31 Real-Life Food Tips from a Low Tox(ish) Mom Who Still Uses Ziplocks

This isn’t your typical "meal prep hacks" list. These are the real-life things I’ve learned from feeding a family, trying to reduce toxic exposure without going overboard, and still wanting to enjoy life (and dinner).

I cook most of our meals, pay attention to ingredients, and also serve pizza with bagged lettuce when needed. This list is for the women doing their best to make informed choices without losing their minds. Let’s keep it realistic.

1. Don’t underestimate Dawn dish soap

Yes, I know it’s not the cleanest option. But it gets slime out of clothes, stains out of Vuori shirts, and ants off the counter. Compared to spraying Raid all over your kitchen, Dawn is the better option every time. It stays under our sink forever.

2. Always keep frozen fruit in your freezer

They make the easiest snack or dessert and can be tossed into smoothies, yogurt bowls, or eaten straight out of the bag. A handful of frozen mango or cherries? Hits every time. Bonus: no chopping required.

3. Buy double bananas

Eat some fresh, freeze the rest. Use them for muffins, oatmeal, smoothies, or banana bread. Just don’t forget they’re in there.

4. Cook once, eat twice

Make life easier and batch cook. Grill or roast a bunch of chicken and use it for different meals throughout the week. Tacos, salads, bowls, you name it. It’s not boring, it’s smart. One cooking session, multiple meals, more brain space for literally everything else.

5. Out of buttermilk? No problem

Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to 1 cup of milk, stir, and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Boom. Buttermilk.

6. Frozen rice is underrated

Trader Joe’s frozen brown rice has saved more dinners than I care to admit.

7. If your spinach dies weekly, stop buying it

Buy the greens you’ll actually eat. For me, that’s romaine. Always.

8. Oil goes before honey

If you’re measuring both in the same cup, the honey will slide right out. Magic. You can use the same trick when scooping muffin batter or dough too. Lightly oil your scoop or spoon first and the batter won’t stick. No more wrestling sticky blobs into muffin tins.

9. Put a paper towel in your berry container

It absorbs moisture and helps them last longer. Less mold, more munch.

10. Keep apples in the fridge

We live near an apple farm and they swear by this. Apples can last up to six months in cold storage. Room temp? Not so much.

11. Store nut butter upside down

Do it a few days before opening. The oil mixes in naturally, and you won’t throw your shoulder out trying to stir it.

12. Churros are joy

No, really. Whether it’s date night, Disney, or a “we survived the week” moment, churros are joy. Don’t overthink it.

13. Always eat before you grocery shop

Going to the store hungry is a guaranteed way to spend more, overbuy snacks, and forget the actual food you needed. Eat something first and shop like a person with a plan, not a gremlin on a mission.

14. Leftovers are a gift

Call them "meal prep" and feel accomplished. Even if it’s just a lone taco and a cold sweet potato.

15. Never skip breakfast

Protein, fat, and fiber make a big difference. Coffee is not a meal. You know better.

16. Wipe your fridge shelves weekly

Takes 3 minutes. Prevents scary sticky messes. Future you approves.

17. Reheat pizza in the oven

Never the microwave. Just don’t do it.

18. Don’t overthink “healthy”

Bagged lettuce is still lettuce. Ranch is fine. Wellness doesn’t have to be performative.

19. Ice cube trays are underrated

Freeze broth, herbs in oil, leftover sauces, or even yogurt for smoothies. Easy portions, minimal waste.

20. Simmer vinegar and cinnamon to kill kitchen smells

Better than fake vanilla “linen breeze” toxic sprays. And it actually works.

21. Label your leftovers

A Sharpie and masking tape save fridge drama and wasted food.

22. Ziplocks = next-day magic

Once muffins or banana bread cool, seal them up. The next day? Moist, flavorful, and somehow even better.

23. Banana bread doesn't need all that sugar

Cut it in half and add an extra banana or two. Plenty sweet. Still delicious.

24. Clean while you cook

It’s annoying, but future you will be so grateful.

25. Use your slow cooker in summer

Hot stove? No thanks. Let your Crock-Pot do the work while you stay cool. And while we’re here, baked potatoes? Use the pressure cooker. They come out fluffy, fast, and perfect every time. Total game changer.

26. Repeating meals is not a failure

Food doesn’t have to be new every day. It just has to nourish you.

27. Chill, but stay intentional

Living low tox(ish) doesn’t mean aiming for perfect. It means knowing what matters and making better choices most of the time. Yes, there’s room for the occasional shortcut, but that doesn’t mean giving up on the values that brought you here. You're not failing when life gets messy. You’re learning, adapting, and doing it with your eyes open.

28. Print your recipes and file them in a binder

Having a physical binder with your go-to meals isn’t just old school, it’s smart. Print your favorites, organize them by category, and now your family has a real-life reference for the meals they love. You won’t have to text your kid the banana bread recipe 17 times.

29. Keep a “we’re out of” list on the fridge

Whether it’s a whiteboard, sticky note, or scrap paper, having a running list of what you’re out of makes grocery planning so much easier. If you’ve ever stared at your pantry wondering why there’s no olive oil for the third week in a row, this is your fix.

30. Grocery shop with a calculator if you're on a budget

It sounds silly, but it works. Keep a running total as you shop so there are no surprises at checkout.

31. If you are ready to stock your kitchen with better-for-you options before the holidays hit, grab my Fall Pantry Swap Guide inside the Digital Swap List. It is a quick, done-for-you cheat sheet that shows you which seasonal products are worth buying and which ones to skip so you can feel good about what is on your shelves all season long.

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