Ok, ok... so you don't NEED all of these tools for your Whole30. BUT, this is a round up of our most favorite kitchen tools. We love these items for everyday, not just Whole30. Here's why (and links to shop!)

1. Large Rimmed Baking Sheets: AKA Half Sheets, Half Sheet Pans, or Jelly Roll Pans. We use these heavy duty pans for everything: roasting vegetable, roasting meat (you can fit 2 whole chickens!), broiling meatballs or fish, and even lining up our mise en place when we are getting ready to meal prep. Be sure to get heavy, professional grade without nonstick coating.

2. Tongs: Do we really need to list these? What can't you do with a good set of tongs!? This oxo pair is great because they close for easier storage and they don't have those sharp edges that some cheaper versions have.

3. Salad Spinner: Easiest way to clean any greens: fill this guy up with water, add greens, swish around, lift up basket to drain away the grit. For cooking greens, add to the pan as is, no need to dry. For a salad, be sure to spin until dry so that your dressing does not get diluted. (Tip: Prep greens by using the above method, placing in plastic bags with a paper towel, then refrigerating. Easy greens all week!)

4. Rubber Spatula: How does one cook eggs without a rubber spatula? How does one do a Whole30 without eggs? These are both questions for the ages. For now, we love this oxo version because it is durable and high heat resistant.

5. Kitchen Shears: Maybe not so obvious, eh? Well, thse babies are great for cutting meat into nice chunks to use in a stew, soup, stir fry... etc. (Awesome for cutting chicken tenderloins!) Instead of getting out a cutting board and knife, just hold the piece of meat and chop away. Also great for slicing scallions, chives, and leafy herbs. 

6. Citrus Press: Acid makes food taste good. (So does salt.) Finish your soups, stews, and purees with a squeeze of lemon or lime. Squeeze citrus on any meat or veggies after cooking for a pop of flavor. Add a squeeze to your still or sparkling water. This is a secret weapon!

7. Veggie Peeler: You choose Y or standard, both are helpful when you have lots of veggies to eat. They also help mix things up: peel cucumbers, asparagus, carrots, or other long veggies into strips to make your salad or saute a little more fun. 

8. Potato Masher: Want an easy side? Pick your starch: sweet potato, yukon gold or russet, butternut squash, acorn, or delicata... peel, cube, cook, and mash with your fav Tessemae's complaint dressing. Ta-da! Mashing with a fork or wooden spoon just does not work.

9. Favorite Black Spatula: It's light, it's heat resistant, it's sturdy, it's thin. This spatula does in all. Flip fish or meat, toss roasting veggies, flip an egg... it is a magical little tool.

10. Spirilizer: Ok. So the one pictured here is a new number we saw featured by our friends at Food52. We also have the traditional Inspirilizer. Either way, thin strings of veggies are pretty clutch by week two when you need something to spice things up. 

And that's the list! Happy cooking and good luck on your #JanuaryWhole30! Be sure to check our recipe blog and meal planner for tons more Whole30 tips and recipes!

- Chef K