Gift Guide for the Fit Foodie: Kitchen Gadgets
Happy first day of December!
The ONLY thing I miss about not having cable other than the Olympics is missing out on ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas. I am totally ready to jingle allllll the way until December 25th!
Because I have been traveling an insane amount which has = ZERO time in the kitchen, I'm bringing you something awesome to stand in for recipes at the present moment:
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES.
Yes, I know, just what the world needs, more blogger gift guides. But I pride myself of my stellar gift-giving skills, because I'm darn good at sussing out what people actually use and appreciate. I'll have a bunch of holiday gift guides sprinkled into our usual content over the next few weeks that I really hope you guys find helpful when looking for the perfect gift of all price points.
My gift guides will all revolve around the central themes of Living Minnaly here:
health, fitness, food, and travel.
Are you ready?? Today, it's all about gifting for the fit foodie friend in your life- particularly, kitchen gadgets he or she will put to heavy use while whipping up healthy and delicious things for themselves and their families in the kitchen.
1. Vitamix Pro Series 750 Brushed Stainless Steel Finish ($549)
This is the Rolls-Royce of the kitchen. An investment for sure, but with a warranty of 7 years, self-cleaning ability, and the ability to make everything (and I mean, everything) from soups, purées, smoothies, dips, grinding flours/nuts/seeds, and more, it pays for itself time and again. I promise, you'll win Christmas with this one. Not that it's about winning or anything...
2. Cuisinart Mini-Prep Food Processor ($37.78)
So if a spendy blender isn't in the cards for you but you still want a versatile cooking helper in the kitchen, this mini-prep food processor will eliminate the need for tedious chopping of veggies for easy and healthy weeknight meals. You can also splurge on the bigger version, to make that perfect pie crust.
3. Nutribullet Pro 900 9pc Set ($86)
A great first blender that packs some serious power, I loved my Nutribullet dearly and still use it all the time. It's my go-to for easy batter making and cleanup for my gingerbread or pumpkin pancakes, and it makes a mean post-workout smoothie too.
4. Cuisinart Automatic Burr Mill Coffee Grinder ($38.54)
This is the next item I'm getting for myself in the kitchen. Nothing compares to freshly ground beans, and a burr mill grinder is the best way to get an even, consistent grind. Most great burr mills are super pricey (think $150 as the low end), but this one has great reviews and a way less painful price tag. Imagine how smooth your overnight french-pressed cold brew will taste now...
5. Bodum Copper French Press 34oz ($34.41)
Bodum is the classic, reliable french press, and this copper version is perfect for the holidays. Imagine how pretty your tabletops will be, serving fresh coffee to guests in this copper press. Let's be honest, do it for the 'gram.
6. PlanetBox Lunchbox ($80)
This eco-friendly, stainless-steel lunchbox is the perfect thing to be able to pack healthy good portions on-the-go for busy bees like me. Non-toxic, dishwasher-safe, recyclable, and good for the planet and your body. My soba-noodle salad has found it's little modern 'bento' box- say goodbye to plastic tupperware!
7. Belgian Waffle Maker ($17.99)
I am looking to upgrade my waffle-maker, and this is the one I have my eye on. Protein waffles for the fitness buff, or good ol' basic oat waffles for everyone on Sunday morning, this gadget is actually not a waste of countertop space.
8. Bee's Wrap Sustainable Food Storage ($18 for 3 pack)
Organic cotton muslin infused with beeswax kicks plastic wrap to the curb. Better for the environment, your health, and your wallet, since you can wash, reuse, and compost it. No one wants leftovers going to waste, especially when sticking to a healthier foods!
9. Oxo Salad Spinner ($24)
One of the things I really didn't think I needed, until I was gifted one myself. After washing my kale and spinach from the farmers market, it was always so hard to get all the moisture out, which made my greens spoil so much faster. With the spinner, you wick out all excess water, and it provides easy storage for your greens. Now you won't have a problem gettin' your greens on.
10. Oil Mister ($29.99)
This might seem like a random item, but it's one I use nearly every single day. Pre-packaged oil spray cans are usually filled with other ingredients so it's not pure olive or coconut oil you're getting there. With this oil mister, you can refill it with whatever oils you want, so you can cook cleaner and measure out just enough oil.
11. Lodge Cast Iron 10.25 in. ($18.95)
I don't know what life was before my Lodge cast iron. But seriously. It's just impossible to compare the quality of grilling and cooking you get with a cast-iron. It's also so sturdy and it will literally last you a lifetime. Learning how to season and clean a cast-iron is a bit tricky, but Lodge makes it super easy with a pre-seasoned pan, and the price is quite frankly ridiculous for the durability and quality.
