For many, Thanksgiving is a day to gather around the table with loved ones and express gratitude. Unfortunately, due to this pandemic, that’s not a reality for everyone this year.

It’s easy for us to get swept up in what we are missing and what we can’t do as we live through these strange times. Of course those thoughts are going to creep into our minds, especially around the holidays.

While it’s so important to feel those feelings, I think they shouldn’t let us forget about the importance of gratitude. One of my closest friends (holla NB!) just told me about research conducted by the UC Davis Medical Center* back in 2015 that shines light on how “The practice of gratitude can have dramatic and lasting effects in a person’s life,” according to Robert A. Emmons, a professor of psychology at UC Davis. I was instantly intrigued by this and wanted to know more.

Did you know that small, simple acts, like keeping a gratitude journal or writing a gratitude letter, can really pay off when it comes to your physical and mental health? I like to think I knew the importance of gratitude before, but I had no idea that practicing gratitude “can lower blood pressure, improve immune function and facilitate more efficient sleep,” according to the study. It also “reduces lifetime risk for depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders, and is a key resiliency factor in the prevention of suicide,” said Emmons, a leading expert on the science of gratitude. Wow!

I end my bedtime routine each night by writing down three things I am grateful for in a journal or in my Calm app. But you’re not here to read my journal, you’re here to learn about cooking, kitchen gadgets, and digestive health. So, this post is going to showcase 6 incredible and under-appreciated kitchen tools that I would like to express gratitude toward.

This post isn’t about big name kitchen appliances that I love like the Instant Pot or air fryer. It’s about the little guys that don’t get the praise and recognition they deserve. The workhorses that I use on a weekly, or even nightly, basis that greatly improve my life. Maybe they can also improve yours!

Thank You, Muffin Top Pans

I should start by saying that I have never used these to actually make muffin tops – ha! Instead, I originally purchased this aluminum muffin top pan in hopes of making these easy egg breakfast sandwiches from Spoons and Hooks. And let me tell you, this pan fit the bill perfectly. Each cavity fits one egg with room for some chopped veggies. They bake in 12-14 minutes, and the first few times I used the pan, the eggs fell right out when I turned it upside down. Clean up was a breeze, and after some assembly-line-style sandwich making (egg + slice of cheese + slice of bacon + English muffin), I had 12 delicious breakfasts on hand. They froze beautifully in a gallon-sized freezer bag.

I found myself experimenting with other ideas, like zucchini egg muffins and cheesy “everything bagel” bites adapted from this recipe for easy coconut flour bagels from Rachel Dee. The pan was a dream come true!

…until the pan started sticking. Even though I brushed the pan with olive oil every single time and washed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, eggs started sticking to the pan pretty badly. So, I eventually invested in silicone muffin top pans instead (it came in a pack of two, and there are six cavities per pan). I would recommend these over the aluminum one. Just remember to place them on a flat baking pan to put it in the oven so you don’t end up spilling raw eggs everywhere. These pans have truly changed the way I prep breakfasts for the week. Thank you, muffin top pans.

Thank You, Salad Dressing Shaker

This little guy from OXO came into my life when I first got serious about the low FODMAP diet. When I realized that onions and garlic were huge triggers for me, I knew I had to start making my own salad dressings – it’s nearly impossible to find one on the store shelf without onions and garlic.

Sure, you can measure and whip up a homemade dressing in a bowl or tupperware, but this shaker just made life so much easier with its own measurements on the side and the easy pour spout (I despise when liquids drip down the side of a cup or bowl). You can also keep the dressing fresh for longer in the fridge as it seals nicely.

I love using this shaker when I make dressings for salads or grain bowls as well as marinades for meat, tofu, and steak. Check out some of my favorite homemade dressings and marinades below. Many of these are FODMAP friendly! Thank you, salad dressing shaker.

• Lemon Tahini Dressing from Whisk in Wellness (this recipe puts it on a kale salad, but I love it in grain bowls as well)
• Lemon Greek Salad Dressing from Pretty Providence (to make this low FODMAP, omit the garlic powder and use garlic infused oil instead of regular olive oil)
• Low FODMAP Vinaigrette from The FODMAP Formula (one of my favorites – and very quick to throw together – works on pretty much anything!)
• Low FODMAP Greek Chicken marinade by Rachel Pauls Food (such crowd pleaser! Definitely give this one a try if you are grilling or making gyros)

Thank You, Immersion Blender

Soup season is officially here, which means the immersion blender is going to be the star of many meals to come. There are few things I love more than a warm bowl of soup on a chilly evening.

An immersion blender, or “hand blender,” enables you to blend right in your pot. Who wants to pour a heavy, hot pot of soup into a regular blender? Not me. The immersion blender is the key to creamy, smooth soups. Do you like having a bit of texture in your soup? No problem – just a few pulses with the immersion blender and you can find the perfect “in between.” The immersion blender is extremely easy to clean as the bottom attachment pops right off.

Some of my favorite soups that require a blender to achieve perfect texture include:

• Low FODMAP or Instant Pot Vegan Butternut Squash Soup from Casa de Sante (I pulse entirely to ensure it’s uniformly creamy and smooth)
• Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup from Real Food Real Deals (pulse entirely if you want a creamy, thick soup; give only a few pulses if you want to keep a chunkier texture)
• Light and Fresh Green Zucchini Soup from Reboot with Joe (I pulse entirely to ensure it’s uniformly creamy and smooth). Drop everything and make this soup NOW – easy, delicious, and healthy, I made this once a week before I realized I can’t tolerate that many onions and that much garlic.

Immersion blenders go beyond just soups – you can whisk big batches of eggs in seconds, blend cocktails, and make salsa. I have a lot of things on my “blend this” list that I have yet to try, like whipped cream and apple butter.

There are many brands and models out there to choose from, but I am very happy with my KitchenAid 2-Speed Hand Blender. Did I choose that brand because it had a pink option? Yes, yes I did. But it does everything I need it to AND it came with a nice blending cup with a lid. Other models have a variety of attachments you can buy (whisk, etc.), higher speeds, and cordless options. For my needs, this affordable option is perfect. Thank you, immersion blender.

Thank You, Silpat Baking Mat

It’s no secret that lining your baking sheets with foil or parchment paper can save you tons of clean up time. But you can save yourself cleaning time AND cut down on your waste if you pick up a few silpat baking mats instead. Food slides right off of these baking mats that are made out of silicone and safe for oven use.

From baking cookies to roasting vegetables, you can’t go wrong with silpat baking mats. Mine were a gift from Williams Sonoma, but you can also grab one from Sur La Table, Macy’s, Crate & Barrel, Bed Bath and Beyond, and of course, Amazon. Choose any size you need – there are even ones with marks for making the “perfect cookie” and molds for muffins and other treats. I think I am going to add a round one to my holiday wish list right this second. Thank you, silpat baking mats.

I am full of gratitude this year despite the strange last few months we have all endured. I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday, wherever you are!

*Read the full article from UC Davis Medical Center, “Gratitude is good medicine,” at https://health.ucdavis.edu/medicalcenter/features/2015-2016/11/20151125_gratitude.html