PRODUCT REVIEW
ECO-FRIENDLY KITCHEN By Erin Evis
Stainless Steel Sipper Bot tle
EcoTanka stainless steel bottles are great for kids, if you’re after something that’s durable, reusable, and isn’t plastic. We initially purchased these to avoid the chemicals that can leach out of plastic (stainless steel is more or less inert), and several years and two kids later it turned out they’re also excellent for toddlers, as they can be dropped, thrown, bashed and smashed and while they may wind up with a few dents, they’re more or less indestructible and last forever. The only downsides we’ve found are that the plastic tops can become a little drippy on the sip-top lids if gnawed on by tiny teeth enough to ruin the seal, though other tops are available, and that the water can take on a slightly metallic taste if left in the bottle for a long-enough period of time. Having said that, the kids have never complained and it doesn’t tend to happen with normal use in our household, i.e. water sent along to kindy for a few hours. All in all, these are a great alternative to plastic bottles (even the BPA-free ones have other plasticising chemicals some may wish to avoid).
Stainless Steel Drinking Straws
As most parents have discove r e d , i f you give a child a straw, they wil l d r i nk pretty much anything. Straws m a k e life fun! However, plastic singl e - u s e drinking straws are also an incr e d i b l y annoying pollutant, many of w hi c h end up in the ocean. I’ll never f o r g e t watching footage of a beautif u l s e a turtle who had a straw stuck in it s no s e , getting it removed by a pair of v e t s . I t was this video that was the catal y s t f o r me investing in a set of stainless s t e e l straws. These are hands-down o ne o f the best investments I’ve made i n o u r kitchen! The kids love them, they c o m e with a teeny cleaning brush tha t f i t s them perfectly to ensure any b i t s o f smoothie or yoghurt are hygie ni c a l l y removed, and they’re dishw a s he r safe. We have CaliWoods brand s t r a w s , though many are now availab l e , i n a variety of sizes - some bent, s o m e straight, some fat, some thin. I k e e p one in my handbag to use when w e ’ r e out, and we use them over and o v e r throughout the day. They’re also l ov e l y to drink through and seem to k e e p things cooler (pop them in the f r i d g e or freezer for extra cooling pote nt i a l ! ) .
28 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
