This is a place for me to share some of my favorite gadgets, books, and fitness resources.  For full disclosure, I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.  That means if you buy anything through these links I do earn a small commission to help support this site, with no extra charge to you. However, you can be sure I’m only recommending products I believe in.

The Mighty Vitamix!

Vitamix 1363 CIA Professional Series

There’s no better place to start when talking about food related things I love than with the Vitamix blender.  It really is so much more powerful than anything else and has completely changed my culinary capabilities.  Making smoothies, sauces, dips, soups, etc. is extremely easy and the results always have a delicious texture.  The Vitamix is perfect for making a healthy meal fast and it’s also very easy to clean. Ever since we got this as a wedding gift even my husband has turned into a smoothie fanatic!

Cuisinart Custom Food Processor

Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor

A close second to the Vitamix is my Cuisinart food processor.  It can chop, shred, grate, and comes with a dough blade.  For dishes that are thicker and require more scraping down of the sides, like coconut butter, it’s quick and easy.  The pulse feature is really nice for certain recipes, like salsa, and you can play around to get the chunks to your liking.

USA Sheet Pan and Silpat Baking Mat

USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan, Warp Resistant Nonstick Baking Pan

Silpat Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat, Half Sheet Size, 11-5/8″ x 16-1/2″

This duo has totally changed my baking for the better.  USA products are extremely durable and made with a non-toxic, non-stick coating.  They work great for both roasting vegetables and baking and are very easy to clean.  The Silpat pan liners are silicon mats that add an extra layer of safe, non-stick protection and lead to a perfect golden brown base for your baked goods. I also love that you can reuse Silpats, instead of throwing away sheets of parchment paper every time you bake.

The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan

The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

This is such a wonderful read and an important book for our time.  It sheds some serious light on the history of common foods, how they get on to our plates, and how we can be more conscious of what we choose to eat.  Anyone interested in food quality should pick this one up.

The End of Overeating by David A. Kessler

The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite

Kessler provides an approachable understanding of how the chemicals in our body influence our eating habits.  Taking a look at cravings,  food addictions, and sneaky manufacturing tricks that hijack our taste buds, this book is helpful for identifying where dietary patterns and triggers stem from and paves the way for positive changes.

Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits–to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life

I love Gretchen Rubin’s style of writing, she’s personable and provides realistic tips for making positive changes that last.  This book is really helpful for understanding your personality type and learning specific steps to create new habits.

This is my favorite free fitness resource!  Karena and Katrina at toneitup.com have tons of amazing workouts, on their website as well as YouTube, and they cover everything from booty routines, to abs, to High Intensity Interval Training.  It’s so easy to fit these workouts in at home and find one that fits your schedule – no more excuses not to work out!