Kitchen Toys

I got some pretty sweet deliveries this week! Mostly from Amazon, my favorite online store.

My snacks of choice lately have been popcorn and nuts. Microwave popcorn is expensive, especially the kind I buy with no added oils/salt. So I bought this cute little Nordic Ware microwave popcorn popper that requires no added oils on Amazon for only $8.95:

Cooking time will vary depending on your microwave and the amount of kernels you use.

I tried a batch with 1/3 cup kernels on 2.5 minutes and it burned!

I listened for the kernels to stop popping, but they were still going. I guess I shouldn’t try to get every single kernel to pop. It has a ton of great reviews on Amazon and many warned that you have to keep an eye on it and adjust the cooking time for your microwave. So next time I’ll take it out 30-45 seconds earlier. I’m still super excited about it! I love hot air poppers, but I think a microwave bowl is so much easier. I’ll do more experiments with cooking time and report back.

I also bought two Silpat nonstick baking mats that I’ve been wanting to buy for ages. Baking season is coming up, so I’m getting prepared now.

And I bought an electric Cuisinart spice and nut grinder, which is going to come in handy for so many things that my Vita-Mix is too big for.

Speaking of nuts, I scored these raw almonds and mixed nuts on sale at Target for $4.50 each. The only ingredient is nuts. Yay! Excellent price.

While we were getting the tires mounted on our car the other day, we went to the Asian farm market in Liberty. I found these crunchy onions:

The ingredients list looks legit:

Haven’t tried them yet, but can’t wait to try them on a salad or in soup or maybe as a breading for something. I get so excited finding products made with palm oil. It’s fantastic. I’m trying to avoid products that use seed and vegetable oils (canola, safflower, etc.) The oxidation of PUFAs are not good for us, plus they’re omega-6 bombs, which we also tend to get way too much of here in the US. I’m not a purist though, so I still buy my favorite Trident Seafood salmon burgers and other favorites, but if I have a choice? Palm and extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil and avocado oil and macadamia nut oil and butter and lard all the way, baby!

Right now I have a batch of kidney beans cooking…

No particular reason. Just wanted some beans and they were the first kind I came across in the cabinet.

I have a doctor’s appointment on Thursday, our car is getting a full detail cleaning sometime between Friday and Monday, not sure yet! Waiting for the guy to email back. He did it last year and we were happy with the work, so we’re a returning satisfied customer. I love forming ongoing relationships with small businesses. It’s nice to have someone that you can rely on for whatever it is you’re paying for. Like my hair dresser. Love her! I need to make an appointment to see her sometime in the next week, but have to establish our car detailing appointment first. I need a root touch-up and a trim. My in-laws are supposed to be here the 21st, so I have a long to-do list that I’m chipping away at. Every time I scratch something off, I add two or three more tasks, lol. Busy is good though!!

I haven’t forgotten about the secret I talked about the other day. I’m getting to it, it’s been a crazy week, lol. And the changes to my blog? Working on that too! I’m so friggin’ excited about my blog changes, I can hardly wait. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Today = cleaning, organizing, compiling household items to donate, shopping, cooking and eating?, and watching Breaking Bad on Tivo from last night. Be back later!!!

Tagged as: Amazon, beans, loot, popcorn popper, shopping, Silpat