Is Your Cookware Safe?

Research suggests that the byproducts of Teflon coating on your cookware may be causing you health problems. The U.S. government's watchdog program, the EPA, said that people throughout the United States could face potentioal risk of developmental and other adverse affects from exposure to low levels of Teflon. Other studies suggest this as well.

Dr. Joseph Mercola of mercola.com does research on traditional cookware and its safety. Many of the popular, traditional cookwares have a non-stick surface called Teflon, which was developed by DuPont. According to Dr. Mercola, Teflon is great in terms of being easy to clean up after use, but it does so at an expense to your health. Additionally, some studies suggest it negatively affects the ozone.

Non-stick finishes are usually produced with fluoride polymer that vaporizes when it is heated. This vapor can have significant health consequences. Carbonyl fluoride fumes can irritate eyes, ears and nose. More serious symptoms of exposure include chest pains, breathing difficulty, and fluid accumulation in the lungs, weakness, liver damage and increased glucose levels.

Additionally, carbonyl fluoride fumes turn into a vapor that goes into the atmosphere as a perfluorooctanoic acid which depletes the ozone. The chemical used in the production of Teflon is considered by many to be a toxin. If you have Teflon in your home and have some type of weird health ailments, try removing these cookware utensils from your house and see if those health ailments are eliminated. Dr. Mercola suggest that the removal of Teflon from your home might result in the end of some illnesses and improve your overall health.

What type of cookware is safe?

Stainless steel, ceramic or glass is the best. But it may be difficult to find a ceramic frying pan. Le Creuset, which is pricey, is the best brand, according to Dr. Mercola. Enamel on iron or porcelain cookware is best because the food cannot interact with the chemicals.

What cooking equipment do I need?

If you are learning to cook at home, don't be fooled into believing that you will need every gadget under the sun. You will need a basic frying pan, a saut? pan and a stock pot. You will also need something for grilling, a colander for straining, a grater for cheese and zesting of fruits, and tools for stirring, mixing and serving. The next thing you will need is a good set of knives. Invest in a good set of knives. If you buy a cheap set of knives, it will go dull very quickly and make your cooking experience more difficult. Two very popular, good brands of knives to look into are Cutco and J.A. Henckels. There may be more tools that you will need along the way, but this is a good starting point.

Cook for Friends and Family

Cooking healthy foods is one of my favorite hobbies. It is a fun activity that you can do at home, and then share with friends and family. It saves you money, when compared to eating at a restaurant. And you can control the ingredients that are used in the preparation, making this one of the best activities for watching your weight and embarking on a healthy lifestyle. Cooking is not difficult and with the right tools, anyone can become a proficient chef in their own kitchen.