Summer is here and it is hot hot hot. Since my previous post on this topic was a hit, I thought you might like Part 2, the summer edition with more great products and kitchen tools under $20 that will make cooking and eating simpler this summer.
Filling up your kitchen with gadgets that you won’t use is worse than pointless. . . it is a waste of money, natural resources, and precious space! I chose these products to share because they are awesome– I personally use them all the time and wanted to share them with you. They are all relatively inexpensive, high quality, and simple. They have a very specific purpose and they do that really really well.
Nut Milk Bag
Ever made your own almond milk, other nut milk, or oat milk? Its fresh, its refreshing, its yummy, you know exactly what is in it, and its a LOT less expensive than buying it in aseptic cartons. One nut milk bag will last for years and is also perfect for making veggie juice without a juicer– just blend the veggies in a high-powered blender and press it through the nut milk bag. Voila!
Top pick: Zimtal Nut Milk Bag
Silicone Popsicle Molds
After a couple weeks of research (no I’m not kidding), I settled on a set of BPA free silicone popsicle molds to cool off with a sweet treat this summer. There are a ton of different popsicle molds on the market and they all serve the same basic function– to allow you to make healthy popsicles at home. They are great for saving leftover protein smoothies, homemade juice, fruit, and homemade ice cream and turning the same-old drinks into something frozen, refreshing, and delicious. Why buy store bought popsicles loaded with sugar and artificial colors when you can very easily make your own at home with real food ingredients?
Top pick: Silicone Popsicle Molds BPA Free
Cookie Scoop
Watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe. . . yum! A good quality cookie scoop works for more than just perfectly shaped cookies. I use ours all of the time for things like balling melon, scooping cookies, making round balls for power snacks, scooping falafel balls or meatballs. The possibilities are endless! I find the small or medium scoops are the most versatile.
Top pick: OXO Good Grips Medium Cookie Scoop
Spiral Slicer
Want to make some of the yummy all veggie pasta dishes popping up on Pinterest? Use a spiral slicer to quickly and easily slice carrots, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, turnips, or whatever other veggies you’d like to “spiralize” into long noodles. Pasta made from vegetables. . . brilliant! Just top with real food toppings as you normally would with sauce, pesto, or whatever you’d like.
Top pick: Kinbar Spiral Vegetable Slicer
Oil Sprayer
Move over Pam and all of the other spray-bottle-type oils filled with propellants and other mystery ingredients. I love the oil sprayer because it allows you the convenience of a spray oil for sautes, waffles, on the grill, or whatever else you like to use it for, without all of the junk. Simply put your favorite high-heat oil (like grapeseed or liquid coconut) in the bottle, pump a few times, and you’re good to go.
Top pick: Misto Olive Oil Sprayer
For a complete list of essential kitchen equipment to make preparing healthy meals simple, check out my book: Real Food, Real Simple: A Personalized Plan for More Energy, Less Stress, and Healthy Meals in Minutes
Do you have a favorite kitchen gadget under $20 that you use frequently? Please share by leaving a comment below!
