Kitchen Remodel Trend: Processed Is OUT | Fresh And Environmentally Friendly Is IN

The last time we saw a huge jump in kitchen design was in the 40's and 50's. Since then, it has been a variation of the same thing. For the most part, layout, and function has been in a stall. If anything has been innovative it has been the appliances and materials. Time for an overhaul. Introducing Wellness Kitchens. They feature 7 zones of opportunity to boost your immune system, manage weight loss, reduce food and packaging waste, improve your health, and enhance your sense of wellbeing. The goal of the Wellness Kitchen is to be your first line of defense against toxins, allergines, viruses and pollutants while simultaneously helping you heal the environment. This is Part 1 of a seven part series.

PART 1: It's All In The Delivery

"In 1942, roughly 15 million families planted victory gardens; by 1944, an estimated 20 million victory gardens produced roughly 8 million tons of food—which was the equivalent of more than 40 percent of all the fresh fruits and vegetables consumed in the United States." ~ History.com

Where did all of the home gardens go? Commercial canning, women in the workplace and the convenience of TV dinners all played their part. As with most things that are new to the market, we aren't always aware of the long term effects no matter how much testing is done. Have you caught yourself wondering why allergies and food related health conditions are more prevalent today than say, even as recent as the 80's? Between genetically modified food (GMOs) and highly processed food (follow the link to discover 2 tables that list whole foods to highly processed foods), our bodies are under attack and having a hard time fighting back.

We have known for years that the Western Diet has long affected our rate of obesity, type II diabetes, heart disease and other health ailments. What you may not be aware of is how these prepackaged, fast food, highly processed diets are having a negative impact on our immune systems. Now, more than ever, we need our immune systems in full force to fight off diseases like the Covid-19 virus to diseases we haven't discovered yet. Immune system deficiencies and leaky gut conditions don't just stop with you. New evidence and stacks of data are now showing that mothers are passing down immune deficiencies and microbiome imbalances to their unborn children. We are now seeing generations of children with vulnerable immune systems that are further aggravated by an array of allergies.

Wellness Kitchens To The Rescue!

In the spirit of re-imagining our homes as our first line of defense against all things negatively affecting our physical and emotional wellbeing, we are transforming it into our Home-Health-Hub. If the kitchen is the heart of the home, shouldn't it be a healthy one? It is time to revisit in home and victory gardens again. Kitchens And Baths By Lynn isn't the only company that thinks so.

Starting with the Global Wellness Summit of 2018 that carefully lays out the characteristics of a Wellness Kitchen, we found there are quite a few companies creating products to support growing fresh food in the kitchen. Ikea was one of the first large companies to make indoor kitchen gardening easy as DIY. Now we have automated cultivators from companies like Urban Cultivator and Natufia.

Fresh over frozen. Frozen food can be good but, it can also have many compromises over fresh food. The freezing process has come a long way and preserves nutrients better than it used to but, it still doesn't replace the nutrient density of fresh food. Frozen meals tend to have long ingredient lists which could include gluten, chemicals, flavorings, and preservatives. That is just the tip of the iceberg.

Good nutrition and a stronger immune system isn't the only benefits to having a kitchen and victory garden. You also get to help heal the planet without any extra effort. Just a happy byproduct of growing your food at home.

"A study done by CalRecycle in 2014 found that 70 percent of material taken to disposal facilities could have been recovered through a recycling or composting program--equivalent to roughly 21.8 million tons of waste, the weight of nearly 52 golden gate bridges.It’s time for California to reverse the current trend and refocus on reaching its 2020 goals." ~CALPIRG

A key characteristic of Wellness Kitchens is less packaging. Their storage solutions, layout and appliances support storing food that maintains their nutritional density without packaging. If farm-to-fork is your jam, then these kitchens are your album. These kitchens promote neighborhood swap and farmers market delivery. Remaining packaging waste is carefully considered for built in recycling stations. 

From having organic food at your fingertips to helping California meet its waste reduction goals, your Wellness Kitchen is ready to help you. As a society we are dealing with topics we have never faced before. Our air and water is filled with pollutants and toxins that weren't present decades before. Our waste and environmental downturn is critical. With viruses, disease and unforeseen natural disasters, food insecurity is affecting more than just the economically challenged. Isn't it comforting to know that your home is where your health is?