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Kitchen Gadget Reviews

Have You Invested in a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer Yet?! Here’s Why I Think You Should….

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Ironically, in spite of ALWAYS saying, “You’ll only be as great a cook as your tools and ingredients allow you to be,” I put off buying a KitchenAid stand mixer for years. And years.

The very person who consistently pays more for most ingredients and who grabs every new kitchen gadget that hits the market put off buying something because it, “… seems so high.”

If I didn’t do a great deal of baking, it’d be more forgivable but with a large family, there are always birthday cakes to make, homemade icing to throw together, candies, pies, and whatnot. And that in’t even counting Thanksgiving and Christmas – my annual grand finales!

I knew Kitchenaid stand mixers were gorgeous and knew the brand had one of the best reputations in the business but I  honestly assumed my handheld mixer could do anything it could and I knew it was far cheaper. More on the faulty assumption in a minute.

Earlier this year, my youngest daughter got a Kitchenaid stand mixer (Amazon link) and immediately began to rave about it. She’s one of the rare humans who does as much baking and cooking as I do, so when she recommends something, I listen. I decided to test her Kitchenaid out with something I make each week – Homemade Whipped Cream. My husband and I love it in our coffee (as well as on ice cream, cakes, cookies… heck, I’ve even seen him eat it right out of the bowl).

(Continued Below the Whipped Cream!)

Homemade Whipped Cream

Homemade Whipped Cream (Recipe) 

First of all, I fell in love with the fact that all I had to do was put all of the ingredients into the bowl and that the Kitchenaid did the rest. My right arm marveled at something being beaten without it feeling the burden.

However, if the results had been the same, I would have stayed loyal to my handheld for the rest of my life.

The results were not even remotely the same. My homemade whipped cream has always been delicious but this time it had a MUCH better consistency – a consistency that made it look better and, somehow, even taste better. I remember picking it up with a spoon and thinking how much it looked like store-bought whipped cream. My handheld never did that.

Then it hit me… if the Kitchenaid stand mixer (Amazon link) makes this big of a difference with something as simple as whipped cream, imagine the difference it can make with cakes, pies, cookies, brownies, divinity, fudge… that was it. I was sold.

Yes, a Kitchenaid stand mixer  is more expensive than hand held mixers and, yes, for most of us, they’re somewhat of an investment. But here’s the thing, if the meals we make for our loved ones aren’t worth it, nothing is.

I would never recommend anything to my readers that I don’t absolutely love and use. I’d never suggest you buy something unless I knew you’d love it – I’m just not built that way.

I’m 100 percent certain you will love a  Kitchenaid stand mixer (Amazon link) as much as I do.  From what I’ve read, other stand mixers do not hold a candle to the Kitchenaid brand, so I wouldn’t get sidetracked there, if I were you. Kitchenaid is a household name and experience has shown me why.

See Also: Recipe for the Best Whipped Cream!

KitchenAid

KitchenAid Stand Mixer

Colonel Popper’s Popcorn Maker: Healthy (but Delicious) Snacking Made Possible

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Colonel Popper Microwave Popcorn Maker

Colonel Popper’s Popcorn Maker

I have a foodie confession to make. I am a snacker. What’s more, I am a snacker who is uncommonly passionate about her snacking. When I stop and think about it (which I’m doing now, for better or worse), I do very few things without a snack within reach.

  • Watching a baseball, football, or basketball game on tv
  • Watching an old movie on TCM
  • Posting on one of my blogs
  • Cooking supper
  • Working a puzzle
  • Reading
  • Sitting outside, listening to the birds
  • Working in my flower beds
  • Gossiping with my daughters
  • Swearing to my husband that we don’t gossip

Yep… everything has to have a snack close by.

Popcorn

I have popcorn in front of me at the moment – made with my new obsession: Colonel Popper’s Popcorn Maker.

We’ve already established that I’m a snacker of the highest order, so it’s obviously very important to me that my snacks be as healthy and low-calorie as possible. Otherwise I’d be in a world of trouble.

Fortunately my favorite “go to” snack is popcorn and now, with this ingenious little popcorn maker, it’s healthier than ever.

Colonel Popper’s Silicone Popcorn Maker is super durable, safe, and eco-friendly. You can eat fresh microwave popcorn right out of the colorful popcorn bowl. I can say from experience – you’ll never want to pop popcorn without a Colonel Popper again.

Five things you’re going to love about Colonel Popper:

  1. Such an inexpensive snack! Use any popcorn kernels – which are about as cheap as it gets.
  2. BPA Free Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper makes up to 14 cups of popcorn, plenty for your kids and family.
  3. MUCH healthier than microwavable popcorn you buy in stores. Who wants those harmful chemicals around their family? I certainly don’t.
  4. Easy and convenient. You simply pour the desired amount of kernels into the bowl, add butter/oil or (my personal favorite) ghee, and “pop” it into the microwave. After you remove the perfectly popped popcorn, add a little salt or other additions that float your boat (M&Ms, Parmesan, etc.)
  5. Easy to store. The bowl collapses, when not in use, to a height of 2 inches – freeing up counter space and minimizing cabinet space. Perfect for college dorm rooms or even an RV Camper with portable microwave.
  6. Dishwasher Safe – these words are always like choir music to my ears. You can either hand-wash your Colonel Popper or use your dishwasher.
  7. Available in eight gorgeous colors. You can match your personality, style, or favorite team colors. Truth be told, the Colonel Popper is so inexpensive, you can grab several different colors. Some of the colors are transparent and others are solid. Be sure to take a close look at each – and good luck choosing. They’re all beautiful!
  8. Makes a great gift idea – fun, original, and highly useful.

The Colonel Popper’s Silicone Popcorn Maker  comes with a handy guide that tells you everything you need to know to pop perfect popcorn time after time. You’ll want to hang onto this guide by either storing it right with the popper or keeping it in a drawer.

When you add the kernels to the popper, be sure it’s in the “up” position, as opposed to the collapsed position. It’s at this point you can add either oil, butter, or (my personal favorite, by far) ghee – my favorite ghee is the best ghee available, Ancient Organics Ghee. I fell in love with ghee on popcorn about a year ago and haven’t seen fit to eat it any other way since!

Topped off with a little salt (I love Rachael Ray’s Pink Himalayan Salt) and you have a fun, delicious, and guilt-free snack for any occasion.

Click through any of the links to learn more about this ingenious little popcorn maker and… trust me… even if you do buy several for fun gift-giving, you will want a Colonel Popper’s Silicone Popcorn Maker for yourself.

Colonel Popper Microwave Popcorn Maker 2


Winco Hamburger Smasher and Turner: Perfect for Diner-Style Burgers

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Winco Hamburger Smasher and Turner

Winco Burger Turner (and Smasher!)

I LOVE burgers. There, I said it. I love them more than words can even say. In fact, I wouldn’t spend too much time searching for words because that would be time taken away from eating burgers.

My favorite way to fix burgers is “diner-style,” just a food blogger cool way of saying, “burgers that are smashed into an iron skillet.”

Before we found  the HANDY as HECK Winco Burger Turner above (or as I call it, my smasher), it was a headache to smash the burgers into the skillet. I’d try to get my spatulas to go along with the plan, but they just weren’t built for it. You should’ve seen me, holding the spatula in one hand and placing a mug on top of the spatula with the other hand. The spatula took a beating, the mug felt anxious, and the cats laughed.

Perfectly embarrassing.

This crazy cool and inexpensive little tool has made life a lot easier. It’s also perfect for the grill – gets the burgers nice and flat. This makes them cook quicker and, in my opinion, makes them tastier.

Product Description from Amazon

  • Stainless steel construction
  • Wooden handle
  • Winco products range from tabletop to kitchen utensils to food preparation supplies
  • Winco products are used by all foodservice and hospitality industry experts worldwide

See Winco Burger Turner for more information!


FUN Silicone Egg and Pancake Rings: Heart, Star, and Circle

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Silicone Heart, Star, and Circle Egg and Pancake Rings
Somewhere along the way, I have developed an obsession with silicone kitchen gadgets and gizmos. The material seemingly lasts forever, is a cinch to clean and work with, and is almost always fun and colorful (two of my favorite life ingredients).  The Silicone Heart, Star, and Round Egg (or Pancake) Rings pictured here aren’t anything but awesome.

I love them!

Roasted Sweet Potato Pancake
In the picture above and below, I used the heart-shaped ring to make Sweet Potato Pancakes (click the link for the recipe). They turned out beautifully – the pancakes at no point tried to stick. I’ve used these rings with traditional pancakes and, again, they didn’t even think about sticking to the ring.

Roasted Sweet Potato Pancakes with Apple Whipped Topping
I’ve also used the rings for eggs (as any self-confessed egg fanatic would do) and they couldn’t work any better than they do. NO sticking whatsoever. I’ve used metal egg rings in the past that did stick – even when buttered – but these silicone rings don’t even come close to sticking.

Eggs with Silicone Ring
I love the looks of a perfectly round fried egg. I don’t know, it just does something for me.  You can see pictures of the perfectly round fried eggs in my Krusteaz Gluten-Free Mixes review.  A few of these well-rounded guys are keeping company with a gluten-free waffle.

I’ve had a lot of fun with the heart-shaped and star-shaped rings as well. The heart-shaped one will (of course) serve me well on Valentitne’s Day and the star one will come in particularly handy on the Fourth of July.

Who are we kidding, though, I use them the rest of the year, as well. They’re just too fun not to!

Heart-Shaped Egg
Find the Silicone Heart, Star, and Round Egg (or Pancake) Rings on Amazon for just under $10.


Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor, with Bowl Scraper (Review)

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 Peppers and Cilantro
My husband recently surprised me with a Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor, with Bowl Scraper (Amazon link) and I am completely infatuated with it. I’ve been going out of my way to find things to process – driving my cat crazy in the processes.

Seriously, it’s just a perfect food processor for everything. My old processor (which was a Hamilton Beach, too) wasn’t just old, it was probably one of the first food processors ever made. I’d actually love to know how old it was, just out of curiosity. I do know it was well over 10 years old.

And here’s the thing – it was still running. I had accidentally dropped it once, cracking the lid, which kept it from fitting tightly. I had to hold it on each time I used it. I guess my husband felt sorry for me because, next thing you know, I get a box from UPS and, tada…… … a brand new beauty!

Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor, with Bowl Scraper

 

Features:

  • Scrapes Sides of Bowl – No Spatula Needed
  • 10-Cup Capacity Built-in Scraper Works While Processor is On or Off
  • 2-Speeds Plus Pulse Chopping Blade and Slicing / Shredding Disc
  • Large Feed Chute S-Blade for Chopping, Mixing & Pureeing Dishwasher Safe Bowl, Lid & Blades Scraper Attachment
  • 450 Watts of power

The Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor, with Bowl Scraper (affiliate link) is the number one bestseller on Amazon in food processors and, after using it, I’m not the least bit surprised. First of all, it carries one of the most trusted and turned-to names in appliances, Hamilton Beach.

Second of all, the bowl scraper is all kinds of ingenious. Anyone who has ever dodged blades with a spatula knows that this is an invention long overdue.

Third of all? It’s downright handsome. I’m sorry if this sounds girly, but as someone who cooks all day everyday (ahhhh, the life of a food blogger – making and even eating brownies falls under the category of being productive), my appliances sit out at all times. If I’m going to be looking at them every single day… and I am… I want them to be a feast for the eyes and this food processor most certainly is.

{Review Continued Below….}

Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor, with Bowl Scraper
Fourth of all, it’s simple to use. Step by step illustrations and even a very helpful box make it as simple as it gets.  The only way it could be any simpler would be if someone came into your kitchen and used it for you.

Then again, you’d have to feed them, so it wouldn’t really be that simple after all, would it?

I’ll stick with the box. He didn’t even ask for a glass of tea.

If you’re one of those rare birds who’ve never bought a food processor because you think it’s simpler to chop everything with your knives, we have got to talk. When you’re making a meal, any task that you can make easier on yourself is just good sense.  Take Thanksgiving, for example. A food processor cuts your work making the dressing in half. Celery, onions, breadcrumbs, sage leaves… it is so much simpler than standing at the counter all morning chopping away.

Cauliflower Rice

Cauliflower Rice: Cut your cauliflower and process it in the food processor. 

I also love my food processor when it comes to other foods as well…

  • coleslaw
  • hummus
  • cauliflower rice (more about him in a minute)
  • hamburger relish
  • green tomato relish
  • pimento cheese
  • chopped nuts
  • guacamole
  • chopped salad
  • the list goes on and on…

Fifth of all (and last of all), it’s very affordable. In fact, it’s so affordable you could buy one for the cook in your life and snag one for yourself in the process (sorry, once I get started with the puns, I just can’t stop)

If you only used your food processor for making cauliflower rice and nothing else, it’d be more than worth it. Cauliflower is insanely good for you, so replacing rice in traditional recipes with something so healthy is all kinds of smart.

I use cauliflower rice in place of regular rice in stir fried rice (pictured below) and it is out of this world good. Here’s something whacky I’ve discovered with cauliflower stir fried rice – when I make traditional stir fried rice, I don’t just walk, I RUN to my bottle of gluten free soy sauce. I wouldn’t even dream of eating it without a splash or two or twenty.

However (and I have zero idea why), with cauliflower stir fried rice, it doesn’t need any soy sauce. In fact, it tastes better without it, in my opinion.  The bacon, onions, eggs, and cauliflower rice work beautiful magic together.

It’s something you have to try for yourself to understand. It’s amazing.

Stir Fried Cauliflower Rice
I whole-heartedly recommend the Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor, with Bowl Scraper (affiliate link). It more than earns its #1 Amazon ranking.


Kitchen Gadget Review: AnySharp Pro – World’s Best Knife Sharpener

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AnySharp Pro Knife Sharpener
Today marks the beginning of a series of Christmas Gift Ideas for Cooks and Foodies, 2016 – since I pretty much live for this time of year, I’m beside myself with excitement. I chose the beauty pictured here to launch the series, which will go through mid-December.

I was sent this gorgeous AnySharp Pro Knife Sharpener a few weeks ago to review on the Food blog and I’ve been waiting for this day to do so. When they asked which color I’d like, I must have stared at the screen for 15 minutes trying to decide. My cat thought I was in a trance.

AnySharp Pro Knife Sharpeners (So many colors to choose from!)

There are so many gorgeous colors to choose from (see the AnySharp Pro photo above for proof!). Understand the trance a little better now? In the end, I actually gave them a couple of colors I’d narrowed it down to and put the decision-making in their hands.

That right there tells you all you’ll ever need to know about me and the way my brain works. And, yes, you should feel for my family.

When I opened the package, I was thrilled that they’d chosen orange. It’s extra, extra beautiful! I collect Rachael Ray and Pioneer Woman dishes, gadgets, and… well, everything… and orange goes beautifully with the bright, beautiful things in their collections.

AnySharp Pro Knife Sharpener

Why the AnySharp Pro Knife Sharpener is the Ideal Gift Idea for Cooks

  • It does an outstanding job. I have to say, given its great looks and miniature size, I wasn’t sure it was “up for the task.” I was crazy wrong. It sharpened even my dullest knives and made them seem as good as new.
  • Minimal effort involved in using. Anyone, of any age, will be able to use this knife sharpener. It doesn’t take strength (for which I’m very grateful) or dexterity – you simply have to be able to guide the knife, the AnySharp takes it from there.
  • It’s small and compact. Is it a nightmare to find room for kitchen gadgets, tools, and small appliances or what?! Just this morning, I rearranged three shelves to make room for a new juicer. In the process, I decided that I have to have more shelves. My husband’s going to love that revelation. When something comes along like this that can easily sit out on the counter or a shelf without taking up a great deal of space, I get a little excited. Sure, it could easily go in a drawer but it’s simply too good looking to hide away.
  • It’ll make cooks better cooks. I often say that, when it comes to cooking, you’ll only be as successful as you set yourself up to be. If you surround yourself with the best tools and gadgets (and, of course, ingredients), you put yourself way ahead of the game. Dull knives don’t just slow your roll, they make your vegetables and everything else you’re cutting look dull and amateurish. A beautifully sharp knife makes everything quicker, easier, and better looking.
  • I love that so many different colors are available – Pink Cream, Pistachio, Almond Cream, Royal Red, British Racing Green, Royal Blue, Orange Zest, Citrus Lime, Silver… Choosing a color you know someone loves makes the gift even more personal.
  • Did I mention the AnySharp Pro Knife Sharpener is a beauty? I did? Well, I’ll mention it again. I’ve been a food blogger for a lot of years and a cook for at least twice that many (suddenly I feel 110).  Knife sharpeners just aren’t supposed to be this pretty. Normally they’re pretty plain and even a little on the unattractive side. The ones I’ve seen and used in the past were the type of gadget you insist on hiding away in a drawer. THEN, you end up forgetting it even exists and you go right on battling with your dull knives.

AnySharp Pro Knife Sharpener

Why You’ll Want an AnySharp Pro Knife Sharpener for Yourself

When you’ve chosen colors for the cooks or foodies in your life, you’ll also want to pick one for yourself. Why? In addition to the aforementioned…

  • It’s a lot cheaper than replacing knives! My husband recently bought me a set of knives and when I happened to see the price, my eyes spun in their sockets. Good knives are worth the price, I assure you, but the last… last, last, last thing you want to do is replace them. Buying a great knife sharpener (and the AnySharp Pro may just be the best) is the best way to ensure that your investment in knives is a wise and lasting one.
  • This is the most sturdy and well-constructed knife sharpener I’ve ever seen. It is obvious that this is a very well crafted kitchen tool. Great thought went into making this the only knife sharpener you’ll need. Since it lasts for years, it’ll be a long time before you have to think of replacing it. While I’m FAR from that happening, I know that when it does – I’ll replace it with another AnySharp Pro.
  • They’re so darn pretty. Yest, it is worth repeating.
  • Sharpens straight blades and serrated. 
  • The suction cup grips to the counter as though they’re one. When you put the AnySharp in place and pull the top black lever down, the suction cup on the bottom “becomes one” with the counter or surface it’s placed on. This makes it so sturdy and safe – it literally feels as though the knife sharpener is part of the counter. However, as soon as you’re through, and you pull the black lever back up, it lets go immediately.
  • The AnySharp Pro is a cinch to use. The box opens into a set of easy to follow and accomplish instructions.

AnySharp Pro Knife Sharpener
I cannot possibly say enough good things about this little beauty. I hesitate to call kitchen gadgets, tools, gizmos, or small appliances “must haves” simply because of this: When I DO, I want everyone to KNOW that I mean it from the bottom of my food blogger, kitchen tool and gadget-obsessed heart.  Having said all of that, I just have to say this…. the AnySharp Pro knife sharpener is a must have.

Furthermore, it’s a gift you can feel extra good about giving because it’s a unique and thoughtful gift that will be used, appreciated, and loved.

Where can you buy the AnySharp Pro Knife Sharpener? Black, Blue, and Silver are available through Amazon (just click the link). I’ll let you know if any additional colors are ever available on Amazon – fortunately blue, black, and silver are three of the most popular colors for kitchen accessories. What’s more, the blue (pictured below) is one of the most beautiful.

Blue AnySharp Knife Sharpener
You can also visit AnySharp’s Where to Buy Page for a list of retailers. I’d visit the retailer’s websites and see if they’re available to order online if one isn’t located near you.

If you have any further questions, contact or connect with AnySharp through their following channels:


Silicone Egg Poachers (Review)

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HighFive Silicone Egg Poachers
I fell madly in love with cooking when I was 19 – never-mind how long ago. Let’s just say it means I’ve been an avid cook for many moons. Many suns. However, even after so many moons and suns, I’ve never been fond of poaching eggs. I absolutely love them, mind you, but the whole process just does not float my boat.

That has completely changed this past week, however. I was sent a bright, beautiful set of Silicone Egg Poachers (from HighFive Naturals) and my boat isn’t just floating, it has set sail.

Poached Egg
Health Benefits of Poached Eggs:

A poached egg contains only 70 calories, as opposed to fried eggs or scrambled eggs which are often accompanied by butter, milk, and cheese. A large poached egg supplies more than 6 grams of high-quality protein, 4.7 grams of mostly unsaturated fat and significant amounts of vitamin D, antioxidant compounds and choline – a nutrient essential to Healthy Brain Function.

Product Description:

  • Set Of 5 egg poachers in bright, vibrant colors. 
  • Easy and fun to use.
  • Innovative design allows you to make perfectly poached eggs every single time. 
  • Clear, concise, and easy instructions takes the guesswork out of poaching eggs.
  • FDA Approved Food-Safe Silicone, BPA-Free, Temp Resistant form -40 to 450˚F, Dishwasher, Microwave, Freezer and Oven Safe.
  • Highly mulit-functional: Use For Baking And Molding, Making Quiche, Custards, Mini-Cheesecakes, Creme Brûlée, Melting Chocolate and Even Steaming Vegetables.
  • Your Purchase is Backed by HighFive Naturals Lifetime Money-Back 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee.

HighFive Silicone Egg Poachers
These beautiful little Silicone Egg Poachers take something that has never been particularly fun to make and does the impossible – it makes you actually WANT to make poached eggs.

Poached eggs are delicious all by themselves, served with a meat of your choice, or with a piece of toasted bread.  They’re also delicious served atop asparagus. Add a little Hollandaise sauce and you’ve got a party.

This set of five silicone poacher “baskets” comes with instructions for easily (and I mean EASILY) poaching eggs – several at a time, even. How cool’s that?

HighFive Silicone Egg Poachers

Simply bring water to a boil; reduce to medium. Grease the inside of the poacher with olive oil, add the egg and carefully place into the boiling water (about 4 inches of water is necessary). Cover the pot with a lid – I used a glass pie plate because none of my lids are see through, and I wanted to see what was going on.

Cook 4-6 minutes, then carefully remove the poachers (I used my spider but a slotted spoon would be fine).  Flip the poacher upside down to remove the egg or wiggle it out with a spoon.

You can find the beautiful set of 5 colorful Silicone Egg Poachers on Amazon. I highly recommend them!

Review: Rachael Ray 3-Tier Wooden Stacking Salt Box

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Rachael Ray 3-Tier Wooden Stacking Salt Box

Rachael Ray 3-Tier Wooden Stacking Salt Box

Everyone knows I collect Rachael Ray kitchen tools, dishes, gadgets, and cookbooks. Strangers on the street stop me and ask what color mopines I have. Okay… not really. I got going and couldn’t stop.

Rachael Ray, Wolfgang Puck, Pioneer Woman, and Curtis Stone are four names that you’ll see throughout my kitchen and dining room. They’re excellent products – from cookbooks to, well, mopines, I’m a huge fan.

The beautiful Wooden Stacking Salt Box, shown here, isn’t my newest Rachael Ray kitchen tool, but it is one of my favorites. And, like the garbage bowl and food mover, I use it several times a day EVERYDAY.

Features:

  • Store table salt, gourmet salts, herbs and favorite seasonings in this stylish stackable salt box
  • Convenient stacking design with top lid allows for easy and moisture-free storage of three different salts or seasonings
  • The salt box is distinctly crafted from gorgeous acacia wood in a natural tone
  • Handy and beautiful, the box looks great left out on the table or countertop
  • Hand wash and then dry the salt box immediately for best care

This beautiful salt box looks great sitting on the counter and, more importantly, is ridiculously convenient and even fun to use…. to the tune of EVERYDAY!

Click through the following link or the picture below for a closer look – Wooden Stacking Salt Box.

Rachael Ray Garbage Bowl… Wouldn’t Take Anything for Mine

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Rachael Ray Garbage Bowl

Rachael Ray Garbage Bowl

My family knows me. They know the good, the bad, and the… well, never you mind about the rest.  Knowing me like they do, they know that, whether it’s birthday, anniversary, Mother’s Day, or Christmas, buying me anything with Rachael Ray’s name on it is a very safe bet.

I’ve collected Rachael Ray cookbooks, dishes, and kitchen tools for as long as I can remember. The bright, happy, vivid colors combined with unsurpassed durability and functionality rock my culinary world.

I even buy Rachael Ray products for my daughters – in their favorite colors. Not only do I know they’ll use (and love) them daily… I know they’ll think about me each time they do.

Win, WIN!

Rachael Ray Garbage Bowl

Fun and Functional

This beautiful purple Rachael Ray Garbage Bowl was actually given to me as a gift a few years ago.  I recently came across the pictures in my iPhone and realized I’d never written a review on this kitchen favorite.

When the garbage bowls first came out, in spite of being a Rachael Ray Kitchen Tool junkie, I never bought one for myself because (to be honest) I wasn’t sure I’d even use it. I thought, “Yes, it’s beautiful and yes, it’s Rachael Ray… but I just toss my trash in a Kroger bag as I cook.”

Fast Forward to today… I have used this bowl every single day since receiving it two years ago. Every. Single. Day. It’s just unspeakably convenient to throw peels, cans, rubber bands, foil, etc into as I’m cooking.  Grabbing the bowl before I start baking or cooking is as automatic as putting on a seat belt when I get in a car.

Not only is the bowl, somehow, just fun to use, it also looks a heckuva lot better sitting on the counter than a grocery bag. What’s more, there’s  no “seeping” through or “spilling out” like you get with a grocery bag.

Sloppy.

The great looking Rachael Ray Garbage Bowl is available on Amazon in the following colors: purple, red, orange, dark green, green, and blue.

Click through for more information about what will become your next favorite kitchen tool. When you click through, you can even see a short little video of Rachael Ray explaining where the idea of the Garbage Bowl came from.

Rachael Ray Garbage Bowl

Colorful Lego-Style Candy Molds from HighFive Naturals (Available on Amazon)

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HighFive Naturals Candy Molds

HighFive Naturals Lego-Style Candy Molds

I’ve written a few High Five reviews on Get Cooking before and I’m even more in love with these products today than I was when I first wrote about them.  I use the Silicone Cooking Gloves and Silicone Pot Holders daily and wonder how I ever got along without them.

I’m excited to tell you about something else from HighFive Naturals that you’re going to absolutely LOVE – Lego-Style Candy Molds.  After your order, you’ll receive great tips, hints, recipes, and colorful pictures in your e-mail.

If these Lego Molds aren’t a dang good time waiting to happen, I don’t know what is. Obviously kids are going to love these molds  – but so are adults. In fact, I think the adults in my family are having more fun with them than any kid could possibly have – at least as much.

Basically anyone who likes to smile will get a kick out of these molds.

HighFive Naturals Lego-Style Candy Molds

Colorful HighFive Naturals Lego-Style Candy Molds

Some of the cool things you can do with these colorful candy molds:

  • They work beautifully for ice cubes. Making ice cubes was actually the first thing I did with mine because I thought they’d be uncommonly cute in glasses as well as punch bowls. They are!
  • Chocolate candy
  • Lollipops
  • Fruit Snacks
  • Gummi Sours
  • Hard Candies
  • Lego Soap
  • Lego Crayons (super easy and crazy fun)

Not only are they perfect for forming all of the aforementioned goodies, I love the fact that the molds (like all of HighFive Naturals’ products) are so colorful and pretty.

I’m all about pretty, whether it’s in the kitchen or out of the kitchen. The bright, vibrant colors go with my own particular scheme which makes it even cooler.

This set is available on Amazon at a very reasonable price, so you might even consider ordering some for gift-giving this Christmas while you’re at it.

HighFive Naturals Lego-Style Candy Molds
 

HighFive Naturals Lego-Style Candy Molds

Whatever you do, be sure to order a set by Halloween! With a little creativity, you could turn the “Robots” into Frankensteins while creating a great orange and black theme with food coloring with the other shapes.

At Christmas, switch the colors to red and green, and you’re SET!