 |
| |
| |
| | |
Dear Subscriber... 📣
Welcome back to our weekly Friday Founder Faves. 🩵
We're quickly approaching the season of gathering. A time filled with shared meals, full tables, and countless dishes simmering at once 🍲 — so it’s the perfect moment to take a look at what we’re cooking in, and what we may inadvertently be adding to our dishes.
Beyond ingredients and recipes, our cookware itself can shape the quality of our food and health. Ever stared at your nonstick pan and thought, wait... what is this even made of? Why do they say don't scratch the surface or use metal utensils to stir? Is it really that big of a deal? 👀
I get it, they're convenient, use less oil, are easy to clean, all of that... but PFAS, PFOA, PTFE are forever chemicals that you really don't want in your food. The buzz about toxic cookware? Totally real.
Here's the thing: labels can be sneaky. "PFOA-free" or "PTFE-free" doesn't mean harmless. Some brands swap in newer chemicals masked behind fancy names. 🔍
So this week I'm sharing some of my fave cookware and some loving encouragement to get rid of those non-stick pans and cheap plastic spatulas. 🍽️ |
| | | |
| | |
| 🥘 Stainless Steel
If you haven’t switched to stainless steel yet, this is your sign. It’s sturdy, non-toxic, and won’t leach chemicals into your food — just clean, safe cooking every time. ✨
Farberware – Full set of cookware for those ready for a complete overhaul. 👍
I know some people don't like that food seems to stick really easily to stainless steel, but there are some tips and tricks to keeping it nonstick with minimal oil, it just takes a little patience and practice, but it's totally worth it.
💡 Chef's note: Check your small appliances too. Many air fryers and toaster ovens hide cheap coatings where the heat hits hardest — go for stainless steel inside and out. |
| | | |
| | |
| 🥛 Glass, The Ultimate Staple
Glass isn't just for baking, it should be a major player in your kitchen. Drink out of glass. Store your leftovers in glass. Mix in glass. Measure in glass. Seriously, make it your go-to for as many tasks as possible. 💚
And don't forget cutting boards! Plastic boards can harbor bacteria 🦠 in knife grooves and shed microplastics into your food. High-quality glass, Epicurean, or wooden boards (without glue!) are safer, naturally antimicrobial, and perfectly complement your other glassware.
Brands like Pyrex have been kitchen classics forever. No need to reinvent the wheel! Safe, practical and versatile - glass is a non-negotiable staple. 🪟
Storage
Baking
Mixing
Measuring
Epicurean Cutting Board
Bonus! Thrift stores always carry used Pyrex and other glass containers. ✨ |
| | | |
| | |
| 🍳 Cast Iron
Ask a grandma and she'll tell you all about it. It retains heat like a dream, gives your food that rich, even sear, and yes - when properly seasoned, it's basically non-stick without any chemical coatings. Bonus: a little iron naturally seasons your meals (hello, mineral boost!). 🧂
You can go classic with pre-seasoned skillets or splurge on glass-enameled cast iron, which is perfect if you prefer low-maintenance cleaning and no seasoning. 🍃
Brands like Le Creuset are stunning, but pricey. Lodge is a great option, and they have a huge selection of colors. (Made in USA!). They'll last a lifetime.
This time of year, stores like Marshalls and TJMaxx usually have a big selection of beautiful enameled cast iron pots and pans.
Lodge Cookware Set – These come pre-seasoned with vegetable oil – not my fave – so I still recommend seasoning it yourself with organic flax or avocado oil. |
| | | |
| | |
| 🍵 Enamel & Ceramic - Clean, Pretty, and Non-Toxic
Ceramic cookware is a favorite for anyone who loves clean, non-reactive surfaces. Pure ceramic (and ceramic-coated) pans heat evenly, look beautiful, and keep your food free of forever chemicals. Bonus: they're dishwasher-safe and often come in cheerful colors that make cooking a little brighter. 💗
If you're ready to splurge, Caraway truly sets the bar so high in both quality and aesthetic. But GreenPan is a great alternative - all the safety with less of the sticker shock. 💰
Caraway Loaf Pan
GreenPan Frying Pan
🫕 And don’t forget to check your slow cooker, rice cooker and instant pot — they often use nonstick coatings. Opt for a ceramic or stainless steel one instead.
Know What You're Buying 🔍
When it comes to "clean" cookware, marketing can be a minefield. The words eco, safe, and green are tossed around like plastic confetti, and it doesn't always mean non-toxic.
Words to look for: Prop 65 Compliant ✅, Free of PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, Lead & Cadmium, Third-party lab tested 🧪, & made in USA or Europe.
Did you know that most black plastic kitchen utensils contain recycled electronics? Do you want to flip your eggs with someone's old keyboard? I don't think so.
Not to mention that this type of plastic is notorious for leaching chemicals when heated. Silicone or bamboo kitchen utensils are a great replacement. 🌱
So, ditch the Teflon and plastic, my friends. And while you're at it, ditch the microwave, too. 😉 |
| | | |
| | |
| 🎧 Stay Tuned...
Next week, we’ll explore "My Fave Things This Season"...
🩵 What did you think about this week's edition of Friday Founder Faves? Do let us know! We’d love to hear from you and feature your faves.
Just hit reply and let us know what they are and we might just share it with the community. See you next Friday...
Tap here to view our archives and read past issues of Friday Faves. |
| | | |
|
