Weight Loss Queen: Plastic, plastic everywhere

Friday, November 7, 2008

Plastic, plastic everywhere

While we’re trying to do the right thing and drink the recommended 8 glasses of water a day, we need to spare a thought and decide if what we are doing is causing more harm than good. Firstly, plastic bottles contain chemicals that can leach into the water. The main culprit here is Bisphenol A (BPA), which can produce oestrogen like effects in the body. This chemical disrupts our sensitive endocrine system and can contribute to imbalances that can lead to Fibroids, Endometriosis and PMS and weight gain. BPA has also been linked to insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes (check out Environmental Health Perspectives Journal for more information).

To be sure that you are choosing a bottle that does not leach, check the recycling symbol on your bottle. If it is a #2, #4 or #5 your bottle is fine. The type of plastic bottle in which water is usually sold is usually a #1, and is only recommended for one time use.

Another important factor to take into consideration is the effect plastic water bottles have on the environment. A recent survey has revealed that nearly 2/3 of all empty water bottles end up as landfill and over half a million barrels of oil are needed to supply our annual water needs. That’s huge! Add to that the fact that it is estimated Australians will consume 300 million litres of water in 2008 and that’s one big footprint. These figures are staggering so please think twice before you buy bottled water and invest in a non-toxic, reusable water bottle.

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Recipes of the week

Green Papaya Salad
Serves 4

3 large cloves garlic, peeled
4 red bird’s eye chillies, seeded
½ teaspoon salt
½ tablespoon dried shrimps
3-4 tablespoons fish sauce
finely shredded flesh from 350g green papaya
handful of purple baby eggplant, halved
8 small tomatoes, halved
2 mild red chillies, seeded and shredded
handful of beansprouts, trimmed
handful each of basil and mint leaves

Using a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic, bird’s eye chillies and salt together to form a paste. Add the dried shrimps and continue pounding, then stir in he fish sauce. Place in bowl with the papaya and toss to coat. Lightly bruise the eggplant and tomatoes with the flat blade of a knife, then add to the bowl with the chillies, beansprouts, basil and mint. Toss lightly before serving.