Kitchen Gadgets, Aides, & Tools

[Gemma]

My husband ::
He is a chef and now works with me. He can chop, dice and slice so quickly!

::::

[Maggie]

I'm going to agree with Baby Beluga and say my ceramic knives are the best gadget in my kitchen. I have had a few pricier knife sets over the years but none compare to the very affordable ceramic ones I have now. I'll never go back.

[MissAnn]

I can't wait to have time to read all of these.....I'll just say I love my instant pot!

[daycarediva]

I buy fresh fruits and veggies on the weekend and will wash, peel, cut, dice, etc on the weekend so it is ready for the week. For example each week in my fridge I have:

washed and thinly sliced celery, carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.

Washed and cut grapes, pineapple, melon, etc

And I wash and prep salad that I keep in the fridge.

Everything else is kept whole and I wash and prep on an as needed basis. Apples, pears, peaches, berries, etc don't take long to wash and slice.

As far as gadgets go - I have a set of ceramic knives I love. They cut well - almost too well! I've cut myself quite a few times using them

ETA: I also keep cooked shredded or diced chicken in the fridge, hard boiled eggs and I cube and shred cheese to keep in the fridge (I don't like the pre shredded stuff). It makes pulling together a last minute lunch or snack easy.

I do all of this, too!

Crockpot! I put everything from pasta to soup in mine.

I also LOVE the pampered chef press I have. It cuts the crust off the sandwiches and presses them into uncrustable shapes, I pop homemade pb&j uncrustables in the freezer, they take an hour or so to defrost and my daycare kids (and my own kids) love them. I also use it for calzones, mini shepherds pie, etc.

[Max]

Thanks everyone

What does everyone use for dishes and/or placemats for the kids?

I thought deep, divided plates (reusable) would be perfect but can't find any great options..

[jenboo]

Thanks everyone

What does everyone use for dishes and/or placemats for the kids?

I thought deep, divided plates (reusable) would be perfect but can't find any great options..

We use corelle plates and bowls.

[Blackcat31]

Thanks everyone

What does everyone use for dishes and/or placemats for the kids?

I thought deep, divided plates (reusable) would be perfect but can't find any great options..

I am in love with these!

https://re-play.com

I do use placemats but we make them and put the outline of each plate, cup and/or silverware goes so the kids know how to set the table

Like this

[Max]

I am in love with these!

https://re-play.com

How well do the utensils hold up?

My son used the colored ones from Ikea and the plastic is pretty flimsy so they got chewed up quickly

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90192962/

[Blackcat31]

How well do the utensils hold up?

My son used the colored ones from Ikea and the plastic is pretty flimsy so they got chewed up quickly

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90192962/

So far so good! I haven't had them for a full year yet but most my kiddos are pretty good about eating and not chewing on utensils and/or cups.

I noticed over the weekend that Walmart actually sells a few colors and sets of these dishes...so yay!

[Max]

So far so good! I haven't had them for a full year yet but most my kiddos are pretty good about eating and not chewing on utensils and/or cups.

I noticed over the weekend that Walmart actually sells a few colors and sets of these dishes...so yay!

Sweet! I'm excited to try them out!!

[Sumshine]

Sweet! I'm excited to try them out!!

I have that entire Ikea set including utensils. I love it but I only ever hand wash the daycare dishes and I haven't noticed any deterioration.

I also only use the plastic Ikea utensils for kids 2 and under. 2+ use a set that I bought at Walmart they have plastic colorful handles But Metal tips and they are a good size for kiddos! The entire set and organizer was under $10!

I had another set of matching dishes I had gone off Amazon back when it was just my son and I and I much prefer the ikea ones! I have a few divider plates I've accumulated from walmart but they are spendy and I don't care for the dividing portion sizes I just prefer to put it all on one plate. I am one of those "no food touches" people so I get it all to fit on the plate in their own sections by habit !

I also received a quesadilla maker for Christmas and the Ninja Food Processor. The Ninja food processor is much better than my old hand chopper thing I had and I LOVE my quesadilla maker! I use it every week for the kiddos it is super easy and I like that I can put it together in there and get our side dishes ready while it cooks! Super fast and easy. DH likes it too for himself over the weekend!

[Lovatic24]

Re-play divided plates are also at Target