RECOMMENDATIONS

LITTLE KATE APPROVED PRODUCTS:

FOODSAVER VACUUM SEALER

Though you may have seen this item on a cheesy (yet mesmerizing!) info-mercial, don't dismiss it yet! If you like to always be prepared, this machine could become your best friend! Buy in bulk, buy on sale, and buy the staples and you will always have SOMETHING to cook in the house. Individually seal chicken breasts so you can always defrost the perfect portion. Buy seasonal fruits and veggies and seal them up to keep the flavors at their best. Buy a huge hunk of meat (like a pork shoulder) and split it into 2 or 3 smaller meals instead of one large meal. The possibilities are endless! From my experience- it's a product that is worth the money!

HAND BLENDER

Plenty of magazines I've read said this item is a kitchen must- so I purchased one- and I agree! The hand blender is much less clumsy to pull out of the cupboard to blend up your favorite soups and sauces. It saves a lot of cook and clean up time by placing the hand blender straight into a pot rather than slowly pouring foods into a regular blender or food processor a little bit at time- especially when you when you are working with hot foods. Most of these blenders come with a whisk and a chopping attachment which combines a food processor and a stand mixer all into this one little tool. It's handy, it's easy to clean, and it helps add a lot of delicious creaminess to your life!

RECOMMENDATIONS

LITTLE KATE APPROVED PRODUCTS:

Flexible Cutting Boards

These things are great! They are super thin so they take up almost zero space, they are sturdy enough for even the sharpest knives, and they bend and flex so you can easily transport and pour food into bowls, plates, pots, and pans! Since they are plastic, they won't dull your knifes and they can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Lastly, the different colors allow you safely cook and cut without cross contamination, for example: blue is for fish and seafood, red is for meat, and yellow is for fruits and vegetables, etc... (Remember to never reuse a cutting board for meat or food that was used for raw meats! Make sure to get a clean cutting board, or wash the previously used one with soap and water!)

Microplane Zester/Grater

By far one of my favorite kitchen tools. It takes fine grating and zesting to a whole new level! I use it for zesting citrus, grating ginger root, mincing garlic into a paste, finely grate parmesan cheese, carrots, zucchini, chocolate and more!

Nalgene Water Bottle

This item doesn't have much to do with cooking, but it IS important to hydrate! I keep a nalgene full of water in the fridge to quickly have access to a cold beverage. I don't have to worry about a cup, I don't have to worry about ice, and I don't have to worry about making more trash in our world! If you have something like this available in the fridge, you will be more inclined to drink the water than grab a 'convenient' can of pop or bottle of juice. These bottles are BPA free and easy to travel with. So do your part for the earth and stop using non-reusable water bottles and help out your body too by drinking more water!

RECOMMENDATIONS

LITTLE KATE APPROVED PRODUCTS:

Tervis Tumbler

These cups are amazing! They are made of a thick, insulated plastic, so your drinks stay cold (or hot) for a super long time, without condensation. The company is amazing too- backing their products with a lifetime warranty. They are true to their word, for on a few occasions, friends and family have sent back broken cups, and they are replaced free of charge. Plus- you can personalize them with initials, names, hobbies, and colors so they make great gifts!

Olive Oil Misto Sprayer

This little gadget is awesome! Since I put extra virgin olive oil on just about everything I cook, this allows me to spray an even, light mist of oil over all the food. No more pools of oil on some spots, and dry food in others! This is great for coating veggies before roasting, spraying on pieces of bread instead of butter, greasing pans and dishes, and tons of other uses! Definitely a good investment to make if you're looking to cut a little bit of fat out of your diet.

Minute 'Ready to Serve' Brown Rice

This is perfect for the healthy eater on the go. Each package comes with 2 individual cups of brown rice, pre-measured and precooked. One quick minute in the microwave and you have delicious and heart healthy whole grain brown rice. Typically, brown rice takes about 45-50 minutes to cook! So, unless you have a lot of time on your hands, this is a quick, tasty way to mix up lunch and dinner. Use it as a side dish with some chopped dried fruits and nuts, serve it under a bed of stir fried veggies, or mix in some chopped tomatoes, shrimp, and sausage and add some spices for a quick jambalaya- the possibilities are endless!