< Sustainability | Main | May Day >

Sized perfectly for local eating

Posted at 5:05 PM on April 30, 2008 by Sareen Dunleavy Keenan (2 Comments)

We live in a 1.5 story craftsman bungalow. I am sure you have seen a house like it and enjoyed most of what you saw when you toured it. That is, until you walked into the kitchen. Our open floor space consists of a 5' x 7' piece of real estate. Beyond that we have a 2'X2' counter next to the sink and a 4'x2' counter adjacent to that. This is where we do all of our cooking/canning/cutting/etc. The kitchen used to really get me down and I never understood how anyone could truly produce masterpieces from this kitchen. There never seemed to be enough counter or cupboard space, not to mention enough room for more than one person to work in there at a time.

Suddenly, this all has changed. We have one pantry cupboard that has four shelves. These used to explode at you once the door was opened. Well, eliminating all non local food has allowed us an extra shelf for storing our appliance overflow. Since taking on the local food challenge we have also eliminated cupboard all together to add in a dishwasher. In addition to that, our tupperware cupboard is becoming bare as we eliminate all of our once precious hard plastic screw top storage containers for fear of BPA.

I know that people have mentioned the decrease in trash, which is certainly true, but I am freeing myself of all sorts of items! The kitchen now feels like it makes sense. What more do you need room for beyond a cutting board, knife and room to get to the stove top? I never thought I would feel this way.

Now on to making the bathroom seem larger...

Comments (2)

Great post - I love the idea that sustainable eating can help the kitchen feel like it makes sense.

I also treasure those containers, for camping and at-home storage. Had you heard that that type of plastic specifically includes BPA? This chart seems to to say it doesn't... but I understand if you're getting rid of it anyway out of a general suspicion.

Posted by Cate | May 10, 2008 2:23 PM

My husband is quite annoyed with the change in storage containers. He agrees with the chart and says there is no BPA. The recycling number on the bottom, along with the initial warning when we got it not to use it for liquids just inspired me to change. These containers were the best for soups and uses when we are commuting to and from work by bike. Now, they make me nervous! I haven't gotten rid of the containers all together, they are just relegated to the camping supplies pending further investigation.

Posted by Sareen Dunleavy Keenan | May 17, 2008 1:46 PM