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School is back in full swing and so is my quest to simplify my kitchen life. What fun healthy food can I pack for school lunch? Who will be home for dinner? What is a quick and easy breakfast on school days? Yes, even me, a complete and utter food “obsessor” can get the jitters about what to make! Keeping my kitchen equipped with the stuff that makes my life easier, is essential.

With the new year in mind, I thought I would compile a short list of what I have at my house to help ease the everyday stresses you may have about your daily food routines.  I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s all about being prepared and organized (my daily mantra). Things need to be easy and straightforward, otherwise, I can lose interest quickly. Are we still talking about food? Ha! Anyway, let’s try to up the ante on our kitchen gear and get ready for a delicious, easy and safe new year!

So, here we go, Five Things That Make My Kitchen Life Easier – click on image to see details

The Collapsible Eco Friendly Lunch Box

This super sturdy and cute lunchbox has been a big hit with my daughter. It has three compartments, perfectly sized for lunch or snacks and for those of you with one or more kidlette, it comes in an array of colors. What I like best is that it collapses down easily and is made with all of the good eco-friendly stuff. Can I also mention, that this has made a superb birthday gift for 1st and 2nd graders – I’m just sayin’.

Large Ball Mason Jars

These jars are everywhere in my house.  I use them to store rice, beans, pasta, quinoa, leftovers, dressings, etc. They are easy to store and makes your cupboards look instantly more organized. I also adore anything you can put in the dishwasher. The other day I used a small one to put lemonade in for my daughters lunch, she loved it! Instant cup!

The VitaMix 2-speed Turbo Blender

I know, I know, it’s expensive! But, can I tell you, I have had mine for nine years! I use it everyday…EVERYday! Morning smoothies, dressings, pancake batter, pesto, easy sauces, soups…I could go on and on. You would think I own a piece of the company, but I don’t…I just really love mine so much, plus it makes being a healthy mom even easier.

The Yoshiki Easy to Use Knife Sharpener

What’s worse than pulling out a knife and not having it be sharp enough? Cutting yourself with a dull knife! You are more likely to cut yourself with a dull knife, because the blade will slide right off of whatever you are trying to slice! Who has time to tend to a wound, when there are meals to prepare!? This small, handy, easy to use knife sharpener is a must have in any kitchen.  My Yoshiki sharpener has lasted me years and it does not look like it will be dying out any day soon. Don’t be fooled by the long, daunting, silver “file” in your knife block…that is not a sharpener! Treat yourself to super sharp knives all of the time. You will not believe how much easier things get when you have the proper tools.

Kids Cooking Cookbook by Klutz

My daughter found this book herself at a bookstore in New York. She literally goes through it and lets me know what she is willing to try or even make herself.  I like the healthy options and the fun way they describe how to cook the items.  It even comes with fun measuring spoons, which makes it super easy for the kids to find it themselves on the shelf! This one is a winner and the fact that my daughter is not bored of it yet speaks volumes.

Yes, it’s true – I love coconut oil!  When I bring it out to cook with in my classes, everyone cringes and draws their bodies back and away!  ”NO”, I say, “it’s gotten a bad wrap!  Let me tell you about the benefits of coconut oil!”  By the end of class, I have new converts and many write to tell me how much they love cooking with it!  The following information was taken directly from the Coconut Research Board and is full of great info!

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While coconut possesses many health benefits due to its fiber and nutritional content, it’s the oil that makes it a truly remarkable food and medicine.

Once mistakenly believed to be unhealthy because of its high saturated fat content, it is now known that the fat in coconut oil is unique and different from most all other fats and possesses many health giving properties. It is now gaining long overdue recognition as a nutritious health food.

Coconut oil has been described as “the healthiest oil on earth.” That’s quite a remarkable statement. What makes coconut oil so good? What makes it different from all other oils, especially other saturated fats?

The difference is in the fat molecule. All fats and oils are composed of molecules called fatty acids. There are two methods of classifying fatty acids. The first you are probably familiar with, is based on saturation. You have saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats. Another system of classification is based on molecular size or length of the carbon chain within each fatty acid. Fatty acids consist of long chains of carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms attached. In this system you have short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), and long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Coconut oil is composed predominately of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), also known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT).

The vast majority of fats and oils in our diets, whether they are saturated or unsaturated or come from animals or plants, are composed of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Some 98 to 100% of all the fatty acids you consume are LCFA.

The size of the fatty acid is extremely important. Why? Because our bodies respond to and metabolize each fatty acid differently depending on its size. So the physiological effects of MCFA in coconut oil are distinctly different from those of LCFA more commonly found in our foods. The saturated fatty acids in coconut oil are predominately medium-chain fatty acids. Both the saturated and unsaturated fat found in meat, milk, eggs, and plants (including most all vegetable oils) are composed of LCFA.

MCFA are very different from LCFA. They do not have a negative effect on cholesterol and help to protect against heart disease. MCFA help to lower the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease. It is primarily due to the MCFA in coconut oil that makes it so special and so beneficial.

There are only a very few good dietary sources of MCFA. By far the best sources are from coconut and palm kernel oils.

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What do I want for Christmas this year? It’s not hard to please this foodie. I have been eyeing these three gifts for months and hopefully, this year, I will be unwrapping them and putting them to great use.

Click on the image to buy one for a friend or better yet, yourself!

Zojirushi NS-LAC05 Micom 3-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer

It’s time I just accepted the fact that I would love to have access to warm rice all day.

Le Creuset Stoneware Wok Dish in Caribbean Blue

I just don’t have enough words for how much I love this wok…AND the color!

Cuisinart HM-50 Power Advantage 5-Speed Hand Mixer

I have had the same hand mixer since our wedding! It’s time to upgrade.

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Penne with Wilted Spinach & Pine Nuts

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• 1 lb penne or similar shaped pasta
• 3 tablespoons ghee (or butter or clarified butter)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup pine nuts (1 1/4 oz)
• 1 garlic clove – chopped
• 2 (8- to 10-oz) bags baby spinach
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus additional for serving

Cook penne in boiling salted water in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot until al dente or according to package directions, then drain in a colander.

Combine ghee, oil, and pine nuts in cleaned and dried pot and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until nuts are pale golden, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until garlic is golden, about 1 minute. Stir in greens and cook, stirring, until they wilt, about 3 minutes. Add penne, salt and pepper and toss to coat. Stir in cheese and serve immediately with additional cheese on the side.