Ever wondered what small appliances are necessary to curate a healthy lifestyle? These are the tools/small appliances I use constantly, and in my opinion, your top 5 must-haves to make healthy meals at home:

1. High Power Blender I put this as number one, because it is hands down, my number one most-used small appliance. Let's start with the unfortunate news; they're expensive and there isn't a whole lot of getting around that. You can shave a couple bucks off by purchasing used or re-furbished, but it'll still set you back a few dollars. Now for the good news: they last a hella long time and so really are a worthy investment in your health. I'd recommend a Vitamix or a Blendtec, any model, as these brands are simply stellar. I use an older Vitamix that I picked up used; it is probably about 10 years old now, and it still works like a charm. High powered blenders are key for smoothies/shakes, fruit gelato/banana "ice cream", soups, pancake and waffle batter, making hot drink blends, making nut milks, liquifying iPhones... and many, many other things. Simply put, you need one of these.
2. Crockpot This may come as a surprise as there has been a shift away from the once revolutionary crockpot by us younger generations, but I use mine ALL the time. The good news about this one is that unlike the high powered blender, it doesn't break the bank. You can almost always find one "pre-loved" at a thrift shop (i.e. Value Village) for $8-10 and they too seem to last quite a long time. I use my crockpot for making healing bone broths, soups, stews, slow-cooking meats (such as grassfed stew beef) and cooking beans, legumes, beets, sweet potatoes, potatoes and squash. The crockpot slow-cooks your food so it maintains more nutrients and increases flavour and tenderness.
3. Mini Blender After I got my Vitamix, I didn't think I would use my mini-blender much anymore, but turns out, I use it all the time. A mini-blender, such as a Magic Bullet, NutriBullet, or Tribest Personal Blender (what I have) is a really great tool for making smaller portions of blended things (if you live solo like me!) but also key for sauces, salad dressings, chopping or grinding seeds or nuts, whipping things or frothing things up like matcha green tea or nut milk lattes.
4. Food Processor This isn't one I use everyday but I really am grateful that I have it. Food processors aren't too expensive and are really useful for dicing vegetables evenly for sauerkraut or coleslaw, for mixing dough or energy balls/bites, making cauliflower "rice", or chopping other things into pieces bigger than what a blender would do, and with more control (love the pulse).
5. Lemon Juice Squeezer The simple hand-held lemon juice squeezer is inexpensive and super convenient for lemon juice extraction. No power required, it takes up minimal space, and it really is a useful tool. Lemons are very healthy and alkalizing so this is a great tool to get your daily lemon fix!
6. BONUS - Vegetable Julienne Tool Have you seen one of these? It's an easy-to-use, space conserving, affordable way to julienne all types of vegetables by hand. I use this tool most often for julienning carrots for salads or cold rice paper wraps. Simple but awesome!

Originally posted on www.freshandfrank.com by Laura Franklin, CNP