It’s no secret that bananas are some of the most popular fruits in existence. People love to incorporate them into smoothies, add them to yogurt, or enjoy them raw. They provide key nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, manganese, fiber, and magnesium. Bananas can be a great pre-workout snack to boost energy levels, but the same applies if you need to get over an afternoon slump.

When it comes down to choosing the right bananas for the dehydrated banana chips, you should consider purchasing ones that are slightly yellow. The banana peel should have some green in it, so as to avoid mushiness. You can also purchase bananas when they are mostly green, but revealing a little yellow. Make sure they are plump and firm so that you can slice them easily. Avoid bananas that are too soft and brown because that will make it hard to slice them evenly for the chips. 

In order to successfully execute your banana chips, slice them and then spread them evenly across your dehydrator sheets. Make sure that the bananas are evenly spaced out on the sheets so that there is no overlap. The last thing you want is uneven dehydration. Ideally, cut your bananas into eighth-inch thick slices. You can use a mandolin slicer or a stainless steel wire butter slicer to ensure equal cuts. After dehydrating them, you’ll be left with your new favorite snack!

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Is there anything worse than looking at a stainless steel appliance and seeing smudgy fingerprints all over it? The answer is “yes,” but we hope you thought “no” for the sake of this article. First world problems, are we right? Anyways, the goal is to keep stainless steel shiny and streak-free. As it turns out, you don’t need a chemical spray to make that happen.

Dishwashers, refrigerators, range hoods, faucets, and trashcans are common stainless steel items in a home. There are often manuals that detail information about these appliances, but rarely do the instructions tell you how to care for them. These high-touch appliances accumulate dirt, bacteria, fingerprints, and general grime. The last thing you want to do is scrub these appliances with an abrasive sponge. If you want to keep your stainless steel appliances looking shiny and new, you only need a few natural ingredients. 

Olive Oil

When it comes to polishing stainless steel appliances, or stainless steel in general, olive oil is one of the best ingredients for the job. Stainless steel smudges easily, especially with fingerprints. A handprint is easily visible on stainless steel or glass! Olive oil acts as a protective coating on the stainless steel. Olive oil helps to restore shine and reduce the chances of tarnishing. Just make sure to give the stainless steel a nice wipe down prior to using the olive oil. 

Distilled White Vinegar

We’re not shy about our love for vinegar as a non-toxic cleaner. While it may not be a powerful disinfectant, it does have the ability to clean certain surfaces. Containing acetic acid, vinegar works to cut through grime and oils left by your hands on stainless steel. This means that instead of simply smearing old oils and grime around, vinegar actually removes all of that nastiness. It’s also inexpensive, non-abrasive, and free of harsh chemicals. That’s three wins for you and your stainless steel appliances!

A Quick Note

This non-toxic stainless steel polish is exactly that, a polish. That means that it helps stainless steel retain its shine between wipe downs. We recommend using a solution of soap and water and wiping down the stainless steel appliance with a microfiber towel. You don’t want to use an abrasive item like a sponge because it will scratch the appliance. Lastly, the essential oils in this recipe do contain some antibacterial properties, but they are mainly in this recipe to offer a lovely scent. That way, your house doesn’t smell like vinegar!

DIY Natural Stainless Steel Polish

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 10 drops sweet orange essential oil

Instructions:

• Pour all of the ingredients into a spray bottle. Shake well to combine.
• When you’re ready to use, shake up the bottle to mix. Spray on the already cleaned stainless steel appliance.
• Use a microfiber cloth, or any soft cloth, and wipe with the grain of the stainless steel. 

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While you may have ditched your BPA bottles, Styrofoam plates, and plastic utensils, you may still have your toxic cookware at the ready. Choosing safe, non-toxic cookware is just as important as consuming healthy foods and avoiding the foods that make you sick. Most people, however, do not consider the harmful effects of toxic cookware and often purchase products that contribute to toxin accumulation in the body.

The convenience of a non-stick pan has become popular for the average home cook. In fact, some of the most popular and commonly used cookware products are of the nonstick variety. Did you know that nonstick cookware contains a chemical that could be jeopardizing your health? Nonstick cookware releases perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is a carcinogenic chemical, when heated. Additionally, most nonstick cookware contains harmful heavy metals that flake off into your food during the cooking process.

Is Nonstick Cookware Making You Sick?

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reproduction, liver damage, and growth and development were affected in laboratory animals that were given large amounts of PFOA. This chemical is considered dangerous because it can exist in the human body for long periods of time. The American Cancer Society has said that PFOA is “…present worldwide at very low levels in just about everyone’s blood.”

Unfortunately, toxic nonstick cookware products are present in many homes, despite the reported health risks of using them. Some people choose to ignore these dangers because nonstick cookware is cheap and easy to clean. Well, let us say that you should not skimp on cookware. Invest in some of the following non-toxic cookware options, so the healthy food you eat actually remains healthy.

Cast Iron

You can’t go wrong with cast iron. Historically used to prevent iron deficiencies and anemia, cast iron cookware has become increasingly popular in the modern culinary world. Cast iron is one of the safest cooking options on the market and it is praised for its ability to retain heat at a lower temperature. It can also withstand a very high temperature that nonstick pans typically cannot tolerate. Free of PFOA and other chemicals, cast iron is a safe cookware option. Learn how to season it and clean it properly by looking it up online.

Porcelain Enamel

Enamel is a form of glass, and most enameled cookware is cast iron with an enamel coating. The most common form of enamel cookware is the Dutch oven or stockpot, and like cast iron, they can handle high heat and retain heat extremely well. Keep in mind that enamel coating can be made from clay, which can leach lead into food. Don’t go the cheap route when buying this type of cookware and make sure that it doesn’t contain lead.

Stainless Steel

Along with cast iron, stainless steel is one of the safest cookware options, especially when high-quality stainless steel is used. Make sure that you are purchasing food-grade stainless steel cookware because there are many grades of stainless steel. Some people view stainless steel cookware in a negative light because it contains nickel, which helps to ward off rust or other corrosions. If you are concerned with the nickel percentage, opt for either 18/8, 18/10, or 18/0 stainless steel, the first number specifying the percentage of nickel and the second number indicating the percentage of nickel. Be sure to use non-abrasive cleaning materials when you wash stainless steel to avoid damaging the lining.

Titanium

Before we delve into the benefits of titanium, you must understand that certain titanium cookware manufacturers coat their titanium with non-stick finishes. Be advised: non-stick coated titanium is not healthy! Titanium is used for medical instruments and joint replacements because it is a biocompatible metal that is non-toxic. Legitimate titanium cookware is lightweight and evenly distributes heat across the non-porous surface.

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It’s that time of year again, when the masses swarm the malls and shopping centers to buy gifts for friends and loved ones. During the many holiday shopping outings, you may find yourself pondering what to get the fitness enthusiast in your life. Let’s be honest for a second and understand that this person is going to be more enthused by some resistance bands or blender than some patterned scarf you purchased on a whim.

Some fitness enthusiasts don’t actually engage in physical activity. There are those who simply enjoy wearing athletic attire because they are most comfortable in those clothes, and that’s perfectly acceptable. They may also want to make it seem like they workout at the gym, even when don’t. Despite the person’s level of fitness, there are unique gifts that almost every fitness enthusiast can enjoy.

#1: A Foam Roller

The packaging of this gift may be a direct giveaway, but you can always disguise it by wrapping it in a random box. Since one of the most important aspects of fitness is recovery, a wise gift to purchase is a foam roller. There are trigger point grid foam rollers, firm foam rollers, vibrating foam rollers, and soft foam rollers. The trigger point grid foam roller is excellent for myofascial release, increased range of motion, and flexibility.

#2: Running Gloves

Some people like to run outside even if it is below 32 degrees F and snow is on the ground. The weather is no match for a serious runner, but a serious runner requires serious gear. Running gloves are lightweight water resistant gloves that help to block wind chill during a run. These gloves also prevent the hands from becoming dry or cracked.

#3: Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Water is life, especially for someone who is getting plenty of exercise. A stainless steel reusable water bottle is one of the best ways to reduce plastic bottle waste and ensure that you maintain sufficient water intake. We recommend getting a wide-mouth bottle in case your fitness friend enjoys putting ice in the water. You can also include a couple bottle tops for hot or cold beverages.

#4: Wireless Headphones

Wires have almost become a thing of the past in this forward-thinking Bluetooth technological age we live in. Honestly, though, wires can get in the way during your workouts, especially if you are picking up weights or getting on machines in the gym. A new pair of wireless headphones may be the perfect gift for your fitness friend.

#5: An Epsom Salt Soak

Available online and in various beauty stores, Epsom salts are perfect gifts that help to promote the swift recovery of overworked muscles. The magnesium is absorbed by the skin during a bath, and this helps to reduce inflammation, soreness, and contributes to lubricated joints.

#6: Thinksport Yoga Mat

This isn’t your average yoga mat, people. This yoga is made without latex, rubber, and toxic materials, including BPA, PVC, phthalates, biologically toxic chemicals, and dioxins. The double-sided mat provides excellent cushion and the non-slip nature helps you maintain balance during poses.

#7: Acumobility Ball

This is the ultimate recovery tool for anyone who is always on the go. If the person is dealing with any muscle pains and requires a stability ball and massager, this product is the perfect hybrid of both of those things. You can place it on the wall, ground, or desk and use it to help accelerate muscle recovery.

#8: Percussive Massager

This gift has to be for someone you truly love because these can be quite pricy, when compared to the other gifts in this article. Percussive massagers have recently sprung onto the recovery scene because they help to accelerate the growth and repair of muscle tissues. The rapid bursts of pressure help to increase blood circulation and break down internal scar tissue.

#9: Gift Certificate To Meal Prep Service

Most fitness enthusiasts maintain a strict diet and rarely veer from what they are supposed to eat. Luckily for you, there are meal prep delivery services that have vegan, vegetarian, paleo, keto, or whole 30 friendly meals. Get them a gift certificate and they can get a week’s worth of meals to try out the service.

#10: Personal Blender

Not everybody wants the giant blender because they don’t want have the space or don’t want to use it all the time. A personal blender is the perfect gift because the blender cup can be taken on the go. Add all of the smoothie ingredients to the blender, blend them until smooth, remove it from the blender base, replace the blade with the screw top, and off you go. It can also be used to make dressings and will keep the dressings fresh in the fridge!

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If you regularly read our content, you know that we strongly encourage people to make healthy, dietary changes. In addition to highlighting foods that are beneficial for you, we also try to illustrate why certain foods are detrimental to the body. When it comes to overall health, however, a lot of elements, which can do harm to the body, are often overlooked. In this specific case, we are referring to cookware.

A lot of people don’t take the time to familiarize themselves with the potential dangers of certain cookware. So many people purchase nonstick cookware because these items are sold based on how easy they are to clean. People almost neglect the fact that popular nonstick cookware products contain a harmful chemical that can increase one’s risk of cancer.

Most nonstick cookware is made with poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These substances can release perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a carcinogenic chemical when heated, into your food. Other chemicals can also flake off into your food during the cooking process.

So How Do You Choose Cookware?

When it comes to buying pots and pans, you need to keep an eye out for certain words. Aluminum and Teflon should always be avoided when you are buying cookware. According to research, elevated aluminum levels have been linked to ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, and problems with the central nervous system. Teflon is a material used in most nonstick cookware and can emit toxic chemicals at high heat. This is both dangerous for the cook and the person who eats the food.

Don’t let toxins leach into your food. We recommend the following nontoxic cookware items to keep your kitchen healthy.

Cast Iron Cookware

In the olden days, almost everyone used cast iron pots and pans. Most health experts agree that cast iron cookware is one of the safest options on the market. Not only do cast iron pots and pan retain heat well, but they also handle higher temperatures better than nonstick cookware. People who have low iron levels can also use cast iron cookware to naturally boost iron levels, because some of the iron from the pan can end up in your food (this is totally safe, by the way). Make sure you read up on how to properly season and clean your cast iron cookware.

Regular Stoneware

Stoneware is typically used for baking, as opposed to cooking on the stove. Stoneware is better than using aluminum baking sheets, roasting, pans, or muffin tins. While they can be tricky to clean, they give your food some great flavor and they help to evenly cook your food. Don’t use soap to clean the stoneware because the stone can absorb the soapy flavor.

Stainless Steel

Next to cast iron, stainless steel is considered to be one of the safest, nontoxic cookware options. Stainless steel cookware can resist corrosion and it doesn’t flake off into your food. The important thing to remember is that there are many grades of stainless steel, so make sure you buy food-grade cookware. Stainless steel is a combination of carbon, chromium, nickel, and manganese. Make sure you don’t use an abrasive cleaning device to clean your pans because damaging the lining makes it possible for metals to leach into your food.

Glass

While you won’t use glass on the stove, glass cookware is nontoxic, eco-friendly, and extremely durable. There are no PFAS or fluorinated chemicals in glass cookware, but make sure that you buy oven-safe glass! This is of vital importance because you don’t want to spend time making an elaborate dish, only to have your glass break in the oven. As long as you are using glass cookware, you may as well use glass containers instead of plastic ones to avoid the toxic effects of BPA.

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Almost every household has aluminum foil. It makes clean up easy if you are baking and people even use it to scrub pans to help clean the food that won’t come off with a sponge. Some sources even say that you can cure common health ailments with aluminum foil! Since aluminum is a heavy metal, why would you want it in your body?

Aluminum took the place of copper in cookware because it was cheaper for mass production, and it made these items easier to clean. These items include regular pots and pans and certain kitchen utensils like forks, butter knives, and serving spoons. It’s best to avoid aluminum cookware and cook with ceramic, stainless steel, or cast iron pans.

There has long since been a debate about aluminum foil increasing one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. While aluminum foil isn’t good for the body, you would have to eat a lot of food cooked at very high temperatures in aluminum foil to have detrimental effects on the brain. Aluminum poses other health risks, however, making people more susceptible to bone diseases and kidney failure.

When it comes to cooking or wrapping your food with aluminum foil, you should not do it. It’s that simple. The metal can leach into your food, especially when you cook with it. The foil is not meant to be in the high oven temperatures. The higher the temperature, the more metal emits into the food. More aluminum can leach into foods with more acidic pH levels, e.g. tomatoes, citrus, or spices.

New studies have shown that cooking with aluminum foil can cause an aluminum build-up inside your bones. The aluminum begins to takes up space, ultimately reducing your calcium content. This is why those who cook with aluminum foil are more prone to developing bone disease. Additionally, cooking with aluminum foil has been tied to pulmonary fibrosis and other respiratory ailments, due to the ingestion of aluminum particles.

We do not recommend using aluminum for cooking. It is best to use porcelain or glassware when preparing baked dishes.

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Most people associate copper cups with trendy bars and the classic Moscow Mule drink. A copper vessel/mug/cup/canister (whichever one you choose to get) is much more than its aesthetic appeal. Drinking water from a copper vessel has been documented as beneficial in Ayurvedic texts, and is presently supported by a few scientific studies.

When you store water in a copper vessel overnight, or at least for 4 hours, a natural purification process occurs. The copper actually kills microorganisms and you consume a little bit of copper when you drink the water. Most people are deficient in copper, which is an essential trace mineral that has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic properties.

Normally, the best way to get copper in your diet is by eating lentils, nuts, seeds, peas, potatoes, and dark leafy green vegetables. What you don’t want to do is have entirely copper cookware. The acidity in certain produce items can cause too much copper to leak into your food, which can lead to copper poisoning. Most copper cookware has a copper bottom with a stainless steel cooking surface, which is great and much better than regular pans.

The best reasons to drink water from a copper vessel are below. It is always best to drink a glass of water from a copper vessel on an empty stomach every morning. You can drink another glass later in the day.

#1: Promotes Healthy Digestion

If your body is acidic, gassy, or you have trouble digesting certain foods, copper has properties that stimulate peristalsis, which is the contraction and relaxation of the stomach when it digests food. Copper actually helps to cleanse your entire digestive system.

#2: Aids Weight Loss

In addition to improving your digestive health, copper also helps to break down and eliminate fat cells. By eliminating fat cells and having proper digestion, you body learns to keep what it needs and it eliminates the rest.

#3: Prevents Water-Borne Diseases

Copper has been proven to kill microorganisms like E. coli and S. aureus, which can lead to diarrhea, dysentery, and jaundice. Putting water in a copper vessel also reduces your risk of cross contamination, but a copper vessel wouldn’t be able to filter the pathogens out of dirty pond water. A copper vessel can help purify tap water, though.

#4: Helps Fight Cancer

Because of copper’s health properties, it can help fight off free radicals in the body, the ill effects of which can lead to the development of cancer. How copper exactly fights cancer is still unclear to scientists, but the belief is that it does has considerable anti-cancer effects.

#5: Regulates Thyroid Gland

Your thyroid gland actually needs copper to function properly. Having a lack of copper can lead to improper function of the thyroid, which plays a major role in the body. Additionally, many people with thyroid issues, including hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, may have lower levels of copper in the body. Try drinking water out of a copper vessel for improved thyroid health.

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If you are cooking your food in those convenient, non-sticking Teflon pans, you should know that you are cooking your food on fluoride.

Fluoride is a very harmful man-made substance that can compromise your health.

Chemicals

Fluoropolymers, the substances used to make Teflon pans, release a persistent gas when heated to high temperatures. They release compounds called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), trifluoroacetate, (TFA) and polyfluorocarboxylic acids (PFOs).

Even though these breakdown chemicals are generally considered non-toxic, it can be dangerous because they may cause long-term health effects as they accumulate in the body.

The good news is that Teflon will only breakdown into these harmful compounds if the cooking temperature exceeds 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Normally, home cooking does not often get that high but we should always take a precautionary approach when using Teflon frying pans and other non-stick cooking ware.

Alternatives

Look for cookware that holds heat well, prevents scorching and sticking, and has a heavy bottom.

Cast iron has been known as the first nonstick surface, requiring minimum fat and less cleaning. Some iron is actually released into the food but this isn’t always a bad thing. Most Americans are low in iron so this isn’t usually a health concern.

Stainless steel is another great alternative to Teflon pans. It is durable, long lasting, and is great for healthy cooking. Stainless steel is very accessible and there are many varieties of shapes and sizes.

Made of a combination of metals, stainless steel is durable and long lasting. Stainless steel cookware may have aluminum in the bottom of the pan but it is not a health problem as long as it is not in contact with the food.

Anodized aluminum cookware is sealed so the base metal (aluminum) doesn’t enter the food prepared in it. The only drawback is that it must be hand-washed, even after the toughest, messiest cooking, as the anodization is corrupted when it comes in contact with commercial brand dishwashing machine detergents.

Ceramic cookware can be useful in some circumstances, such as baking and slow cooking. It’s a nice alternative for people who like the heat distribution of cast iron, but hate the long seasoning process.

Be careful not to scratch the stainless steel because it can result in the harmful release of nickel or chromium.

Thank you for reading !

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