Green Cookware List

What to do if you're concerned about perfluorochemicals (PFOA, PTFE)used to make nonstick coatings? Especially in light of recent human studies showing possible links to infertility in women and ADHD (attention deficity hyperactivity disorder) in adolescents ,If you're in the market for a new pan, I recommend the uncoated or alternative nonstick products below, excerpted from my book, Do One Green Thing: Saving the Earth Through Simple, Everyday Choices.

Cuisinart Green Gourmet
GreenPan
Le Creuset enamel (coated cast-iron for stovetop/ oven, and glazed clay for oven only)
Lodge traditional uncoated cast iron, once conditioned with oil, is quite nonstick; Lodge also makes enamel cast iron.
Martha Stewart enamel cookware
Mario Batali enamel cast iron at Crate & Barrel
Other safe, sound choices

Stainless steel (nonreactive, though not nonstick!)
Calphalon-type anodized aluminum, so long as it's not covered with nonstick Teflon-type coatings.

For Baking, not stovetop:
Pyrex glassware
Silicone, popular with many bakers, has not been shown to leach toxic chemicals, but it also hasn't been studied much in that regard. In the meantime, I personally find its softness can lead to spills of batter, and I'm leery of heating any plastic, period. Better than PTFE nonstick coatings? Based on what we know so far, yes!

If you’d rather not buy new:

Use what you’ve got with care. If your Teflon pans are unscratched and unscorched, there’s no reason to toss them. Continue to use and preserve them carefully with non-scratching wood, silicone or, yes, Teflon/Silverstone-type utensils. Never use them on high heat, above 500 degrees F. Never heat them when empty.
Look for indestructible cast-iron and uncoated stainless steel pots and pans at yard sales, flea markets, and secondhand stores.

For more info, see EWG's report on Teflon/Silverstone-type chemicals, and this previous GreenerPenny blog & helpful reader comments.

For more green, healthy living news and tips, sign up for our free monthy e-newsletter at GreenerPenny.com and ask me questions there or in the comment section of this blog!

More Products for Phthalate- and Paraben-Free Personal Care and Indoor Air

We Heart Green Cosmetics!

A couple quick new finds and tips for warming and freshening up these waning(but draining) days of winter...but first, don't forget to register for a giveaway of organic EndangeredWildlife lip balms on my home page, GreenerPenny.com!

Tropical Phthalate-Free Soaps and Air Fresheners

Yum, tuberose, pikake, all the scents we Hawaiians love to wear in flower leis, are now available in big bath bars of soap from Alora Ambiance, a small company founded by two sisters. I'm a convert to their essential oil diffusers, too, which use only plant essential oils in glass jars; natural reed stems lift the fragrance into bath or bedroom air.

For a great d.i.y. bathroom air freshener, the Feb issue of Whole Living Magazine recommends hanging a bouquet of dried herbs and flowers--shower steam diffuses their scent. On p. 56, there are great green tips for gentler home hair color brands without ammonia, plus how-to's.

Also see this month's feature on "Cozying Up" your winter home by Sarah Engler--insulated drapes, wool clogs,onion soup, pillows & throws. Energy-saving & snug.

Top Mineral Powder Makeups: Pat Don't Puff!

Let's face it, no makeup except maybe d.i.y. cornstarch is perfectly pure, but the following are definitely phthalate-and-paraben free and work great! Brush a bit on palm of hand and stroke on with fingers or cotton to keep loose particles from irritating lungs/eyes.

Bare Minerals by Bare Escentuals
Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup
Mineral Fusion
Physicians Formula Organic Wear

For a full list of purer personal care brands, and a great string of comments, see my Phthalate-and-Paraben Free blog. And check out the Filthy Fifteen Cosmetics Ingredients,specific looks at product categories, and more (for going green in every category of daily life) in my book, Do One Green Thing.

Sign up for our monthly free email newsletter, and email me questions, at my home page, GreenerPenny.com.