...Healthy Cook Wear Continued

Cast Iron Cookware

Plain Jane, right? Unglamorous but unsurpassed in heat production, like Harrison Ford. These weigh a ton and take a bit of time to heat up. I find that I have to warm up the pan while finishing my food prep, I can save a lot of time. There are three principals to keep in mind when using cast-iron:
1. A well seasoned pan will not stick.
2. Don't use dish soap. If something stick use hot water and a bristle brush, then re-coat your pan with oil.
3. Food cooked in a no-coated cast iron pan contains twice the amount of iron. Good news for anemic me!


Enameled Coated Cast-Iron
As far as enameled coated cast-iron cook wear, I hear, that not only is it safe but far superior in quality. I don’t personally own any. I do hope to someday in the near future! I have read about Le Creuset cook wear. Le Creuset is a French company that has specialized in enameled coated cast-iron pots and pans since 1925.
“Le Creuset is consistently chosen by leading chefs, restaurateurs, and those who just enjoy cooking; all of whom appreciate its performance, cooking advantages and style. “-Le Creuset Website
It stands to reason that’s on Le Creuset’s reputation alone, it would be a great addition to any healthy kitchen(no, I have no connection to them). I have heard from several people that it is very functional and easy to clean up. Not to mention attractive. So….sigh…I will keep saving my pennies.

I have found that Stainless Steel and Cast-Iron are efficient, healthy and relatively easy to use. I am by no means a master chef; rather I am sharing my experiences with you. I am a stay at home mommy with three little children on a mission to provided healthy food for my family. I have health problems that I am trying to address through nutrition. I can’t eat gluten (Celiac Diseases), certain chemicals, or food preservatives, pretty cool huh? Basically, all my cooking is from scratch. So efficiency, durability and easy to use cook wear is important to me.

-So here is to a healthy kitchen and lifestyle!-

P.S. These guys don't give a rats ()() about eating well.

Healthy Cook Wear

There seems to be a debate going on. And the answer is yes, a single payer system will both save money (classic David Copperfield misdirect) AND kill your grandma. Yet, I don’t really believe that a single payer system is the complete answer but this is a rabbit trail; let’s start over, Gentle Reader.

(Take two)

There seems to be a debate going on between Health-Nerds about what is considered "healthy" cookware. Cookware comes in many different materials*, but are far from equal. You have lot of options to consider; safety, price, aluminum, stainless steel, Teflon- coated, enamel, cast iron, and frankly, with this being the final season of Lost, who has the time? So here you go, and of course you're welcome!

Aluminum-

Aluminum is you’re basic, easy to find light weight low cost cook wear. It's the Honda Accord of the kitchen. In my experience, and yes, I do have experience; acidic foods and food storage utilizing aluminum are an exercise in futility. It will oxidize, and there is nothing that can done about this. Clean up, forget about it. I've had these soaking overnight (at least pretend to surprised). I also find that when aluminum is used to cook food in it leaves a hard to pin down after-taste, hereby know as...... aluminumy?

There’s also is the non-scientifically proven link between risk of alzheimer and aluminum. Still why risk it? I don't use anti-perspiant with aluminum so I'll be consistent. Where DID I put my keys?

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a corrosion resistant steel. It's easy to use, and in my opinion the safest to use in the healthy kitchen. They do tend to be heavier then standard pots and pans, so you will get a forearm workout. I don't notice any kind of after taste associated with it. I haven't noticed any particular reaction to more acidic foods. If you take care of them, they'll outlast a human. I HEART stainless steel. As I say, like Iron Man, "It's is sexy and indestructible!" They are available in a variety of prices. The more layers, the more expensive the set. I picked up an eight piece, five-ply set, for about $200. Name brand sets will run you about $500. Layers offset with other conductive materials like copper and aluminum spread the cooking heat around, so make sure you cook at lower temperatures.

Teflon Coated

These are a light weight pan with a non-stick coating. I owned a set of these, then I woke up. I noticed the nonstick coating was flaking off. Yikes! It accrued to me I was ingesting this stuff. Apparently there are rumors of toxic fumes and perflorooctanoic acid. This potentially carcinogenic chemical is used to make the non-stick coating. I have read about this being found in the blood streams of unborn children. So I got rid of those! Better safe than sorry!

*Welcome to Health School, suckers!

Continued….on next Blog.

The Modern Kitchen

Technology is everywhere! We are surrounded by "convenience". The modern kitchen contains things that are meant help us obtain our meals quickly, efficiently with limited effort. My cupboards are filled with things I use daily, sometimes or (ashamedly) never . I assure you I have the noblest of intentions. I WILL someday make that yogurt*, and it will blow your flipping mind. I WILL grind my own flour, and it will make those fortunate enough to see partake in the snoopy dance with delight.

Yes- I have a monster inside me. I have a pet name for this jerk, Expectation. Expectation of what I should accomplish. Who wouldn't with all the stores that that sell scores (rhyme!) of shiny, perfect and ultimately useless gadgets. I swear to Dionysus I heard a stainless steal garlic press in Sears call out to me "You need me, I'm both sexy and indestructible." I have cooking utensils and cookware that are supposed to help me prepare meals. I suddenly realized that I forgot the real reason why I am in the kitchen.

I was standing in front of the fridge with the door open and it occurred to me, like a zuessian thunderbolt right to the brain. "It's about nutrition!" I have forgot somewhere along the line that modern food isn't really all that good for the body. You can have all the pretty gadgets and cookware but if the food isn't healthy; WHAT'S THE POINT!

So here are a few things I need to decide:
1#What is healthy cooking?
2# What are the safest utensils and cookware to use while cooking?
3# What are the absolute essentials that are needed for healthy food preparation?

Oh....to someday own some Le Creuset enamel coated cast- iron pan!

*The yogurt maker may or may not be in the back of some kitchen cabinet that may or may not be in my house! I have found out you don't have to own a yogurt maker to actually make yogurt but more on that at a later time.