COPYRIGHT All content and photographs are property of Linda Dresselhaus. 2009-2016. Powered by Blogger.

New Year Goals

This time of year we all tend to think of a fresh start with expectations and goals for the new year! I'm no exception.  This year will continue to be one of change, as we plan to make the total transition of moving to the lakehouse. I have personal goals this year, too...for my health and habits.


Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"


I am participating in~

New Years Goals- Itsy Bits And Pieces Blog

We have lots of goals for the lakehouse move this year.  The lakehouse kitchen will need some changes. We have old appliances here now that will be replaced.  We already have a large stainless steel refrigerator that will be making the move.  In order for it to fit, we will be removing this upper bank of cabinets at this end of the kitchen and adding open shelving.  We'll also be removing the narrow base cabinet.  (we'll probably re-use those pieces in the laundry or storage room) 
The new range will be a slide-in piece with two ovens.  

Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"

One of our goals this year is to dine out less, and to eat healthier.  
One appliance we will also be adding to the kitchen is the
Cuisinart 0.6 Cu Ft. Air Fryer Toaster Oven that I recently received from Wayfair!

Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"

This little workhorse does a lots of kitchen duties...it's an extra oven, and also has settings for convection oven, broil, convection broil, toaster oven, 
and air fryer!  It has such a good look and sleek styling and will fit 
perfectly with the style we are bringing into the space. 
I have been experimenting with ways to use it that will help with 
our goals of dining out less and adding healthier ways of cooking.
I've made several items and thought I would share a few with you!

The first thing I tried was a take and bake pizza from the grocery store.  I am gluten free, along with others in our family.  Before I became gluten free, I always made my pizzas from scratch, but gluten free crusts can often be quite tough or doughy.  So we have used frozen or take and bake...still with not the best results.  

Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"

I add my own extra toppings...this with chopped green pepper and onion.

Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"

It's fun to watch as it bakes.

Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"

It baked beautifully...with a very crispy thin crust!

Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"

It's the best I've made at home and I am going to try making pizza from scratch again!  There is a pizza stone available for this this oven, 
that makes it like a brick pizza oven!

Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"

I also tried baked potatoes!  
I often judge a restaurant by how good the baked potatoes are.  
I used a teaspoon of oil with seasonings, and rubbed it on the potatoes.

Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"


Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"

These turned out like baked potatoes I would be served at a restaurant...
crisp exteriors and creamy interiors! Love!

Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"

French fries were easy, too!  I cut 3 potatoes into 4" long strips, 1/4" wide...you can also do larger homestyle fries.  I tossed them with a small amount of oil and seasoning, and air fried them.  I forgot to toss them in the middle of cooking to get them more evenly cooked, but they were delicious...and with so much less oil than eating out.  I'm looking forward to making fries with other vegetables, 
and roasting vegetables, too! There are so many things I want to try with this oven!

Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"

Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"

Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"

Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"


Goals for 2019- "Decor And Health Goals from Itsy Bits And Pieces"

I also have a goal of eating less sodium this year. I can control 
that much easier cooking at home rather than dining out. 
Restaurant food can be very high in sodium!
 And another good reason to cook at home?  Dining out is expensive! 

I'm looking forward to working on our kitchen 
and preparing good food there this year!

{This post was sponsored by Wayfair.  All opinions and good eats are my own.}

Until next time...




32 comments

  1. I was looking at that very oven Saturday when I went shopping. It's very stylish and looks like it is well made. It's nice to hear a report like this :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Connie! I am having so much fun experimenting with it!

      Delete
  2. How exciting for you to be moving to your lakehouse, Linda! I've been away from blogging for a while, and am trying to catch up with favorite blogs. The oven from Wayfair looks like a good tool for healthier eating. We are getting a blizzard here today. A great day to read some blog posts!! Enjoy your week! Debbie xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Debbie! Snow and extreme cold here, too...yes, a good day to stay in and catch up on blogs!

      Delete
  3. I love the idea of open shelving in the kitchen - can't wait to see what you do.

    Steve and I used to eat out more frequently, but we find ourselves opting for home cooking because it much better for us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Carol! We're finding we often can make it better tasting, too!

      Delete
  4. I can't wait to see your lake house kitchen once it's done!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am glad you like the oven, Linda. I really like the idea of 'air frying'. Who would have thought that would ever be an option?!
    I, too, am eating healthier this year to see if it helps with inflammation to say nothing of weight loss!
    Have a wonderful Monday- xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Diana! And in restaurants, oil frying leads to cross-contamination for gluten-free diners...

      Delete
  6. That's the perfect sized oven! I have to check that out! I waste so much energy heating up my full sized oven for a little frozen dinner!

    ReplyDelete
  7. We are doing GF at our home right now, too,
    but alas, no potatoes :( Last night we tried the
    cauliflower pizza crust from Trader Joe's and
    with pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni, it was
    actually quite good! The trick is to get the crust
    nice and brown on both sides before adding the
    toppings, which we then broiled on low for five
    minutes. I bet your little oven would be perfect
    for this type of pizza, too!

    Hope you are staying warm!

    xo Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I bet that WAS good, Suzanne! That trick is good for gluten-free flour crusts, too...parbake them before adding toppings!

      Delete
  8. This oven looks pretty amazing, and now I'm really hungry!

    ReplyDelete
  9. That oven looks amazing our problem would be lack of counter space... never would work for us but amazing how good it does work. Good luck on all the 2019 changes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Diane! I do understand the lack of counter space! I may even store mine on a cart in the small pantry we are making...and it is light enough to easily move from place to place so I have that option, too.

      Delete
  10. Wow, the oven could be used for so many things, and it saves space!! Might have to get one of those for our toy hauler, for when we're camping! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I could see that oven being pretty handy!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love hearing about the changes you're making in the lakehouse - and I can't wait to see photos! This appliance you got sounds very cool...I had never heard of it. The fries and potatoes you made both look so good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Melanie! It will be nice when we get the move done! I am loving the little oven!

      Delete
  13. I may need that little oven in my life. We really struggle at the holidays since we have a single oven. We eat out once a week. I agree restaurant food is high in sodium and fat. Good luck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Katie! It will be nice to have somewhere to bake another side dish for gatherings!

      Delete
  14. The open shelves are going to look fabulous. I have an air fryer and love it. I am trying to be healthier too for the new year.
    Hugs,
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kris! I have been having fun finding all kinds of air fryer recipes on Pinterest!

      Delete
  15. Good luck with your move, how exciting! Your pizzas look delicious, makes me very hungry indeed!! Happy weekend, Pam x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Now you're making me hungry, and the grapes I'm snacking on aren't quite cutting it!!!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for visiting my blog! I love hearing from you and always enjoy reading your comments!