Category Archives: Products

The Sitch In The Kitch

I’m always tweaking recipes to make them healthier. I love a challenge like that.

So it seems we’re always talking about healthy ingredients, and that’s great, but what about the health and safety of the the cookware we’re using?

Ah…perhaps you didn’t think of that?

Perhaps you did?

Well, if you’re anything like me, you’ve wondered what’s best to use. And I have asked around and done my research, so now I’m sharing with you my picks for best performance and safest cookware. That’s right. No nasty chemicals getting into your food from plastic or non-stick coating or other suspect materials. No impossible cleanup. And all are extremely affordable.

Let’s get to it, then!

1. Bialetti Cookware

This is one kickass line of cookware, people. I’m not going to lie…I’m a lotta bit in love. This thing cooks in a non-stick way and cleans up like a dream but doesn’t have the chemicals that are in that non-stick coating. It’s eco-friendly and because it’s ceramic, it’s free of PFOA, PTFE, and Cadmium. Those chemicals are bad. But the Aeternum line is so good.

2. Stoneware

My awesome study group steered me to unfinished stoneware for all of my baking needs. I love my group and I love baking, and now I love my stoneware, too.

3. The Steamer Pot

This is just the best way to make asparagus I can’t even handle it. And if you know me, you know I love asparagus. I don’t love the aftermath of asparagus, but I’m willing to put up with it for a few reasons:
1) asparagus has a fantastic amount of protein for a veggie and I don’t know why people don’t talk about that more
2) asparagus is a great detoxifier (that gets back to the whole aftermath situation I was talking about), as it is an anti-inflammatory food and helps with digestion
3) it’s super quick and easy to make and take on the go or snack at home and if you know me at all, you know I love a quick and easy snack
4) and because it’s a green, it’s low in calories but high in antioxidants and nutrients and basically all the good things you want in a food

The steamer pot is ideal because when you boil veggies you lose a lot of the nutrients in the water. So with this steamer pot and basket, you’re keeping the veg out of the water and the nutrients in the veg!

4. The Wooden Spoon/Spatula

Toss the plastic, folks. You may recall that I am an anti-BPA crusader. I avoid plastic whenever and wherever possible. So you better believe I avoid it in my kitchen (the husband can attest to that). So thank goodness for the wooden utensil! Wooden spoons and spatulas won’t scratch your pans (you would NOT want to do that to your brand new Bialetti) or contaminate your food with BPA (you would NOT want to do that to your body). Wood and bamboo options are inexpensive, work great, and look great. And contrary to what some might think, wood does not harbor bacteria. Just clean it like anything else and you’re good to go.

5. The Chemex

This is simply my most favorite way to make coffee. No plastic. No contraptions. Just a glass pitcher type thing that looks like something out of a science lab (you’ll need filters and a kettle, too) that makes a fantastic, clean cup of Barefoot Coffee. Barefoot Coffee? Only the most delicious coffee around. How do I know? Oh, I know things.

So there you have it. I’ve just made your kitchen a whole lot healthier. Now I just have to post some more recipes so you can get cookin’!

Question of the Day:
What’s your favorite dish to cook? Let’s hear it!

2 Comments

Filed under BPA, Product Review, Products, Tips and Tricks

Address The Mess

Wow, I feel like it’s been ages since we’ve had a blogpost here. I’ve missed you!

I hope you all had a wonderful long weekend. And I hope your Memorial Day was chock full of memorable events that left you feeling happy, recharged, relaxed, and reconnected to the people and things that you love most.

I happened to do quite a bit of cleaning this past weekend. In fact, every kind of cleaning up. From laundry, to house, to diet, to dog grooming, to relationships…suffice it to say, it was a weekend for tending to some messes.

While it feels good to get some things in order, there is always more work to be done. So with that, I want to share with you my favorite ways to address the mess.

1. For the Spirit
Meditation is my answer to tidying up the internal stuff. Take some time to get centered. We’ll revisit meditation again in another post. But for now, I recommend starting by downloading the Relax and Rest app for $.99.

2. For the Body
My favorite soap hands down is Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Castile Soap. Smells amazing. Feels tingly. Fair trade. Organic. Only $9.99 at Trader Joe’s for a big ol’ bottle. Awesome.

3. For the Face
I love, love, love Be Natural Organics Rose Hip Seed Facial Cleanser. It works so well. It gets makeup off. It gets the face clean. And it only has a few ingredients, none of which are harmful to you. Yay.

4. For the House
The husband, while wonderful in so many, many ways, hates the smell of vinegar. I have to be very careful about how I use it. But when I do get away with it, it is a wonderful cleaning product. Click here to get recipes for all different surfaces and needs. Works great to clean and disinfect while being safe.

5. For the Diet
Get back on track. For me, that meant getting more protein this weekend. If it means eating less sugar or drinking more water, do it. If it means getting more fiber or less protein, do it. Listen to your body. It tells you what it needs.

6. For Relationships
Communicate. Listen. Love. Respect.
Be patient. Be grateful. Be understanding.
Be able to admit when you are wrong.

7. For Your Heart
Take a moment to get out of your routine. It only has to be a minute or two of your time, but it should be a minute that makes you happy.
Kiss your dog (she did just get groomed, after all!)
Pump up the jams and bust a move
Make someone laugh
Do a quick flip through that magazine you haven’t gotten to read yet

So there you have it. Keep your house tidy. And by house, I mean your life.

Here’s what I heard over the weekend:
“To solve any problem, you must always begin with yourself. Be open to changing and learning. Be grateful for your life – for your illness, for your conflicts and your resolutions, for everything. Be grateful for the light days and the dark days. They teach you who you are.”

Question of the Day:
What was memorable for you this past weekend?

3 Comments

Filed under Meditation, Products, Sugar, Tips and Tricks, Water