Is Steaming Food in Plastic OK?
Steaming Things in Platic Bags – Is It Safe?
Jillian Michaels talks about how she absolutely refused to promote steam fresh products on the biggest loser as she wouldn't promote anything that promoted steaming in a plastic bag. What's the big deal? It comes down to BPA which stands for bisphenol A. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s. No, you can read that according to the Mayo Clinic that, “the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that BPA is safe at the very low levels that occur in some foods. This assessment is based on a review of hundreds of studies.” For me, I don't believe a single word out of the FDA as every documentary I've ever seen shows how corrupt that government agency is.
According to Livstrong.com, “These bags are sold with the vegetables inside and as stand-alone products. In general, microwaving foods in plastic containers may carry some health risks due to the transmission of BPA and pthalates from the plastic to the food. However, the bags specifically manufactured for use in microwave steaming do not contain BPA or pthalates. Further, many other types of plastic containers on the market today are safe for microwave use. Still, you should use steam bags as described by the manufacturer and not reuse them for other purposes.”
For me, I don't like the word, “MAY” as it may carry some health risks. To me, health risks is a yes/no question. If someone said, “May cause death, or may cause pregnancy” I'm not going to go down that path.
Many of the above articles mention an article from Good Housekeeping that states their studies show very little trace. It also states, “Many hadn't heard of bisphenol A before it grabbed the headlines earlier this year, but the chemical has been in our lives for decades” To this I ask, “So the fact that we've had a potentially bad chemical in our lives for years makes it ok to keep it?”
What's the big deal with BPA anyway, “BPA and phthalates are what are known as endocrine disruptors — chemicals that can interfere with our hormone systems, mimicking, shutting down, or modifying the chemical signals that regulate everything from metabolism and reproduction to our bodies' response to stress.” source
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health, advises against microwaving polycarbonate plastics or putting them in the dishwasher, because the plastic may break down over time and allow BPA to leach into foods. source
BPA – Who Cares?
Some things that have been tied to BPA include:
Lower sperm counts and other reproductive abnormalities
Early puberty
Cancer
Obesity and diabetes
Neurobehavioral abnormalities
My First Experience With a Steamer Basket
So I purchased a steamer basket that pretty much fits in any pot see http://amzn.to/2H2CufB. I bought a head of cauliflower ($3) and put an inch of water into a pan, and turned the heat on high. I washed the cauliflower and broke it up, and by that time the water was boiling. I put in the basket, through the cauliflower in and set a time for 5 minutes. It came out perfect. The only struggle is getting the basket out and getting the cauliflower into my bowl. While you can grab the handle and pull it out, I opted to put on my Hot Hands (silicone heat resistant gloves) and picked up the basket via the handle and then carried the basket to my bowl and just dumped it in. (I LOVE my Hot Hands). The head of cauliflower will be the same as two bags of cauliflower (without the added spices and salt) and I avoid plastic. I do end up with a pot that needs cleaning (in a way, if you consider bowling water a dirty dish).
Consider Yourself Nudged
If you are a regular listener/reader, you know I've been gone over the last few weeks. I've been to Orlando for a podcasting event, and then out to San Diego for a Social Media Event. In February I kept telling myself, “When I get back from San Diego” I will refocus on my health. I wasn't off the rails, but the exercise routine was moved down the priority.
Well, now I'm back. Am I a liar? No. Then I guess I better hit the treadmill. I did. I guess I better eat right (see above). I'm cooking healthy options as I write this. The bottom line is we all often put lines in the dirt. Our favorite line is “tomorrow” and we all know it never comes. When it comes time to put up or shut up, you know you can do this. Take that first step.
I met a woman in San Diego. We had met a few times at different events. She's really a target customer for me as she really should start a podcast. When I met her again I was informed she had indeed started a podcast after buying a competitors product that cost multiple times more than mine. Why did she go to the competitor? He challenged her to start a podcast. With this in mind, I challenge you to take your health more seriously. I challenge you to plan your next meal. I challenge you to block off times where you can exercise.
My New Why
For new people to the podcast/blog, I've been divorced for two years. I'm really not interested in starting a relationship, and to a certain extent thought “that part” of my heart may be dead. My ex-wife really took a toll on my self-esteem, and left me with what my friend Rany Cantrell from Leaning Toward Wisdom calls, “Head Trash.” Well over the last few events, low and behold I still find a woman attractive, and low and behold actually found the strength to talk to a few. My game is very, very, rusty and it took a lot of courage and stepping out of my comfort zone, but in the end, I ended up with what amounted to a schoolboy crush on one woman. As these events are much like summer camp, I'm logical enough (hence the name of the show) to know the difference between a crush and legitimate feelings. With the new “Hey my heart still works” mentality I did think ahead to the future. If I am ever to be naked in front of a human being again, I need to take some steps. If I'm going to attract a woman with something besides my wit and charm, I'm going to need to take some steps. I'm going to need to change my lifestyle.
We all have different a “Why.” Maybe you want to be there to see your grandchildren get married, or be there for your kids, or maybe you're just sick and tired of being sick and tired. For me, this new motivation is working. It may not work forever, but it's working now and as the old saying goes, “If it ain't broke don't fix it.” So figure out you're why, and on those days that you don't want to exercise, or you're really craving some bad food, think back to your why.
