It took me quite a few years to understand and collate the essentials for my kitchen, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t have everything on the list. These are just the ones I use daily … Please note, that with even just a a few of these items, you can still make the most fabulous offerings for yourself and your family. Let’s dive in …

Blender – I believe is one of the most essential tools in the kitchen to own! It will literally revolutionise your life, and I don’t say that lightly! A high speed blender (and it must be high speed to crush produce like greens, nuts and seeds) will make preparing healthy foods simple and enjoyable. While it may be an upfront expense, the investment will soon pay off. Use it daily to make smoothies, soups, purees, dips, dressings and sauces, nut butters and spreads, dips and sauces, batters and doughs, desserts like sorbets and ice cream, the list goes on and on. The brand I have is Vitamix (which comes with a lengthy warranty). I’ve been using and loving it for over 10 years now, and it’s still going strong.

Cutting Board – If you are in need of a new board, try wooden, my favourite is bamboo, a much more earth friendly choice than plastic. Easy to clean and use – be sure to dry them thoroughly after washing to avoid the wood drying out.

Electric Juicer – With so many on the market, choosing the right electric juicer for your needs can be tricky. Centrifugal Juicers, are high-speed juicers that work well with hard fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and beets. They’re generally more affordable and juice produce very quickly, but may not be as efficient for leafy greens, and overall produce a lower quality tasting juice, due to oxidation (heavy, metal blades are used in this juicing process). Masticating Juicers (also known as Cold Press or Slow Juicers), operate at slower speeds, which helps preserve more nutrients and enzymes in the juice. They’re more versatile and efficient for juicing leafy greens and soft fruits. They do tend to be more expensive and slower than centrifugal juicers, but in my opinion the quality, taste and minimum waste of produce is more than worth it.

Microplane Grater – You won’t know how much you need one of these until you get one. These are incredibly versatile, and I used mine for such a wide range of tasks. They excel at grating hard cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino, as well as citrus zest, ginger, garlic, nutmeg, chocolate, and even vegetables like carrots and onions.

Salad Spinner – Has so many facets to it. Not only does it make it easy to wash and dry leafy greens, herbs and other salad items, it removes excess water from the your produce, meaning your salad stays clean and crisp for longer. Tip: washing and drying greens soon after purchasing or harvesting them helps to preserve freshness and extends life!!

Sharp Knives – Make food preparation faster and more efficient. They glide through ingredients smoothly, allowing you to slice, chop, and dice with precision and ease. This not only saves time but also makes cooking more enjoyable. Choose knives that are high quality, the right weight, and that sit comfortable in your hand. I recommend at least having a chef’s knife and paring knife.