Kitchen Tools

The first article in a new series explores the foundations of cooking with FRN’s resident Dietitian and Recipe Developer, Nichole Dandrea-Russert, RDN. Build your knife skills, discover how to use mise en place to make cooking a breeze, and learn to cook without oil.

Air fryers are the hottest kitchen appliance since, well, Instant Pots. They promise to give you the taste and crunch of fried foods with little to no oil, and their prices have been coming down for years. But are they healthy? Are there any downsides to using them? Are they convenient to use? And if you have limited kitchen space and finances, is an air fryer worth it?

In the West, sushi has gone from unfamiliar to mainstream over the past couple of decades. But while many people love the taste of sushi rice and salty seaweed, some don’t want to eat fish. Luckily, we can make vegan sushi that’s every bit as tasty as the fishy original.

The wellness world is awash in juice bars and smoothie kiosks, touting these beverages as healthy, delicious, and convenient delivery systems for the nutrients we need. But is there truth to these claims, or is it just marketing hype? Are smoothies and juices good for us, or does all that spinning and cutting turn our beloved fruits and veggies into just another processed food? In this article, we explore the pros and cons of blending and juicing

Plastic is a great example of a technological solution that created an even bigger problem. Plastic is cheap, versatile, useful, and convenient. And over the past hundred years, it’s changed our lives in ways almost too fundamental to register. But what are the costs to our health and to the environment? If you want to reduce the amount of plastic in your life (and in your body), where do you start, and how do you go about it?

Humans have been taking blades to fruits and vegetables for a long time, for both functional and decorative reasons. Lately, a new gadget called a spiralizer has made it easy for home cooks to achieve cuts that used to require special skills and lots of patience. In this article, we’ll examine the new worlds that spiralizing opens up to those looking to include lots of healthy plants in their diet.

Slow cookers made a big splash on the American home cooking scene in the 1970s and spawned dozens of cookbooks that showed how to make classic, home-cooked meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Fast forward to today, and slow cooking is making a comeback with new technologies — and an emphasis on healthy, plant-based options. In this article, you’ll learn the fascinating history of the slow cooker and get inspired to flex your slow cooking muscles with some delicious plant-based recipes.

Every year more than 30 million microwave ovens are sold. And there’s no question they can add a measure of convenience. But are they safe? And are they a good way to cook? Here’s what we know (and don’t know) about microwave ovens and the health effects of using them.

Cooking at home saves time and money — not to mention that it’s better for your health than most packaged, prepared, and restaurant meals. But if you want to have the most efficient kitchen possible, you need the right tools. Support your healthy eating journey by stocking up on these extremely useful kitchen tools.

What you store your food in matters. Most food storage containers are made of plastic. But research has suggested plastic is harmful to your health and the environment. Instead, try one of these food storage options that are healthier and more sustainable choices.

Is your cookware safe? Or is it off-gassing toxic chemicals that get into your food and body? This article examines the options out there so that you can make the best purchases for your health, the environment, and your cooking needs.

Looking for holiday gift ideas? Check out our gift guide to get fabulous options that home cooks, foodies, food revolutionaries, health fanatics, and your planet will love.