We're often asked what kitchen machines or utensils we like. 

Below is a list of the can't-live-without-it items that get a LOT of use around our home.

Further down the page you will also find recipes from the Cooking Demos Segment of our 2010 Healthy Lifestyle Expo.

Remember that you can purchase all of the talks and the Cooking Demos from the Expo on DVD.  To find out how to order DVDs of these life-saving talks, click here.

Now here are some products we love having in our kitchen:

1) The Chopper

This is a tool we use all the time, making soups, salads, stews, you name it. Take any veggie and chop it perfectly in seconds. Chops up veggies, fruits and nuts - fast chopping and easy clean-up.  A lot easier to clean up after than a food processor!

We've tried a few different kinds of choppers (even broken a few!) and the one we like most is the Progressive International GPC-4000 Fruit and Vegetable Chopper. 

Chopper: You can order it from Amazon here.

2) Zester

This is Ann Esselstyn's favorite for when you want to zest up a dish with a bit of the skin of a lemon or lime. Ann swears by it, and it's the only time we've heard her swear!

This is the Microplane 40020 Grater/Zester. 

Zester: You can order one from Amazon on this link.

3) Vitamix 5200

Jeff uses this every day, and a few times a day, because he is VERY big into fruit smoothies -- with some kale or something green included.

This thing rocks -- I mean ROCKS -- for making smoothies. And all kinds of other things, salad dressings, hot and cold soups, frozen treats, warm peanut butter...you name it. It is so easy and so FAST, and so easy to clean up (if you clean it right after use).

The Vitamix 5200 is the king of all blenders, it just doesn't get any better.  It comes at a price, of course, but it's worth it, and if you ever have a problem (as we did some years ago), it's got a 7 year warranty and Vitamix has excellent customer service. Ours started making a weird noise, Vitaminx fixed it immediately and shipped it back within days, good as new.

Vitamix 5200 -- You can get FREE SHIPPING to US or Canada (save $25US/$35CN) if you use this coupon code when ordering:  06-005770   <= The coupon code will give you the free shipping, it should load automatically when you click the link on this link:  Click here to order your Vitamix 5200.

4) Rice Cooker

This is the Zojirushi NP-HBC10 Rice Cooker and Warmer, stainless steel.  It comes in two sizes (we have the bigger one.) It is used continuously at our house.  It's so easy, and the rice you can make so delicious... Even our 14-year-old son knows how to operate it!

You can cook the perfect pot of rice with a press of a button, and use it to make potatoes -- all kinds of other things.  Experiment with different spices, you will fall in love. 

It's a solid build and stainless steel, no aluminum (a material which you want to always avoid in cooking/eating). Friends who see this thing in operation and taste what it can do always buy one themselves and are just as thrilled about it as we have been.

Order 5 and 1/2 cup rice cooker now from Amazon on this link.

For the larger 10-cup version (the model we use), use this link.

5) Pressure Cooker

Beans and delicious soups in 30 minutes or less! And they taste better than just about any other way you can make them.

This is our absolute favorite pressure cooker, it's the Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Top Pressure Cooker 7.4-Quart. If you haven't gotten into pressure cooking, you are missing a really EASY and delicious way to make a meal. Things just seem to taste richer when they're done this way, and it's quick.

Order this pressure cooker from Amazon on this link.

6) Soy Frother

This little frother is a champ. From time to time, you might like to brew your own soy latte -- this is perfect for getting the latte part. Just heat up your soymilk in the microwave, stick the frother in and run it for 30 seconds and voila, you have creamy froth to put in your coffee or onto a dessert.

It's also great for blending spices, EnerG Egg Replacer -- you name it -- in a measuring cup with water.

This is the Aerolatte Frother, Satin Finish.

You can order it from Amazon on this link.

 

Looking for a gift for someone but can't decide? Considering getting an Amazon.com Gift Card from this link.

 

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Recipes from 2010 Cooking Demos

From Ann Esselstyn: 

Lovely Collard Sushi with Red Pepper and Cucumber

These are stunning - both beautiful and delicious - and so much fun to make they don't feel like work. Substitute cooked asparagus or green beans, long carrots or bok choi strips, cooked greens, rice, beans, etc., for the filling. ANYTHING is good in them. They make perfect sushi like hors d'oeuvres or use instead of sandwiches.

Ingredients

• 1 bunch collards
• 8 tablespoons hummus made without tahini or oil
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 red pepper, cut in thin strips
• 1/4 small cucumber, cut in thin strips (skin optional)
• 1/4 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 lemon

Directions:

1. Put about 2 inches of water in a large frying pan and bring to a boil.
2. Choose 4 of the nicest collard greens. Lay them flat, cut off the thick stem at the point where the leaf begins then pile them on top of each other in the boiling water. Cover and cook for about 30 seconds to a minute. Collards are pretty tough and don't easily break apart when cooked. Their flexibility makes them a perfect wrap.
3. Drain then lay flat on a board or counter with the thick part of the stem facing up.
4. Down the center spine of each collard leaf place a row of about 2 tablespoons hummus, sprinkle with green onions, cilantro and shredded carrots. Place thin red pepper strips and cucumber strips on top.
5. Start with the side nearest you, flip it over and gently roll into a sausage shape.
6. With a sharp knife, cut into as many small pieces as possible. You should be able to get six or more pieces, but it will depend on your collard size. The creator always gets to eat the end pieces!

 

From Sabrina Nelson

Semi-Cajun Black Bean Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 package Tofurkey Italian Sausage
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small red bell pepper, chopped, about 1/2 cup
• 1/2 lb baby carrots, chopped
• 2 yellow squash, chopped
• 2 tablespoons diced jalapeno peppers
• 1 cartoon Pacific No Salt Added Vegetable Broth
• 3 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 large can (28 ounces) Muir Glen fire roasted diced tomatoes with juice
• 1/4 teaspoon dried leaf thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary; or sprig fresh, finely chopped with scissors
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 package frozen corn
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups water

Preparation:

Add all ingredients to pressure cooker, except for squash. Bring to pressure only, and then remove from heat. Add squash to soup once pot is removed from stove - the heat of the soup will lightly cook the squash without overcooking it.

Ingredients:

-onion
-bag of frozen corn
-bag of frozen cauliflower
-bag a frozen peas
-2 large potatoes
-rosemary
-2 low sodium vegetable broths
-cup of leafy greens (kale, spinach, etc.)

Preparation:

-Pre-cook potatoes in the microwave.
-Chop up onion and sautee it with some rosemary in a pot.
-Add 2 cartons low sodium vegetable broths to pot.
-Add bag of frozen peas, cauliflower, and corn to pot.
-Add leafy greens of choice.
-Cut up the potatoes, and add them to the pot.
-Bring to a boil
-Let simmer on medium heat for 20 minutes (until vegetables are cooked)
-Serve

It's that easy! :)

 

From Jeff Novick 

FAST FOOD

For all information about Jeff's recipes and program, get a copy of his Jeff Novick's FAST FOOD DVD using this link.