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SPASTIC PLASTIC
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DINNER?
HETHER YOU’RE A BUSY MOM-ON-THE-GO OR SINGLE GAL WHO’S COOKING FOR ONE, AT SOME POINT IN THE DAY, YOU’VE GOT TO ASK YOURSELF “WHAT’S FOR DINNER?” THANKS TO TODAY’S MEAL PLANNING APPS AND WEBSITES, YOUR WEEKLY MENU IS A SNAP TO WHIP UP! WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING TO EAT LIGHTER, ADD SOME VARIETY, FIND THE BEST BARGAINS OR ARE COOKING FOR AN ARMY OF HUNGRY TEENAGERS, WITH THE HELP OF THESE APPS, EVEN THE MOST NOVICE OF COOKS CAN LOOK LIKE A MASTER CHEF!
EATING HEALTHY ON A BUDGET
You’ve heard that eating healthy is expensive, but that’s only if you don’t know how to shop. FOOD ON THE TABLE is a free menu-planning service that helps you plan healthy meals while shopping on a budget. Simply tell the service what types of plans you’re interested in and some of your food preferences and it’ll do the rest. Food on the Table searches for sales at your local grocery stores and compiles recipes and grocery lists based on what’s on sale that week.
CHAIN EMAIL FROM THE EARLY 2000S CREATED A CANCER SCARE WHEN AN ALLEGED JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER CLAIMED MICROWAVING OR FREEZING WATER IN PLASTIC BOTTLES RELEASED CANCER-CAUSING AGENTS, SUCH AS DIOXIN AND DEHA. THE MESSAGE QUICKLY EVOLVED INTO AN OUTCRY AGAINST ALL PLASTIC, WARNING PEOPLE ABOUT DRINKING FROM WATER BOTTLES OR KEEPING FOOD IN PLASTIC CONTAINERS. IN 2007, JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL OFFICIALS DECLARED THE CONTENTS OF THE EMAIL INVALID AND NOT RELEASED BY THEIR ORGANIZATION. BUT DON’T LET OUT THAT SIGH OF RELIEF JUST YET! WHILE THE FDA STATES THERE’S NO EVIDENCE PLASTIC CONTAINERS CONTAIN DIOXINS, THERE IS STILL THE INEVITABLE TRANSFER OF BISPHENOL-A (BPA) AND PHTHALATES, WHICH CAN DISRUPT HORMONE FUNCTION. FOLLOW THIS ADVICE TO DECREASE YOUR EXPOSURE.
foodonthetable.com / Free for Apple & Android products
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE
If you find yourself eating the same thing over and over again, then the MEALGURU app is for you. MealGuru compiles a seven-day plan based on what you like to eat, but it also incorporates enough variety to ensure you’re getting a wide range of nutrition. The app compiles a grocery list and stores your favorite recipes in your cookbook. And you’ll learn a thing or two about nutrition, as the app will explain why it chose each individual meal. themealguru.com /$6.99 on Apple products
FOR THE ULTIMATE PLANNER
Like knowing what you’re going to be eating three Mondays from now? Use the MENU PLANNER app to plan your meals for the entire month—or even longer! Schedule shopping trips and organize lists based on your scheduled dinners. The pantry organization feature lets you know what you’ve got stocked. Want to alter that recipe next time? The note feature lets you add comments to your recipe book. You can get super organized and categorize your meals by cuisine type. menu-planner.com / $2.99 on Apple products
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Most takeout containers, water bottles and plastic tubs or jars (the kind margarine, yogurt and mustard come in) are not microwave safe.
Instead of using plastic wrap, which can melt if it touches food, cover the container with wax paper, kitchen parchment paper or a paper towel.
If you’re unsure if a container is microwaveable, transfer food to a glass or ceramic container labeled microwave safe.
USE THIS GUIDE AS A DECODER FOR THE NUMBER SYSTEM, WHICH TELLS YOU THE TYPE OF PLASTIC THE BOTTLE IS MADE OF, ON THE BOTTOM OF PLASTIC CONTAINERS: #1 (PET OR PETE) are generally regarded as safe. If there is any risk from reuse, it probably comes from bacterial contamination. The bottles’ narrow necks make them hard to clean.
#2 (HDPE), #4 (LDPE) & #5 (POLYPROPYLENE) plastics are generally regarded as safe.
#3 (PVC) & #6 (STYRENE) plastics pose health risks and should be avoided.
#7
plastic is usually polycarbonate and contains BPA and are not recommended for storing food or beverages.
Sources: cancer.org, health.harvard.edu, nrdc.org, webmd.com
WHAT’S FOR
Entree © sarsmis; Bottle © Tatiana Popova; Microwave © OZaiachin; Plastic Container © Robbi; Wax Paper © bogdan ionescu; Glass Container © Daria Filimonova / Shutterstock.com
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