Cooking Alongside Eco-Friendly Cookware

We can hardly believe it is nearly 2009. It seems like simply yesterday that we were enjoying the 90 degree summer days. But Christmas has already come and gone, so we thought we’d give you a peek into the present situation. Here is what we got:

My mom and dad generously gifted us an whole 10 piece set of Greenware, the remarkable new eco-friendly nonstick cookware from Cuisinart. Sherry in fact snagged me an oversized skillet for my birthday back in November, and we enjoyed everything about the recycled stainless steel handles and exclusive Ceramica nonstick technology that is clean and healthy (read: free of petroleum, PTFE and PFOA). All the perks of nonstick cooking without the noxious canary-killing Teflon fumes. Of course we were pumped to learn that we were now the proud owners of the whole set to sauté, simmer, and steam things to our heart’s content.

And we in fact had a cooking theme when it came to many of our gifts. Our family picks a funny little slogan each year to guide gift giving and this year’s “Hey Good Lookin’ Watcha Got Cookin’?” sent everyone into a food-related gift frenzy. Even Sherry got in on the kitchen theme by picking me up a tiered spice rack thingie. Lately I have been doing a lot more cooking (yes, I am the Rachael Ray in training of the family). And with each new spice that I pick up for my expanding culinary repertoire (Coriander, Thyme, Rosemary…) I have amassed quite a collection. Now I have way more room for my expanding slew of seasonings and I can see them all and grab what I need in a second- and us folks are all about shortcuts, right?

Sherry also picked me up a round capiz Anthropologie frame and slipped in a picture of our cupcake-feeding-one-year-wedding-anniversary-celebration. It works perfectly with the other capiz frames in our bedroom (from Target) and of course the sweet sentiment was much appreciated.

And in return I snagged a clean white cylinder vase for the lady-wife (from West Elm) and printed a makeshift garland of twelve flowers to represent the promise of a bouquet each month for the whole year. We enjoy bringing the outdoors in and Sherry swoons over fresh flowers so it’ll be pleasant to commit to having a little more color and life around for the next 12 months. And of course we will not have to break the bank thanks to Trader Joe’s and Sam’s club where a bunch of tulips, irises or daffodils will only run me $3-$6 a pop.

And it is fairly funny that Sherry got me a white capiz frame to add to our collection while I picked up a ceramic squirrel to add to her all white managerie (she already hasa ceramic dog, a porcelain pony, and a metal bull). This little squirrel was simply seven beans at West Elm but adopting another animal (that we do not have to walk, bathe or feed) is fairly priceless in Sherry’s eyes. I must admit between the vase, the flowers and the squirrel she was all smiles.

Oh and speaking of smiles we got some fairly funny kitchen related stuff from a cousin (who also followed the “Hey Good Lookin’ Watcha Got Cookin’?” theme). Some novelty party cups with animal snouts/beaks along with a “Frozen Smiles” ice tray for teeth chatteringly cold beverages…

… and this quirky glass measuring cup (which I in fact saw in Wired magazine a few days ago) that not only measures in cups and ounces but also dispenses some compellingly weird statistics (like the volume of body cells that die on a good day and the amount of honey made by a bee). My mental volume of useless trivia simply got beefier.

We also got some fairly hysterical Burger paraphernalia in the form of a customized mug, deck of playing cards and even a white snowflake ornament from my brother in law (who is in fact a cat person, but understands animal obsessions in general like no one else).

We even got some Christmas swag from my God Mother who sent us this festive lime green reindeer pillow and throw from Coldwater Creek (which in fact look right at home with the lime green headboard in our guest bedroom).

In summary, Santa was good to us this year. What about you folks? Any go-to gifts? Tell us all about ’em.

Pssst- The top link to the skillet that we own and enjoy is an Amazon Affiliate link.