if you do heat food in or on it.
Hi Rhoda, I store in plastic but always heat in glass, Hubby use to work in chemicals and plastic so he is Mr. Safety man on that count. Your little red topped containers look so cute in your cupboard. I acutally have a couple of old glass top and bottom containers like they use to have in the good ol” days. Kathysue
I use as little plastic as possible. I think you will LOVE using glass now! 🙂
HI Rhoda! Thanks so much for the reminder! I do like to store leftovers in plastic: I have one of those carousel things and love it cause all the containers are in one spot. But I will go get a set of Pyrex to reheat things in, you have convinced me. I have a plastic dome like thing that I bought , it is made to be a cover for reheating things in the micro. I wonder if it is safe????? Maybe I will just switch to waxed paper like you. I love your new set with the pretty red lids! GREAT gift! Love your blog, always great posts!!!! XO, Pinky
Rhoda,
I quit using plastic as well for heating things up a while ago. A hint for even more organized plastic….get a brown paper sack and cut it down to about 5-6 inches tall, then stand all of the lids to the plastic containers in the bag. Stack all of your plastic ware one inside the other as they fit best and slide the sack with the lids in the cupboard to one side! You could do the same with the lids to your new glassware or put them with the plastic ware lids.
You know I am an organizer too right?
Have a good weekend!
xx
Hey Rhoda. I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never thought about plastic poison. Duh, where have I been? The glass looks so much nicer and so do the cabinets.
But here’s a hint if you are going to continue with the nasty bad plastic. Spray the inside with a cooking spray before putting food (including spaghetti sauce) in them. When you heat them in the microwave you shouldn’t have anymore staining.
Hugs….Tracy 🙂
Great post. I have heard the stories about plastics in the microwave but hadn’t thought about switching to glass. Great idea!
I am so glad you did this post. I love using glass. Only bad thing was when I sent food in glass with my hubby to work….some times the glass dish didn’t make it home UGH.
Yes, we have switched a year ago and got used to the glass containers. We take lunches to work, so we use glass for warm lunches and plastic containers for salads. The best thing about glass is that it washes better and doesn’t stain like plastic. And it’s much healthier. Thanks for the article.
I’ve thought about buying some glass storage containers, too. Your new ones would match my kitchen! Very pretty! And yes, I have stained Tupperware pieces, too. Storing leftover chili and vegetable soup are usually the causes for the stains in mine. I have a couple of pieces that are probably 15-20 years old but they are so reliable and exactly the right size most of the time, I can’t get rid of them. The line “old dog and new tricks” somehow come to mind right now 🙂
I love my Pyrex glass containers, but have the same problem as Wanda P so hubby gets to take the plastic ones to work. Hint: Lightly spraying plastic containers with a non-stick spray(like Pam) before adding those tomato-based sauces will keep it from staining.
Thanks for dropping by my blog Rhoda! I was already following yours *blush* I have these same glass storage containers for when I know I’ll need to warm up food in the container, like at work. My other set are these (also nice red lids), I love how neat and tidy they always stay: http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?Prod_ID=RP091258&CatName=FoodStorage
They’re BPA free, so if I really have to warm something up in them, it’s not so bad.
I switched to plastic too – its so much better and heats evenly. Putting red stained plasticware in sunlight bleaches the red right out 🙂
Good for you Rhoda!! I hear just storing your food in plastic is bad for you. I need to buy some glass storage containers too. Thanks for the reminder!
I do use glass almost every time I reheat something! My mom got me started a year or so ago – but no cute glass with lids so I just use the rubbermaid I have to store it and then transfer it to reheat in the microwave. Oh, and I switched to glass baby bottles also. Feel better about those too. And in almost a year and half, I’ve only broken one. 🙂
I need to get myself a set of these too. I hate the idea of heating things up in plastic.
Yep, I have some stained plastic pieces too. I think we all do. LOL
Hugs!
Kat