How to Safely Avoid the 10 Common Toxins in Cookware

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

10 Toxins Lurking in Your Cookware (& How to Make Them Safer)

While most pots and pans look and feel the same, a lot of cookware leaches the chemicals they’re made from into the food you’re cooking. Yikes.

You’ve switched to all-organic food, bought water filters, gotten rid of toxic household cleaners, and started recycling.

Life should (at least in your home) be pretty much toxin-free at this point, right?

Unfortunately, there’s one more toxin source that could be lurking right under your nose: your cookware.

Cookware might seem like an innocent bystander in the world of toxin and chemical exposure. After all, most pots, pans, and utensils look and feel the same, and hardly seem as if they’re giving off toxic fumes.

In fact, some of them might even be a cherished part of your cooking routine. (Who doesn’t love that amazing non-stick pan that leaves not a speck of egg behind after frying?)

While this is understandable, the problem lies in the fact that cookware leaches the chemicals they’re manufactured from into the food you’re cooking. And these chemicals are anything but safe, with many even being cancer-causing.

10 Toxins in Cookware and Why You Need to Get Rid of Them

Before we get started on how to avoid these chemicals while still being able to enjoy cooking, let’s first have a look at the toxins we’re dealing with in cookware.

1. Aluminum

Aluminum is the third most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust, found throughout our water, air, and soil. The fact that there’s so much of it makes it ideal for manufacturing a high amount of cookware, while still keeping the prices low.

While purchasing aluminum cookware is undoubtedly attractive from a money-saving standpoint, the consequences of doing so are more than a little scary. Aluminum is a soft, highly reactive metal, and while naturally abundant in the Earth, has serious health effects when ingested.

In fact, aluminum is a known neurotoxin that researchers estimate inhibits more than 200 biologically important functions in your body. Aluminum is a known neurotoxin that researchers estimate inhibits more than 200 biologically important functions in your body.

Additional studies link excessive aluminum exposure to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, while others have shown it causes nervous system damage.

2. Teflon (PTFE)

Teflon, commonly known in the kitchen as “non-stick” or as polytetrafluoroethylene in the lab, is one of the most toxic chemicals you’ll find lurking in your kitchenware.

In studies, Teflon has been shown to release at least six toxic gases when heated, with several of those being carcinogenic. One, called monofluoroacetic acid, is known for being lethal even at small dosages, while another referred to as PFIB, is a chemical analog of the WWII nerve gas phosgene.

3. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

PFOA is another non-stick chemical used in the manufacture of Teflon. Like PTEE, it has also been linked to nasty side effects such as the development of tumors, neonatal death and toxic effects on the immune system, liver, and endocrine system.

PFOA also has a half-life of three years and is not metabolized by the body, meaning once it’s in you (as it is in most humans living in industrialized nations) it’s there for a long, long while.

4. Copper

Copper cookware has been prized by many a cook for decades due to its ability to heat quickly and evenly. However, copper is extremely susceptible to leaching into foods, especially when exposed to acidic foods, like tomato sauce. While some copper is healthy, overconsumption has been linked to the development of ulcers and liver damage.

5. Cadmium

Some companies use glazes and coatings on their cookware to give them a uniform color and more balanced heating abilities. Unfortunately, these coatings often contain cadmium, one of the most toxic metals in our environment. It is a known human carcinogen and tends to build up in the kidneys and liver over time, where it can remain for several years.

6. Nickel

Like cadmium, nickel is used in glazes and linings of pots and pans, and can even be found in some stainless steel cookware. While it does occur naturally in the environment, excessive exposure has been linked to dermatitis and lung and nasal cancers when inhaled. It has also been shown to cause nausea and vomiting, as well as neurological effects.

7. Lead

Some ceramic, enamel, and glass cookware is made with lead in order to increase shock resistance (aka, reduce the chance of it breaking if you set it on the counter a little too hard) and improve glossiness.

Unfortunately, (as most of you are now aware of), lead is highly toxic and can cause symptoms ranging from muscle soreness and colic to peripheral neuropathy and renal failure.

8. BPA

Bisphenol-A is a synthetic compound found in plastics like cutting boards and tupperware. You have probably come across a number of cans and containers labeled “BPA-free” in the past few years due to rising awareness of its dangerous side effects.

For one, BPA is an endocrine disrupter. This means that it disrupts your hormones and can lead to altered immune function, early puberty, infertility, and ovarian disfunction. In addition, BPA has also been shown to cause liver damage, thyroid damage, and obesity-promoting effects.

9. Polystyrene

It turns out other kitchen items beside your pots and pans are potentially far from safe as well. Plastic cups, styrofoam cups, “paper” plates and plastic utensils are almost all made with a toxic compound called polystyrene (or simply “styrene”).

Studies involving workers’ exposure to polystyrene experienced changes in color vision, tiredness, feeling drunk, slowed reaction time, concentration problems, and balance problems, while animal studies showed hearing loss and liver damage.

10. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs)

As any egg-scrambler knows, you can’t cook much without utensils like spatulas. Unfortunately, these plastics are usually coated in brominated flame retardants (BFRs) that have been linked to liver and thyroid damage, as well as negative changes in the kidneys.

How to Safely Avoid Toxins in Your Cookware

Now that you know what toxins and chemicals are lurking in your cookware, it’s time to figure out how you can avoid and/or limit them as much as possible. The suggestions below should get most of the toxic cookware out of your kitchen, while also giving you tips on what you can do in the meantime until you can replace all of your cookware.

Use ceramic

Most ceramic cookware contains no metals like lead or cadmium, and several brands mention their glazes are made with non-toxic inorganic minerals and oxides.

To be double-sure of this, make sure the brand you’re interested in passes California Prop 65 standards.

Another great thing about ceramic cookware is that it cooks very evenly and is extremely durable, even under high heat.

Use cast iron

Using cast iron for some of your cooking is another good option to avoid leaching of toxic chemicals into your food. It has been used for generations, is durable, long-lasting, and requires minimal cleaning.

It can also be used on the stovetop as well as for baking, and distributes heat very evenly. However, make sure you “season” you cast iron cookware correctly before using to create a natural nonstick surface.

To do this, simply coat your cast iron in coconut or olive oil and bake it at 350º for an hour. When finished, remove the skillet, let cool, then wipe off the excess oil with paper towels.

Use glass containers

Not only does glass not leach toxic chemicals, but it also lasts forever (provided it survives any falls!), saving you money in the long run.

Use stainless steel utensils

Stainless steel is free of chemicals like BFRs and Teflon, making them an excellent alternative to plastic spatulas and spoons.

Avoid aluminum containers

As we saw in the list above, aluminum has the ability to leach into any food it comes into contact with, regardless of heat exposure. This means you also need to look beyond your stovetop pans when considering aluminum, including pots and storage containers. This is particularly true if you’re storing or cooking something acidic, such as tomato sauce, as the acidity can cause the aluminum to leach into your food faster.

Use non-abrasive cleaners and sponges

If you are using a type of non-stick or metal cookware, avoid using abrasive sponges or scrubbers like steel wool, as these can cause the non-stick material and chemicals to flake off, potentially mixing into your food or further releasing into the air.

Use bamboo containers

While bamboo cookware isn’t as long-lasting or durable as other types, it is excellent as a non-toxic storage option for leftovers. Bamboo contains no harmful chemicals (just make sure the cookware you’re looking at is true bamboo and not “non-stick” or coated with anything).

Use wood or bamboo cutting boards

You can easily avoid the dangers of plastics and BPA by investing in a wood or bamboo cutting board. Just make sure they aren’t coated in any chemicals or toxic glazes before purchasing.

Line with unbleached parchment paper

If you can’t afford to upgrade all of your cookware at once and are concerned about exposure in the meantime, try lining your bakeware with unbleached parchment paper before baking. This will create a “barrier” of sorts between your food and toxic surfaces.

Avoid coated “paper” plates and utensils

As we saw above, polystyrene can lurk in plastic and styrofoam cutlery, cups and bowls. Avoid using these when possible and opt for ceramic, glass, or bamboo.

Use natural cleansers and soaps and low heat

While your first priority should be avoiding toxic cookware, sometimes it isn’t possible to overhaul everything overnight. In the meantime, be sure to only wash your pots and pans with natural dish soaps that don’t contain additional stripping chemicals that can further react with and stir up toxins.

Be sure to only wash your pots and pans with natural dish soaps that don’t contain additional stripping chemicals.

Additionally, try not to cook at high temperatures with toxic cookware, as heat can often cause chemicals to leach even further into food and into the air as gases.

Watch this video – Healthy Cookware Guide TOXIC COOKWARE TO AVOID

When in Doubt

If you aren’t sure whether a certain brand contains any of the above metals or chemicals in their products, always be sure to call the manufacturer and double-check.

Just because a brand is labeling their cookware as ceramic doesn’t mean it isn’t coated with a lead or copper coating. After all, a little extra time spent researching could mean avoiding a lifetime of serious health issues.

Written by Megan Patiry

Author Bio:

Megan is an inquisitive nutrition and wellness writer harboring an editorial love affair with the decadent and the nutritious. She is a dedicated researcher in all areas of ancestral health, a certified specialist in fitness nutrition, personal trainer, and professional almond milk latte addict.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

9 Natural DIY Cleaning Products for a Toxic-Free Home

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

When we hear the term “environmental pollution”, what usually comes to mind are the toxins we encounter when we venture outside, like exhaust fumes, smog, pesticides, and even radioactive chemicals.

However, there is another major source of toxins that are lurking a little closer to home. These toxins follow you home from the grocery store, where it settles onto your countertops, your dishware, your bathroom, your clothes, your hair, and eventually, your body. This source is your cleaning products.

“Fresh”, “sparkling”, and “germ-free”, are all familiar terms used by companies to describe mainstream cleaning supplies. While these labels may make consumers feel safe and clean when using these products, the truth is much dirtier and far from safe.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are toxic fumes emitted from solids and liquids, and are extremely common in household products. Cleansers, disinfectants, air fresheners, glues, and aerosol sprays (think Lysol, Tide, Febreeze, etc.) are just a handful of products that contain high levels of VOCs.

Most of these VOCs, such as ethylene-based glycol ethers common in water-based cleaners, are classified as hazardous air pollutants under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Act Amendments and as toxic air contaminants by California’s Air Resources Board.

Yet, even though they can cause major toxicity symptoms, ranging from eye and throat irritation to liver, kidney, and nervous system damage and even cancer, they are still promoted for use indoors.

And the scariest part? If you’re using these substances in your home, your exposure isn’t limited to the timeframe that you used it in. For instance, you aren’t limiting your exposure time to these chemicals only when you’re cleaning the shower or the toilet; VOCs expose you to very high pollution levels during use and remain in the air long after you’re finished.

Natural Alternatives

Luckily, nature has provided plenty of natural options for cleaning that won’t give off toxic VOCs and aren’t classified as carcinogens. In addition, many are cheaper than their chemical alternatives and can be made with ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Natural Cleaning Recipes: Main Ingredients

You’ll notice that most of these recipes include baking soda and/or white vinegar as their base. This is because both vinegar and baking soda are nature’s powerhouse stain removers, buffers, and disinfectants (not to mention super cheap).

Baking soda in particular has a strong alkalinity (8.1 on the pH scale) and a crystalline structure that acts as a gentle abrasive to help dissolve stains and buildups.

Baking soda also has antibacterial properties, making it a great natural deodorizer – another reason you’ll see it in the ingredient list of store-bought natural toothpastes and deodorants.

Vinegar also has some pretty impressive antibacterial properties. In one study, vinegar was shown to be effective against several foodborne bacteria strains, including E-coli. Interestingly, this effect was increased when the vinegar was combined with salt, which is exactly what several of the recipes below do.

When combined, vinegar and baking soda create a highly effective natural stain remover and antibacterial cleaner base that won’t add to your daily toxin exposure.

9 Natural DIY Cleaning Products

So without further ado, let’s dive into those natural cleaning recipes.

Don’t worry: even if you’re not in the mood for a cleaning spree, you’ll still find yourself rummaging through your cabinets for the ingredients once you see how simple they are to put together!

Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

Use this cleaner for countertops, windows or bathrooms!

Tools:

• 16 oz glass spray bottle

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 3 drops tea tree essential oil
• 3 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in your glass bottle and shake.

• Spray on kitchen countertops and other surfaces as needed. Since the ingredients will settle and separate, give this cleaner a light shake before each use.

Homemade Shower and Tub Cleaner

Kill germs and fight mold with this bathroom cleaner.

Tools:

• 16 oz glass spray bottle

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 3-5 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in your glass bottle and shake.

• Spray throughout your tub and shower as needed. Since the ingredients will settle and separate, give this cleaner a shake before using.

Homemade Glass Cleaner

Use this cleaner to wipe smears off windows and mirrors.

Tools:

• 16 oz glass spray bottle
• Cloth or paper towel

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water

Instructions:

1. Combine the vinegar and water in your spray bottle.

• Use on glass or mirrors as needed, letting the solution sit for 30 seconds to a minute before wiping away for hard stains.

Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Use this cleaner instead of bleach to clean your toilet bowl

Tools:

• Large bowl and whisk
• Funnel
• Bottle with squeeze top

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

1. Combine ingredients in a large bowl, stirring thoroughly.

• Using a funnel, pour the cleaner into your bottle.

• Squeeze the cleaner around the rim of your toilet bowl and let sit for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing and flushing.

Homemade Air Freshener

Freshen up the room with this DIY cleaner in place of Febreeze!

Tools:

• Glass bottle with spray top

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 T baking soda
• 5-6 drops grapefruit essential oil

Instructions:

1. Combine ingredients in your spray bottle.

• Give it a shake, then spray to freshen up any room.

Homemade Drain Cleaner

Clear out the drains in both your bathroom and kitchen.

Tools:

• Small bowl

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1/4 cup cream of tartar
• 2 cups boiling water

Instructions:

1. Combine the baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar in a small bowl.

• Sprinkle half of the mixture down the drain, then pour the boiling water over it. Let sit for roughly an hour, then rinse with cool water.

• If your drain is still clogged, try pouring a full cup of baking soda followed by a cup of white vinegar down the drain, then let it sit overnight. This recipe works for both kitchen and bathroom drains.

Homemade Oven Cleaner

Remove oven residue with this DIY concoction.

Tools:

• Small bowl

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup castile soap
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup coarse salt
• Warm water, to make a paste
• White vinegar, to rinse

Instructions:

1. Combine the baking soda, salt, water, and castile soap to form a paste.

• Apply a layer to the interior of the oven and let sit overnight.

• Remove with a sponge and warm water, using the white vinegar as a final rinse to remove residue.

Homemade Disinfectant Wipes

These disinfectant wipes are re-usable, so there’s no waste!

Tools:

• Empty container to hold wipes
• 15-20 squares of old cloth, like dish towels or old T-shirts

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 8 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 8 drops tea tree oil
• 8 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

1. Place your cloth squares in the container.

• Combine water, vinegar, and essential oils in a bowl, then pour over the cloths.

• Once the mixture has soaked in, use the cloths as needed. These are reusable, so once you’re finished, toss them in with the laundry and repeat!

Homemade Dishwasher Cleaner

Make your dishwasher work like it’s brand new again with this cleaner.

Tools:

• 2 small glass containers (like measuring cups)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup baking soda

Instructions:

1. Prepare your dishwasher by removing the dish racks and wiping away debris around the drain and crannies.

• Put the racks back and set the vinegar in your small container on the bottom rack.

• Do the same for the baking soda, but place it on the top rack.

• Run the dishwasher, then let it sit for 20 minutes after the cycle has finished for a natural steam clean. Now open the dishwasher and give it a quick rub down.

Watch this video – 20 DIY NATURAL CLEANING RECIPES, TIPS AND HACKS THAT ACTUALLY WORK!

Written by Megan Patiry

Author Bio:

Megan is an inquisitive nutrition and wellness writer harboring an editorial love affair with the decadent and the nutritious. She is a dedicated researcher in all areas of ancestral health, a certified specialist in fitness nutrition, personal trainer, and professional almond milk latte addict.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

Dry Vs. Dehydrated Skin – What’s The Difference and Treatments

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Looking in the mirror can sometimes feel less like looking at your reflection and more like gazing out across the dunes of the Sahara Desert.

If this is true for you, your skin might be dry, dehydrated, or even both. But what’s the difference between dry vs. dehydrated skin? While you might be thinking they’re one and the same, think again.

Dry skin and dehydrated skin are two separate conditions, and determining which it is can make a huge difference in treating the root of the problem. So how can you tell the difference?

To put it simply: Dry skin lacks oil, while dehydrated skin lacks water. Dry skin is also considered a skin type, meaning that due to genetics, you naturally produce less oil or sebum. This manifests as skin that is scaly, sensitive, and flaky.

Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a skin condition, meaning it is a temporary result from diet and environmental factors. Dehydrated skin may feel taut, itchy, and appear dull.

Interestingly, dehydrated skin can cause dry skin that is both flaky and oily, due to the body attempting to overcompensate with sebum (oil) production to moisturize the skin. This is why we really want to focus on hydrating from the inside out before attempting to treat dry skin.

Treating Dehydrated Skin

Hydration is all about increasing the amount of water in your skin cells (and helping to keep it there!). Aside from keeping skin plump and dewy, cellular hydration has been shown to improve and help maintain efficient cellular function, which allows for better absorption of nutrients. There are several ways to hydrate the skin, as well as a few things to avoid.

Water, Water, and More Water

This one’s a no-brainer. Staying hydrated helps to keep the skin soft and supple, with studies showing that drinking just two cups of water increases blood flow to the skin. This results in more nutrients being delivered to the outer layer, which aids in maintaining supple skin in the long term.

How much water is enough? While it may be tempting to start guzzling gallons of water to hydrate your cells, it’s best to aim for roughly eight 10-ounce glasses spread throughout the day, as the body can only absorb so much water at once.

Also, be sure to supplement your intake by eating a variety of fresh, high water content foods such as cucumbers, watermelon, radishes, celery, and grapefruit.

Aloe

Aloe is a powerhouse hydrator for the skin when used both topically and internally. Its gel is 99 percent water and contains over 200 active compounds (vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids) to help nourish parched skin.

It’s best to use fresh aloe in your hydration routine by simply scooping out the clear gel from a leaf and adding it to juices and smoothies, while also rubbing it into your skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the body whose levels decrease as we age. As a humectant, it is responsible for holding water in the cells and maintaining elasticity of collagen.

In fact, research shows that hyaluronic acid supplementation has a direct correlation with skin moisture and smoothness, and may even be one of the best supplements to increase suppleness in the skin.

Hyaluronic acid supplements can help add moisture and smoothness to dehydrated skin.

It is possible to naturally increase hyaluronic acid production through diet by consuming lots of leafy greens, root vegetables, and homemade bone broths. It can also be applied topically as a serum, where it is able to penetrate and repair the skin’s outermost layers.

Invest in a Humidifier

This is especially important during the winter months and for those living in dry climates. The lack of moisture in the air can cause skin to easily become dehydrated and tight, no matter how much water you drink.

Investing in a humidifier adds water vapor to the air, so water isn’t pulled from your skin. At the very least, aim to leave it on overnight to avoid drying out.

Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol

There’s no gentle way to tell anyone to avoid their daily java or glass of vino, but cutting back could drastically improve dehydrated skin: both caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, meaning they flush water out of the body. This is counterproductive to hydrating the skin, so try to limit your intake and drink more water to offset your consumption.

Treating Dry Skin

Treating dry skin involves dealing with the lack of protective oils on the topmost layer of the skin. This involves a more topical approach that locks in moisture, while aiding the skin in balancing its natural oil production.

Moisturizing with Natural Oils

Synthetic lotions and creams contain a host of unappealing and toxic chemicals that can penetrate skin and make conditions worse. Moisturizing with natural oils, however, helps to provide deep, penetrating moisture to the skin, and can also help to regulate natural sebum production.

You may have to experiment with an oil that’s right for you. Coconut oil is great for sensitive skin types, while jojoba is perfect for deep moisture (plus, it’s the closest in composition to skins’ natural oils). Other options include olive, avocado, argan, and sesame oils.

Topical Honey

Honey, like hyaluronic acid, is a natural humectant, meaning it pulls in and retains water. Plus, it is also antibacterial and contains a rich array of minerals that support glowing skin. Raw honey is recommended for this (as it has all of its enzymes intact), and apply it as a face mask a few times a week along with adding it to your diet.

Eliminate Harsh Cleansers

Commercial cleansers are huge contributors to dry skin, as most contain chemicals that strip skin of its natural sebum layer. This results in further drying of the skin, which then overproduces oil to compensate. The result is a not-so-great combination of flakey and oily.

Instead, try a natural cleanser of diluted apple cider vinegar (one-part vinegar to three parts water) before bedtime.

As mentioned, it might be difficult to tell if you’re suffering from dry or dehydrated skin due to the similarities in symptoms.

However, if you begin to properly hydrate your skin and start a moisturizing program with natural oils, you’ll likely address both simultaneously (a win-win in our book).

With these tips and a little wandering, you’ll soon say farewell to parched desert skin and hello to a lush epidermal oasis.

Watch this video – Dry Vs. Dehydrated Skin – What’s The Difference and Treatments

Written by Megan Patiry

Author Bio:

Megan is an inquisitive nutrition and wellness writer harboring an editorial love affair with the decadent and the nutritious. She is a dedicated researcher in all areas of ancestral health, a certified specialist in fitness nutrition, personal trainer, and professional almond milk latte addict.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook