Dear Yoga Student,
Ever heard of a miner’s canary?
Before we had all these tech gadgets to measure
toxins, coal miner’s took a bird in a cage with
them to work.
If the canary stopped singing (meaning it died),
the miners knew they’d be next if they didn’t get
out fast… usually it meant that there was too much
carbon monoxide or methane gas.
Canaries are no longer used in mines, but they are
kept as pets, and if you keep yours in the kitchen
while cooking with a nonstick pan, it might die.
Really? Yes, really. If you don’t believe me, read
Teflon’s official statement here:
NONSTICK KILLS BIRDS
So what gives?
Nonstick pans are made with perfluorinated chemicals
(PFOAs). When heated to 680 degrees F, toxic gases
begin releasing, and at 1000 degrees F (not as common,
but can happen), the nonstick turns into PFIB which
is a warfare chemical.
Aside from nonstick pans, what else has PFOA’s?
*microwave popcorn bags
*stain repellant sprays
*waterproof prays
*fire retardant sprays
*greasy food packaging
It’s not totally clear how PFOA’s affect humans, but a
10-year study of 3966 people suggests that people with
high levels of PFOA’s in their systems are 2x more prone
to thyroid disease.
And in all likelihood, many more disease connections will
be made in the future.
Long story short, if you’re in a mine and the bird
stops singing–run! If you’ve got nonstick cookware
(and I know you do), get rid of it. Don’t give it away,
throw it away.
Buy stainless steel or cast iron. I know, I know…
you’ll miss being able to fry an egg without
adding any grease. But what’s worse? A little
oil or a warfare chemical?
Stay bendy,
Lucas
YOGABODY Naturals LLC
Yoga Exercises & Yoga Poses
p.s. I travel a lot (and move a lot) so I know how
difficult it is to buy cookware that is NOT nonstick.
The high end stuff, the cheap stuff, it’s all made
nonstick right now so you really do have to hunt.
But you CAN find it.
Just a word of caution though… don’t get aluminum.
It’s cheap and light, but it’s not appropriate or safe
for cooking either.
Got a question? Post it below…
at 2:12 pm - 13th February 2010 Permalink
I rarely cook anymore (I create live food with my VitaMix), but when I do, it’s NOT in non-stick cookware. I’ve had the same cast iron skillet and enameled steel saute pan for decades. I have a couple of stainless steel pots, a carved wooden bowl for salad and another one for soup, and some glass and ceramic baking dishes. I also have a silicon cake pan, which I love, because I can take it from the freezer to the dehydrator, and roll it up to store it. My dad worked in a chemical plant, making plastics, and was dead at 51, already an old man. No nonstick for me! Health and peace. p.s. Season your cast iron cookware (a little olive oil, spread with a paper towel, then put the pan in the oven). It’s ALMOST nonstick, and won’t poison you OR your bird!
at 7:49 am - 14th February 2010 Permalink
I have a couple of old cast iron pots that have lost a little of their enamel. They belonged to my grand mother and I would like to use them, do you think it is safe or is there a way to restore them?
Thank you for your help.
rita
at 4:26 am - 15th February 2010 Permalink
I am a professional cook and I know for a fact that you never NEED to use nonstick anything. If anything, it’s cheating. If you heat your pan well enough before you pour oil in, it creates a non stick surface even on stainless (and makes food look better too!)
at 4:35 am - 15th February 2010 Permalink
@Rita – not sure on this one. I’m sure someone else will chime in with some good advice.
@Sam – good to hear! We’ve never used nonstick in any of the kitchens I’ve worked in either, but in 90% of the homes I go to, that’s all there is:(
at 1:41 pm - 22nd May 2010 Permalink
What about ceramic cookware? Martha Stewart used to make some and they are great! I know that they are not easy to find and are mostly high end…
at 1:47 am - 23rd May 2010 Permalink
@Heidi – ceramic is fine, yes. Thanks for writing in…
at 10:44 pm - 23rd July 2010 Permalink
Wow! I would have never known non stick cookware can be so harmful. I need to tell my wife about this, the non stick pans needs to be put away. Thanks for the info, Lucas!
at 11:00 am - 7th August 2010 Permalink
I’m a concerned mother and I wont allow such things to make my beloved family to be prone to such diseases just because of a cookware, prevention is better than cure!
Great information you got there Lucas, keep spreading it.
at 5:19 am - 12th August 2010 Permalink
Is this for real? I wouldn’t have known. thank you for posting this article it will help a lot of people.
at 8:19 am - 11th November 2010 Permalink
I didn’t know this info until now! Thanks, great info!
at 3:03 am - 19th November 2010 Permalink
Sometimes I feel like I live in such a bubble… luckily it’s a conscious community bubble, haha! I thought this was already common knowledge years and years ago. But I come from the largest population of unimmunized school children in the US as well so not your typical small town, USA.