Question:
What type of kitchen gadgets do you use often??

I want to get a few kitchen items that will be helpful after I have surgery, like strainer, blender, etc...What are some items that you've found to be extremely handy?? All suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!! :o)    — Cat S. (posted on February 13, 2003)

February 13, 2003
My nutritionist recommended getting a baby spoon...which I thought was really stupid at the time...but now that I am almost two weeks post op and on full liquids/pureed foods, it has been a good tool to keep me eating small bites. I also purchased a set of small sauce cups (2 1/2 oz) to put my "meals" in...again this has really helped keep perspective on what a serving size is. Also, like a previous poster said, I purchased some shaker bottles...rubbermaid makes some 16 oz. that are 3 for under $2 that can be disposed of if needed...they are nice if you plan on using protein drinks as you can just add powder and go and mix it with water when needed. I have also bought a hand blender which has been nice to mix (and add fruit to) drinks, puree chunky soups and more...we didn't go with a cheapie but I do believe you can purchase one for as little as $15. Good luck with your surgery!
   — eaamc

February 13, 2003
I was on a pureed diet for the first 4 weeks after surgery. My mini-Cuisinart was a blessing for puree-ing everything from meat to cottage cheese. It came with 2 containers, so I could use one and still have another for a different food. I have another brand mini-chopper, but the Cuisinart one worked a lot better. I think they cost about $40.00 - a friend gave me mine. One ounce plastic medicine cups were also a help for measuring one or two ounces. (The hospital might give you some if you ask - they are pretty universally used for measuring liquid medications.) Last, my cup warmer. I would put foods on there to stay warm because it took me about 20-30 minutes to get through 3-4 ounces. Cold pureed meat or oatmeal - no thanks! The cup warmer kept it at a constant warm temperature. Also, small Pyrex custard cups. Nice size and worked great on the cup warmer!
   — koogy

February 13, 2003
This isn't a gadget but it is something that helped me alot right after surgery. The glad containers that can be rewashed or thrown out come in small sizes. I got a pack of 6, I think they held about 4 oz. I made up a batch of sugar free pudding with fat free milk. It made a good snack and very easy.
   — Tawnda C.

February 13, 2003
I had several small strainers that I used. I kept one in a baggie in my purse until I was on solids. I would go out to lunch and order soup--with two bowls--and strain it into the empty bowl. Also I liked my stick blender although the container they provided was never quite big enough to make protein drinks and I always ended up making a mess in the kitchen . . .
   — ctyst

February 13, 2003
My best buy was a baby plate. It is divided in three sections, but it also has a little compartment under it to hold hot water. Keeps your food warm. And a kitchen scale.
   — salymsmommy

February 13, 2003
hi :) i use my measuring cups alot, and little saucers instead of big dinner plates. i also got from the hospital, those little 1 oz cups like on the top of elixer bottles, this was easy for me to measure out 1 oz incriments when i was in the liquid and puried phase and then even the soft foods too, it also saved on dirtying up dishes that were way to be for the portions i was eating! good luck to you! :)
   — carrie M.

February 13, 2003
Cat, TUPPERWARE, you will have soooo many leftovers. You will ned extra tupperware and saran wrap...LOL!
   — heathercross

February 13, 2003
Ice cube trays are great. When there is a food you will eat frequently, make a regualar batch and put it into the ice cube tray (each section will hold an ounce), cover well with plastic wrap, and freeze it. Then you can pop out one or two meat or mashed potato cubes, etc and warm them up for your self. Saves a lot of time. I also highly support the mini cuisinart and mine was only $20.00.
   — cjabates

February 13, 2003
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions, they've all been great. You wouldn't believe the list I have going, with my ideas & the ones you all have given, WOW!! Keep em' coming, the more the better.
   — Cat S.

February 13, 2003
I got an egg seperator at the dollar store...I like to add an extra white to my egg sometimes, or just use egg whites in some receipes. Its incredibly simple and cheap, but I use it to death!
   — Linda 1.

February 13, 2003
I had to stay in a hotel for about a week since I had my surgery out of town and my surgeon required we stay in the area. I didn't want to haul in a big old blender, so I bought a hand-held immersion blender to mix my protein shakes. What a godsend! They are also good for mixing soups right in the pot, instead of dumping the hot pea soup or mushroom soup into a blender and blending, risking burning yourself in the process.
   — C. C.

February 13, 2003
two items that arent exactly gadgets but i am glad i had them.first the hospital actually gave me a sports cup. it was one liter(qt) had a lid with a plastic straw and a big handle, so it was more like a mug. i filled that sucker up every morning, put in a few sprinkles of crystal lite and sucked on it til gone, then refilled it again for my 64 oz intake. i picked out two more sippy cups at walmart to alternate when i was bored of the mug.just to keep it interesting:) the next one is gross but trust me, dont be caught unprepared. i keep a paper or plastic disposable cup in my car and a qt. size zip lock bag in my purse. i have found myself nauseated with no bathroom available and i used these to throw up in. usually this happened when i was eating out and didnt chew well, or ate too fast. anyway, i found this handy. patsy in las vegas
   — PATSY N.

February 13, 2003
My hand blender. I bought one about 2 yrs pre-op, and have drowned or burned out several since then. I use them for everything. Gravy, eggs, sauces, dressings, protein shakes and even Crystal Light.
   — vitalady

February 13, 2003
This is one that you will not put to use imediatly following surgery but that i have found comes in real handy after you start solids. I purchased a small kitchen scale (under 5 dollars at walmart) i use it everyday to mesure things that dont easily get messured in messuring cups like deli meat and stuff. It works great and takes up very little space at all. good luck
   — Becky M.

February 14, 2003
Cat, thanks for asking this question. I am pre-op and wondered the same thing. One suggestion I have though is... if you are going to use a full-size blender for drinks, invest the extra money and buy a good one that is made for ice crushing also. While testing out protein drinks, I've used this method and it has made things a LOT better. Best wishes!
   — Diane S.

February 14, 2003
I had Mom get me a mortar and pestle so that I could grind up meds/pills. Made life a lot easier!!! Good Luck and Have a Sparkling Day!! ~CAE~
   — Mustang

February 14, 2003
I bought a set of 1/2 cup Tupperware contaners that I will fill with left overs to take in to work. I'm 6 months post op and I can now eat about that much for a meal. I also LOVE my hand held blender/chopper. I use it daily to make my morning protien drink and I use the chopper attachment for myself rather than to use the BIG food processer that I have.
   — Peggy B.

February 15, 2003
This was an excellent question...With me being pre-op myself, I found this very helpful
   — meltedbuttr

February 18, 2003
My hands down favorite thing was/is my snow cone maker. Getting my water intake is sometimes hard and this was a God send. I sometimes take it to work with me and people will look at me strangely, but I do not care as I am getting my water. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE. :-)
   — sharon E.

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