My wife had been talking about chucking our non stick pans for months now. She read about toxins they release when overheated and this prompted her to switch them out for ceramic ones. She was pretty adamant about it and we could get a set at Costco at a very reasonable price. Sure, let’s do it.
To be honest, I was fine with the old ones. I grew up with non stick so they’re all I know and don’t really care one way or another. This never would have entered my radar. Ever. It occurred to me that this may be one of many ways that she is probably prolonging my life. At my age, every little bit counts.
I’m fiercely independent, but over the years have come to realize that I can let go of my stubbornness and embrace her influence. I thought of a few other ways she’s helped extend my years. Here is an abbreviated list:
- Annual physicals (now it’s like clockwork)
- Eliminating nitrates from my diet (I do miss hot dogs, though. It’s a great excuse to go to a MLB baseball game to get my fix)
- Organic fruits and vegetables (I’m still trying to get used to the premium price tag)
- Walking after dinner (something as simple as walking does wonders)
- Reduction in alcohol consumption. (Drinking is no longer my go to stress reliever)
- Limiting fried foods, fast food, etc (so sad, but worth it)
- Flossing (this is a miracle)
- Making more time for friends and family (work should not be my life)
- Making time for vacations and time off (all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy)
- Laughter (priceless)
- A partner to share life’s joys and burdens (the most important lesson I’ve learned – it’s ok to lean on others)
Left to my own devices, I’d be living life without any guardrails. I’m not saying I’d have one foot in the grave, but she’s definitely tacked on a few years for me. I’m no longer that invincible twenty year old and I’m now at an age that ponders longevity. I have to remember to thank her more often. She really is wonderful.
I’m always amazed at the longevity of bands/artists that rekindled a second run of touring. I did a search of the oldest New Wave singers still performing today. I was surprised at the list:
- Nick Lowe (77)
- Howard Jones (71)
- Adam Ant (71)
- Billy Idol (70)
Talk about long careers. Damn. I watched a bunch of 2025 live performances of Adam Ant and Billy Idol. Not the greatest, but you’ve got to give them credit. Performing in your 70’s is pretty impressive, even if it is a little bit messy.
After narrowing it down between the two, I chose an Adam Ant song. Although I love Adam and the Ants’ first album Kings of the Wild Frontier, I decided on an acoustic version of Wonderful. This is a more mainstream song when he went solo. I looked for a 71 year old version, but couldn’t find one. And maybe that’s a good thing. I’m sure it just wouldn’t sound the same.
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Did I tell you how much I miss
Your sweet kiss?
Did I tell you I didn't cry?
Well I lied
I lie lie lied
Over real over
When I nearly hit the face I loved
So tired of packaging the anger
Always pushing you away
Did I tell you you're wonderful?
I miss you yes I do
Did I tell you that I was wrong?
I was wrong
Cos you're wonderful yeah
Did I tell you how much I miss
Your smile?
Did I tell you I was okay?
Well no way
No way way way
You're wonderful yeah yeah
Now now now each and every day
I realize the price I have to pay
You you're wonderful
And now for your information
I'm walking around like an arm decoration
You you're wonderful
So high I can't get over it
So deep I can't get under it
You
You're wonderful yeah
You're wonderful yeah yeah
You're wonderful yeah yeah
You're wonderful yeah yeah
Wonderful
Did I tell you you're wonderful?
I miss you yes I do
Did I tell you that I was wrong?
I was wrong
For so long long long
Yeah, we let go of the nonstick, too. And, from Costco!
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She sounds like a keeper! Our financial advisor loves to tell us that married people live longer.
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It’s so true. Sometimes my wife jokingly (I think) says, “How did you live before me?”
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We got rid of our nonstick pans too and switched to cast iron. The great part of that is I don’t have to clean them, because Clint insists they not be dunked in a sink full of hot soapy water, he has a special way he wipes them out and then “oils” them/heats them up so they’re ready for next time.
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Hey, if my wife wanted to switch to any kind of pan that I didn’t have to wash, I’d be a happy camper!
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What a wonderful tribute to your wife! I think that’s what partners do…we take care of each other and make positive changes so that we can both live longer and enjoy life.
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So true!
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Good tune. I think he played here this weekend, and I said the same thing. 71? You go dude.
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Still going strong after 70. Crazy. I first listened to Adam and the Ants in junior high school. What a long career!
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That’s a great song, holds up well after all this time. Good on you for opening to your wife’s loving prompts. It’s a thing that we stick with our habits, even the ones that are not good for us and then here we are in our 50s and 60s thinking, whoa… better start taking better care of myself!
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I fought it for awhile, then thought it wasn’t worth being so stubborn. Thank goodness I changed. It’s made a big difference!
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That’s great! The timing was probably right so that you’d be ready to go all-in.
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I hope you repeated these insights to your wife. 🙂 We’re getting an induction cooktop when we renovate, and I think it’s going to be all cast iron for us. I can hardly wait. Also, flossing: I can’t stand it! I brush for two minutes and am told my gums are in great shape, but I bet I should still floss.
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My wife would go down the road of cast iron if they weren’t so heavy!
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That’s what kept the women in my family fit, lol!
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Yep, I’ve been switching to ceramic cookware one pan at a time. It’s expensive to stay healthy, but worth every penny.
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Investing in your health is the best investment you can make!
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We use ProCook granite pans. They can’t go in the dishwasher. All you do is use hot soapy water and give them a wipe over with a cloth, no abrasives. We’ve had them for nearly 10 years now, so much easier and as your wife, quite rightly says, much healthier.
I’ve had to take nearly 12 weeks off exercising so to get back into it we have gone back to walking after dinner starting with 15 mins out, alarm goes off, 15 mins back and then building it up each week.
Im definitely in your wife’s camp, you have to look after each other as you get older, we made a commitment in 2018 that we would do everything we could to get another 20 years together ❤️.
We have made a lot of changes which I won’t bore you with here!
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It’s great hearing about your commitment to each other. It’s not uncommon if only one of the pair wants to put health first. Glad both of you are on the same page.
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