If you’ve been enjoying my cookbook Healthy Liver, Happy Heart, you know that the right healthy cooking tools and ingredients can make all the difference in the kitchen. On this page, you’ll find some of my personal favorites—utensils, gadgets, and pantry staples—that I use and recommend when cooking the recipes from the cookbook. Each item is linked to a product on Amazon for your convenience, so you can easily stock your kitchen with the products that help make healthy cooking simple and enjoyable. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Utensils and Equipment
Blender
Helpful for my Oat 'n' Nut Crackers and Fresh 'n' Frosty Watermelon Smoothie.
Food Processor
Great for making my Cinnamon Applesauce as well as peanut butter and more.
Bread maker
You can make my healthy bread recipes without one, but this will make it MUCH easier!
Immersion blender
Ideal for my Creamy Cauliflower Soup, Creamy Pumpkin Soup, and more.
Cracker mold
This handy nonstick mold makes baking bite-sized Oat 'n' Nut Crackers so much easier!
Cracker mold shaped like letters of the alphabet
Here's another nonstick cracker mold I use regularly. The letter shapes are fun for kids.
Stick-shaped nonstick cracker mold
Yes, I really use all four of these! Together, they're just the right size for one batch of crackers.
Hand mixer
You'll need one to beat the egg whites in my Coconut Shrimp recipe.
George Foreman grill
A healthy way to grill chicken breast and fish with minimal oil.
Nonstick baking tray
Great for roasting without added oil; promotes even browning.
Nonstick casserole dish
Ideal for baked casseroles and with easy cleanup.
Nonstick muffin pan
Helps muffins release easily without extra grease.
Nonstick skillet
Allows sautéing and stir-frying with little or no oil.
Nut chopper
Makes it easy to chop nuts for recipes like Pumpkin Smoothie Bowls. Can chop other foods too.
Parchment paper
An oil-free way to prevent sticking when roasting or baking; makes cleanup simple.
Silicone baking mat
I love these reusable alternatives to parchment paper, and they're better for the environment!
Yogurt maker
You can make yogurt without a yogurt maker using my recipe, but this will make it easier!
Grains, Flours, and Cereals
6-grain cereal
A hearty blend of whole grains that provides great taste and texture in my Multigrain Bread recipe.
Pearl barley
Adds a chewy nuttiness to my Chicken-Barley Stew and Hearty Mushroom-Barley Soup.
Whole wheat flour
An essential ingredient in all my healthy bread recipes.
Buckwheat groats
A tasty, gluten-free essential for making Buckwheat Granola.
Buckwheat noodles
Gluten-free; great in my Chicken Noodle Soup and Tuna Buckwheat Noodle Salad.
Oat flour
Necessary for Oat Bread, Oat 'n' Nut Crackers, and more.
Gluten-free old-fashioned oats
Needed for most of my granola recipes, plus Pumpkin Oat Muffins, Cinnamon-Apple Bars, and more!
Quinoa
A grain alternative essential in my Quinoa Chicken Casserole, Quinoa and Squash Bake, etc.
Brown rice
Whole-grain rice that’s a nutritious base for many of the main dishes in my cookbook.
Whole-grain pasta (spaghetti)
Much healthier than white-flour-based pasta.
Beans, Lentils, and Legumes
Chickpeas, dried
A protein-packed necessity for my Healthy Hummus, plus many main dishes and salads.
Oils, Seasonings, and Condiments
Garlic powder (no salt added)
Needed for my Garlic Herb Bread, Ranch-Style Dressing, Sweet Potato "Fries", and more.
Onion powder (no salt added)
Needed for my Chicken Sausage, Eggplant "Meatballs", Taco seasoning, and more.
Nutritional yeast
Adds a savory, cheesy flavor that's delicious in recipes such as Zucchini Boats and Cauliflower Fritters.
Low-sodium coconut aminos
A soy sauce alternative needed in dozens of my recipes; this kind has a fraction of the sodium of other brands.
Sweeteners and Flavorings
Maple syrup
Healthier than sugar, it's a necessary component of many of my deserts and sauces.
With the right healthy cooking tools and ingredients, heart- and liver-healthy cooking can be simple, enjoyable, and delicious. Each item on this list complements the recipes in Healthy Liver, Happy Heart, helping you create nutritious meals with ease. Explore these products, stock your kitchen, and get ready to bring the recipes from the cookbook to life. Your journey to healthier, flavorful cooking starts here!