Deconstruct Your Plastic Living: A Healthier Kitchen Starts Here

Let’s talk about something that’s quietly working against all your hard-earned progress—plastic.

We use it every day without thinking: to store leftovers, pack lunch, heat up meals, and sometimes even to eat off of. But here’s the truth: plastic is toxic to your health, especially when it’s tied to your food.

Here’s why plastic in the kitchen is dangerous:

🧪 When plastic meets heat, harmful chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and microplastics can leach directly into your food and drinks. That includes microwaving leftovers in plastic containers or using plastic wrap in the oven—yes, even if it's labeled “microwave-safe.”

🥡 Storing hot or acidic foods in plastic? That speeds up chemical leaching too. Even the "BPA-free" products often contain substitute chemicals that may be just as dangerous to your hormones and long-term health.

🍽️ Eating off of plastic plates or with plastic utensils may feel harmless, but you're slowly exposing your body to toxins over time—some of which are linked to reproductive issues, endocrine disruption, cancer, and even developmental problems in children.

📚 Here’s what clinical studies have shown:

🔬 A 2023 study published in Environment International found that microplastics were present in 80% of human blood samples tested. These tiny plastic particles enter the body through food, drinks, and even the air—and they’re not just passing through. They’re accumulating in our organs.

🧠 Phthalates and BPA, commonly found in food-grade plastics, are now classified as endocrine disruptors, which interfere with hormone production and regulation. According to the Endocrine Society, long-term exposure is linked to:

• Reproductive issues (fertility struggles, hormone imbalance)

• Increased risk of breast and prostate cancer

• Metabolic disorders like insulin resistance

👶 A landmark study in JAMA Pediatrics showed that prenatal exposure to phthalates was associated with lower IQ scores in children by age 7. These chemicals are often leached from plastics used to store or microwave food.

🍽️ And yes—heating plastic makes it worse. A Toxicology Reports study confirmed that microwaving plastic containers releases higher concentrations of BPA and other toxins into your food, especially when the plastic is old, scratched, or worn.

 

The takeaway? Plastic isn’t neutral. It’s active—and harmful—in your system.

But there’s good news: by reducing plastic exposure, especially in the kitchen, you give your body a real chance to recover and thrive.

✅ Here’s what you can do starting today:

• Swap out plastic food containers for glass or stainless steel.

• Use beeswax wraps or silicone lids instead of plastic wrap.

• Avoid microwaving food in plastic—transfer it to a ceramic or glass dish.

• Drink from glass or metal water bottles (ditch the plastic ones for good!).

 

🔥 Thrive Challenge of the Week: Deconstruct the Plastic

This week, I challenge you to remove all plastic from your kitchen—yep, all of it. Go drawer by drawer, cabinet by cabinet. Donate, recycle, or toss anything plastic that touches your food: Tupperware, utensils, measuring cups, plates, water bottles… all of it. Then, prep your space for a healthier swap with glass and stainless steel. If you’re unsure what to buy, reach out—I’m happy to help. I ordered my mason jars in various sizes on Amazon and love how functional (and cute!) they are. Next week I’ll be sharing “Mason Jar Living” — my go-to tools for a plastic-free kitchen and a healthier home.

Let’s do this together!

I’m Back – And I Have a Story to Tell You About Growth 💪

Dear Thrive Readers,

First off, I want to say thank you for your patience during my brief absence. I’ve just returned from an intensive period of military training, and while it pulled me away from Thrive for a moment, it gave me a powerful reminder that I’m excited to share with you this week.

Here’s the truth: sometimes our greatest efforts feel invisible. Maybe no one notices how hard you’re working… and maybe no one says “good job.” But that doesn’t mean your effort doesn’t count.

During my course, I kept my head down. I didn’t talk much about how hard I was studying or how much I was pushing myself outside the “classroom.” I knew that five years from now, most of us in that training wouldn't even remember each other—but I would remember how I showed up for myself. So I kept going. Quietly. Consistently. Just to prove that I still had it in me.

I won’t lie—by the end, I was tired. I even caught myself wondering, “Why am I pushing this hard when no one may ever notice?”

And then I heard my name called.

Distinguished Honor Graduate. #1 in the class.

And my class paper? The instructor convinced me to submit for consideration to be published by Army Aviation—potentially shaping future doctrine. As of yesterday morning, the Army Aviation Publishing Director Team approved publishing my paper.

I was stunned. All I had wanted was to make myself proud. And somehow, I exceeded even my own expectations.

So this week, I just want to remind you:

👉 Keep working on yourself.
👉 Put in the effort, even when no one’s watching.
👉 Your growth matters—even if it feels invisible right now.

Because you never know what’s being shaped by your persistence. Keep going. You’re doing more than you think and potentially influencing others around you to grow.

I’m so happy to be back and can’t wait to keep supporting you on your journey—mind, body, and spirit.

With purpose and strength,

Brittany