Gift Ideas: Shake It Up

Timing and planning are two of the key sabatoures to most nutrition programs. We are fine when we have time to cook and time prepare but once life One of the keys to success in any nutrition program is to always have a back up plan.

My back up plan includes a Blender Bottle. I keep a meal replacement shake (in powder form) and a Blender Bottle in both my car and office. That way I can just add some water and I have something quick, easy, and filling. Plus I get very grumpy if i don't eat every 2-3 hours so it's really more of a public service than a health issue!

You can also use it for mixing healthy salad dressings, buckwheat pancake mix, scrambled eggs, etc. I usually pick mine up at Henry's for about $7 but I just found this great deal for a pack of 4 right here. Or you can do your own comparison shopping at NexTag.com.

Gift Ideas: Spray it On

Including healthy oils into your diet is a crucial factor for good health. However, as with everything, moderation is key. An excellent way to add oils while monitoring your intake is to use a MISTO olive oil sprayer. You can even mix some oil, vinegar, and lemon in the sprayer for a tasty and healthy salad dressing. The MISTO sprayer can be found at Bed Bath & Beyond on on Amazon.com.

Gift Ideas: Wok it Out

A wok is an essential tool in any healthy kitchen. It is quick, easy, and virtually fool proof. The two main types of woks are flat bottomed and round bottomed. The round bottomed woks are a bit more versatile but you will need to get a wok ring to ensure stability. If you are just trying it out, I suggest a flat bottomed wok.

Created in the Chinese kitchen 2000 years ago, and recently made popular by the Beastie Boys, wok's can be found virtually everywhere. Here are a few links to get you started:

Bed Bath & Beyond
Amazon.com

Oh, and a wok is a perfect place to boil water for your brand new Bamboo Steamer!

Gift Ideas: Steam it Up

Throughout this week and next I'm going to be giving some gift ideas for your favorite foodie or aspiring health nut. I promise, they will also please the taste buds of those that think of healthy cooking as a four letter word!

Hands down my favorite cooking tool is the bamboo steamer. My roommate introduced this to our household a few years ago and since then it has become a staple.

A bamboo steamer is essentially a circular tower with 2-3 different tiers. You place the steamer into a pot of water and bring to a boil. You then fill each layer with you favorite food. I typically put lean protein on the bottom layer and vegetables on the top layer. Finally, cover the steamer and walk away for about 10 minutes. Voila - you're done! The steam cooks your protein while keeping it moist. It also enhances the flavors of your vegetables without having to add a lot of oils and sauces.

You can find bamboo steamers for ~$15 at Bed, Bath & Beyond.