Want to know what water bottle I love, what kitchen tool I can’t do without and what’s on my nightstand reading stack? Below I’ve listed each item I love! I highly recommend all of the items for their interesting content, functionality, quality of material and workmanship and/or beauty.
Don’t forget to check back often, as I’ll keep adding to the list on a regular basis! Have an item you’re looking for or want to share what item you love and use all the time in your kitchen and home? Leave a comment so we can all benefit from your share!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you want to jump to a specific category, click on any of the following to skip to a specific section:
- Books
- Personal Growth
- Exercise & Wellness
- Ergonomics & Body Connection
- Kitchen Tools
- Eating Healthy on the Go
Books
Cookbooks:
Cookbooks can be a great aid in cooking, but their use isn’t only practical. A gorgeous cookbook can give you the inspiration you need to cook something healthful and beautiful for yourself, your family or your friends. The following cookbooks are ones I’ve used and enjoyed for years. Many of the recipes end up in my regular rotation of dishes I already know and enjoy cooking.
- Green Kitchen
While I love all of the cookbooks I own, Green Kitchen Stories is truly my favorite, go-to cookbook. Luise and David, the Danish-Swedish couple behind the books, have truly mastered plant-based cooking that is colorful, flavorful and very doable. Their recipes make it exciting to cook! They have three cookbooks out, all of which I highly recommend: The Green Kitchen, Green Kitchen at Home, and Green Kitchen Travels.
(Paid links)
If you are looking for kid-friendly recipes that are super easy to prepare, you can also check out Little Green Kitchen: Simple Vegetarian Family Recipes.
Is there a college student or other young adult in your life who you’d like to give the gift of healthy eating from a young age? This cookbook was my staple in college, so much so that the binding came slightly loose! It’s a great option for students, as it’s truly adapted for simple recipes, easy-to-find ingredients, quick preparation and minimal equipment. Come to think of it, this could also serve well for someone new to a plant-ful diet that is minimalist, lives in a small apartment with limited kitchen space or is simply pressed for time!
(Paid link)
Below are some other cookbooks I have enjoyed.
(Paid links)
Personal Growth
Understanding oneself and being able to effectively handle the challenges we all face in life is an important part of eating well. These are a few of the books I have enjoyed that have helped me to navigate difficult situations without turning to overeating or other counterproductive activities.
(Paid links)
Exercise and Wellness
Health is holistic, and a wonderful complement to healthy eating is exercise and other wellness practices. It all comes back to taking care of yourself, spending time with yourself and honoring your needs. The following tools help me to exercise to stay in good health and encourage endorphins, the feel-good hormones, and to give my body some extra love and encouragement when needed.
You can try some simple light weights for easy exercise at home. I like to use light weights to do pilates–there are some fun workouts on YouTube that are great for building muscle.
(Paid link)
This yoga band accompanies me as I stretch. It’s really useful for doing yoga at home, and I feel good using a natural fiber that’s sure to last a long time—the cotton is strong and durable.
(Paid link)
This brand of yoga mats is simply the best! I have chosen the 1/16 inch thickness, which is easy to transport. I appreciate that it is not at all slippery. While this yoga mat is an investment, its professional quality means it will last a very long time. I am also so happy to support Jade Yoga because they use natural rubber and are committed to not using harmful substances in their mats, in addition to planting a tree for every mat sold.
(Paid link)
Yoga blocks are an essential for my home yoga practice. When I want to ease into something, add some support to a pose or find a better alignment, I use the blocks. These are lightweight and durable.
(Paid link)
I chose this fanny pack for running because it fits comfortably low on the waist with an elastic belt, adds reflectivity for safety in the dark, and has ample space for everything I want to keep safe while running—keys, some cash, and other small items that are much better contained in the pouch than held in the hand while running.
(Paid link)
Ergonomics & Body Connection
Nadia Banna, Alexander Technique teacher:
- If you’re struggling with sitting comfortably, feel too much tension in your body, or are simply in physical pain, Nadia can help! She is a certified teacher of a method that is scientifically validated for back pain, amongst other things. You can get started today by downloading a free PDF on “How to Sit Comfortably” here.
FYI: As you might have guessed from her last name, Nadia is my sister!
I am pleased to be an affiliate for Ergonomic Educators, Hawaii. Ergonomic Educators is a team of licensed Ergonomists, Occupational and Physical Therapists specializing in office ergonomic consultation.
With added stress, deadlines and the increasing demands of working in the digital age, individuals have become more desk-bound and sedentary. Incorrect office/workstation design can limit productivity and lead to injuries including: carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, back and neck pain.
This expert team is passionate about designing cost effective and sustainable ergonomic, health & wellness programs for individuals and for progressive companies in Hawaii.
I used this company’s services and have benefited from my ergonomic home office. One of the educators visited my home to see my setup, recommended appropriate home office furniture, and then returned to my home to see if everything was properly working. If you’d like to use their services, mention my name when you contact them for a 25% discounted rate on the individual assessment, and I will also receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
This desk combines the best of the sitting and standing, to ensure you’ll never end up in a stagnant position for hours at a time. I have this desk and frequently change from sitting to standing to an in-between flexed position, and I feel a huge difference in my energy levels and comfort while working. This desk has added a dynamism to what used to be a fixed position of sitting in a chair facing the computer. An ergonomic consultant recommended this product for my use, so it has the added bonus of being vetted by a professional.
(Paid link)
This cushion has really helped to find a more comfortable seated posture. The cutout shape means that it provides gentle cushioning for the tailbone, relieving the pressure, pain and numbness I was encountering sometimes when seated.
(Paid link)
I bought this stand to create a more comfortable workspace. This stand brought my laptop up to eye level and saved me a lot of shoulder, neck and back pain. I chose this particular one because it folds into an incredibly tiny storage shape (meaning it’s possible to travel with it and/or store it away when not in use) and because it ventilates the bottom of the laptop, helping your laptop to not overheat.
(Paid link)
This mouse keeps me positioned correctly and gives my wrist and hand the correct support. An ergonomic consultant recommended this product for my use, so it has the added bonus of being vetted by a professional.
(Paid link)
This keyboard gives me some good wrist support. An ergonomic consultant recommended this product for my use, so it has the added bonus of being vetted by a professional.
(Paid link)
This pad helps keep my hands and wrists in the right position to prevent strain. An ergonomic consultant recommended this product for my use, so it has the added bonus of being vetted by a professional.
(Paid link)
Kitchen Tools
Healthy eating is definitely easier when you’re cooking for yourself! That means you can select fresh ingredients, know exactly what goes into your food, and avoid unnecessary and unhealthful additions. As a cook in my kitchen, there are certain tools that make cooking more enjoyable and easy. I have shared a selection of high-quality cooking tools below, that should last a long time and will definitely save you time and energy in the kitchen!
I really love this alternative to plastic. It’s easy to use; when I take it out of the freezer for the first time since freezing the latest batch of water, I let it sit on the counter for a couple minutes. Then, it’s super easy to lift the handle and make cubes. Another reason to have an ice cube tray at home, and particularly a stainless steel one, is to freeze lemon juice or tomato puree for future use.
(Paid link)
The Vitamix is a classic for smoothies, soups, and other easy meals. It has a 10-year warranty, so you can feel comfortable investing in a blender that will stand the test of time. This particular model couldn’t make it any easier to blend to perfection with its presets for soups, smoothies, ice cream, dips and spreads, and, best of all, cleaning the machine after use! With one button press, you’ll have your meal prepared (and, after, with another touch of a button, your blender clean!). I particularly love that the Vitamix can make a hot soup and a frozen yogurt/fruit ice cream. It truly does replace several appliances.
(Paid link)
I recently purchased this microwave and so far have just used it for simple reheating. I generally use a power level of seven and re-heat for 30 seconds to one minute. It’s pretty powerful, so you don’t need long.
(Paid link)
I really love this organizer–it fits well in my drawer and has the right number of compartments to fit my silverware. I also like the look of it and the fact that it’s not plastic.
(Paid link)
This is another bamboo organizer I purchase to hold various kitchen tools, like a pizza cutter and wine opener. It’s super helpful to have things organized instead of throwing them in a drawer all together.
(Paid link)
This is super handy and toasts my bread very nicely. Have enjoyed crispy bread using this tool.
(Paid link)
Very sturdy dish. I like the fact that it is dishwasher safe.
(Paid link)
I purchased this so that I wouldn’t have to leave my sponges on the counter. I am able to fit two sponger, a pad for cleaning my stove, and the pad I use to clean pans in this holder. I like that it’s small and it doesn’t slide around the counter.
(Paid link)
- Plates and bowls
Absolutely love these. They are microwave and dishwasher safe and chip resistant. I also like that they don’t have any design that could possibly be scraped off. They are simple, easy to clean, and pleasing to the eye.
(Paid links)
I recently ordered this dish soap dispenser and really like its beautifully simple aesthetic. It’s stainless steel and a space saver on the kitchen counter, thanks to its tall height and smaller than normal diameter. I love to decant my dish soap from the plastic bottle into this stainless steel one to allow for easy pumping and a tidy kitchen look.
(Paid link)
In a busy kitchen sink, a drain cover is key for easy cleaning and protection against clogs. While many kitchen sinks do have something to catch large pieces of food waste, I find it’s hard to clean. I bought these OXO drain covers made of silicone as it is much easier to clean, and its fine holes mean that noodles and other larger pieces of food won’t slip down the drain by accident.
(Paid link)
This powder is truly excellent for the dishwasher. My dishes always come out sparkling clean, and it has the big added benefit of knowing you’re using a product that is not hurting the earth (Seventh Generation dish powder is USDA certified as biobased!). This is a truly ecological option, even down to the packaging, as the bulk powder comes in carboard boxes and thus eliminates the use of any plastic packaging.
(Paid link)
Eating Healthy on the Go
Bringing along snacks or a picnic when you’re hiking makes eating healthfully a snap! But how to transport your salad, chia pudding or something similar? Sometimes a great container can make your day and eliminate a big spill! These essentials will make it a cinch to package and transport your food.
- Sisal and Cotton Bottle brush
(Paid link)
Soulbottles is a company made after my heart. Completely made in Germany, and made to last, the bottles only consist of glass, ceramic, stainless steel and natural rubber. These bottles are beautiful and practical, and I like to keep mine front and center on my desk so I never forget to stay hydrated.
(Paid link)
Are you looking for a bottle that is lightweight and can go everywhere with you? In that case, I recommend you check out Klean Kanteen. These bottles are stainless steel and last a long time with the right care (mainly not dropping it, as the stainless steel will dent; but even if you do, it’s still usable). I’ve taken these bottles on hikes, on the go running errands and anywhere else I might have needed a quick swig of water.
(Paid link)
This simple utensil set is practically indestructible. I’ve used it for years and love it for its lightweight, space-saving quality and its ease of use. Bamboo is naturally antibacterial and resistant to water, and my utensil set really proves this, as after many uses and washes it looks practically new! I like to have a set like this available because you can avoid waste and always be prepared—it’s so light you can just permanently stow it in your backpack or bag in between quick washes after use. The washable carrying case means you’ll never lose a utensil, and it’s very easy to attach it to your bag with the included carabiner.
(Paid link)
To store cheese at home, cover a bowl of leftovers or wrap up a half apple to go, you can’t beat these beeswax wraps, made of a cotton blend fabric infused with beeswax, tree resin and organic jojoba oil. This starter pack of 3 will probably meet all of your needs for a long time. They are very easy to clean by giving a quick rinse or wash with dish soap; it’s only important to remember not to use hot water when cleaning (cool water only!) and not to use for hot or extremely greasy items.
(Paid link)
I love multi-purpose items, and these 100% food-grade, non-toxic platinum silicone bags definitely fulfill that desire: they can be safely used in the freezer, microwave, dishwasher, with boiling water, in the oven up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and as an on-the-go snack storage bag (for you or your children or pets!). Stasher bags can be used for hikes and picnics and to store food in a tidy and space-efficient way in the freezer. Another place it would be great to use them is at the bulk bins of a grocery store.
(Paid link)
I sometimes go on picnics while hiking, and my trusty Opinel folding knife is often in my rucksack so that I can cut into an apple, slice some cheese or spread something tasty onto a high-fiber cracker. These knives are extremely durable, beautiful and practical. They are made in France and a true classic that will serve you well in nature.
(Paid link)
Keep an eye out here! More items will be added soon. If you have any specific items or needs in the kitchen, drop a comment to let me know what you’re looking for!
Have questions? Comments? I would love to hear what you think below!
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