The audacity for harmful chemicals and toxins to get in my food!
I crave pure, unadulterated nourishment—free from synthetic additives or artificial concoctions. Give me food as nature intended, unspoiled by chemicals.
It feels like fighting an invisible battle. Easier to ignore, but once the thought is in your mind, it’s like a small army coming after you with every bite you take.
Most of us can’t throw out their entire kitchen and start over (although trust me, I’ve been close). But in an effort to start the journey of replacing toxic items with toxic-free cookware and kitchen utensils, there’s 4 key products I’ve started out with that I think covers the main foundation of cooking.
1. Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set. Stainless steel is the surefire way to get toxic-free cookware. However, if you cook like me and you are going to spend way too much time scrubbing, you probably want non-stick. Most non-stick cookware contains PTFE, PFAS, PFOA, and heavy metals, causing toxic fumes, respiratory problems, hormonal issues, cancer, reproductive issues, immune system suppression, neurological disorders, and organ toxicity. You could potentially protect yourself by not cooking at high temperatures, but taking the chance? No thanks. After much research, I always went back to Caraway. It is an investment but this cookware set has the basics and is also beautiful. Plus, it comes with a storage organizer, making your cupboards beautiful too.
2. Caraway Glass Food Storage Set. Another investment piece, but fully worth the price. If you meal prep or have leftovers often, it really is essential you keep your food safe from toxins, so this food storage set is perfect and actually looks good in your refrigerator. Just like the cookware set, this comes with a storage organizer too.
3. Sonder Los Angeles Wood Cutting Board. I’m ashamed to admit I had a plastic cutting board, long after awareness of microplastics were a thing. When it finally clicked in my head, that was the first thing I threw away. We all know wood is safe… right?
Well if you thought you were safe with just any wood cutting board, think again. Although wood is the best option (and naturally antimicrobial), I had one from Target, but to my horror it states on the product page, “This product contains o-xylene”.
Oftentimes, cheap wood cutting boards contain chemicals like this, which in this case is used as a solvent and paint thinner and according to the CDC is “irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. It can cause systemic toxicity by ingestion or inhalation. Symptoms of xylene poisoning include CNS effects (headache, dizziness, ataxia, drowsiness, excitement, tremor, and coma), ventricular arrythmias, acute pulmonary edema, respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, and reversible hepatic impairment.” The California Air Resources Board also considers this a hazardous air pollutant. Some wood boards are glued together, causing more toxicity to avoid. And many toxic-free wood cutting boards can get quite pricey, but the Sonder Los Angeles line is a great, affordable option. They manufacture as close to the source of the materials to reduce environmental impact and are free of BPA, phthalates, and formaldehyde.
4. Ziruma Premium Wooden Spoons. The same thing that applies to cutting boards can apply to your utensils. Not to mention, if you are cooking with non-stick pans, it is essential to use wood utensils. If the pans are toxic, you can release more toxins with metal utensils. And if you are using non-toxic pans, like Caraway’s, you will protect the coating longer. This is a fantastic looking set, complete with a modern, white holder and wooden spoon rest and the best part is that they are free from forever chemicals and hidden toxins.
Bonus: To keep wood cutting boards and utensils preserved, water-resistant, and long lasting, use Ziruma Premium Beeswax. Made only from beeswax, linseed oil, and lemon oil, you can feel safe using this versus others that use mineral oil which is a petroleum based product that at high levels can be carcinogenic.
As I inevitably start switching out more products, stay tuned for more toxic-free cookware and similar round ups to keep your cooking game on track!
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