7 Registry Must-Haves For The Healthy Bride
Aw, weddings.
The tender moments, the bonding time spent with family and friends, the memories to last a lifetime, the gifts, the overwhelming feelings of love and happiness — did I mention the gifts?
As my wedding date quickly approaches, the most amazing presents (that I would have never bought for myself) have begun to roll in, and I must say, I feel like a kid on Christmas.
I hate to sound superficial, but I had no idea how awesome this was going to be. I should have got married a long time ago! Ha.
If you’ve ever started a registry though, it can be a bit overwhelming.
Do you really need a china set?
How about that solid gold juicer Gwyneth recommended?
Will you be able to live without a Vera Wang Infinity Kissing Bell?! << No joke, that actually popped up as a “recommended item” for me.
Ummm, no.
There are certain things that are absolutely ridiculous and you def won’t ever use. And then, there are some things that are absolutely essential for every kitchen – especially if you’re looking to keep a healthy home.
Here are those gadgets and gizmos that I highly recommend you put on your registry (or very early Christmas list) — stat.
7 Registry Must-Haves For the
Healthy Bride
I’ve recently decided to stop using my nonstick cookware as the chemicals used to make these products nonstick are potentially hazardous to your health. Good Housekeeping did an investigation and showed that nonstick cookware can be safe when used at low temperatures (as intended), but that chemical breakdown does occur when cookware is heated too high — say, over 500 degrees. Think that’s crazy hot? Hamburgers and steaks easily get that hot.
Scientific studies have also shown that these high temps definitely do release chemicals, with the ability to even kill birds.
So, I’m switching to stainless steel. It’s what professional cooks use, there are no chemicals involved and it looks pretty! I chose All-Clad
for my kitchen because I’ve enjoyed other products from them in the past, like my Waffle Iron
.
I already have one of these, but if I didn’t, it would be at the top of my list. If you read a lot of healthy cooking blogs, then you know that most health bloggers prefer this appliance to other blenders.
Does it cost a lot? Yes. But it’s totally worth it. And you don’t have to buy the most expensive one to reap the benefits. Mine was the cheapest in their line and it is amazing. It purees whole vegetables with their skin on in like two seconds.
My magic bullet went in the trash the minute I got it. Smuice anyone?
In my younger years (aka two months ago) I used to mince garlic with butter knifes, try to saw through spaghetti squash with a bread knife, and occasionally cut vegetables up with scissors. Basically, I’d use any sharp object on hand to get the job done — despite roughly. That was until I got my Shun Knife Set
. It was one of those “how have I gone 29 years without these” kind of moments.
A good knife set makes a world of difference. It’s cut (haha) down my time in the kitchen considerably. If you’re not ready to invest in a whole set immediately, I definitely recommend at least getting a Chef’s Knife. You can use it for everything. I chose Shun because I like the way they look and feel and I’ve heard great things about them, but there are many other great brands like Wusthof and Zwilling J. a.
If you’re cooking a lot, you’re going to need to have a lot of supplies on hand. Rather than let your rice, oats, quinoa, etc. reside in their original boxes, opened in the cabinet and just waiting for a bug infestation, store them in pretty glass jars. It will make you happy and keep you pest-free. Trust.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve suggested on this blog or recommended to friends to buy a spiralizer. It’s an absolute healthy cook must-have. Spiralizing veggies not only makes them prettier, it’s a great way to get kids, and finicky men, to eat their vegetables. And, if you’re trying the low-carb thing, zucchini zoodles are the ultimate replacement for spaghetti.
They’re also incredibly inexpensive. You can get a spiralizer on Amazon
for less than $35.
Need more motivation to buy one? Check out my recipes for Sweet Potato + Butternut Squash Fritters, Cheesy Creamy Avocado Pasta, or the classic Zucchini Spaghetti.
Everyone knows you need to wash your lettuce, spinach, kale, etc. If you buy organic, you need to wash the dirt off. If you buy regular, you need to wash the pesticides off.
Salad spinners may seem bulky and unnecessary, but they’re not. They makes cleaning your greens so much easier. Bottom line.
If you like to avoid nasty additives, save money and create amazing flavors by making your own salad dressing, like I do — a salad dressing shaker is a must-have. You may already have one, but if you don’t, get one now. And then get on making your own healthy salad dressings! >>
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says:
Hi Whitney! My favorite things to receive were the fancy items. My husband and I got a full set of China (which we’ve used on holidays), as well as all the nice silver Vera Wang and Kate Spade frames. While we did get some essentials, I didn’t ask for too many of these healthy items. But boy do I wish I had a Vitamix now! hehehe! Enjoy those gifts!
Whitney English says:
Yes, I suppose its the only time people really get these fancy things, so I might as well take advantage of it! I did put a gold bar cart on the list – it’s a stretch, but it will be fun if someone gets it!
Caroline Kaufman Nutrition says:
Great list!!! I ADORE. adore. A-DORE. my all-clad pan (I have the one in the photo) and my good knife set!! Off the top of my head, I’d add a dutch oven, toaster oven, Cuisinart 11 cup food processor, KitchenAid stand mixer, tea kettle (so cozy on the stove!), panini press (George Foreman kind of thing), over-skin colander that you can set up and not have to hold while pouring hot water through it, glass freezer-safe containers in single and double portion sizes, skillet, double burner griddle, and rice cooker. <3 all of these things so much :)
Caroline Kaufman Nutrition says:
That should say over-SINK, not over-skin colander :)
Whitney English says:
Most of those things are actually on my registry too – except the rice cooker! Adding that now :) Thanks for the advice!!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says:
Yes! I love wedding registries and I loved creating mine a couple of years ago :) I SOOOO wish I had a vitamix and a spiralizer…and an ice cream maker (coconut milk ice cream anyone!?). Luckily, I am surviving without those items :) Happy wedding prep to you!
Whitney English says:
Ohhh ice cream maker – I might just have to go update mine :)
Cathleen says:
I stumbled across this helpful post on the must-haves for a healthy chef’s wedding registry and I wanted to share my recommendation for a fantastic window cleaning company. As someone who prioritizes a clean and healthy home, I understand the importance of finding reliable and efficient window cleaning services. That is why I recommend the services of this company. Their team of experts use eco-friendly products to thoroughly clean your windows and leave them sparkling clean.