Oh dear dj, I doubt that I'll become a great baker at this stage of the game. I don't have that long to stay with it, hehe. I would just like to get the hang of it enough to not dread it. My dd & ddil love to bake so I usually count on them for cookes, cakes, etc. I do okay with muffins, which is one of the reasons I was asking about silicone for baking - love muffins but use the paper liners with alum pans. Tried pies - horrible - no matter what I did. I couldn't make a crust if my life depended on it, or for that matter, meringues were pathetic. I gave up.
I don't think there's any doubt as to the link between Alzheimers and aluminum, including baking powder and antiperspirants that have it.
Oh, I love cast iron - it's my fave of all, but all I have is skillets, so I use s/s for everything else. I totally agree as to the nonstick. Hubby loves it, but we have s/s because I won't have ns in house. Well, there is an exception - he does have 2 pans for eggs, etc., that he's allowed to use - ha
Years ago, my friend's hubby was a prof baker and we used to go at 3 a.m. to watch him. It looked so easy - yeah, uh-huh
Why did you give up profession? Just curious - not nosy! ha