The other day I was getting some ice out of the freezer at work and I saw that someone had what I consider to be the Coolest Invention
E-v-E-r: Ziplock Steamer Bags.
Okay, okay, I know what you're going to say: you're going to give me at least 7 reasons why these are not the Coolest Invention E-v-E-r, and you'd be able to make a valid point. First, and these are in no particular order, the resources needed to produce these bags probably outweigh their benefit. Probably. I'll get to that in a minute. Second, these bags are filling up our landfills. Yes, you've got me there. Third, some websites suggest that microwaving plastic releases cancer-causing agents into our food. This is highly debated and I have personally never seen any convincing evidence one way or the other, so you probably can't sell me on that one. Fourth, using microwavable plastic bags just doesn't seem "vegan." Good point. I'll get to that one in a second as well. Fifth, um, okay, well, there are probably only four reasons.
But, check it out: they ARE the Coolest Invention E-v-E-r. Personally, I can think of dozens of times when I might have made broccoli or brussel sprouts or beans or something else to go with dinner, but the thought of pulling out the steamer, setting it up, waiting 15 minutes (or more) for the veggies to steam, then having to clean the thing up was a HUGE deterrent to the whole Veggies for Dinner idea. Not having veggies for dinner? Does that seem Vegan to you? (Reference Excuse Number 4.)
Now, there are food manufacturers who produce veggies already contained in steamer bags. Green Giant in the frozen foods section and Mann's Broccoli Wokly are some examples. They're easy and convenient, but I think the benefits here do NOT outweigh the bad stuff. They're expensive and use a great deal of packaging when considering the amount of veggies you're actually serving.
Most of us in this world are busy and stressed and begging for something easy and convenient. Unfortunately putting a healthy dinner on the table for our families is often one of the things that gets sacrificed. Well, I'll tell you what, now that I have these Ziplock steamer bags in my house, I can't keep the veggies in the fridge long enough.
Case in point: right now the boys and I are VERY busy, as we are participating in a live musical nativity at night, plus we still have work and school during the day. Needless to say, we are not home very much right now. I've been trying really hard to brown bag my lunch, not only to save some money but to lose a few more pounds. When we're up until 11:00 at night for the performance, it's difficult to get up in time to make breakfast AND lunch. Not only that, but we're not home at dinner time (we're at the rehearsals and performances) so I don't have leftovers I can rely on. This morning I had just a few minutes to grab lunch. I could choose a) a processed can of soup (vegan) that I keep on hand for such emergencies or b) throw some veggies in a steamer bag and grab a cup of barley.
I chose Option B. I cut two red potatoes into big cubes and threw them in a steamer bag with a handful of baby carrots, a couple pinches of dried thyme, some sea salt, and a little dab of Earth Balance. I'll steam this up in about 4 minutes at lunchtime, serve it over the barley, and Voila! Lunch is served. Sounds way better than a can of soup, doesn't it?
So which uses more resources, a commercially processed can of soup or a Ziplock steamer bag? (Reference Excuse Number 1.) I personally cannot affirm which uses more resources, but I would bet they're competitive. I will still keep those cans of soup on hand for emergencies, but I think we have a pretty viable alternative here.
Yes, these bags are filling up our landfills. I am very sorry about that, I really am. Ziplock, please make your bags biodegradable so I don't feel so guilty about using your product. Also, I'm willing to bet that the cancer-fighting agents in the veggies I'm eating will counteract any cancer-causing agents being filtered into my food by microwaving the plastic. Sorry to sound sarcastic, I just have a hard time swallowing that one.
The bottom line is that eating veggies is better for us and our planet. Sure, there are downsides to the Coolest Invention E-v-E-r, but in the long run, I think it still holds the title. More veggies = healthier us = happier planet. Do the risks outweigh the benefits? Not for me. You'll have to decide that one for yourself. If you are one of those people who can drag the steamer out, set it up, steam your veggies, clean it up and still have energy left to spend time with your kids in the midst of work, school, packing lunches, cleaning house, running kids to guitar lessons and football practice, then you are One Cool Peep. For the rest of us, we gotta make do with what we can do. :o)
That's all I have to say about that.
