Non-stick cookware …beware!

When non-stick cookware was first released in the market, people eagerly bought kadhais, frying pans, tavas, griddles etc. The non-stick coating was great for flipping parathas, frying eggs and making dosas. Its benefits included not having to scrape through burnt food stuck stubbornly in pans, being able to fry with less or no oil, faster cooking time etc. 

Non-stick cookware is coated with Polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE. Unfortunately, this contains a harmful chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) which has been linked to some health conditions like chronic kidney disease, thyroid disease, heart disease and strokes, testicular cancer, liver disease, infertility, low birth weight infants etc.

Following widespread protests from consumers, all leading non-stick cookware brands including Teflon have been PFOA-free since 2013. So, Teflon generally is today considered safe. However, at temperatures above 300°C, Teflon coating on cookware begins to break down and release toxic chemicals. In fact, high temperature cooking for long hours can lead to ‘Teflon Flu’ or ‘polymer fume fever’ from inhaling all the gases emitted from your non-stick cookware. Symptoms include influenza with headaches, chills, and fever. Lung damage can also occur.

You can minimize your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals while cooking in non-stick cookware by using the following tips

1. Don't preheat an empty non-stick pot, pan or tava. When empty, they heat up quickly, break down the coating (at a molecular level not visible to the human eye) and release harmful polymer fumes.
2. Choose a heavy weight non-stick pan as opposed to a light-weight one which will heat up quickly.
3. Cook on low or medium heat as against high heat when using non-stick cookware.
4. Avoid broiling of food in non-stick cookware.
5. Use wooden or silicon spoons when stirring food. Regular stainless steel spoons can scratch out the coating.
6. Ventilate your kitchen by opening up windows or turning on an exhaust fan….to help clear any toxic fumes.
7. Do not use steel wool or metal scouring pads to clean non-stick cookware.
8. Do not stack non-stick pans one on top of the other…use a paper towel between them if you want to save space on your kitchen shelf or utensil cabinet.
9.  Once the coating begins to chip or flake or peel or get scratched out, discard and replace immediately.
10. Most importantly, if you cook with oil, be sure to clean off all the cooking oil after each use. Else layers of oil will build up, reducing the non-stick properties of your cookware. Sadly, if you vigorously scrub off the layers of oil, you will also scrape off the non-stick coating. An easy way out of this conundrum is to not use oil !!!

Personally, we use stainless steel pans and ceramic-coated cast iron cookware (Le Creuset)….expensive…heavy to handle while doing pot washing (which we do ourselves)…but really good to cook in. The ceramic coating is a better heat conductor and does not contain toxic chemicals. Traditional cast iron pans and stoneware (both of which have been seasoned well) and ceramic cookware are also good to cook in. Ceramic cookware is free of PTFE and PFOA.

How about you? Are you a fan of non-stick cookware?  Whichever cookware you choose to cook in, it is important to recognize that the way you cook and clean your pan can have as much or more of an impact on cookware longevity ( and your own longevity) than the coating itself !!!

Stay blessed with good health…always!!!

Warm regards,

Charmaine D’Souza

Dysthymia or High functioning Depression

When you hear about depression, you probably associate the word with people who are severely depressed, very sad, lonely and don’t even want to or cannot get out of bed. While that is definitely a form of severe depression, there is another type that is not often talked about…called dysthymia or high functioning depression.

What is Dysthymia? 

High functioning depression or dysthymia is a “depressed mood for most of the day, for more days of the month than not, for at least two years.” It includes the presence of two or more of the following symptoms:

• Poor appetite or overeating
• Insomnia or hypersomnia
• Low energy or fatigue
• Low self-esteem
• Poor concentration 
• Difficulty making decisions
• Feelings of hopelessness and despair

The uniquely tricky thing about high-functioning depression is that it’s hard to spot precisely because the people dealing with it look ‘normal’ from the outside like they’re in control of their lives and are holding it all together. 

In other words, someone struggling with dysthymia may still be able to get up and go to their demanding, prestigious job, be in a romantic relationship, post the believable smiley photos on Facebook and Instagram, regularly get together with their workmates for happy hour at a local bar and generally handle all the logistical adulting stuff of their life — passing for someone who doesn’t “look depressed.”

How do you know if you may be suffering from dysthymia? 

• Inability or difficulty experiencing joy
• Relentless criticality of self and others
• Constant self-doubt
• Diminished energy
• Irritability or excessive anger
• Small things feel like huge things
• Feelings of guilt or worry over the past and future
• Relying on your coping strategies more and more
• Generalized sadness 
• Seeking perfection 
• Inability to rest and slow down 

If you see yourself in these symptoms, it is important to seek help and not be ashamed of something that is actually quite common. 

The reality with high-functioning depression and moving through your days is that it can often feel like you’re attempting to build a huge castle on a foundation of quicksand.
Your kitchen has several ingredients that can help you cope.

• Elaichi powder is an anti-depressant which when taken at bedtime with soaked strands of saffron and haldi powder will ensure that the symptoms of dysthymia decrease in intensity.
• Star anise therapeutic water will up your energy levels. Please stop having this by 7pm so that your sleep cycle is not affected.
• Khuskhus and nutmeg paste will help with sleep.
• Eating a wide variety of different colored fruits and vegetables daily will ensure that your vitamin and mineral needs are adequately met.
• Omega fatty acids, Fish oils, cold pressed coconut oil, walnuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, cashews and almonds are all good to boost serotonin levels and to ensure that you ‘feel good’

Stay blessed with good health…always!!!

Warm regards,

Charmaine D’Souza

Vaginal Health – an integral part of a woman’s well-being

Your lady parts may be a bit of a sticky subject, but your vaginal discharge, which is actually the result of the natural shedding of cervical and vaginal cells, can effectively tell you quite a bit about your health.

Women all have a bit of discharge ranging from a teaspoon to a tablespoon daily. The amount, smell, color and texture of vaginal discharge can be indicators of what is going on inside your body….so read on to know more.

• Thin and clear: This is your standard discharge. Towards the beginning of your menstrual cycle, your discharge will generally be clear/milky white and watery. As long as there isn’t any itching or a foul odor, there is no need to worry.
• Brown or bloody: If you just finished your period, a brownish discharge could be some leftover blood being sent out. But if you have random mid-month spotting around the time of ovulation or otherwise, please consult your gynecologist. Brownish or blood-tinged vaginal discharge could be from a vaginal infection, a lost tampon, an ovarian cyst, uterine polyp. Eat unsweetened cranberries if there is a urinary tract infection.
• Cloudy or yellow: This could be a sign of an STD like gonorrhea. Consult your gynecologist asap if you also have bleeding between two menstrual cycles, urinary incontinence, and pelvic pain.
• Fishy smell: Your vaginal pH could be the reason…it is acidic when healthy and alkaline when there is an infection. Treat infections when they arise to prevent reproductive problems later on. Douching, using harsh soaps and cleansers, using body sprays, talcum powders etc will only cover up the smell without addressing the problem. In fact, douching can alter the acidic pH of the vagina and make it more susceptible to bacterial infections. Use sanitary pads, not tampons during infections.
• Thick and lumpy: If you're experiencing discharge that is odorless, thick, white and has a lumpy texture …a bit like paneer, it's likely to be a yeast infection. You may also experience itching, soreness, burning, and irritation. Plain dahi or plain Greek yogurt has probiotics which prevent yeast infections. If the problem still persists do consult your gynecologist.
• Egg white consistency: If your discharge is occasionally clear and stretchy, like raw egg whites, it is an indication that you are ovulating …you should get your period a fortnight later if you haven’t already conceived!!
• Thick and gummy: At the beginning of your pregnancy, you may notice a thicker, heavier or gummy discharge. This is because the cervix and vaginal walls get softer, and discharge increases to help prevent any infections traveling up from the vagina to the womb. Just nature’s way of protecting your fetus!!

Stay blessed with good health…always!!!

Warm regards,

Charmaine D’Souza

Your fingernails say a lot about your health! 

White Spots- a common thought is that these white spots are from a calcium deficiency, but these spots actually occur from trauma to the nail and will grow out as your nails grow. It can also be from a fungal infection so try using tea tree oil.

Brittle Nails- this problem is caused by a dry nail plate. Dishwashing (without using gloves) or swimming can cause your nails to become brittle. It can also occur because of hyperthyroidism. Try using a lubricant after your hands have been in the water for a long time…if brittle nails persist, check your TSH levels.

️Yellow Nails- the change in color of your nails can be a sign of diseases, such as diabetes and bronchitis

Lifting Nails- this is when your nail separates from the nail bed. This is due to irritation or overexposure to water. Seek a medical professional opinion and try to keep your hands dry as much as possible.

Vertical Ridges- these lines running along your nails are completely normal. They are actually just a sign of aging. Always keep your nails and cuticles moisturized.

Spoon Nails- if your fingernails are curving up, check your hemoglobin levels. This is a sign of an iron deficiency called anemia. Food supplements of iron will help…but also check for liver disease, heart disease, and hyperthyroidism.

Clubbing- this is when your nails appear softer and the tips of the nails hang over the tip of your finger. This might be the sign of lung disease, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, AIDS, and liver disease.

So take a close look at your nails today. Regular use of nail polish and acetone is not recommended if you want to keep your nails healthy.

Stay blessed with good health…always!!!

Warm regards,

Charmaine D’Souza