5 Must-have Kitchen Tools

There are a couple things in my kitchen that I cannot live without… Okay, I COULD live without them, but I just don’t want to…! :) You see, having the right tools and knowing how to use them is essential to the cooking experience. Trust me on this.

Disclaimer: I am not receiving compensation from these brands, I just love their products and want to share them with you!

1. Shun Knives (made in Japan)

My husband got me these knives about 4 years ago for Christmas and let me says this, they don’t look or feel a day old. These knives are professional and the quality is outstanding. There are a few reasons why these are my favorite, but let me start by saying they are beyond SHARP. When I first started using my Shun knives I remember cutting myself time and time again…lets just say it took some time getting use to them. Not only are these knives sharp but they are lightweight – making slicing, chopping, and mincing easy work. Shun knives are known for the simplistic, but sleek design too. And another great thing to note is that Shun’s headquarters is located in the U.S. (Tualatin, Oregon) and  I mention this because they will sharpen your knives once a year, for free! Yes, for free! So every year when we go on vacation, we send our knives away for some R&R too. I have the Shun Classic 7-Piece Block Set but if you want to test the waters first, I would suggest this smaller bundle, Shun DMS300 Classic 3-Piece Boxed Cutlery Set.

Local Business, Herban Wellness

For the most part I try to stay away from taking any over the counter medications, even if they are deemed “safe.” It’s very rare you will ever see me pop a Tylenol or NyQuil (I won’t go into too much detail as to why)…but all that said, there are times when you need an extra boost or you’re just feeling under the weather… and for those reasons, I have put together this small post which highlights a few key products I keep near and dear.

I am beyond blessed to have a local store called Herban Wellness right in my backyard (okay I lied, it’s about 10 minutes away from home)… This store is located about 15 minutes just east of Seattle in a small city called Kirkland. Kirkland is by far one of my favorite cities on the Eastside; it’s darling area and has a bit of a Laguna beach-vibe going on (it’s located on the water and the streets are lined with small boutiques and yummy cafes) [take a peek] and Herban Wellness is one of those unique little shops.

Becoming Plant-Based | Challenges, Where to Start, & Suggestions

If there is one question I get asked the most it’s “how do you do it” [eat plant-based]. It’s quite simple really…you have to prepare; or prepare to fail. You have to physically, mentally, and emotionally prepare yourself. Most people think that a vegan or plant-based lifestyle is not sustainable and it takes “too much work” or “you can’t eat anything.” In reality, it’s quite opposite.

A Simple Food Guide | Vancouver, BC.

I love traveling; experiencing new places, meeting new people, and eating new food. But it can be hard when you live a plant-based, vegan, or gluten-free lifestyle. This simple guide is here to help point you in the right direction when visiting the beautiful city of Vancouver, BC. And thank you to the Loden Hotel for a beautiful, boutique-hotel experience.

The Best Vegan Cheese + Truffle Mac

I am SO excited to share this moment with you….I have stumbled upon the worlds most amazing vegan cheese…! Miyoko Schinner is the proud owner of Miyoko’s Kitchen and founder of the worlds first “cultured nut-product.” In 2012, Miyoko published her first book, “Artisan Vegan Cheese” in hopes that we, the people, would embark on making artisan vegan cheeses in our very own homes. Although the book received much praise, many folks requested that Miyoko make and sell her cheeses to the public; and that she did. Miyoko’s Kitchen operates out of Northern California but thankfully they ship nationwide for $9.99 with two-day delivery…what a deal!

These cheeses are to die for, and I recommend all vegans and omnivore’s alike to give them a try.