I got this last week because 1) we eat eggs every day and 2) we’ve eaten all the nonstick coating off our other pans.

Scrambled eggs in a non-nonstick pan is miserable to clean.  And so, now I don’t have to.  These pans are super slippery and my eggies slide right out.  Even when I gum up the pan with salsa… which I do quite often.

If you’re in the market for inexpensive, yet quality nonstick pans, pick up this combo pack.  They are also available in single pans if you don’t need multiple sizes.

Calphalon Contemporary Combo Pack – $50

Easy and functional, this brushed nickel towel bar is a stylish way to get that towel off the countertop while still leaving at your fingertips.

Find it here for about 6 bucks.

You see, we try to send healthy lunches to school for the boys, but invariably, I hear My cheese was too hot. or My pasta was cold. They say other stuff too, but I try to tune them out.  Seems like they don’t like when the hot stuff is cold or the cold stuff is hot, but really, nothing seems to keep their lunch items at the proper temperature.

So they have PB&J every day.

And they’ve rebelled.  As would I.

So, I got these containers that have liquid in the lids that you freeze and slap some cold stuff in there, like yogurt, and it tries to keep it cold until your child eats it.  Well, it actually works.

The only downside is… you have to hand wash the lids.  I consider that a small price to pay to keep the boys from eating bacteria-laden food.

This same company also makes a container for hot foods that you can microwave before you pack their lunch and this salad container.  Pick some up today if you have munchkins that like to munch.

StayFit Lunch to Go – $7

I used to own one, a stainless steel set made by Farberware and included in my first set of cookware as a bonus.  You can’t buy them separately now, and I’m not sure that you ever could, but I want them.  And I can’t have ‘em.  I’ve searched high and low for a replacement after I melted the lid in the dishwasher, to no avail.

Oh, don’t get me wrong.  I have bowls that I mix stuff in, but they’re not the perfect bowl.  Glass mixing bowls are too heavy and I always feel like they’re just waiting to jump off the counter and shatter into a million pieces.  Plastic mixing bowls won’t do any counter surfing, but they sometimes seem too flimsy.

Nope.  The best ever mixing bowls are stainless steel and have accompanying lids.  They’re unbeatable for mixing ingredients that need to remain cool, like whipped cream, or that you will need to put in the fridge later.  The stainless steel really helps with the cooling process.  Really, I have a love affair with these bowls, and the sad part is… they’re not made by anyone on this planet that I can find… yet.  I will keep hunting though.  I’m very determined like that.  Some may call it obsessive, but I like to think of it as persistent.

Anyway, I’m kind of liking this 4-piece bamboo bowl set I saw at JcPenney because they are colorful, they nest for easy storage and they have a pouring spout so your batter doesn’t blop all over the counter.  Check these out if you, too, constantly hunt for the next best thing. Kid-friendly, if you often have “help” in the kitchen.

** Update ->  I’ve found a few of the Farberware stainless steel mixing bowls on ebay.  Search for Farberware mixing bowls and you’ll have a few to choose from.  Make sure you get one with a lid!

Batter Bowls – at JcPenney – $20

Until now, not many.  BUT.  Sony is introducing the Dash, a personal internet viewer.  What does that mean?  You can pull up your favorite recipes on the Dash in your kitchen, away from your PC, and get busy cooking something delicious.  Also keeps track of the weather and whatever else you may need in the kitchen.

I haven’t actually seen one of these yet, they just came out in April  2010, but I sure am anxious to discover if this is THE product that I’ve been waiting for…. technology with the wipability factor.  Check it out here.

Who knows… my logic is probably flawed, but the muscleheads at the gym all grunt about protein and how you gotta eat protein to build muscle.    What I do know is that proteins are used in our bodies to build up, keep up, and replace the tissues in our bodies and that muscles, organs, and some hormones are made up mostly of protein.  Proteins function in tons of other ways in our bodies (like carrying oxygen… hello? do you want to breathe) and basically, if I know I’m not eating enough, I’m not doing myself any favors.

So, I eat more.  More meat, more chicken, and lots more fish.  And Fage yogurt.  Total yum.  The question then is how much do I eat?  And anyone that has ever adopted a new eating plan, whether it’s more protein or more veggies has asked this question: how much is a “serving”?  No one wants to weigh or measure out every single thing they eat.  Who has time for that?  Plus, extra dirty dishes.  Blah.

So, these Measure Up Bowls were created with just this dilemma in mind because they have cup measurements inside the bowl you eat from!  The small bowl measures up to a cup (in 1/4 increments) and the large bowl measures up to 2 cups (in 1/2 cup increments).  How friggin’ handy is this?   Measure effortlessly and then eat right out of that same bowl.  Ingenious.

Measure Up Bowl Set (2) – $30

Here’s why it’s great:

• it’s quite cushy because it has a gel core, so my bare feet don’t get sore or tired standing on hard tile
• it’s fits perfectly in front of my kitchen sink and my cooktop area, the two places where it seems I hang out alot
• non-slip bottom so your mat doesn’t move around or trip you up
• easy to clean – just wipe
• anti-microbial additive, so it’s resistant to mildew and mold, because ewwwww
• various sizes and colors available

Would also be quite useful in front of the bathroom sink, if you’re not lucky enough to have a little seat… and I’m not.

GelPro Basketweave Mat – 20″ x 36″ $99

Let’s just stop and think about that for a minute.  No hot bread, straight from the oven, slathered with butter, the real stuff.  No warm cookies, bagels with cream cheese, cake, or pasta.  And that’s not even including those hidden places where wheat can lurk: soups, sauces, beer, frozen entrees.

If you are one of the ever-growing population that needs or wants to reduce your gluten (wheat, rye and barley) intake, this book makes it simple by first explaining what the heck gluten is, where it’s found and how you can eat delicious foods and still avoid it.  Recipes are included, and are guaranteed to make your gluten-free world a little easier than you thought!

Living Gluten-Free for Dummies – $14

Not the tiny little sour pebbles that are in the store right now, for $15 a pound.

Noooooooooooo.  The sweet walnut-sized cherries from heaven… that’s what I’m talking about.

For now, we need to enjoy the pleasantly inexpensive citrus, even if you’ve already been enjoying it for what seems like eons, because soon, it will be gone.

And a easy way to make that citrus more enjoyable is to not have the peels stuck under your fingernails for days.    This citrus peeler will make that orange manicure a thing of the past because the pointed tip scores the fruit peel, and the flat edge gets under peel and pulls it right off.  All you’re left with is the juicy goodness and a tool that you can just toss into the dishwasher to clean.  Gotta love the oranges… until the cherries arrive.

OXO Good Grips Citrus Peeler – $12

Imagine these at your next dinner party with a little liquor of choice (think: orange, lime, lemon) inside for dessert.  Or, for the younger crowd, stuff them with peppermint ice cream and serve to the kiddos.

Or fill with cheesecake and plop a fresh raspberry on top.   The possibilities are endless.

Cheers!

Dobla Dark Chocolate Toasting Cups (12) – $12