Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Safe Cookware Selection

A safe cookware is a cookware that doesn't produce any toxic substance during cooking. The manufacturing material and coating of a cookware determine if a cookware is safe. The interior surface material of a cookware which could be a coating layer or cookware base material is vital to the safety because it contacts with food directly.
Teflon coated nonstick cookwares are not safe because they release toxic fumes when heated above certain temperature. There are many concerns about teflon nonstick cookwares. Many lawsuits have been filed over the nonstick surface both as a cookware and in its manufacturing. New York Times, Alina Tugend, October 14, 2006 DuPont acknowledges that when their non stick surface is heated beyond a certain level, it can kill birds and create a sickness in humans they call Polymer Fume Fever. It produces symptoms resembling a cold.

Pure aluminum surfaced cookwares are not safe cookwares too. Colic, rickets, gastrointestinal problems, interference with the metabolism of calcium, extreme nervousness, anemia, headaches, decreased liver and kidney function, memory loss, speech problems, softening of the bones, and aching muscles can all be caused by aluminum toxicity.

There is no doubt that teflon-coated nonstick cookware provides a great convenience for cooking and cleaning. But safety is always the first concern. More and more people are seeking substitute for a good and safe cookware. How to find a cookware that work as good as a teflon nonstick cookware and is safe as well? Following are some recommended safe cookwares in Teflon-free Safe Cookware Store:

Safe cookware selection: Teflon-free titanium cookware
Pros: teflon-free, scratch resistant, long lasting, healthy, light weight, easy cleaning
Cons: not many products
The best choice is obviously teflon-free nonstick cookware. A teflon-free nonstick cookware keeps the advantages of a teflon coated cookware. It also overcomes the disadvantages of a teflon coated cookwar. Is there such a good and safe cookware existing? The answer is yes. But only one kind of such cookware available on market. That is titanium cookware.

Titanium cookwares has many advantages due to titanium meatl properties. They are healthier, lighter, lasts longer, heats quickly, easy to clean. But don't be confused with nonstick titanium cookwares or titanium reinforced cookwares. Here titanium cookware means pure titanium material without any coating while nonstick titanium or titanium reinforced cookwares have coatings made of material similar to Teflon. There is an easy way to tell the difference. Titanium cookwares have a silver metal color while others in dark colors. Please read Are Titanium Nonstick Cookwares or Titanium Reinforced Cookwares Teflon Free? about nonstick titanium or titanium reinforced cookwares.

Safe cookware selection: All clad stainless steel cookwaress
Pros: teflon-free, non-toxic, good heat conduction, low price
Cons: not nonstick
All clad stailess steel cookwares eliminates toxic teflon coating and aluminum surface. Instead it use safe materials like chromium, nickel and steel as interior surface layer, which makes all clad cookware a safe and healthy cookware.
Safe cookware selection: Cast iron cookwares
Pros: nonstick, teflon-free, uniform heat distribution, long lasting
Cons: need careful seasoning
Cast iron is used for cookwares because it has excellent heat retention and diffusion properties and can be produced and formed with a relatively low level of technology. Seasoning is used to protect bare cast iron from rust and to create a non-stick surface. Only a proper seasoned cast iron cookware is a safe cookware.

Safe cookware selection: Copper cookwares
Pros: excellent heat conductivity and distribution, teflon free, long lasting
Cons: not nonstick, need special care
Copper cookwares are classically used by chefs because of their quick heat conduction. Copper is a safe material for cookware. Copper cookware usually is coated with a thin layer of tin to prevent the copper from reacting with acidic foods. That makes copper cookware a safer cookware.

For safe cookware products, plwase go to Safe Cookware Store. For more helpful tips, please visit my website:
Teflon-free Safe Cookwares

Monday, November 9, 2009

Is Discount Dental Plan Good?

There are many websites that sell discount dental plans. A discount dental plan is not a dental insurance. Members of a discount dental plan don't have to pay premium. But they have to pay member fees. Members will get great discount in return if they show their member cars at discount dental plan providers. It is said that members can save a lot of money while they still get good services without buying a dental insurance. There are a lot of other advantages according to some online promoters. Following is a comparison between discount dental plan and traditional dental insurance:

DISCOUNT DENTAL PLAN Characteristics Include:

No limits – plan members have discounts on most dental care services all the time.
Quick activation -  activate within a few days
Less paperwork – members just need to show their discount dental plan card at a participating dentist office
No health restrictions
Select plans include discounts on dental specialties, including cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics
Available directly to individuals, families, businesses and groups

DENTAL INSURANCE Characteristics Include:
Limitations, deductibles and annual maximums
Waiting periods for major dental procedures
Tedious and time-consuming written claims process
Limitations/exclusions on pre-existing conditions
Certain dental specialties, such as cosmetic dentistry, are rarely covered
Consumers pay expensive monthly premiums for defined coverage
Typically inaccessible to individuals and families unless provided by their employer

Looks like there are a lot of benefits from discount dental plan. But the key question is: Does the money worth it? My personal experience and my common sense tell me no.  My family used to buy some similar discount health plan. It was not expensive, only a few hundred dollars a year. But it doesn't save our money at all. Some doctors or dentists usually give some discount to one who does't have a insurance. And they couldn't give additional  discount  any more even if you are a member of a discount dental plan. The money for a doctor visit varies a lot depending on doctors. Some doctor visits cost much less money than others even one doesn't have any discount dental plan membership. So it doesn't make sense to buy a discount dental or health plan to save money for me. If one really wants to save money, try to find a good doctor or try to find a good insurance plan at eHealthinsurance. You don't need a agent. It is easy and quick. I use it myself and it is good.