Class #8 – 6 Things Every Healthy Kitchen Has
So now it is time to personalize your kitchen. I am going to give you the 6 things that
every healthy kitchen has, but it is up to you to make sure that it works for you. These
tools are things I found I could not live without and as I visited other healthy kitchens I
noticed that they had the same 6 things. In the video I will review each item. In the text
you will find more detail. The worksheet contains my recommendations for brands in
every price range.
1. Three Cutting Boards
In every kitchen detox that I have performed, I have instilled the 3 cutting board principle.
First let’s talk about cutting surfaces. Most commercial kitchens will use plastic cutting
boards. Keep in mind most commercial kitchens sharpen their knives every day. So
here’s the truth – plastic cutting boards dull your knives. Stone and glass are no no’s for
your good chef’s knife too. They will kill an edge faster than anything. I recommend
wood or wood composite. They are much easier on your knives and when properly
taken care of, they are less likely to cause food borne illnesses caused by cutting board
contamination. I would recommend wood, bamboo, or composite wood for a cutting
surface hands down. In the worksheet I will discuss how to care for your wooden cutting
boards.
Why 3 cutting boards?
- Produce – Largest of the 3 boards. This board will be used for ONLY produce prep
work. No meat or cheese, raw or otherwise. The backside I will use for cooked meats
and cheeses. I have it marked so I know which side is for veggies and which side is
for cooked meats. - Meat – Medium size board that is used only for raw meat. Nothing else, ever!
- Strong Smells and Flavors – I have a small cutting board that is composite wood that I
use for cutting things that leave behind a strong odor like garlic, onions and hot
peppers. Nothing worse than cutting watermelon and it ends up tasting like onions or
garlic! This little cutting board prevents that from happening.
2. Chef Knife
This is by far the most important tool in your healthy kitchen. When you are cooking
healthy, real foods you will be doing a lot of chopping, dicing, cutting, smashing and
peeling. A good chef’s knife that fits your hand well is paramount to eliminating
frustrations in the kitchen. This tool will minimize prep time, eliminate kitchen fails and
make you fall in love with your kitchen.
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How to Choose a Chef’s Knife
- Budget – determine an amount you want to spend. This is important because if you go
into a kitchen store you might be dazzled by the $400 chef knife and you only need a
$99 knife.• Single Knife Buying – My suggestion is to buy your chef’s knife as a single unit. You
can buy an entire block of knives, but you will only use 2-3 consistently so the rest are
a waste of your money. Instead buy 1or 2 good knives and don’t be enticed with whole
blocks. - The Kitchen Store – Go to a specialty kitchen store that can answer your questions
about knives. This is an investment you should research. Buy from someone that can
help describe the uses for the knife you are buying. In a well-educated kitchen store
they will let you hold and cut with the knives that you like. They will also help you find
a fit that works well for you. I like a 8” chef’s knife but my husband prefers a 6”.
Everyone is different and it is important that it feels good in your hand. - Take a Knife Skills Class – Soon in the go2kitchens.academy we will be offering an
online knife skills basic course. I have taken several knife skills classes and I can tell
you each time my skills improve a little more. - Learn to Care for Your Knife – It is important that you understand how to properly care
for your knife. We covered a few of these in the Kitchen Assets Class but knowing
how to care for your specific knife is important. Learn how to hone your knives and
even learn to sharpen them if you are so inclined. You can also have them
professionally sharpened. Make sure you find someone that does not use a machine
to sharpen the knives but rather does it by hand.
3. Large Oven Safe Skillet
A large oven safe skillet is a versatile kitchen tool that will save you a ton of time and
allow you to learn many different styles of cooking. Cast iron and stainless is awesome
for this work. Going from stovetop to oven will lend itself to crisp veggies, perfectly
cooked meats and one skillet meals! I would say 10-12 inches is perfect with straight
sides. A lid is great but not imperative. You will love the meals you can turn out with this
great kitchen tool!
4. Blender
I am a firm believer that if you are on a health journey a blender is an important tool. If
you are just starting out it is necessary. I make a joke that smoothies are a gateway
drug into a healthy lifestyle. But really, I do believe this. A blender is so much more than
a smoothie maker though. It helps with making homemade ice cream, grain free
cornbread, juices, sauces, salsa, and oh so much more. Like the chef’s knife, I think it is
a very important tool for your new detoxed kitchen.
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How to Buy a Blender
- Budget – buy the best blender you can afford. If you can afford a $550 blender then
that is the blender for you. If $29 is your budget, buy that one. Just buy one! - Versatile brands like Ninja blenders are great for multiple tasks. Mine even has a food
processor attachment. It cost me $180.
5. Stockpot
Every single healthy kitchen I have ever been in has had a stockpot. This versatile pot
will help you conquer “pre”pared meals and give the right tool for the right job. Meals ina large pot are endless. Soups, stocks, sauces, and mounds of veggies can be
prepared in this handy tool. It does not have to be oven safe but should have a lid.
Enameled cast iron is a great choice for a stockpot. Although it is heavy, it will conduct
heat very evenly. A Crock Pot is also a great tool. One or the other will be suitable for
healthy cooking. I love my Crock Pot and find that I can leave it on low all day and make
amazingly easy, real food meals. You can do the same in a stockpot, but you will have to
leave a stove on for hours and that may be a safety concern for some.
6. Intentions
The final tool is not a thing, but a mindset. Having the mindset to want to cook is the
most valuable tool of all. Hopefully we have helped you to develop this mindset in this
class. Your kitchen is your command center. It is where all healthy lifestyles begin. If
you set your intentions to cook more then you will. Make a plan, heck schedule it if you
have to, but set your intentions to be in your kitchen more. Set your intentions to have
less frustration in the kitchen. Plan to eliminate kitchen fails. Every healthy kitchen has
these intentions. They are free of charge and you are in full control of how it will turn out.
In the worksheet for this lesson you will find a link to the Kitchanatomy Store. I have put
all my suggestions for these items in every price range in the store. Use your new skills
from Class #7 Kitchen Assets to determine when you need an upgrade. Don’t get stars
in your eye about new shiny objects.
