GreenBrig

The Congo cutting board made by Totally Bamboo is meant for the environmentally conscious consumer. Handcrafted using cured, flat strips of bamboo that are bonded together using formaldehyde-free glue developed specially for cooking utensils. Bamboo is a fast growing, renewable resource which grows to harvesting size within 3-5 years, making bamboo the environmentally friendly choice for making cookware.

Bamboo Cutting Board Product Review

The Totally Bamboo Congo model cutting board features strips of bamboo laid in end-grain fashion and arranged in alternating directions to produce a visually appealing parquet pattern. Bamboo is also harder than maple wood and are therefore perfectly suited for making cutting boards, and will not absorb water or stain. Measuring 17-1/4 by 13-3/4 by 1 inch, the Totally Bamboo Congo cutting board is sized to be manageable for the average user, but also large enough to be used for preparing most dishes. The Totally Bamboo cutting boards do not dull knives easily, while resisting marking relatively well even after prolonged use.

Bamboo Cutting Board Warping

Care is simple with the durable Congo bamboo cutting board requiring only light washing with soapy water after use, and the occasional wipe with mineral oil. Users of bamboo cookware have recommended oiling them with mineral oil immediately upon purchase until they will absorb no more oil. This appears to help prevent warping which has been a minor problem with bamboo cutting boards. The Totally Bamboo Congo cutting boards appear to be fairly stable for everyday use even though they may warp slightly.

The durable end-grain bamboo construction makes the Congo cutting boards long lasting alternatives to traditional wood or plastic cutting boards. The fact that the Totally Bamboo Congo cutting boards do not mark easily and come in a visually appealing design also means that you can leaven them on the countertop without feeling guilty.

Finally with 3M’s introduction of their “Greener Clean” products, there is an option for all of us who cannot spend $5 on a bio-degradable scrubbing sponge. At only around $2, this new products seems like the light at the end of the tunnel. Many manufactures are giving consumers alternatives to their regular products, ones that are more eco-friendly with the added bonus of being easier on the wallet. You can find these “Greener Clean” products at Walmart, Target, and Shop3M.com. It isn’t available at all the stores, but the more consumers demand these types of alternatives, only then will it become mainstream.

There are basically 4 types of this “Greener Clean” products available. First is the Scrubbers that is available as a non-scratch sponge or pad. They are made with 50% natural Agave plant fibers, and even the packaging is made with recycled material. These can be used to do the dishes or clean the bathrooms. Second is the Soap Pads which are basically scrubbers with green  soap loaded on them. The soap is biodegradable and phosphorous-free. The soap pad is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Apparently a 12 oz plastic bottle can make up to 6 of these pads.

Third is the Bamboo Cleaning Cloths and Wipes. Since Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the Earth, this is a great use of material. The product is absorbent and washable. Finally the fourth product is one of my favorite the Sponges. One of this sponge can almost replace up to 30 paper towel rolls. Best of all they can be cleaned in the dishwasher or in the microwave.The fact that you can wash and reuse them, is such a great idea.

You no longer need to buy paper towels in bulk for $16 and find a place to store it. With only a $2 sponge you can do all the cleaning you need in a day. This saves money and the environment. Also use these products with greener cleaning products like Seventh Generation and you will be doubling your savings.

3M has always tried making innovative products for all of us, but they have also been very conscious about the environment. I’m glad they are stepping up and leading this cause. I know that green products can be expensive for the average household, but when products like these are available you should definitely try to spread the word around.

A green kitchen involves more than just green food products. Environmentally-friendly food preparation techniques, energy-efficient kitchen appliances, and non-toxic cleaning products are all an integral part of a green kitchen. More and more green alternatives are available today to practice true green living in our kitchens.

Green Stoves

The two main types of stove tops available today are gas and electric. Since most of the electricity in the United States comes from coal-burning power plants, both stove top alternatives essentially run on fossil fuels. Therefore it is important to get the most energy efficient model available, regardless of whether you prefer gas or electricity stove tops. For gas stoves, lower BTU’s are more energy efficient. However, it is recommended to have at least one high-output burner (~12000-15000 BTU/hr) for food that require quick boiling or searing.

For electric stove tops, the most efficient kind are the relatively new ones that use induction elements. These energy efficient induction stove tops transfer electromagnetic energy directly to heat pots and pans. However, induction stove tops require metal pots – cast iron, stainless steel, etc. – and aluminum or glass cookware will not work. The next best electric stove top are those that have ceramic glass surfaces, and these are also much easier to clean. The regular coiled electric stove tops are considered the least energy efficient, but are also the cheapest. If you do decide to go with a standard electric stove top, it is important to look for the highest efficiency ratings.

Durable Kitchen Utensils

When choosing kitchen utensils and cookware, the most environmentally friendly ones are those that are the most durable. Non-stick cookware are not known to last very long. In addition, possible health hazards caused by the peeling non-stick coatings are still being investigated. Cast iron or stainless steel cookware cost more, but last a long time. Wooden or plastic utensils also degrade over time, making durable metal utensils the greener choice.

Efficient Cooking Methods

The manner of cooking makes a big difference in the energy-efficiency of your kitchen. Using the correct cookware size can dramatically reduce energy consumption. Using a 6-inch pan on an 8-inch burner wastes about 40 percent of the heat output according to Energy Star. Using a microwave instead of an oven uses about a fifth of the energy. Also, using pressure cookers can save about 70 percent of the heat required to cook food. Cooking food in bulk at once saves a lot of energy also. Using ovens to cook food one after another uses a lot less energy than cooking them separately, as less heat is required to reheat the oven to high temperatures again.

Green Kitchen Chemicals

It is important to use environmentally-friendly surface cleaning liquids, dishwasher liquids and other chemicals around the kitchen. Not only are they non-toxic but also healthier and safer for the family and the planet. There are now many natural cleaning products available that are plant based and biodegradable, making them environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional cleaning liquids.