You could cover every inch of your counters with some new gadget or appliance that promises to make your life easy and your food outstanding. But would you really use them all?
Here are five kitchen essentials for a new home that truly can elevate your food prep to the next level—and possibly also improve your health.
1. Spiralizer
Zucchini that tastes like pasta! Yes, please.
By now, you’ve probably heard of the gadget that can transform veggies into spiralized “noodles.” You can buy an electric contraption like this that does all the work or make do with a smaller number like this and a little elbow grease. Either way, you’ll be able to use it on everything from squash to carrots, opening up a whole new world of veggie possibilities.
2. Top-Notch Blender
Back in the day, blenders used to be for milkshakes or margaritas and only saw active duty once or twice a week. But now we’re in the smoothie era. And if you want to blend spinach, banana, chia seeds, and berries, you need a powerful machine. Sure, you could shell out a few hundred dollars—or more—for a Vitamix or Blendtec, but there are more affordable options. Consider this Black + Decker blender, which was rated one of Prevention magazine’s best smoothie blenders in 2017.
3. Cast Iron Skillet
If you buy a cast iron skillet, you’ll do it only once. That’s because they last a lifetime. Yes, you need to learn how to season and care for your skillet but, once you do, it’ll be as non-stick as any brand new chemically coated pan there is. What’s more, they can be put in the oven, used to make pizza, gooey desserts, and scrumptious frittatas.
4. Smeg Juicer
To be fair, this pick is as much about style as it is substance. So if you’re not into that, just buy this little number and move on to point five to avoid major sticker shock. Smeg appliances are definitely a splurge, but this retro-looking juicer will be the star of your kitchen, especially in pastel pink, green, or blue.
5. Mason Jars
Mason jars aren’t just for making jam anymore! And, at only a couple bucks per jar, they’re super-affordable. So what exactly do you do with them? You can make grab-and-go salads, put your smoothies in them, serve up lemonade or even use them for jam. If you’re up for something really yummy to start your day, check out these breakfast recipes courtesy of Southern Living magazine.
Decluttering the Rest of Your Home
It’s the goal of just about everyone who owns a home—to have it be a peaceful, uncluttered space where you can unwind free from the distractions of all the stuff we all have.
No matter how much you sell or donate, it’s sometimes not enough. And that’s where self storage can come into play. What’s making your closets cramped? Whether it’s holiday decorations or your husband’s collection of bobbleheads, they can all be stashed away.
At StorageMart, you can rent a unit as small as 25 square feet or so—or up to the size of a garage. We offer affordable self storage units that can be rented on a month-by-month basis and are always clean and well lit. Need more info? Check out our storage unit guide or rent a unit online today.