The Famous Toaster

Hi friends! Itโ€™s almost Friday! Is it just me, or did this week fly by? I like it ๐Ÿ™‚

belly6

[Belly is LOVING her new backyard. The only way I could get her to stop and look at me was to ask her if she is the โ€œChicken Queen.โ€ And then I had to go inside and get her a piece of chicken]

I started the day off with pancake perfectionโ€ฆ

pancakes

Perfect protein pancakes! Topped with Kerrygold butter and a small drizzle of maple syrup

+ almond milk and coffee in one of my fave mugs ๐Ÿ™‚

pancakes (2)

I have to share yesterdayโ€™s lunch with ya, not only because it was an on-the-spot combo of ingredients that turned out wonderfully, but because I used the toaster.

toaster

This toaster has a little bit of a story behind it.

It used to be white, didnโ€™t match any of our kitchen decor and the Pilot loved it. It was always out on the countertop, covered with crusty food stains and dents from his college years. So, while he was on his second deployment, it mysteriously disappearedโ€ฆ to the local Valdosta Goodwillโ€ฆ.. ๐Ÿ˜‰

A few weeks after being home, he came running into the bedroom with a sliced bagel in hand.

โ€œWhereโ€™s my toaster?โ€

โ€œI threw it away.โ€

โ€œYou WHAT?! You threw my toaster away?โ€

Oops.

I figured a toaster wasnโ€™t one of those kitchen tools you actually *needed* and had become a pro at using the broiler. Buuuuut, the Pilot missed his beloved toaster, so a few weeks later, I jokingly put a silver one that matched the rest of the kitchen in his Easter basket along with his other Easter goodies ๐Ÿ™‚ He was very happy, haha.

And yesterday, I was actually glad we had a toaster for my lunch creation.

meal

Toasted bread, hummus, grilled zucchini and grape tomatoes + goat cheese

along with a side salad, it was pretty much the ideal lunch ๐Ÿ™‚

Alright friends, time to do the work thang.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

xoxo

Gina

Whatโ€™s the most useless kitchen gadget you own? Whatโ€™s something you use ALL the time?

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97 Comments

  1. Jen @familyfoodfitnessandfun on August 4, 2011 at 1:12 pm

    The one that I find the most useless is the Panini Press. I can just grill a sandwich in a pan thank you very much! The appliance I use everyday is my espresso machine. I make a “skinny” latte every morning. It’s my 15 minutes of bliss every single day. Worth every penny ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Leslie Wingate on August 4, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    Ooooh, that looks delish! Very creative and pretty too.

  3. Holly @ The Runny Egg on August 4, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    I use my toaster almost every day — it is definitely a “need”. Most useless — my full size blender. I just use my Magic Bullet. Other than that I’d have to go with my coffee maker — I usually just have the coffee that is provided at work!

  4. hippierunner on August 4, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    I’m grateful for toasters because they consume way less energy than the oven! #hippie

  5. Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather on August 4, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    Is be sad if my toaster was gone… Nothing beats dave’s killer bread toasted with almond butter on top ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Yolie @ Practising Wellness on August 4, 2011 at 1:42 pm

    one i use everyday? my toaster, lol! and the one i use least? my juicer ๐Ÿ™ oops! loving your lunch that hummus toast looks incredible! ๐Ÿ˜€ xyx

  7. Amber L on August 4, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    Most useless gadget is our coffee pot. We rarely/almost never drink coffee! The most used gadget is definitely our Magic Bullet. My husband and I have protein smoothies almost every day! The Magic Bullet is perfect for single sized servings. ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Lori on August 4, 2011 at 1:51 pm

    That lunch looks amazing. I will be recreating it…..as soon as I pick up a double pack of goat cheese from Costco. ๐Ÿ˜‰ Quick question for you. I have been stoked to try the August cardio that you have been talking about, but have I missed it? Or has it not been posted yet? Thanks for such a fantastic blog, it’s my fave!

    • Fitnessista on August 4, 2011 at 4:06 pm

      i haven’t posted it yet- probably tomorrow or monday!

  9. Errign on August 4, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    I’m a broiler pro myself – no toaster here in Asheville, and I haven’t missed it yet.

  10. Courtney on August 4, 2011 at 1:56 pm

    I might starve to death without my fancy (wedding present) food processor. Hummus, nut butters, salad dressings, pesto, marinades, chimichurri, mayonnaise, salsa, protein balls… On the other hand, I don’t remember the last time I used my $30 color-coordinated rolling pin.

  11. Madeline (Food Fitness & Family) on August 4, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    We have the SAME toaster haha. Love it.

    My most useless appliance is probably my toaster oven (we have a toaster for that lol) and my most used is either my Kitchenaid Mixer or my Kerig coffee maker ๐Ÿ™‚

  12. Erin W. on August 4, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    Gina, my favorite meal to make with the toaster is this: toast a slice of ezekiel bread, then drizzle with a bit of evoo, top with mashed avocado, a fried egg, and a sprinkle of sea salt. It is heavenly!!

    • Fitnessista on August 4, 2011 at 4:05 pm

      omg. i’ve having that tomorrow

  13. Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn on August 4, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    I hardly ever use the microwave! But I luuuurve my toaster oven more than anything <3

  14. Jess on August 4, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    It’s not a kitchen gadget exactly, but once, when my boyfriend thought I had thrown out this ratty old tote bag of his, he was so bummed. I was a hero when I found it a week later…with all the other reusable bags.

    One kitchen gadget that’s useless in all seasons but peach season is the George Foreman grill I’ve had since college. I pretty much only use it for grilling peaches. We talk about throwing it out all the time but then we make grilled peaches and forget all about that.

  15. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga on August 4, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    That’s a cute story about things disappearing.

    Some of Scott’s wardrobe from the 90s has disappeared too ๐Ÿ™‚

    The most useful kitchen item I own is a great knife and cutting board. And after that, the Vita.

    I have to say 2 items I dont use much are my juicer and my dehydrator. I wanted to love them both (and do) but they are not very practical for me personally…juicer cleanup is my #1 dreaded activity AND the plan/wait times on the dehyd prevent me from using it much…I just roll with the oven.

    Your pancakes are PERFECT ๐Ÿ™‚

  16. Health Ninja on August 4, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    Those Pancakes look so yummy. Really remind me of those my russian grandgrandma used to make for me. I have to get some egg-replacer soon and try to veganise them ๐Ÿ™‚ !

    And hummus with grilled zucchini sounds like another food-couple worth trying.

    • Fitnessista on August 4, 2011 at 4:05 pm

      use a flax egg- it totally works ๐Ÿ™‚

  17. chelsea on August 4, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    MY blender! I love my smoothies and I would die without my blender to assist me in them all lol <3

  18. Jaclyn on August 4, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    It’s funny – actually, my coffee pot! Despite the fact that I am a barista, and drink at least one coffee a day even when I’m not working, I hardly ever use mine! When I’m at my parents house I will sometimes use theirs, but mine (that I took from them, ha!) is small, I don’t want to clean it and in the end, it’s just easier to go out and buy a cup…

    but toasters rock. but broilers are better, ha !:D

  19. Karen Carloni on August 4, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    I never use the electric can opener. My H thinks it is a necessity.

  20. Lindsay on August 4, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    I use my microwave EVERY day! I know I use the anti-christ, but I love my microwave and I think I would have to eat cold food everyday if I didnt have it! ๐Ÿ˜€
    I think the kitchen appliance I use the least is the toaster oven. I dont have a reason to use it and so I dont think I have have used it in over a year!

    • Fitnessista on August 4, 2011 at 4:04 pm

      i love my microwave too and whenever i try to quit using it, i can’t.

      • Lindsay on August 4, 2011 at 11:38 pm

        I am glad that I am not the only one that utilizes their microwave! I feel like it is an integral part of the kitchen! ๐Ÿ˜€

  21. Ali @ urbanfruitbat on August 4, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    Haha, so funny! I know, when we moved, we discovered our apartment did not have a toaster. So we resort to using pans on the stove for our toast needs! We don’t own any useless kitchen tools! I am to much of a hard core Alton Brown fan to own anything that is a “uni-tasker”, as he puts it. The things I use the most are my vitamix, my juicer and my right angle spatula!

  22. Annie@stronghealthyfit on August 4, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    I use my food processor a lot, and I also have an ice cream maker that was fun to use a couple of times when I first got it. Now it’s just collecting dust ๐Ÿ™‚

  23. Natalie @ southern fit foodie on August 4, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    I love my chef’s spatula (super flexible and great for turning even the most delicate foods) and my blender. If I had a Vita, I know it would be my favorite (hoping I get one this year!). Our most useless kitchen appliance is probably our “sandwich toaster” – seriously – I can use a skillet lol. However, I can’t bare to part with it because it was my first appliance that I bought with my own money. My friends were buying clothes and jewelry with their babysitting money, and I was buying kitchen appliances. ๐Ÿ™‚

  24. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen on August 4, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    We have always had a toaster oven. I can’t imagine having to heat up the big oven for simple things like melted cheese so it works perfectly ๐Ÿ™‚ Most useless gadget? Probably the ice cream scoop if you can even call that a “gadget.” I’m too impatient and just use the spoon I’m about to eat it with!

  25. Victoria on August 4, 2011 at 4:38 pm

    I couldn’t live without my Keurig coffe maker, Ninja blender and at least once a week my electric wine opener!

    • Natasha on August 6, 2011 at 12:56 am

      I love my Ninja blender too ๐Ÿ™‚

  26. Sonia (the Mexigarian) on August 4, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    My two most used items are my Oster blender for smoothies and my toaster for well, toasting ๐Ÿ™‚ bahaha. Hubby comes in third as the wine bottle opener since my last wine opening flub.

    Hubbys favorite kitchen gadget is his coffee maker. He practically wept with joy when one of our good friends god *us* the Keuring Coffee maker for our wedding. I am not a coffee drinker. lol.

    Any if anyone wants me to take their juicer or dehydrator off their hands, i will happily oblige!

  27. Kiran on August 4, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    Haha! My mom had this teapot that must have seen better days in it’s prime. It has cracks on the sides, but my mom still holds it near and refuses to let go ๐Ÿ˜€

  28. Emilie on August 4, 2011 at 5:42 pm

    Everything is better with goat cheese! Protein never fails, either! Terrific post and delectable photos.

  29. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on August 4, 2011 at 6:03 pm

    Haha I can’t believe you threw away the toaster! I don’t use mine that often, but I still wouldn’t want to part with it. It’s essential for when I get a craving for toasted bagel with cream cheese!

    I think my teapot is pretty useless because I always just make my tea right into my mug. But my coffee maker is essential!

  30. Liz @ Tip Top Shape on August 4, 2011 at 6:38 pm

    First off, that mug is adorable. I have a thing for cute mugs and if I saw that at a store I would buy it immediately. And those pancakes look absolutely delicious. They look so thick and pillowy!

  31. Niki on August 4, 2011 at 8:03 pm

    The Foreman is the most useless. It’s the boyfriend’s and I HATE IT. It’s bulky and difficult to clean.

    My favorite has to be the cheapest one I own: my food processor. I use it multiple times daily. It “blends” my morning almond milk/dark chocolate cocoa/coffee mix. It chops my veggies for my lunchtime omelette. It chops even more veggies for my latest dinner concoction. I LOVE it.

  32. Pam on August 4, 2011 at 8:44 pm

    Those pancakes look so good!! They are on my agenda for the weekend.
    Love my toaster oven. I can’t say I have a useless kitchen gadget, I love them all ๐Ÿ™‚

  33. Katy @ RunKatyRun on August 4, 2011 at 9:51 pm

    That’s kind of a toss up between:

    1) My coffeemaker-because I drink at least 1 cup a day.
    2) My toaster-toasted bagel thins with PB on top is da bomb! Seriously-the PB gets all melty like a dessert-it’s also incredible topped with a little cinnamon!

    • Katy @ RunKatyRun on August 4, 2011 at 9:54 pm

      Oh yeah! Most useless would probably be…our handheld mixer. I don’t use it often at all-I tend to mix by hand instead.

  34. kirsten on August 4, 2011 at 9:58 pm

    my fav kitchen gadget is my toaster oven/toaster. it’s a toaster oven but then has slots at the top of it to toast like a regular toaster. I love it and probably use it ever day ๐Ÿ™‚

  35. Natalie Wolfsdorf on August 5, 2011 at 3:01 am

    THOSE PANCAKES LOOK AMAZING!!!! that is all I have to say about this post.

  36. Rebecca on August 5, 2011 at 10:19 am

    Funny with the toaster, I only use ours if I’m in a hurry. I don’t think I have a kitchen gadget that I don’t use. Most useful would be my cutting board +knife and blender.

  37. Marianne on August 8, 2011 at 1:26 am

    The most useless kitchen gadget I own is this avocado saver thing my mom put in my stocking last Christmas. It’s only good if your avocados are the same size at the saver, and if you eat them by the half. I generally eat them by the quarter, so it doesn’t work for me. Plus I don’t think it keeps the avocado from going brown anyways.

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