Healthy News » safer materials

What do these numbers mean?

JohnW — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:23:08 +0000

The Lunchbots that we carry are made from stainless steel. However, have you ever wondered what those little numbers (18/8, 304 stainless steel) on the wrapper mean?

Well, as far as the Lunchbot is concerned, it is comprised of 18% chromium and 8% nickel. It’s also known as the 304 grade, which means it contains at least 50% iron.

Chromium binds oxygen to the surface to help protect the iron against rust. Nickel helps prevent corrosion.

Stainless steel is very safe and is great for food containers.

Coming to a school district near you.

Cynthiab — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:12:44 +0000

Some school districts (Portland, Oregon & Alexandria, VA just to name a few) have asked parents to switch to re-usable containers from plastic sandwich bags for enviromental reasons.

If you aren’t already doing so, you might want to consider purchasing a wrap-n-mat or a Lunchbot now, instead of waiting until it’s mandatory. Be sure to put your child’s name on it!

Too Many Zucchini this Summer?

JohnW — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:10:01 +0000

Why not marinade them in a large stainless steel or glass container with a sliced red onion, minced garlic, lots of lemon juice, olive oil & salt. Stir well and put it in the fridge for at least 2 hours. This is a good side dish to make ahead.

This Labor Day Weekend…

JohnW — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:26:21 +0000

Labor Day Weekend is just around the corner and what a great time to have a family picnic. I takes minimal planning, once you have the right equipment.

First, you’ll want a picnic basket that’s big enough to carry all of your reusable, stainless-steel-containers, plates and utensils. Preferably one with shoulder straps, so you can easily hike to the choice spots. Also, a big cotton bag is good carry loose produce.

As always, pack out what you pack in and have fun!

BPA Free?

JohnW — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 21:58:11 +0000

I’m sure that by now most people are aware that BPA (bisphenol A) has been linked to reproductive disorders and some cancers.

So, a lot of people have switched to non-plastic water bottles in an effort to lessen their intake of this chemical.

Did you know, according to a recent study,
that a number of aluminum water bottles with epoxy liners released up to 5 times the amount of BPA compared to some of their plastic counterparts?

So, stick to stainless steel and you can’t go wrong.

Does this look familiar?

JohnW — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 03:04:15 +0000

School is upon us, or will be.
Does this look familiar:
Sandwich in a baggie
juice box
plastic spoon
yogurt in in a plastic cup

How about this:
sandwich in a lunchbot
stainless steel bottle
stainless steel spoon
Yogurt in a metal container

Too much hassle you say? Make the kids clean their non-disposable items when they get home from school.

What you should never put in a microwave oven

JohnW — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 21:23:08 +0000

Everyday, at work during a break, I watch my fellow co-workers heat up their left-overs in a microwave oven using plastic storage containers . Much of the plastic is scratched and worn from continuous use. As the oven sends out its electromagnetic waves, chemical bonds break silently and invisibly into their food. It doesn’t bubble or melt. They don’t taste the plastic particles. But, they’re there.

Try to Beat this Domino’s Pizza!

JohnW — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:41:48 +0000

Think of all of that wasted, greasy cardboard next time you order a pizza by phone. Now, Compare that idea with what the Indians have been using for take out in Mumbai, India over the last century – a tiffin or 2 or 3 tier lunch container. They even have tiffin carriers or dabbawallas instead of pizza guys to deliver tiffins and pick them back up! Imagine what a logistical nightmare that must be with the population of Mumbai. (But, what an “eco friendly” meal – no waste at all).

To Toss or not to Toss?

JohnW — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:11:41 +0000

It’s amazing how much stuff people absent mindlessly throw out each day. Paper towels, napkins, plastic utensils are a few that come to mind. I remember when I was growing up how I would take an empty glass bottle back to the store. For my efforts, I would receive a nickel. Now, many of the garbage cans (or worse yet – sidewalks) in front of stores are full of plastic bottles from the makers of every kind of soft drink imaginable.

Anyway, a good place to start making a dent on this problem is your lunchbox. Instead of brown bagging it or using styrofoam containers, why not use a practical 2-Tier Stainless Steel Lunch Container and turn your take out dinner or lunch into a waste-free meal?

Why you should heat up your left-over Chicken Tikka Masala in glass containers.

JohnW — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:02:07 +0000

I just read an interesting article in the health section of The Times of India about potential health risks of heating foods in polycarbonate plastic food containers. It seems as though they want to alert their readers to the potential risks of bisphenol A, BPA, which can leach out of the plastic at high temperatures. BPA has been linked to fertility problems, breast cancer and prostate cancer. I didn’t realize that plastic containers were widely used in India. I thought that this was more of a first world phenomena. Anyway, don’t heat anything in polycarbonate plastic food containers, especially ones that have the number 7 marked on the bottom.