10 Healthy Tools to Include on Your Wedding Registry
| 4 min read
Getting married is one of the most exciting (and possibly one of the more stressful) times of your life. With the vendor meetings, the dresses, the invitations and that dreaded seating chart, it can seem impossible to maintain a focus on health when the pressure is on and the checklist list never ends.
In my opinion, one of the more fun and exciting parts of wedding planning is creating a bridal registry. Just the thought of getting rid of those bent forks you’ve been using since college or that pot with the wobbly handle can put a smile on your face. And coffee mugs that match your plates? Please, go on.
But creating a registry is also a chance to expand your kitchen to include a wide array of tools that can help you and your spouse achieve your health goals as you begin your life together.
If you and your partner decide to create a wedding registry, here are 10 healthy gadgets you may want to consider including:
- Food Scale: One of the greatest obstacles to weight loss is proper portion control. Understanding not only what you eat, but how much you eat is critical to a healthy diet. A digital food scale can easily tell you if you’re within your desired amounts to help you meet your goals.
- Mandolin Slicer: Topping off that healthy salad with freshly chopped veggies is a breeze with a slicer like this. Most mandolins come with interchangeable blades that allow you to adjust for size, shape and thickness. Just watch those fingers!
- Garlic Press: Chopping garlic by hand can be tiresome. First you peel it, then you have to hold onto the slippery clove as you try to finely slice it. This whole process is simplified with the help of a garlic press that does the work for you.
- Food Processor: A little more versatile than your traditional blender, a food processor can be used for both chopping and mixing. This is a great tool to use to make your own hummus, guacamole, or homemade spaghetti sauce, minus the preservatives.
- Herb Mill: I usually don’t have the patience to chop fresh herbs by hand, so I often go with dried. This tool allows you to grind fresh from-the-market herbs like parsley, cilantro and rosemary with ease (much like a pepper grinder).
- Spiral Veggie Cutter: I’m a pasta lover and until recently, I didn’t think anything could satisfy that craving except a box of buttery noodles. But, with a little help from a spiral veggie slicer, your beets, sweet potatoes and zucchini will certainly steal the show of your next pasta-inspired dish, without all the extra calories.
- Blender: This kitchen staple has come a long way over the years. Today’s blenders have a variety of digital modes, speeds and functions that help simplify meal prep. For a meal on the go, just toss in your favorite fruits and veggies for a healthy flavorful smoothie.
- Juicer: Juice bars have become all the rage, but you can also create your own barista-inspired juices at home with the help of a juicer. These can be on the pricier side of kitchen gadgets, so make sure to do your research to find the right juicer for you.
- Healthy Meatloaf Pan: If you’re not ready to write-off mom’s not-so-healthy meatloaf recipe, a special meatloaf pan can help you make it a bit healthier. Instead of a traditional pan, these specialty tools come with built-in strainers that let you remove excess grease before serving.
- Zester: Quit skipping over the part of the recipe that calls for a little lemon zest! This simple tool is made with especially small and sharp edges to add that extra fancy flavor to your foods, which is a great alternative to piling on the salt.
These items may vary in price, features and availability, so do your research at local department stores to find the option that’s right for you.
What other healthy gadgets would you recommend adding to a wedding registry?
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Photo credit: Emily Carlin
