Gadgets

My friend Julie is an interior designer. She says the best way to clean a room is to buy something new!

It can be from Dollar Tree or it can be a new piece of furniture. When you place something new in the room it motivates you to clean, throw away and reposition things. I use her technique every time I need to tackle a tough project.

Her advice works great with diet changes. Want to make a change in your health, your body, the way you look, your energy level? Buy something new!

Here are my favorite gadgets for cooking whole foods. I'll give recipes for each gadget over the next few days. Get online or go to Bed Bath & Beyond with a fistful of coupons and let's get cooking!

• Vegetable/Rice Steamer - There is a Deni 3-Tier food steamer with free shipping for $49.99 from www.target.com. Make sure it has a "rice basket" meaning, you can place liquids such as rice and water in one of the tiers. Also look at the Black & Decker 7-Quart steamer at Target or Bed Bath & Beyond. It is a two tier with a rice basket. It should be about $29.99. Or go to www.amazon.com and compare both of these brands.
• Vegetable Juicer - If you only do one thing for yourself this year, decide to start the day with fresh vegetable juice. Fruit is not as vitamin rich. All other breakfast options are cooked and therefore do not alkalize and detox the body. First thing in the morning you should give yourself a fabulous shot of God's green earth. Juice carrots, beets, cucumbers, spinach, apples, celery, kale, broccoli, cauliflower every day. I use a Champion Juicer. It is a monster. The Champion Juicer can juice huge carrots (due to a large "mouth") or nuts. It holds up for 5 years and the parts are replaceable online. Get a Champion Juicer from www.hacres.com. This is my go-to website for all things whole and healthy. These people are crazy about their veggies so beware! It will cost about $250. Or shop the Champion Juicer at www.coolshinystuff.com. The last time I looked, it was $209.95 with free shipping. If you want to start small, get the Jack LaLanne Power Juicer. It costs between $95 and $150 depending on whether you get the Power Juicer Pro or not. Look for it at BB&B or Kmart.
• Pesto/Nut Chopper - This is the cutest, cheapest little trick ever. If you hate cleaning the food processor and are lazily purchasing pesto sauce, stop it! Store bought pesto has preservatives and cheese in it. Make yourself a flavor bursting basil-rich pesto sauce with the Progressive Nut Chopper. Only $7.99 at BB&B. How fun!! Or how about walnut sauce which is perfect for sauteed kale and onions: grind 1/2 cup walnuts through Nut Chopper. Add 1/3 cup water, 1 tsp miso and 1 tsp of ume plum vinegar. Yum!
• Crock Pot - Just get one. Don't make me explain! I'll give you recipes tomorrow.

A woman with many servants at her disposal is wise. Use these little gadgets as your servants. When I look at my kitchen in the middle of the afternoon and the steamer is filled and turned on for an hour and the crock pot is full and on low, I am happy! I'm happy because my family is about to eat a ton of organic food with all the vitamins in tact due to cooking processes which keep the food healthy and yet slow-cook the herbs and spices in to make a savory meal. Smart chick!