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7 STEPS I TOOK TOWARDS CREATING A PLASTIC FREE KITCHEN

I'm Debbie!

I ditched a life of striving and the constant pursuit of 'more' and instead discovered peace and immense fulfilment being a wife, mother and homemaker. Your presence matters.

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Be The Gatekeeper Of Your Family's Health & Wellness

My Journey Of Walking Out Traditional Values In A Modern World

Honouring My Role As A Wife, Mother & Homemaker


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Reducing plastic in my home was one of the last steps I took on my clean low-toxic lifestyle path. Simply because when I started over 7 years ago, it wasn’t a such big thing.

Yet with all the research now being released around the dangers of plastics on our health, as well as what it’s doing to our planet, I started to pay attention.

The big shift for me came when I discovered the Food and Drug Administration has banned BPA use in baby bottles and infant feeding cups.

BPA is the biggest culprit. BPA mimics the hormone oestrogen and disrupts the endocrine system.

This can cause problems with liver and kidney function, infertility, endometriosis, PCOS and cancer, birth defects, liver disfunction and vision failure, right down to respiratory conditions, allergies and nausea. Most notably it has been linked to male infertility through decreasing sperm quality.

In addition a number of scientists believe that continuous BPA exposure, altering normal hormonal signalling in the body, may be a component in the development of a number of chronic diseases.

For our children the research is not so good. Levels of BPA that accumulate in infants can have adverse developmental consequences, leading to neurobehavioural and immune system abnormalities.

Yet it doesn’t stop with BPA. There are a variety of plastics that cause adverse health affects, such as:

  • Polyvinylchloride (#3PVC) – plastic wrap, toiletry containers, cosmetics, pacifiers, toys

  • Phthalates (DEHP, DINP, and others) – toys and childrens products, vinyl clothing, product packaging and food wrap

  • Polycarbonate, with Bisphenol A (#7) – plastic bottles

  • Polyethelyne (#1 PET) – chewing gum, food containers, plastic bags, kitchenware

  • Acrylic – disposable nappies, clothing, blankets, sanitary items (discover toxic free natural alternatives here)

You can learn more about plastics and their link to health concerns here.

In France, the national agency for food, environmental and occupational health has gone even further, completely banning the use of BPA in any packaging that comes into contact with food.

Knowing this information and the direct link between plastics and chronic health issues, childrens development and toxic overload in our body, I made it a priority to begin creating a plastic home.

Today I take you through the first 7 steps I took to create a healthier kitchen environment for my family.

It makes it so much easier when the plastic free alternatives nowadays are beautifully designed, practical and innovative… right?! #lovebeautifulthings

Plus I buy all my eco-friendly items from, Biome, who delivers to your door and has a loyalty program and afterpay. Meaning convenience, cost savings and the with the ability to make payments weekly it’s so affordable to begin switching to a plastic free eco household.



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Step 1: Re-usable Cup For Cafe’s

I admit I don’t always have my re-usable cup with me. It goes in the dishwasher, hubby puts it in the cupboard and voila! Next time i’m out and check my bag it’s not there. Remember, none of us are perfect. Standards are wonderful and allow you to uphold your values with ease, yet when stuff happens… let it go.

I have the SOL Large Glass Cup (in grey of course) which is ideal not only for Matcha, Turmeric and Beetroot Lattes but also the odd Earl Grey Tea (which is my afternoon go to sometimes). Biome, where I shop, has many re-usable cup options which you can view here.


Step 2: Re-usable Stainless Steel Water Bottles


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Once upon a time I wouldn’t think about buying a plastic water bottle when I was out and about. Now I do think twice and with a little prep I avoid the need to do so. Each time we leave the house I fill up my water bottle and Jake’s with alkaline mineralised water (we have the Zazen water filter at home).

I have the BBBYO Stainless Steel bottle (here). They have a variety of styles and colours. It’s an Australian company that are committed to keeping plastics out of our oceans. I am always looking at ways I can vote with my dollar and support companies doing good #consciousspending

Be mindful of plastic in other areas of your stainless steel bottle. We bought one for Jake and the straw inside was BPA free plastic, unfortunately it kept building up with mold (almost daily) and so we shifted to bottle without soft plastic. You can view the kids options here and stainless steel baby bottles here.



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Step 3: Take Cloth Bags To The Supermarket & Markets

I remember in my childhood and twenties doing my weekly shop from the supermarket, with alllll the plastic and packaging. Not to mention a bottom draw overflowing with plastic bags #anyoneelse

Now I’m much more mindful of where I spend my money so the dollars go into the right pockets – instead I support my local farmers markets, organic butcher, family owned health food store, my local bulk health food store, as well as getting most of my grocery items, cleaning, holistic health and personal care items from my two monthly subscription boxes, doTERRA and Inner Origin Marketplace.

I have everything I need either delivered to my door or just up the road.

This was one step I truly enjoyed doing. Throwing out all our plastic bags and using cloth instead feels incredible and just makes sense!

I use;

  • This Organic Cotton String Shopping Bag stays in my handbag. It’s ideal for grabbing a few things so you never have any need for a plastic bag.

  • Organic Cotton Produce Bags for the individual potatoes, carrots, fruit etc instead of their provided plastic bags.

  • The Woven Seagrass Tote for all the market produce. These are handcrafted at village level in Northern Vietnam and by buying these baskets we are helping local crafts people earn a fair living. Plus has remarkable strength and durability (needed for how much I pack into it).



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Step 4: Shop At Bulk Health Food Stores

Yes I love recycling but if I can avoid bringing plastic into my home at all, I will absolutely make this choice.

I love the quote ‘We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.’

I’m definitely an imperfect zero waste mumma, like the reusable cup situation. I don’t stress about it and just do what I can, where I can but certainly now highly valued the sustainable lifestyle.

My local bulk health food store is Naked Foods and I shop their once a month on a Monday to enjoy and additional 20% off #consciouspending.

This is where I stock up on nuts, flours, oils, dry ingredients and paleo granola all transferred to my glass jars when I get home.



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Step 5: Make A DIY Spray & Wipe (It’s So Easy!)

This is such a simple step and its so incredibly satisfying knowing your multi-purpose kitchen spray is completely non-toxic, considering you no doubt use it multiple times a day like I do.

Plus switching to DIY in glass containers not only eliminates chemicals, but also plastic from your home.

  • My DIY Multi-Purpose Spray recipe is here.

  • I buy my DIY glass spray bottles from Aromatools here.



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Step 6: Stainless Steel Lunch Box, Ice Cube Trays and Ice Block Molds.

One of the best investments I made when Jake began eating food was a Planet Box lunchbox. It is now 4 years old and shows zero signs of usage, wear or tear and we use this almost daily.

I slowly transitioned to stainless steel ice cube trays as I love making DIY Fruity Ice Cubes in Summer to naturally add flavour and goodness to my water, and most recently I invested in the stainless steel ice block molds to replace the BPA free plastic ones we had. We make healthy ice-blocks with fruit and coconut milk almost weekly as Jake LOVES these and they are completely guilt free. The ice block mold and ice cube tray I use have a lifetime guarantee, making it is so much more cost effective over the long term to switch to stainless steel.



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Step 7: Switch to Loose Leaf Tea or Plastic Free Tea Bags

Did you know just one tea bag can release millions of microscopic plastic particles into your drink? Whaaatt??!!!

Who even thought tea bags were made of plastic, right?! But of course, paper would just disintegrate. Plastic tea bags are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and nylon, which are approved as food packaging.

PET! That’s on the no-go list. Now are you realising that plastic is everywhere and no wonder these tiny particles are found all through the human body… we come into contact with them multiple times per day.

My go to tea used to be Pukka Tea. Not only are they 100% organic and fair trade. The tea bags are plastic free! They were the first company to ever use organic strings to hold our teabags together without the need of a metal staple or polypropylene BUT they were acquired by Unilever and although they continue to uphold their values, ethics and philanthropic initiatives, I just have a thing for not supporting big business with my dollar.

So instead I shifted to Bodhi Organic Tea & Absolute Organic Tea, both of which I order monthly in my monthly subscription box from Inner Origin’s Wellness Edit, and it has an awesome loyalty program which is a win. View The Wellness Edit here.

– MY CLEAN LIVING ITEMS –

Click below to view a selection of the products I personally use and love in my home.


– WEEKEND VIEWING-

Settle in with a raw cacao, glass of wine or tea and watch these documentaries.

They will change the way you see your personal use of plastic and realise that yes, every person’s actions do actually matter and it’s a much bigger issue than we realise.

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THE ABOVE DOCUMENTARIES ARE AVAILABLE ON NETFLIX, ITUNES OR AMAZON FOR VIEWING

AUSTRALIAN BRANDS I USE + LOVE!

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the girl behind the blog

Accidental homemaker, sourdough lover and amateur 'make from scratch' cook, pursuing a path of purity in a tainted world. Also known as the 'million ideas' woman, I'm obsessed with online business and pinning images of modern homesteading.

Most importantly, I am a wife and mother navigating the lost skills of homemaking. I spent the last twelve years as an A-type over achiever striving to attain alllll the things, only to discover that destiny had a different - and much more beautiful plan. One I could have never imagined! I walked away from everything, closed down my coaching business, deleted my courses, youtube channel and every part of who I was for over a decade...then stepped out into this new way of living.

Read my story of redemption here...

Hey! I'm Debbie. 

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Find a quiet space to enjoy your hot cuppa and settle in with a letter from my home to yours.

It's full of ideas to cultivate simplicity, peace and purpose back into your home, your heart and your family.

Thank You

It is my hope that us, as mothers, learn to love and encourage our husbands. To raise our children well and prepare them for the future to come. To have an open door and a warm cuppa, without notice, for any person in our community who needs us.

Most of all I want us to recognise this...

Within our highest calling as a mother comes a responsibility of the legacy we are leaving. What we sow into our children now, will impact the future they live in and generations to come.

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