Finding that long term cookware

So when i first moved to my own place with my spouse, we were given a set (pots and pans) of nonstick cookware that I still have to this day.  Needless to say, i abused the hell out of them, using them all incorrectly for nonstick (I calphalon which is supposedly healthier than Teflon).  I was scouring it hard to clean stubborn gunk, blasting it with high heat, scraping with metal utensils and this went on for years.  I should probably have cancer now.

I recently started becoming more health conscious because i have an expanding family. So after much online searching, I boiled down my choices to cast iron, glassware, ceramic and stainless steel.  All 4 are fine and have pro's and cons but here are just the cons because now we need process of elimination.

• Cast Iron - It's for the avid cook.  You have to season the cookware and if there are multiple chefs in kitchen everyone has to get on board with the extra special maintenance of how to clean cast iron.  It's a niche market for a reason and will continue to be, since im also looking for a quick fix of something that can take abuse/mistreatment, gets thrown in the dish washer if im in a pinch, etc
• Glassware - expensive.  Hard to fine.  More fragile than metal.
• Ceramic - it's impossible to tell what company uses a lead/chemical/crap free glaze.  Even if you stick to a corporate brand you trust, a report just came out that in India, there may be a scandal where all the colored ceramic knives might be leeching into the food.  If I didnt go for stainless steel this would be my next choice.

I chose stainless steel.  It's priced okay and hits all the checkmarks of being usable, durable and will kill me the slowest.  Speaking of which, there are different grades of stainless steel (build quality and composition).

The recommended is the surgical steel grade stainless steel.  In reality the best you will find with little difficulty is 18/10 stainless steel cookware. (18% chromium, 10% nickel)  It's durable, will withstand beyond the "perfect condition" that all cookware wants you to be in and is the way to go.  If you are allergic to nickel, then buy the less durable 18/0 stainless steel cookware.  

This article really hits the nail on the head because you want a set that well built in addition to using the right grade metal.  http://www.allcookwarefind.com/Stainless-Steel/

My favorite was the 7 Piece because I'm only partially replacing my existing cookware Cuisinart 77-7 Chef's Classic Stainless 7-Piece Cookware Set