By Vanessa Packer

IN THE ART OF HEALTHY COOKING, it’s important to make things as easy as possible in the hopes that one is more apt to make a wholesome meal rather than heating up a frozen one. To wit, there are certain must-haves that any self-respecting cook should keep in the kitchen. A chef’s knife, shears, a quality peeler, a great nonstick pan–basically the essentials to make a solid meal. Below are some of our favorite tools that help us keep more efficient when we cook and complete a well-stocked kitchen. 

Vitamix  – The ultimate blending machine. The Vitamix lives up to it’s reputation. Everything from juices and smoothies, to soups, salad dressings and nut milk, the options are really endless. For the raw foodie especially, the Vitamix is a must!

Mandolin  – Uplift any salad or veggie entree with this versatile slicer. It’s the secret behind many restaurant’s beautiful salads and vegetable ribbons. 

Breville Juicer  – Sure it’s no Norwalk, but if time and convenience are of concern then this juicer is your perfect match. Easy to assemble and dishwasher safe, we love it for everyday home use. Plus once you’re juicing at home, you can control the flavors and make sure everything is organic. Added bonus: you can use all the money you save from not buying bottled juice on a new pair of shoes 😉

Nutribullet  – Easy to use, and great for a single serving, the Nutribullet is a small powerhouse extractor that prides itself on breaking down ingredients to their most absorbent state. 

Water Boiler  – Sure you could boil water the old fashioned way on the stove, but for a faster and safer way we love this electric water boiler.

French Press  – Not just for coffee, the French press is great for loose leaf tea, and blending herbs for your own tasty combination.

Steamer Basket  – May seem obvious, but a steamer basket really is the easiest and healthiest way to prepare your vegetables. 

Spirooli  – Definitely one of the funniest sounding tools, with the Spirooli you can make zucchini noodles to sub for pasta, ribboned sweet potatoes to dress up a dish, even cucumbers to make your salad more interesting. 

Microplane – Great for zesting and grating when you want a super-fine sprinkle. We especially love using it for lemons, limes and garlic.