Ann Marie Michaels of Cheeseslave put out a request for bloggers to photograph their kitchens for a series she has running on her blog.  I submitted my photos today and thought I’d post them here as well, with a bit more explanation, in the hopes it will be of value! Below are some highlights. I will publish another series of the contents of the fridge, freezer and pantry in another post!

Welcome!

First stop on our kitchen tour is the menu board.

Kitchen Menu Board

Nourishing Our Children. While we don’t have children, I have these words on my menu board as daily inspiration.  My vision for the next generation is forefront on my mind day in and day out! “We cannot simply think of our survival; each new generation is responsible to ensure the survival of the seventh generation. The prophecy given to us, tells us that what we do today will affect the seventh generation and because of this we must bear in mind our responsibility to them today and always.”

Soy-Free Eggs

Soy-free, pasture-rasied eggs. Learn about why I recommend soy-free. Please note that “pasture-raised” is not the same as free range, cage free or organic. Ideally, chickens are outdoors, on pasture, foraging for worms and insects.  Read more. We order 10 to 12 dozen pasture-raised, soy-free eggs every 2 weeks, for 2 adults!  We receive them at room temperature and leave them out.  I find they are much easier to peel that way when soft boiled and I rarely encounter a rotten egg.

Lead-Free Plates

Lead-free plates. If it isn’t labeled, find out from the manufacturer if the plates are lead free!  Read more in this article.

Spice Drawer

Spice Drawer. What to keep in mind: store spieces in glass, preferrably with lids free of Bisphenol A . Organic, non-irradiated spices are ideal.

Herbs

Herbs.  I purchase my herbs fresh from the farmer’s market or health food store.  I then air dry them on racks and store them in mason jars.  If the herbs are close to the mason jar lid, as is the thyme pictured above, I use a piece of parchment or wax paper to line the lid, because mason jar lids have Bisphenol A in them.

Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker.  For broth, stews, soups.  Mine is in constant use. What to keep in mind:  many slow cookers have lead in them.  The Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker does not, which I recommend via our Amazon affiliation.

Kitchen Overview

Stainless Steel.  I have a fair amount of stainless steel in my kitchen – the fridge, dishwasher, drawers, oven are all stainless steel.  I use, and highly recommend, Howard Naturals Stainless Steel Cleaner to clean it recommended via our Amazon affiliation, as an alternative to chemical filled products.  Pictured are local, soy-free pastured eggs delivered to my home, organic oranges and tomatoes stored in glass.  I am a big fan of glass.

Harsch Crock

Crock

Harsch Fermenting Crock.  I purchased this in 2004 from Radiant Life.  I have successfully fermented countless batches of sauerkraut with various fermenting “buddies” over the years!  It does take about 6 weeks to be ready to harvest with such a large container but, you’ll have ferments for some time thereafter! Radiant Life has offered Nourishing Our Children 10% of all sales made by our referrals, in addition you will be entered to win a $25.00 gift certificate when placing your order!

Beeswax Candles

Beeswax Candles.  Several years ago I discovered the dangers of the ubiquitous paraffin candles and wrote a blog post about it. Beeswax is a popular alternative to paraffin candles. The benefits of beeswax candles have stood for centuries: they don’t drip; they burn longer, as well as cleaner than their paraffin and soy counterparts. Beeswax is less likely to trigger allergies and does not produce toxins or soot when burned. It is generally more expensive than paraffin but burns longer. However, some candles labeled as beeswax may also contain paraffin. Look for 100% beeswax candles, which I recommend via our Amazon affiliation.

Kitchen Tools

Kitchen Tools: amongst my favorites is our hand blender, Wusthof Chef’s Knife, Cleaver and Shears, recommended via our Amazon affiliation.  I use the cleaver to cut fresh Thai coconuts, and the shears to cut a chicken in half before I cook it, in order for the entire skin to be browned. Then I cut the chicken into pieces with the shears once cooked. Look for a hand blender made of stainless steel rather than plastic.

Cookware: I recommend cast iron, or cast iron/porcelain enamel such as Le Creuset. I also use high quality stainless steel.

Microwave Oven

A good use of a microwave oven: storage space!  I have also used mine, which came with the loft, to ferment various items as is pictured in this album.  Read more about the dangers of microwave ovens.

Storage

Coconut Flakes

On the topic of storage: I have been on GAPS™ for the last year, so I am not eating grains, however I have some stored here in glass containers from a photo shoot I did. I also captured some coconut flakes I have stored in glass. Next to it is some baking soda, which I like to have on hand for cleaning purposes!  I avoid plastic bags, and plastic containers – in favor of glass.

Hanger Steak

Nourishing Ourselves: during my photo shoot, my husband prepared a grass-fed hanger steak on our cast iron grill, pictured here on a bamboo cutting board, recommended via our Amazon affiliation, which I prefer over other options.  We sat to enjoy the meal. Isn’t that the whole point of a kitchen?!

All photographs captured by Sandrine Hahn.