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Before we had kids I thought we were busy. Now, I laugh at how our definition of busy has changed. At the time of this post we currently have an almost two year old and a 9 month old. You can imagine how little time there is for creating nice meals. I cook almost exclusively from scratch, so saving time is a must. There are three kitchen appliances I use at minimum once a week, usually more. They not only save me time, but help with healthier meal options as well.
1. Stand Mixer
I have a KitchenAid® stand mixer, and I probably use it three times a week on average. If you make your own bread, cookies, or desserts, it’s a major time saver. I don’t have to knead bread by hand which means I’m freed up to work on something else while the mixer is going. They are worth the price over and over again.
2. Instant Pot
If you’re like me and you always forget to take something out of the freezer for supper - you need an instant pot. These bad boys are a lifesaver! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been saved by having one. A frozen-solid roast can be on the table in an hour or two depending on the size. And let’s not forget the ability to make one pot meals in them. You save time cooking AND cleaning. Nobody wants to wash more dishes than they have to. Another great thing about Instant Pots is the ability to eliminate so many other kitchen appliances. The rice cooker and medium sized crock pot, for example, are no longer needed. Versatility and efficiency are the name of the game with this one.
3. Air Fryer
My newest kitchen appliance. My husband got me a ChefWave brand air fryer for Christmas, and it’s safe to say I’ve been trying to wear it out. For the first week I think I only made food in the air fryer. I will say that although it’s not faster for some things - like meat, it definitely makes healthier food. I love that we can have our favorite fried foods without feeling crappy afterwards. This specific model (Magma) doesn’t have a basket; instead it has a door like an oven, which makes cleaning pretty easy. The interior wipes down nicely and it comes with baskets, a rotisserie spit, and several trays so you can make as much of pretty much anything you want in there!
These three appliances are huge time savers for me. I probably wouldn’t cook from scratch as much as I do if I didn’t have them. The possibilities are endless - both for the cooking and what you can do with all the time you’ve saved!
Santana Calo is a wife and mother to two infant daughters, and has lived in Wisconsin her entire life. She loves gardening and being as self-sufficient as possible--homegrown and homemade is what she's all about. Now she and her family are on their way to creating a more natural and sustainable lifestyle while teaching their children the value of hard work. She's also an entrepreneur who is in the beginning stages of starting an herbal body care business. You can find Santana on her blog, www.hogsbackhomestead.com or on social media on Instagram (@hogsbackhomestead) and Facebook.
