Get Cooking!

Recipes, Kitchen Gadgets, Cookbook Reviews, Gluten Free Recipes...

You are here: Home / Archives for gift ideas

gift ideas

Wonderful Sandwich Cutters for Delicious “Uncrustable-Style” Sandwiches

By

Uncrustable Style Sandwich Cutter

Sandwich Cutter (Amazon link)

If you have kids of any age in your family, you may already be familiar with the wildly popular, delicious, and… well… a little costly… Uncrustables. They’re sold frozen and you can conveniently thaw one or more as needed (they thaw VERY fast.. much to the pleasure of hungry kids). My oldest grandbabies absolutely love them. They fit in their little hands perfectly, allowing them to roam from one thing to the next to the next to the next.

My grandbabies love the peanut butter and jelly ones, so I buy the strawberry and grape varieties often. Only problem is, they don’t come cheap when compared with good old-fashioned jelly, peanut butter, and bread. But the sandwiches (even when cut into winsome triangles) don’t make these little cuties smile as much and, frankly, my world is consumed by making them smile.

I found something on Amazon that makes us ALL smile even more. Me because they’re fun, economical, and (most importantly) make my little buddies smile EVEN bigger because they’re involved with creating their own “Uncrustable-Style” sandwiches!

The Sandwich Cutter (Amazon link) allows you to choose your own fillings – just be sure you don’t overfill because the goodness will come through the roof! Peanut butter & jelly, Nutella – with or without the peanut butter, ham and cheese, cheese blends, pimento cheese, chicken salad, tuna salad… the options are nearly limitless.

The instructions are given very clearly and simply on the back and there’s even more information on the Amazon page when you click through.

One of the coolest things is you can use this tool to make up a LOT of handheld little sandwiches and freeze them. They’re just as good after being frozen as they are when fresh. It’s kind of magic, if we’re being honest.

The fact that kids can help you make them is one of the biggest attractions. I am ALL for getting girls and boys involved in food preparation and in making discoveries in the kitchen. These handheld sandwiches are IDEAL for school lunchboxes, taking to the office, afterschool snacks, and even a quick breakfast.

They’re available on Amazon….. Sandwich Cutter (Amazon link)… and can be used again and again and again and again. Each “again” adds up the money saved! This would make a wonderful gift idea for anyone on your list.

Uncrustable Style Sandwich Cutter Instructions

See Sandwich Cutter (Amazon link) for a lot more information and photos!


Hamilton Beach Juice Extractor: Arming Your Kitchen for Greater Health!

By

While almost everything about the Pandemic has been tragic, hideous, ugly, and negative in every way – a few small benefits can’t be overlooked.

Most of us will never take anyone in our lives for granted ever again – young or old, I truly believe our loved ones will be cherished more than ever before. I also believe we’ll be more apt to be more thankful for the simple joys in life, things we once took for granted, like simply going out for a hamburger with your spouse or shopping at Target with your daughters.

Another benefit, I believe, will be a lot more people getting serious (really SERIOUS) about their health and weight. COVID, like so very many diseases, did not and does not discriminate when it comes to its victims BUT it most certainly does more damage to those who are older, those with pre-existing diseases, and/or those who are overweight.

Many people are realizing that the time is now (past now, if we’re being honest) to get in better shape and lose excess weight where it may lurk.

Fortunately there are a lot of healthy kitchen tools and small appliances that make it easier to eat and live much healthier. Juice extractors, for example, are one of the easiest, fastest, and most efficient ways to make sure we’re getting all the fruits and vegetables we need in our diet.

I am as big a fan of smoothies as anyone in the world, but even I admit that they can tend to be pretty high in calories. When it comes to juicing, you can get the benefits of the vegetables and fruits without all the extras we put in our smoothies.

The beauty pictured here is the Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor and it is one of the best on the market.

Features

  • Fits whole foods – for less pre-cutting
  • Easy to assemble and store
  • Powerful 800 Watt motor
  • Dishwasher safe parts
  • Includes recipes, tips and juicing cup
  • Extra-large pulp bin lets you juice longer – use pulp in recipes or for composting

Product Description

Tired of those expensive, sugary juices filled with preservatives and questionable additives? Ready to retire your old juicer and upgrade to something better? The Big Mouth Pro Juice Extractor can take nutrition to the next level and help you kick-start a healthy lifestyle.

Eating healthier and incorporating fruits and veggies into snacks or meals doesn’t have to be boring, expensive or time-consuming. In no time flat, before you can say “over-priced juice bar,” the Big Mouth Pro Juice Extractor extracts the juice from a whole apple. This kitchen staple and secret weapon proves that there’s a fast, easy way to add more produce into your daily diet. What’s more, there is no need for adding sweeteners or preservatives, making juice the ultimate healthy drink.

Rated a “Best Buy” by a leading consumer advocacy publication, the Big Mouth Pro Juice Extractor flawlessly performs the task of extracting juice from whole fruits, vegetables, citrus fruits and tomatoes with efficiency and speed. Equipped with a powerful 1.1 horsepower motor, an extra-wide feed chute and a stainless steel cutter/strainer, it quickly processes whole fruits and vegetables — with no pre-cutting — to produce invigorating, healthy juice.

See Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor (Amazon link) for A LOT more information.


Beautiful Non-Slip Kitchen Mat Sets: Lots of Styles to Choose From

By

Coffee Design Kitchen Rug Set

While the 2 Piece Non-Slip Kitchen Mat Set (pictured above: Coffee Design), is shown here under the category Christmas Gift Guide, it may be more appropriate to consider it “FOR MY Kitchen…  Before Christmas”  because most of us like to do a little “sprucing up” before company arrives.

While I love the beautiful designs these mat sets come in, the thing I love the most is the fact that they’re “non-skid” and that their edges won’t “dog ear” like some mats do. Even those with the best intentions tend to do that and it drives me batty.

  • Non-Skid latex rubber backing, fade and wear resistant
  • Absorbs water and dries quickly, protect your kitchen from moisture and stain
  • Package includes 2-piece rugs. Size: 15.7×47.2 inches and 15.7×23.6 inches (40x120cm+40x60cm)
  • Machine Washable, low pile height for easy to clean and vacuum , thin design to fit under doors
  • See Below for some of the other designs available, then click through for the rest!


Handbag Cookie Jars???? Handbag Cookie Jars!!!

By

Red and Black Handbag Cookie Jar
I have collected salt & pepper shakers for quite some time and find it a challenge to know where to keep them. I mean, when you’re a collector, you want to display your lovelies and there’s only so much space available. That’s why I am always completely and utterly floored when I see people who collect cookie jars and actually find shelves and space to display their beautiful collection.

I remember seeing a woman’s collection once in a magazine (probably Taste of Home) and her gorgeous cookie jars were neat as a pin arranged by season on shelves PLUS they filled up a floor to ceiling cabinet. With glass doors, of course.

I guess it takes one collector to be impressed with other collectors, but cookie jar collectors are all kinds of cool.

Beige and Gold Handbag Cookie Jar
The Handbag Cookie Jars, pictured here, would make perfect additions to anyone’s cookie jar collection OR each one would make a fantastic “only child” cookie jar.  We all have space for that – heck even our first apartment would’ve had room for a cookie jar.

  • Ceramic cookie jar
  • Stylish red with gold accent, classic Black and White, or elegant Beige and Gold
  • Not recommended for dishwasher and microwave
  • Measures 9″W x 6″D x 9″T

Black and White Handbag Cookie Jar
Take a closer look at each here: Handbag Cookie Jars!


Gorgeous Christmas Kitchen Towels on Amazon

By

The set of three Christmas Kitchen Towels pictured here are, without a doubt, some of the most beautiful kitchen towels I’ve ever laid eyes on.  I have an obsession, if we’re being honest, with kitchen towels. Each holiday – as well as each season – I grab whatever colorful, festive towels catch my eye. I leave the oven mitts and pot holders where they sit, but the towels always come home with me.

Naturally, given the level of my fanaticism, I’m already eyeing Christmas, Halloween, and Thanksgiving towels. The Christmas ones, above, are a given – they have a future in my kitchen.

I hope they enjoy the smell of coffee. Like, a lot.

  • Set of 3 dishtowels measures 18 x 28″ to tackle all of your drying and cleaning kitchen tasks
  • Ultra-absorbent 100% cotton which last long  and can hold up to your washings – Purchase confidently
  • The festive embroidery coordinate with most kitchen décor & add some holiday cheer to your kitchen
  • Perfect gift for Christmas, party, holidays, birthdays, housewarming and more
  • Machine washable and durable for daily use –Wash with Cold Water in Gentle Cycle & Tumble Dry Low

See Christmas Kitchen Towels for more details. Check out the reviews for these towels, too, while there.  There are a lot of RAVING reviews from very satisfied customers. I love to see that, right before I throw my towels into my shopping cart!


Coffee Mug That Speaks the Truth

By

Cat Lover's Coffee Mug

I sat down at the computer with every intention of writing a product review, followed by a great recipe. However, I made the mistake of browsing Amazon for a few Christmas gift ideas before I actually got down to work.

Big mistake.

Not only did I get joyously distracted for nearly an hour, I found something I just HAD to show you before the review or recipe.

Have you seen the movie Up? Remember the dog that got completely distracted simply when someone said, “Squirrel!” I am, admittedly, easier to distract than that dog could ever hope to be. And, so…

This hand-painted, hand-crafted, colorful and oh-so truthful coffee mug is the Enesco 4026105 Our Name Is Mud by Lorrie Veasey Women and Cats Mug, 4-1/2-Inch. One side says, “Men and Dogs Should Just Get Used to the Idea” and the other side lays it all out in plain English, “Women and Cats Will do as They Please.”

Sometimes I kind of feel bad for men and dogs.  Kind of. Sort of…

Click through the picture or link for a closer look.  Be warned, though, once you start looking through all the great coffee mugs and other lovelies, time will completely get away from you. Been there. Done that. And am fully aware that it’ll happen again.