Essential Tools for an Easy-To-Use Kitchen

One of the best practices I included into my life is to make my kitchen practical, functional, and easy to maneuver. Why? An easy kitchen means I am more inclined to use it and therefore I save tons of $$ by not eating out. Additionally, I am healthier, and in control of what I put into my body.

What are the essential components to a functional kitchen you might ask. Well, let's talk about our biggest enemy... DIRTY DISHES! For me, finding a routine that encouraged keeping my kitchen clean was the first step to me using it more often. I choose to use these refillable handle sponges because they take a ton of steps out of the dish-washing process. I just have to refill it once every few uses, then I'm out!

I hate to be on the bandwagon... but I have to mention it... the glorious air-fryer!!! This thing has saved me numerous times. I am a full-time D1 athlete, I do not have time to prepare gourmet meals 3 times a day. In the morning, I marinate some kind of meat, then when I'm ready to cook it, it takes about 15 minutes and I have perfectly juicy protein ready to pair with my meal.

Finally, the last must have in my kitchen is my Instant-pot duo 7-1 machine. My general rule-of-thumb is "if it can do more than one job, it's usually junk". However, this machine serves the same practicality as the air fryer for me. Picture this, you get home from a long day of practices, class, study sessions, and you get home with an empty stomach. The last thing you want to do is spend 45 minutes cooking your rice, grilling your chicken, prepping your salad. This machine with the airfryer lets me just stick everything in it, get ready for bed, then enjoy an amazing home "cooked" meal without having to lift a finger. The nice thing about it too is that if I wanted to prep something more "elegant" like a beef daube... I can!

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