I adore my cast iron skillets. I have the utmost respect for any device that makes the perfect fried egg and doubles as a weapon in a pinch. I’m a pacifist by nature, so it’s not like I keep one at the side of the bed or anything—but, ya’ know, if push came to shove.
Before I had any cast iron of my own, I drooled over the ones I saw on cooking shows. In my penny-pinching college days, I usually got my pots and pans at a thrift store or from a kindly acquaintance looking for a new home for previously loved pieces. I was grateful for each find. However, I was sure that my life would change the day I walked out of the store with a hefty skillet of my own in my shopping bag. It took some time, but I got there.
As I dove into the life of a self-healther, I discovered that cooking with cast iron has benefits beyond the beauty of the vessel. When you use a cast iron pan, you also get:
- Fewer toxins. Nonstick or aluminum pans can leave some secret ingredients in those beloved dishes you’ve been cooking all these years.
- Inexpensive heirlooms. Cast iron cookware is way more affordable than I thought, and it lasts forever. Even if you come across a piece that wasn’t taken care of properly, it isn’t difficult to bring it back to its former glory. These will be the heirlooms that your loved ones will fight over, if you ever decide to pass them on.
- Versatility. Cast iron can go from stovetop to oven with ease—it was built for such use. So go ahead and make all the perfectly baked frittatas and browned steaks your little heart desires.
Many people steer clear of cast iron because they think it’s hard to care for, but it’s much simpler than you may think.
One simple way to upgrade the health of your kitchen—and in return, your family—is to put cast iron cookware at the top of the list. It’s easy, inexpensive, and a thing of beauty.
What’s your favorite piece of cast iron cookware?
Photo from iStock/NightAndDayImages
Paula Widish, author of Trophia: Simple Steps to Everyday Self-Health, is a freelance writer and self-healther. She loves nothing more than sharing tidbits of information she discovers with others. (Actually, she loves her family more than that—and probably bacon too.) Paula has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Public Relations and is a Certified Professional Life Coach through International Coach Academy.
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