New Contest & Ask the Expert: Do you have questions about chemicals in everyday products?

[Cafe Becky]

Are nonstick cooking pans safe? Do you wonder if your beauty supplies are toxic? Do you have concerns that the everyday products you use are bad for your health? Nena Baker to the rescue--she'll be answering your questions! Nena Baker is the author of "The Body Toxic: How the Hazardous Chemistry of Everyday Things Threatens Our Health and Well-being."

Starting Monday August 30, Nena will be visiting the group all week long to answer YOUR questions about chemicals in consumer products, the health issues they can cause, and what you can do about it.

Everyone who asks a question will be entered to win a copy of Nena's book, "The Body Toxic."

Please post your questions as replies to this post. Nena will post her answers here as well.

Welcome and thank you for joining us, Nena Baker!

[RanaAurora]

Are there safe non-stick pans?

[brwneyeddaisy1]

 All of the talk of this is healthy, this is not...that changes daily can be really confusing.  Is soy good for you?  How about Kefir?

[smurfy88]

I never knew non-stick pans weren't safe, why aren't they safe?

[rkoloms]

Quoting RanaAurora:

Are there safe non-stick pans?

Cast iron!

[momof3angela]

 How about alternative sugars?  How safe are they?  Which one/s are the safest?

[RanaAurora]

Quoting rkoloms:

Cast iron!

Cast iron isn't non-stick.

Ms. Baker, is there any particular shampoo lines you DO recommend?  How about mascara?

[rkoloms]

Quoting RanaAurora:

Quoting rkoloms:

Cast iron!

Cast iron isn't non-stick.

 

Ms. Baker, is there any particular shampoo lines you DO recommend?  How about mascara?

If your cast-iron pan is properly seasoned, food will not stick to it. http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/cook-with-cast-iron.html

[LPG31]

Are the "fibers-that-don't-taste-like-fiber" found in many of the new yogurts and cereal bars safe or even beneficial? What if you are breastfeeding?

[Elsasmom]

I just noticed my coffee is decaffeinated with methylene chloride which doesn't sound too good to me:( What do you think? 

Thanks for answering our questions!

[Elsasmom]

How useful/effective do you find multi-vitamins? I know most people consider them good to take every day, but I've always been concerned with the high doses you get since most aren't found in such high concentrations naturally in food. So my question is, are we getting too much of a "good" thing by taking them regularly? And does some one who eats a good amount of fruits and vegetables really need to supplement anyway?