Quiet Breakfast

on June 28, 2012
in All Posts

I really wanted to make banana soft serve for breakfast (err, yes, ice cream-like food for breakfast…) but the Husband was on Daddy Duty from 4 AM to 8 AM, and I figured it wouldn’t quite be fair to throw on the food processor. 

 

Perhaps we can do banana soft serve for lunch? 

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In the meantime, a quieter breakfast:

 

Toast with sunflower butter

Sesame seed cashews

Blueberries

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Random Question of the Day

 

What is your favorite kitchen appliance and why?  I’m torn – I spontaneously bought a Vitamix blender at the end of last year (I thought the Husband was going to kill me when he found out).  It is seriously amazing; even Kristien now agrees that it’s worth the hefty price tag.  We make a lot of smoothies so it is used almost daily.   However, I also really love my grilled cheese press (I don’t know if they even make sandwich presses like this anymore; they all seem to be panini-style now).  It was my grandpa’s, and he used to make me grilled cheese on it when I was eight years old.  So the damn thing is at least twenty years old and still kickin’. 

{ 65 comments }

 

  • Christine @ BookishlyB June 28, 2012, 10:19 am

    My coffee maker- like would cease to exist without it.

  • kalli June 28, 2012, 10:23 am

    caitlin which model did you buy. we are considering one. also does it juice as well?
    great job on the walk yesterday!

  • Kelly meatlesswithaman.blogspot.com June 28, 2012, 10:24 am

    I want a vitamix sooooo bad!! I do love my food processor in the mean time.

  • Courtney June 28, 2012, 10:27 am

    I love my toaster – anything and everything is better toasted! 🙂

  • jen June 28, 2012, 10:27 am

    I have totally made banana soft serve for breakfast AND woken my husband up blending it! We don’t have any kids, though, so I didn’t feel too terrible 🙂

  • Jordan @ Bake Write Sleep June 28, 2012, 10:30 am

    I have a grilled cheese press thingy too! I love it. They still sell them – They’re like $10 at Walmart… Probably not the same quality that we have, though ;]

    My favorite appliance is probably my $25 Cuisinart Mini Prep mini food processor. I use it alllll the time.

  • Meghan @ CarmanClan June 28, 2012, 10:37 am

    I would love a vitamix but I think my husband would freak out. My favorite appliance is our George Foreman, we have one with removable plates so it can be used as a grill, sandwich press, flat top and waffle iron.

  • Lindsey June 28, 2012, 10:42 am

    My Vitamix hands down is my favorite and most used kitchen appliance.

  • Erin @ The Grass Skirt June 28, 2012, 10:42 am

    Without a doubt, my Vitamix is my favorite kitchen appliance. Before I got it, I didn’t think it would live up to the hype, but it is amazing and worth every penny (even though it was a gift from my parents, and I didn’t pay for it). 🙂

  • Carolina John June 28, 2012, 10:44 am

    It’s the little things that add up when you have a newborn. Like being able to cook and eat breakfast without anyone else trying to step in it. or sleeping for more than 2 hours.

  • Rachel O. June 28, 2012, 10:44 am

    i love my rice cooker – but usually to make beans- was so surprised how different beans taste when they haven’t been sitting in salt/sugar water for ages!

    also, i cannot live without my stand mixer – everything comes together so much quicker and seem easier to clean up

  • Rebecca @ Blueberry Smiles June 28, 2012, 10:44 am

    My normal blender is my favorite. When my first one broke a few years ago, I didn’t buy a new one until recently(no idea why) and now I’m super appreciative of everything it can do. No idea how I lived with smoothies for so long!

  • Kelly June 28, 2012, 10:46 am

    “So the damn thing is at least twenty years old and still kickin’.” This may be a weird thing to say, but you talk like I do and I love it. 🙂

  • Claire @ Live and Love to Eat June 28, 2012, 10:47 am

    Magic Bullet! Not quite as strong as a Vitamix, but quick, easy, and great for smoothies!

  • Britt @ Balanced Britt June 28, 2012, 10:49 am

    I have been dying to get a Blendtec. Hubs and I love watching those “will it blend?” videos on youtube! They crack me up everytime.

  • Megan@ The Running Doc June 28, 2012, 10:50 am

    I love my toaster because it seriously gets used every single day. And also my quesadilla maker. I know it’s not a necessary kitchen appliance but it makes quesadillas so much easier and there’s almost no mess to clean up!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat June 28, 2012, 10:52 am

    I’m on team Vitamix all the way!! I love mine and use it daily. I thought my previous blender was good… but not as great as the Vitamix! I also had a little trouble accepting the price tag, but I think I’ve got it down to pennies per use now! 🙂

  • Gabby (Quest for Delicious) June 28, 2012, 10:54 am

    I’m a big fan of george foreman grills; they’re so convenient!

  • Faith @ For the Health of It June 28, 2012, 10:54 am

    I try not to run my louder appliances when my roommate is asleep. I know she’s probably snooze through it, but it just seems cruel!

  • veronica June 28, 2012, 10:56 am

    My favorite kitchen appliance? The coffee maker! And by extension, the coffee grinder. I am a coffee snob after working in coffeehouses for years, so I grind whole beans.
    Those are my most-used appliances.

    But with this heat wave about to hit NC, I’m pulling out my crockpot. There is no way I’m turning on the oven for the next days! (Not that we’ll even have appetites. I think I’ll live on strawberries, popsicles and crudites till Monday!)

  • Maria June 28, 2012, 10:59 am

    My electric hot water kettle for making tea. I used to have to microwave my water for tea (belgh) and this just makes life simpler and gives me a bit more control over the temperature.

    But for my cold drinks, I’m partial to the Vitamix as well. She’s a beast!

  • Lindsay June 28, 2012, 11:04 am

    Currently my favorite is my juicer- I have been using it like crazy lately. I also love my food processor and blendtec.

  • Lauren T June 28, 2012, 11:05 am

    I hear a lot of people say they love their Vitamix and that it is worth the hefty price tag. What makes it worth it and better than other blenders/food processors? I don’t currently have a food processor, and I just have a cheap blender that works ok. Just wondering if I should jump on this Vitamix bandwagon at some point 🙂

    • Janae @ Bring-Joy June 28, 2012, 11:18 am

      I have a Blendtec, which is similar to a vitamix, but in my opinion, better. In answer to your question, is it worth the price tag. If you will use it–YES, yes, yes. I use that think several times a day. I’d blow through 10 or 12 regular blenders in the time I have my Blendtec. Plus it comes with a 7 year warranty & can blend pretty much anything but rocks.

      • Caitlin June 29, 2012, 12:37 pm

        I agree, it’s worth it because of the warranty

  • Janae @ Bring-Joy June 28, 2012, 11:09 am

    Fave in this order: 1)Blendtec 2)Food Processor 2)Good set of knives.

  • Kendra @ My Full-Thyme Life June 28, 2012, 11:14 am

    My good chef knife and my salt box. Simple but so much fun to use!

  • colleen June 28, 2012, 11:16 am

    I love my electric tea kettle and new blender.

  • Liz June 28, 2012, 11:18 am

    My current favorite is my Cuisinart panini maker, but I’ve been considering getting a Vitamix and/or a juicer (Breville).

  • Kris June 28, 2012, 11:21 am

    Hands down my 30 year old Hamilton Beach food processor. My mom had one when I was growing up, and my parents gave me this one for my 24th birthday. It’s just about worn out — the bowl hardly fits anymore because the plastic is so worn. I know I need a new one, but I’m so attached to this one. I juse it multiple times per week. I can’t believe what a good food processor it has been (cost about 20 bucks).

  • Mark June 28, 2012, 11:22 am

    I love nothing in my kitchen more than my immersion blender!

  • Beks June 28, 2012, 11:29 am

    If we’re basing it off what I use the most, I’d say my blender. It’s a cheepo thing I got at Walgreens, but it manages to get my smoothies smoother than the other one we have. If we’re going off what I love but hate to clean, I’d say my juicer. I feel so much better when I juice things, but cleaning the dang thing is just such a hassle!

  • Karla June 28, 2012, 11:37 am

    My family used to have a sandwich press just like that and I miss it. Crispy outside and heavenly melted cheese inside… mmm

  • Jolene (Homespun Heritage) June 28, 2012, 11:44 am

    My Kitchen Aid mixer and my rice steamer! I use both so much I really find them indispensable!

  • Hillary June 28, 2012, 11:44 am

    I LOVE my KitchenAid mixer. It was a hand-me-down from a friend, but it is in perfect condition. Best gift ever!

  • Ali @SeeAliEatSeeAliRun June 28, 2012, 11:55 am

    I am obsessed with my garlic press and my potato masher. I seriously think both are genius inventions!

  • Denise and Laura June 28, 2012, 11:58 am

    My grandmother has a grilled cheese press and she definitely makes the best grilled cheese!

  • Annette@FitnessPerks June 28, 2012, 11:59 am

    Mmmm your b-fast looks awesome.

    I am TOTALLY obsessed with my panini press…and my slow cooker. Makes my life SO much easier 😉

  • Kelli June 28, 2012, 12:02 pm

    I love banana soft serve! Yum.
    My favorite appliances are my kitchen aid mixer- I have several attachments for it (ice cream maker, meat grinder, pasta maker) which makes it quite versatile. I love my food processor too although I hate cleaning it for some reason.
    And I love my garlic press! I got it when I started college & it was a cheap-o one but over the years I’ve bought more expensive ones thinking surely the one I have must not be that great but it just can’t be beat. Fresh garlic is a gift from heaven. 🙂

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape June 28, 2012, 12:04 pm

    I love my blender, but feel equally guilty using it as you did about your food processor. I don’t know if it’s just because my blender is a cheapie, but it is so loud!

  • Alexa June 28, 2012, 12:21 pm

    They have a limited amount of those sandwiches presses out there, like this one at Target: http://www.target.com/p/elite-cuisine-nonstick-sandwich-maker/-/A-655434?reco=Rec|pdp|655434|RelatedToInternalSearch|search_page.banner_1&lnk=Rec|pdp|RelatedToInternalSearch|search_page.banner_1

    They’re so much cheaper than panini presses, and I love them. We used to use them in college to make pizza sandwiches. Which included the following:
    Two slices of bread, spread with pizza sauce
    Filled with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.

    Makes me want to puke now thinking about that, but we ate them all the time in college! Cheap and easy to please then I guess!

  • k June 28, 2012, 12:39 pm

    probably a tie between my blendtec and my spirooli. i love making cucumber and zucchini noodles and ribbons, dressing them with sauce (my favorite: mango, dates, basil and hot peppers blended up) and throwing in some other veg. it’s sort of like a salad, sort of like a pasta. cuke noodles are especially cooling and perfect for dinner on hot summer nights!

  • Sarah June 28, 2012, 12:40 pm

    Favorite kitchen appliance?

    Dishwasher. 😉

    • veronica June 28, 2012, 6:06 pm

      for the win!

      • Caitlin June 29, 2012, 12:36 pm

        I agree!

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed June 28, 2012, 12:57 pm

    The toaster over is always great… it heats up quick and doesn’t make the whole house hot (like the oven). Perfect for cooking for 2!

  • m June 28, 2012, 12:59 pm

    I was wondering how exactly “daddy duty” is working for you guys and/or if you plan to do more of a full post on it… do you not have to pump at all during that time? Do you pump in advance and Kristian feeds Henry a bottle? Both my husband and I (expecting in a few months) are trying to figure out how we will balance baby duty but it definitely seems as though even if you have a pumped bottle for the baby that your own body needs to get rid of the milk every few hours. I’m really curious to learn any details you are willing to share!

    • CaitlinHTP June 28, 2012, 1:23 pm

      Well, first of all, I think everyone is really different with breast feeding so just because this is working for us doesn’t mean it will work for someone else! I have a total oversupply of milk (I pump for 5 minutes and get out 5 ounces, not normal).

      So what we do is:

      I feed him at the breast at 10:30 PM.
      At 11 I pump out about 3 ounces.
      I top Henry off with another quick feed.
      I go to bed.
      The Husband sits up with him and feeds him again at 12:00 – 12:30.
      They come to bed around 1:00.
      Henry wakes me up around 3 for a breast feeding.

      So I only go about 4 hours without removing milk. Technically, a lact consult will say that I should wake up and pump when the husband bottle feeds but I haven’t had any issues with doing it this way – I don’t think you could skip two feedings in a row without pumping.

      Hope that helps! I really recommend seeing a lact consult, it was so helpful

  • Amber K June 28, 2012, 1:26 pm

    Since I use my Magic Bullet at least once a day, it’s definitely my most used kitchen appliance. Although I definitely agree with a previous commenter – the dishwasher is my favorite!

  • Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy June 28, 2012, 1:52 pm

    sesame seed cashews?! AMAZING!!

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats June 28, 2012, 2:03 pm

    omg I want a viatmix so badly. so so very badly. I asked for it for my birthday last year, no luck… I’ll try again this October… Maybe as a law school graduation gift in a year? haha I hope I have it sooner than that!

  • Elise June 28, 2012, 2:20 pm

    They do still have non-panini-style sandwich presses! A few years ago I got a waffle iron for Christmas and it came with interchangeable sandwich press plates (as well as the standard waffle plates, and farm animal shaped waffle plates-haha).

  • Amanda June 28, 2012, 2:26 pm

    My kitchen aid mixer is hands down my fav purchase for the kitchen. My waffle iron is a close second 🙂

  • Whitney @ Whit Likes Fit June 28, 2012, 2:45 pm

    I want a vitamix so bad!!! Maybe one day… I love my Cuisinart griddler. Kind of like a George Foreman on steroids… It was our fave wedding present and now we get it as a gift for every wedding we go to.

  • Julia H. @ Going Gulia June 28, 2012, 2:53 pm

    Favorite kitchen appliance: the slow cooker. Ironically, I’ve only ever used it twice (isn’t that sad?), but both times I was amazed by how awesome it is. And I always think to myself “Dang, I need to use this more often!” Then I put it back in the cabinet and forget we even have it. Oooooops.

  • Ann June 28, 2012, 2:54 pm

    My food processor is my favorite kitchen appliance! Right up there with the blender, immersion blender and kitchen aid mixer. The food processor is on the quieter side, but putting frozen bananas in my blender makes a lot of noise, so sometimes I have to hold back for the sake of the sleeping baby. Daytime smoothies only!

  • Janelle June 28, 2012, 3:58 pm

    I like my food processor and juicer quite a bit… but I think I have to go with dishwasher. I HATE, HATE, HATE doing the dishes!

  • Jessi @ doctorate housewife June 28, 2012, 5:32 pm

    I love love love my food processor – and my ice cream maker is a close second =)

  • Amy H. June 28, 2012, 6:02 pm

    Newest favorite — my Cuisinart Smart Stick immersion blender! I finally broke down and got one when Jamba Juice closed the FIFTH location that was within walking distance from my apt. or office. As in, there used to be five stores I could get to easily, and then there were none. It paid for itself in about three weeks, just making smoothies. I haven’t even used it for blended soups yet, but plan to . . . .

    Honorable mention (because I couldn’t exist without them): coffeemaker, coffee grinder, toaster, good knives, slow cooker. Sadly, I use our KitchenAid mixer mostly for making whipped cream when I host afternoon tea. Would love a Griddler — putting that on the wish list!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin June 28, 2012, 6:42 pm

    I actually really love my George Foreman grill. It’s great for paninis and also grills meat and tofu really well!

  • BroccoliHut June 28, 2012, 9:42 pm

    I have major Vitamix envy–every time I see a Vitamix creation on a blog, I contemplate buying one! I registered for one for my wedding, but I doubt we’ll get it–a girl can dream, right?
    Right now, I am loving my food processor, as I have been making lots of homemade veggie burgers lately.

    • Caitlin June 29, 2012, 12:35 pm

      Maybe a few friends will go in on it?!

  • Alex @ Healthy Life Happy Wife June 28, 2012, 11:24 pm

    Recently I have been in love with my OXO mini chopper! Don’t know if it counts as an appliance but I love that little thing! Great for chopping up garlic & onions for soup or stirfrys so that there aren’t giant chunks – & your hands don’t have to reek like garlic!

  • Emily June 29, 2012, 9:51 am

    Mortar and pestle all the way! It’s the only way that’s practical and clean to me to grind things like cardamoms, cinnamon quills and other yummy stuff. Some people can do it with a knife but I just find it too messy.

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