When it comes to cooking, you might have every kitchen gadget known to man. Better yet, you might actually use them all. As the holidays approach, the time is perfect to treat yourself – or a friend who cooks a lot – to some new kitchenware. You might not be angling for a shopping spree filled with gas ranges, bottom-freezer refrigerators, or new granite countertops for the kitchen, but you might find – or want to add – these items to your holiday wish list before it’s too late.

If you’re like me, one of the first things you probably do in the morning is brew a pot of coffee.  Aside from the caffeine, there’s something about the ritual that I really love.  Perhaps it’s the smell of the coffee as it is brewing or the warmth of the mug in my hands as I take the first sip.  Coffee is more than just a beverage, it’s the perfect way to start the day.  So, how do you brew that perfect cup?

A neighbor called me the other day asking to borrow a can of tomato paste.  “Of course,” I said.  “Come right over.”  So, I open my pantry, dig around a bit and pull out two cans of tomato paste only to discover that they both had expired over two years ago. 

At first I was horrified, but then I realized that this is not uncommon.  Pantries all across America are stuffed full of expired food items. 

Go through your pantry and add up what you’ve spent on food items that are now expired.  You will probably be surprised at the amount of wasted money.  This is reason enough to get your pantry cleaned out and organized because you need to SEE what you have in order to USE what you have. It also helps to keep a grocery shopping list so that you can reflect on what you think you need. Take a look in your pantry – you may already have everything on your list!

What is a kitchen without a can opener? Just ask a college kid or newlywed with a new apartment and no can opener. Bummer. It is next to impossible to get into a can without a can opener. I have learned this from experience as I am sure have many others.

Whether you are just setting up a household or looking for a replacement can opener, you will find that there are many choices when it comes to can openers.

The first decision when buying a can opener is whether to buy an electric model or a manual model.

If your refrigerator is covered with all kinds of graffiti, you probably have children.  If you want to get a message across with kids, just put the message on the refrigerator where the rug rats are bound to see it as they open the refrigerator door just for a “look see.” After all, something may have magically materialized in the refrigerator since the last visit.

If you are in the market for a blender, you will discover that there are lots of choices out there. It can be a little confusing trying to pick the “best blender.”

There are two basic types of blenders – hand blenders and full-sized blenders. Then, there are various options on each type. So, the first step is to decide which category of blender suits your needs and then which features would match your cooking style.

I’ve never professed to be a good cook, but with a family of five I find it important to make well balanced home cooked meals (at least most nights).

The trouble is that dinner prep time is one of the most chaotic times of the day. 

These are 5 kitchen appliances that I use almost daily.  I’ve found each of them to invaluable in saving me time preparing meals.

If you find mystery foods in your refrigerator, then it is likely time for a full-scale cleaning and reorganization. After all, even Kool-aid can mold in the refrigerator, which I hate to say that I learned from experience (back in college).

Getting a handle on the refrigerator clutter is not much fun, but it sure is nice to open the fridge door and actually be able to tell what you have on hand. Plus, you save money when you can find and use things in the refrigerator before they go bad or out of date.

It is certainly annoying to have a backed up kitchen sink, especially if you hand wash a lot or all of your dishes. The best tip is, of course, to avoid stopped up drains. So, do not pour grease or food in the kitchen drains. Using Dawn dish washing liquid also helps, since it cuts grease.

If you can’t afford a full kitchen make-over, then buy some paint. It is amazing what a new color will do for a kitchen. A fresh coat of paint will make your kitchen feel fresh and fun again. So, break out the paintbrushes and roll up your sleeves. In just a few hours, you will have a fabulous new look for the busiest room in the house.