Everyone wants to maintain a balance of creativity, quickness, and flavor while ensuring health when planning a menu for a busy workweek. While focusing on nutrition and variety is important, I've learned that we tend to overlook an equally important aspect - our cookware. We do our health a disservice when we cook nutritious meals with kitchen gear that is compromised with chemicals or made of half-melted black plastic utensils.

The importance of this realization led me to embark on a quest of replacing my questionable cooking tools with quality, non-toxic pieces over time. I've compiled a list of some I've discovered that could help transform your kitchen and your health. Starting from as low as $10, my favorites range from the illustrious Lodge cast iron skillets to Caraway Home’s ceramic saucepans.

In my journey towards health-conscious cooking, Caraway stood out for me. They had an amazing set which I found to be very handy - they comprised of a wooden spoon, server, scraper, spatula, and a pair of tongs. I've noticed that these non-toxic utensils don't scratch any cookware and now, they're my go-to tools for cooking.

Caraway’s saucepans are universally loved and I'm definitely a part of the fan club. Its quality and lifelong durability make it the "Best Splurge". It is perfect for heating soups or poaching eggs and is an integral part of my kitchenware.

Made In’s 8-quart stockpot is my preferred non-toxic pot. It's incredibly versatile and worth your investment. If spaghetti isn’t a staple in your house, I still recommend getting just the stockpot. In addition, Made In offers two other sizes: 6 quarts and 12 quarts to cater to your cooking requirements.

There's no beating a Lodge cast iron skillet. I’ve owned mine for over six years, and it has proved its worth time and again. With proper care and maintenance, these skillets are a lifetime investment.

All-Clad’s stainless steel pan is a brilliant choice if you want a lighter skillet. It has a legion of satisfied shoppers vouching for its impeccable craftsmanship.

The OXO 3-quart glass baking dish embodies solid investment. It is microwave, dishwasher, oven, and freezer compatible, complete with a BPA-free lid. Everything about it screams convenience.

Joyce Chen's bamboo steamer set is a versatile addition to any kitchen. It's a key tool for a wide array of dishes and does wonders in helping me put together quick, healthy meals.

On a different note, Mosser's glass batter bowl, although quite a splurge, is one of my favorite kitchen tools. It's not only highly functional but also stunning to look at.

I have an eye on an aesthetically appealing wooden cutting board by Sonder that comes highly recommended.

Winco’s $10 stainless steel ladle has been a game-changer for me and has sent my black plastic ladle into retirement. It's available in various sizes and is popular with Amazon shoppers.

So, get set to make your kitchen health-conscious with these top-notch, non-toxic cookware and utensils. It’s a sure-fire way to amplify the benefits of your well-rounded meals.