When I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, I started to look for kitchen gadgets that would make my life easier. With the RA being in my wrists, there were things I simply couldn’t do the same way anymore, and some seemed nearly impossible. So I set out on a mission to find things to allow me to still be independent. My husband and kids don’t mind helping, but I mind asking. I also changed what I was eating to see if that would help with the RA, and that led me to try and find things to help keep my food fresher and organized. These are some of my favorite kitchen gadgets that made the final cut. If you have something you are wondering about, send me a message and maybe I can give it a test drive! Also, if you have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them!
| Produce Keeper – So, with a healthy lifestyle comes lots of fruits, veggies and produce. Produce that usually only lasts a couple of days, and I don’t know about you but I really don’t have the time or energy to go to the grocery store every 2-3 days. I also like to save money and buying in bulk usually means you save money. So, I was on the prowl to find a way to keep my produce fresher longer. I tried the green bags, the regular Tupperware “made for produce”, turning up the temperature in the fridge crisper drawers – I tried it all to no avail. Then I found something on Amazon that seemed legit – the reviews were good, so I thought, what the heck, let’s give it a try. Anddddd Eureka! I am hooked on these things. My strawberries lasted 2 weeks vs. the usual 5 days, my blueberries and raspberries – the ame. My lettuce – the biggest place I can save money buying in bulk, lasted 2 weeks as well. Ibuy the huge tub of organic spring mix and usually end up throwing half of it out before I can eat it, but this time I got to eat the whole thing. I can buy in bulk now and have fresh, clean fruit and produce for weeks. My lemons, limes and tomatoes? They lasted 3 weeks! I’m telling you, its little finds like this that for me, make life a little sweeter.I did find the same type of item at Walmart, it even looked like the same packaging/same product, however, the quality is not as good. The top is flimsier and doesn’t always stay clicked on, so I definitely recommend the brand I purchased on Amazon which you will find via the amazon image at to the left.. I would love to hear your | ||
| Chef Buddy Ice Cube Trays with Lids – These ice cube trays solved a problem I’ve had for a while – funny tasting ice cubes. My kids tend to put things back in the freezer without closing them properly (which is a completely different issue I need to address lol), and that lends to my ice cubes tasting like the various items in the freezer – french fries, corn dogs, veggies. I love my drinks cold, but I hate when my fruit juice or water tastes like something other than fruit juice or water. Then I found these online and voila! – problem solved. My ice cubes are crystal clear with these and taste like ice cubes should taste – like plain, clean water. One of the best investments I’ve made. I also bought one for my job as we don’t have an ice maker and the ice cubes taste funny there too because of the same problem. | ||
| Statko® Stainless Steel Pineapple Slicer and Corer – When I used this, my first thought was, where has this been all my life? I LOVE pineapple, but I get so frustrated trying to cut it and get all the good parts without the hard core in the middle. I used to end up either wasting a lot of the pineapple or having a bunch of hard pieces. This thing eliminates all of that. You get all the good parts and they stay extremely juicy. And you can use the hollowed out pineapple as a cute way to serve fruit, or make a really big alcoholic treat to share! | ||
| Prepworks From Progressive International Wedge and Pop Apple/Pear Slicer – I put off buying one of these for so long because I felt like using it would mean I’m admitting I’m lazy. I mean cutting apples is not really that taxing… until I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Then it became a necessity. Apples are my go-to when I want something sweet and filling that is healthy. I drizzle on some honey or dip the slices into some peanut butter and it’s a sweet healthy treat. And honestly, I wish I would have bought one of these sooner. The apple is cut perfectly, taking the core out and making it ready to eat in just a few seconds. I love this one because it makes it easy to use. The platform on the bottom pushes it all the way through eliminating the danger of cutting yourself trying to push it through manually. I have used a different brand before that my Mom had and I prefer this design much more than the traditional ones.
Note *** As with anything with metal slicey dicey components – be CAREFUL. Make sure you read the instructions and use as directed. I did cut my finger on this once, but I was using it wrong and wasn’t really paying attention. So be careful and use as directed! |
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| AddPassion Superior Silicone Spatulas – This is another item that I put off buying because I didn’t understand what all the hoopla was about. And I have to say, I will never go back to a traditional spatula, ever. This was another purchase I justified at first because of my rheumatoid arthritis. I was having a really hard time cooking things like scrambled eggs, and my son or husband isn’t always available to help – and well I’m stubborn and I don’t like to ask for help even when they are. So, I thought I would give these a try and boy do they make stirring and cooking SO much easier. They feel good in your hand, they scrape the bottom and sides of the pan so much more efficiently, and they don’t burn or discolor (at least it hasn’t happened yet – I’ve had them about a month and used them extensively). Again, this is another item I wish I would have purchased a long time ago!! | ||
| ChefLand 3-Compartment Microwave Safe Food Container with Lid/Divided Plate/Bento Box/Lunch Tray with Cover – When I started my journey to a healthier lifestyle, I wanted to make sure I was preparing for success in all the ways I could. Two of those areas were portion control and organization. These food containers fit the bill for both of those, and they’ve been really durable. I do hand wash them to make sure they last and they’ve been great. They really help me keep my food separated without having to have the bulk of a bunch of separate containers – and they stack in the fridge beautifully. The only downside to them is that they do tend to leak a little if something is a very thin liquid and you have it in your lunchbox sideways, for example pineapple juice. I did solve that problem by finding a lunch bag that fits these perfectly (see the post below). These containers have definitely helped me in keeping organized, prepared and on track with eating healthier! | ||
| Thermos Raya Insulated Black Floral 9 Can Duffle Bag – I really wanted to get rid of my ugly bulky lunch box that I had before and I had to find something that fit the containers I had bought above. The reviews on this were great so I thought I’d give it a try. When I received it, on first glance I thought I had made the wrong decision, it looks like it wouldn’t fit the containers. But when I opened it, I realized looks can be deceiving. You know that thing a snake does where they unhinge their jaw and that little snake has a huge mouth? That’s what this thing is like – the top opens up extremely wide to accommodate a range of items. This bag fits two ice packs (see below for fantastic flat icepacks that work great for this bag), two of the containers I talk about above and even a small dressing container. Not only that but it’s cute and definitely not bulky. It is FANTASTIC! | ||
| Thermos Ice Mat, 9 Cube – I used to think you needed big bulky ice packs to keep things really cold.. and even some of those don’t work so great. These ice packs are amazing – they’re really thin so I can put one on the bottom, on the top and even one on the side depending on how long I’m going to need it cold. They fit perfectly in the lunchbag I told you about above and you can’t beat the price! | ||
| Polar Bottle Insulated Water Bottle, Starburst, 24-Ounce – If you’ve read any of my posts about keeping hydrated, you know I definitely prefer my beverages cold – in fact I’m super stubborn about it. I will only drink it room temperature if I have to, and my husband makes fun of me for it, but hey, that’s just the way I am. So, I’ve been looking for an alternative to the popular metal containers as I just don’t like the funny taste some of them have and how heavy and clunky they are. This thing fits all the criteria I was looking for. I filled it with water and stuck it in the freezer and somewhere between an hour or two, this thing was frozen solid. Liquids getting cold fast – check. It doesn’t have a funky odor – check. It is squeezable and feels good in your hand – check. It stays cold for a really long time – check – I haven’t really tested exactly how long but I know it stays pretty cold at my desk for most of the day. I could also see how this bottle would be great for bicyclists and athletes, it’s durable, stays cold, and would fit great into those pouches on the side of bags or the spot on a bicycle for a water bottle. I highly recommend this bottle – and it comes in a lot of various colors and patterns. |
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