Thought I would try a thread:

I love the make 30 frozen meals ideas---as a teacher who packs that is great.

But what do people use in the kitchen that they feel makes a difference with their meal plan or prep or storage??

So, my tool/toy

I have 'blender on a stick' hand blender.
And (big piece) I have a drink container (originally came with a spring inside to shake stuff up) that this blender fits in perfectly!!

These two tool make it easy for me to do a morning yogurt smoothie. Frozen raspberries, yogurt, flax seed, and maybe some mini chocolate chips....

I struggle with breakfast because I do not like eggs, and I am gluten free (NOT by choice), and I eat in my car because I have to be in my classroom by 6:45 am (but we get out at 2:10!) so most oatmeal, toast etc things do not work for me. And that drive thru 8000 kcal chocolate mocha caramel whip cream frappe latte coffee thing (with sprinkles) was GOOD, and I was not hungry till lunch, but I do not think it was the best choice for my calorie budget or my check book budget.

Some of my most valuable tools are

Ziplocs - All sizes

Tupperware

Scale

Measuring cups/spoons

Ziploc - as previously stated, but key for portion control and convenience

Pretty lunch box - OK, this one is for the girls, but just having a pretty lunch container to pack at night and take to work the next day seems to help

Steamer - steaming veggies is so easy and healthy

Grill - charcoal is my preference - great for the upcoming warmer months

ziplock steam bags

Smaller plates

I hate eggs too. I make a dozen ricotta muffins - they are kind of like cheesecakes. I mix mine with oatmeal and chocolate peanut butter, but my husband likes them with sugar free syrup. I put them in plastic containers and we eat them during the week. They are high in protein so very filling.

I make a dozen ricotta muffins - they are kind of like cheesecakes. I mix mine with oatmeal and chocolate peanut butter, but my husband likes them with sugar free syrup. I put them in plastic containers and we eat them during the week. They are high in protein so very filling.

Dawn, that sounds WONDERFULLY YUMMY!!! Any chance of a recipe and a calorie count?
..please?...

4 eggs or any egglike combo you like
2 cups part-skim ricotta
4 oz low fat cream cheese
splenda - if you want it
cinnamon or other spices that you might like
I add a couple scoops of vanilla whey protein but you don't have to.

Blend in a blender, pour in a muffin pan and cook in a 350 degree oven for 20 - 25 minutes - until firm all the way through.

The last time I made it I did 2 eggs and 2 eggbeaters and this was my cal count:
111 calories, 7 grams fat, 4 grams carbs, 9 grams protein.

If you want it sweeter, my husband likes to add sugar-free syrup and I mix mine in oatmeal.

This is our go-to breakfast and I make it at least once a week.

Hope you like it.

Thanks, Dawn! I'll try it this weekend!

That looks like just the morning thing I am looking for!! When you add oatmeal---you just mix it in the batter??

Thanks!
Amy

No. I make oatmeal - usually a weeks worth and just portion them out together. BTW, sometimes I skip the TBSP of chocolate pb and add frozen blueberries to my oatmeal - then I get blueberry cheesecake.

My number one appliance is my new VitaMix blender. It makes amazing protein shakes and blends up my meal replacement shakes quickly.

My second favorite appliance / tool is new and it's my food processor. I've been trying some new recipes lately that use it and it's a ton of fun with all of the attachments.

Finally it's my measuring cups / spoons ... old school, simple, precise. I measure absolutely everything ... peanut butter, oatmeal, milk, berries, etc. I remove the uncertainty and add the reassurance that I'm truly getting what I need.

Sean
LearnFitness.com

Yep, all the tools above, plus the food processor. It really helps when you're prepping lots of veggies. If not a food processor, then a good SHARP knife. I read an author who said she thinks the reason people don't eat vegetables is because they have dull knives. I think she's on to something!
I recently found a sturdy LARGE sized basket steamer (never saw one this big before) and I LOVE it (I think it's 12inches when unfolded - fits into large pots). I like to steam up a lot of vegies at once and eat them for days. The new steamer is making this way easier!
I also love my rice cooker.

George Foreman Grill.

Ziplock bags and Containers.

Several shaker cups.

My wife.


Wait.....What???!!!!

@Kiwi-LOL wouldn't we all love a personal chef!