Useful kitchen tools
 

What have been some of the most useful kitchen tools that you have used throughout your weightloss? I found that I started using my measuring cups and spoons so much that I went out and purchased another set of each. I figure one day I will be so good at "eye-balling" it that I won't need them that much, but I sure do need them now! And, I just dug out my scale yesterday and started using that.
I have also been to the Spice House and got a bunch of salt-less seasons to help bring some variety to the basics.
I would love to hear about what you all have found. :)

Lately I have been moving more toward my scale and away from my measuring utensils. It seems like the scale is more accurate and easier to use. The cups and spoons are great for fluids or powdery things, but for fruits and veggies and similar lumpy things the cups are pretty useless.

My
Scale
Wok (stir-fry pan)
Hand blender
Yogurt maker
Bread maker
Rice maker
Slow cooker
Single serve containers

I use my scale a lot. It took me a bit to get use to but now that I have, I love.

I absolutely adore my ULU and wooden bowl. It makes chopping up everything so fast and so fun.

My scale (o' course;))
measuring cups
non-stick frypan (i'll never use oil again....except it the recipe really really needs it)
small wooden chopping board
tupperware containers (great for making a week's lunches in advance and freezing them)

I agree, my digital kitchen scale has been so helpful, it is really the only way to know how much you are really eating! My Magic Bullet is also great. I use it for low fat fruit smoothies, protein shakes, etc.

Something else I did to help with portion control is I went to Party City and bought a pack of 2 oz. souffle cups and lids. I measure out things in the morning and bring them into work for lunch. I use empty child-proof prescription medication bottles for salad dressing so I don't have to worry about them leaking!

In addition to a scale, measuring cups, measuirng spoons, etc... I find that an EGG SEPARATOR is a very handy tool indeed for making scrambled egg whites!

Have two sets of measuring cups just like you. Also invested in some great-quality non-stick saute pans. Another little thing I use a lot is my "mini spatula" from Sur La Table. When you are counting calories, every bit of yogurt/sauce/peanut butter/you name it! COUNTS! lol

What is a ULU?

:lol: I was measuring out a T. of peanut butter the other night for a snack. DH was in there with me. I couldn't get ALL of the PB out, so I licked the spoon - DH took the oppertunity to crack a joke or two.:devil:

Scale, measuring spoons and cups, a little hand blender, little plates and bowls (to make smaller portions look bigger), my awesome chef's knife and my microwave have all seen a lot of action since I started losing weight. The microwave rocks for steaming. All the other fancy stuff is fun too - but those are my everyday common diet aids in the kitchen.

It DOES all count!!! lol And peanut butter is the hardest to measure and then get it all out. I end making a loose rounded tablespoon and then kind of "flicking it" onto the bread/oatmeal/whatever to get it out!

I saw an ep of Martha Stewert where she had these measuring spoons that have a slider thing like an ice cream scoop for scraping everything out. I've never been able to find them, though.

I want to get a scale!!! how much are they? can you get them at target or walmart?

but aside from that I too i dug into my measuring cups and measuring spoons that I rarely used before I need to go get a new set because I'm missing my 1/4 cup! haha

also I heart Pam olive oil spray its the only thing I cook with now or I cant believe it's not butter spray if I need too.

love my new non stick frying pans form costco my cutting boards and knifes! and my bamboo wooden spoons from pampered chef!

all my seasoning of course!

Check out amazon.com for food scales. They are a pretty good selection.

Coffee:

An ulu is a round bladed knife that you hold in the middle of the blade. Google image search or Wikipedia for it for an example, it's sort of hard to explain.

It's a traditional Inuit women's knife, and are amazing to cut all sorts of things. There are a bunch of the kitschy souvenir ones that people bring back from Alaskan cruises as well ;>

Mine's really indispensable. I'm better with it than I am with a kitchen knife for chopping up things.

A good sharp Chef's knife
My epicurean cutting board
Lee Valley Tools measuring cups and spoons
My foodscale

I use my pampered chef measuring spoons and cups daily. I also use left over medicine cups for measuring dressings or nuts.
I also bought a smaller plate to eat on...and i also eat out a large salad bowl alot. THe smaller plate does a mind thing on me...it makes my plate look full and I eat less.
I also got a 64oz. straw cup to drink out of..i fill it with water as soon as i get up in the morning and make sure i refill it with water by 2 pm.

Pampered Chef has the sliding spoons

I am in love with my KitchenAid peeler. My sister got it for me. It's pink too. :D

Oh! I forgot my little George Foreman grill. It's perfect for a quick dinner of fish or chicken.

kitchen scale
measuring spoons
non-stick pots and pans
vegetable steamer
stick blender
misto oil sprayer (fill it with your choice of oil and it works like a can of Pam without the additives)
lots of fresh herbs growing in pots on my deck (or harvested and in the freezer)
little plates and bowls - everything looks like more on a smaller plate
pizza stone - sounds not right for dieting, but I can make controlled portion and healthy little whole wheat and vegetable pizzas once a week and not feel pizza deprived