I have found that having the right cooking utensils and appliances helps to make cooking healthy meals so much easier. Below is a list of all the tools of the trade I use to enjoy preparing meals for my family. Keep in mind it has taken me almost 2 years to collect everything so don’t feel pressure to got out and purchase it all in one shot.
**this list is still in progress. I have a lot of stuff so check back as I add more.
Fun Stuff
Kitchen Aprons
I love my kitchen aprons. When I put one on it’s like I slip into character and I am ready to take on recipe. Almost all of aprons are from Flirty Aprons. They have a huge selection of fun, feminine, and of course flirty styles.
Another favorite apron is my Wonder Woman Apron
Small Kitchen Appliances
Slow Cooker
It took me awhile to embrace the beauty of a slow cooker. At first, I did not know how to use it and would prepare less than appealing meals. Now that I have it figured out, thanks to the recommended cookbooks below, I use it all the time to prepare a variety of dishes. I find it beneficial to have slow cookers in different sizes. I own Hamilton Beach 33967 Set ‘n Forget 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Two slow cooker cookbooks I highly recommend are the Slow Cooker Revolution
We eat a lot of rice and grains in my family. Having a rice cooker has helped me easily make large batches at one time so I can freeze for later uses. Also, it is nice that I can set it and forget it. There is no need to stand around watching over it so the rice doesn’t burn. The brand I use is the Aroma 8-Cup Digital Rice Cooker and Food Steamer
Indoor Grill/Griddle
I think my indoor grill is one of my favorite small appliances. I use it all the time! I make everything from burgers and grilled wraps to pancakes and eggs. Where I live it is cold most of the year so I find it very convenient to be able use my indoor grill when I don’t have access to the outdoor one. Although, I have to say, I think I prefer cooking with my indoor grill anyway. The brand I use is Wolfgang Puck Reversible Nonstick Grill and Griddle
Bread Machine
I was actually surprised by how much I loved using my bread machine. I had one years ago and ended up giving it away because it just took up space. I decided to give it another shot a little over a year ago and fell totally in love with it. Again, just like my slow cookers, once you learn to use it correctly then skies the limit. You can make everything from artisan breads and pizza dough to jam with it. The one I have is an old one from my mom’s basement. Before you purchase one ask around or check the local thrift store. People are always giving these away. If you want to purchase one then I recommend Sunbeam 2-Pound Programmable Breadmaker.
To go with your bread machine I recommend the cookbook The Bread Lover’s Bread Machine Cookbook: A Master Baker’s 300 Favorite Recipes for Perfect-Every-Time Bread-From Every Kind of Machine
KitchenAid Mixer
I just got this beauty for my birthday this year. I have been wanting one for a very long time and now that it is in my life I know we will make beautiful music together. I look forward to making everything from cookies to large batches of pizza dough. The one I have is the KitchenAid Artisan Design Series
Food Processor
Having a food processor is definitely an essential in my kitchen. I
use it all the time to quickly shred cheese, carrots, and other vegetables that would usually take me forever. I also use it to chop and puree other ingredients. I still have an old Cuisinart from my wedding. The updated version is the Cuisinart Handy Prep 3-Cup Food Processor
Utensils and Other Things
I am not going to list everything down to my last spoon here. However, I will add to this collection everything that I use on regular basis that has made cooking a bit easier and more fun.
Kitchen Scale
This is an essential to tool when it comes to portioning food and weighing ingredients for recipes. I learned a long time ago that when I try to guess the amount of a portion, without weighing, I always ends up wrong. I have the EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale
Immersion Hand Blender
This comes in very handy for making quick smoothies or when I need to 
Pizza Slicer
Some would think this is a basic kitchen tool to have around. But you would be surprised the number of people who are still trying to cut a pizza with a knife – not fun. Having a pizza slicer is essential in my house. I make a lot of pizzas and if I had to cut them all with a knife I would go batty. I have the OXO Good Grips 4-Inch Pizza Wheel
Microplane Zester/Grater
This is probably one of my most used kitchen utensils. I use it 
