10 tools for the healthy kitchen

July 10, 2:42 PMLA Diets ExaminerLorie Dudley

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The best way to gain more control over your diet is to get your butt in the kitchen and prepare and cook your own meals because when you prepare your own meals, you know exactly what's going into them.  Here are some tools for the healthy cook and kitchen.

1. Olive Oil Sprayer. You could purchase cooking sprays from the market, or refill the Misto Olive Oil Sprayer with your favorite olive oil instead. It's more attractive than the regular cans of cooking spray and will save you money.
2. Measuring cups and spoons. A necessity when cooking and baking, but they're also essential for measuring your portions until you're able to accurately eyeball them. Check out Williams Sonoma or Chef'n Sleekstor's collapsible measuring cups and spoons.
3. Salad spinner/colander. The OXO Stainless-Steel Salad Spinner doubles as a salad spinner and colander so you can dry your salad greens, rinse your fruits and vegetables, and strain your pasta.
4. Food processor/blender. The Vita-Mix 5200 blender performs over 50 different culinary jobs and replaces 10 kitchen appliances. If the Vita-mix is outside your budget, the Cuisanart BFP-10CH PowerBlend Duet Blender/Food Processer, will handle your blending and food processing.
5. Kitchen scales. When you're really trying to watch your weight and lose weight, kitchen scales are essential. The Cibo Nutritional Scale displays calories, carbohydrates, protein, sodium, fat, cholesterol or fiber for 999 foods and beverages based on USDA data.
6. Non-stick cookware. Calphalon One Infused Annodized Nonstick prevents foods from sticking and is resistant to staining.
7. Vegetable steamer/rice cooker. The Oster 5711 10-Cup Rice Cooker is a multi-functional appliance; steam vegetables, cook rice, reheat breads and leftovers, steam fish and seafood, and more.
8. Knife block set. A good set of knives will make preparing food easier and safer. Wüsthof has been manufacturing fine cutlery since 1814; their attention to detail and meticulous hand finishing make their cutlery worth the investment. Check out the Wüsthof Trident Classic.
9. Cutting board. Totally Bamboo uses premium "Moso" bamboo making their cutting boards beautiful and durable. Regular bamboo oil treatments will preserver their elegance and charm for many years. [How to care for your bamboo cutting boards]
10. Indoor grill.  An indoor grill is indispensable during inclement weather, when you don't feel like firing up the grill, or when you're cooking for just one or two. When considering indoor grills, look for one that includes a drip tray and an adjustable thermostat, like the Delonghi BG-24 Indoor Grill.

Don't feel like you have to run out and purchase all of these tools at once, think about what you would use the most and purchase those items first. Put a few items on your birthday wish list or Christmas list - cooking tools, not diamonds, are the healthy girl's new best friend.

Where to buy:
Chef's Resource
Williams-Sonoma
Amazon
Sur La Table
Target
Vita-Mix
Cutlery and More

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