Chef shoes are not simply a trend; they are classic footwear specifically designed for chefs, and have been around since way back when.  Despite being available for decades already, chef’s shoes have only become really famous in recent times.  Television shows targeting homes and lifestyles have made cooking not just a necessary skill but a symbol of art and style.  Reality cooking shows mushroom in every network, showcasing fashion in plates and saucers.  If there is one chef that could be associated with this type of shoe, Mario Batali would definitely be the first name to come to mind.  Notorious for his bright orange Crocs Bistro, this bubbly chef struts in the Iron Chef kitchen with ease despite his sweat soaked uniform.  This particular brand and model is not just chic; it boasts a range of functions that wearers will benefit from and fall in love with, including the ability to be non-slip in even the slickest, greasiest kitchen atmospheres.

Other features are protection from spills and dropped objects, with its closed-toe design. It perfectly follows the mold of the feet, making not just the foot bed comfortable even after long walks or hours of constantly standing. The inside is also wide enough to let your feet breathe, reducing the feeling that you need to get your shoes off ASAP after a long day.  The size of a chef shoe seems bulky but these are very lightweight and designed for performance first and looks second.  Their ergonomic design is not the end of the line – it has antimicrobial properties to prevent sweat and odor from forming.  The slip resistant soles and heel straps give that sense of security.

The Birkenstock sandal empire has also come up with its own chef shoe line that closely resembles the Crocs as the old models dictated their design.  The Birkenstock chef shoes boast a model in the classic black color.  This Professional Clog by Birkis priced at $69.95 has a non-slip polyurethane lining that eliminates slip and fall accidents that are unfortunately far too common in the kitchen.  Shuffling in between kitchen tables is very tiring.  It is only at the end of the day when chefs feel the pain and soreness.  But with shoes like this featuring exceptional arch support through comfortable foot beds and raised toe areas, shoes like this go a long way to aleviate this problem.  There is also the assurance of durability, since these shoes were designed under the basis of shock and stress with very frequent use.  Washable and water and stain resistant, these are all that it offers at such price.

Other chef shoes non slip are the Birkis Shetland White Birkoflor with Soft Foot Bed.  Although quite pricey at about $110, repair and resoling is reportedly free of charge once you buy them!  The brand promises to restore an old pair by  gluing detached soles at no cost!  Their signature cork foot bed takes care of sweat and odor.  Straps securelly hold the foot, and the foot bed is engineered to distribute body weight evenly with full support on the cupped arches and pads on the heels to bounce off the stresses of weight bearing.  A pricier model at about $125, the Alpro C100 in White Leather showcases similar features except for the color.  Its skin is white, which complements the crisp white tops of chef’s uniforms.

But do not be dismayed if you are not a chef.  There isn’t any reason to believe that they are just for the food experts.  Try having one – you’ll definitely fall in love with it.  Anyone who spends lots of time on their feet should take a good look at these shoes.

Tags: Kitchen Accessories, Uncategorized by Jeffrey
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The arrival of touchless trash cans has brought about a touchless revolution in the  kitchen and other parts of the house.  These are not uncommon inventions anymore as they have already etched their niches in every possible corner that they could be squeezed in.  A touchless trash can, as its name suggests, is a wastebasket that works without anyone having to directly come into contact with it.  Just like public sinks are all slowly changing over to the automatic, touchless faucets, trash cans are taking this route as well.

There are basically two types of trash cans:  The simple type without lids, and those that do have covers.  The reason why touchless trash cans came into being is because people throw away their trash by touching the lids, much to the adoration of the germ populace.  Microbes are everywhere  and trash cans are some of their favorite hangout spots, since all sorts of stuff spills on them daily.  With them come infectious diseases – an issue that is of utmost importance but is taken for granted most of the time, even by businesses and public officials.  This is the exact reason why the idea of a trash can that opens by itself is so appealing.  The only person who needs to come into contact with it is the one who removes the garbage bag, most likely wearing gloves.

These types of trash cans are gaining in popularity, gaining market share of the customary garbage bins because their feature targets health concerns.  Available in most home stores and online sites, they are easy to find.  The web showcases a lot of brands, although their designs are pretty generic as there is nothing fancy that could be done with a wastebasket.  It’s simply just a bin needed to store disposed-of items.  Many people are buying trash cans like this for home use, although the majority of them are still sold to places like health clinics and hospitals, where they are really using them for storing things you definitely don’t want to touch with your bar hands.

Types of Touchless Trash Cans

If you are on the lookout for one but worry about busting your budget, an investment of about $50 would be enough for the NST Nine Stars Infrared Touchless Automatic Motion Sensor Lid Open Trash Can.  It carries the usual stainless steel design that fits any room or theme.  A motion from anywhere within the ten-inch range and 130-degree angle pops the lid up and it closes within seconds of moving your hand away.  The lid seals it from spreading nasty odors from the trash and from being an invitation to pesky flies.  A removable plastic container comes with the package to save up on trash bags.  There are lots of touchless garbage cans that carry a similar price tag.  Most of them look very similar to each other, and differ only by brand and size.

See All of the Touchless Trash Cans Here

For something bigger and better, it will of course come with a price.  There are people who undeniably have a passion for branded and pricier stuff, so for those who want something really nice, itouchless has a touchless recycle bin, which has 2 separate compartments, each opening on their own.  Use one for trash and the other for recycled items, or sort items into whatever types you want.  Small enough to fit into any kitchen, but large enough for other uses as well, such as offices.

Mid priced models such as the UZO1 Stainless Steel Infrared Touchless Trash can with Automatic Opening Lid can be had for around $89.  This touchless stainless steel trash can comes with inner plastic containers, and has received good consumer reviews due to its promise of a hygienic environment at a not-so-steep price.

Tags: Kitchen Accessories, Trash Cans by Jeffrey
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These days, kitchen are usually overflowing with appliances, utensils, and various kitchen accessories.  While purchasing some items may have seemed like a good idea at the time, many of them end up either taking up room on your precious counter-top while seeing little use, or tucked away in a cabinet because you realized you didn’t really need it.  While many kitchen items unfortunately end up this way, there is one area that doesn’t usually, and those are the things that are meant to save space and make things easier for us.  The kitchen carousel is definitely in this category.  They come in many forms, built specially for certain purposes.  Here are the most common types of kitchen carousels and what they are used for.

The Kitchen Utensil Carousel

If your kitchen is like most of the others throughout the world, your kitchen utensils are placed in various cabinet drawers.  While there is nothing really wrong with this, a kitchen utensil carousel does a great job of neatly organizing pretty much all of the kitchen tools you would need in one tidy place for easy access.  Put it on the counter, and everything is just an arm’s reach away.  The good thing about these kitchen utensil carousels is that friends and family can come to your house and cook without having to ask you where every little thing is hidden.  Of course, you can put an ordinary kitchen cabinet carousel in your pantry to organize all of your things, but they will still probably end up unorganized, since there is no neat way to place all of the kitchen tools.
If you get a utensil carousel that is meant for space saving and organizing, it can make your kitchen a lot neater.  Carousels usually come with all of the utensils and tools, and range from very inexpensive to moderately expensive.  Actually, the expensive ones are usually a good deal though, since they include lots of great kitchen gadgets.  This Sunbeam Kitchen Carousel Set includes 23 tools and even the carousel itself can be placed in the dishwasher.  This is one of the cheaper ones, at around $15.  OXO makes a Kitchen tool carousel that includes 14 tools, but they are higher quality cooking utensils.  If you cook a lot, you know the difference quality utensils can make, since cheaper ones melt upon contact with hot pans.  This utensil holder cost more, at around $95.

Kitchen Spice Carousels

One of the best ideas around is to use a carousel to hold all of the little spice jars.   A company called KitchenArt completely dominates this market.  Their carousels come in a few very innovative designs that are specifically meant for holding spices, and the jars are included since they fit perfectly into the holder.  A KitchenArt spice carousel can be either a simple turntable that holds the jars, or you can get a deluxe version that actually automatically measures out the spices for you.  Every time you turn the dial, it lets out ¼ teaspoon.  The Kitchen Art 2500 Spice Carousel only costs around $20, and has the automatic measuring device as well, which makes it a great deal. See All of the KitchenArt Carousels Here.

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Candle wicks are commonly made out of cotton that is braided with a rigid core.  Wicks apparently have an effect on the resultant flame and basically how a candle burns.  Wax melting draws influence from the composition and diameter of a wick.  The Woodwick candle company has started making a different sort of candle.  Like its name, their candles have wicks that are made out of wood, resulting in a different candle experience.  With woodwicks, the promise that cotton offers has dramatically changed which, in turn, becomes more of an advantage for the environment.  Wood wicks are said to produce less soot and a better scent.  Characteristically, wooden wicks give you the fireplace effect with the crackling sounds produced once lit.

Check out this video to hear for yourself what the candle sounds like.

The fireplace feel gives off such a warm and cozy ambiance.  Just the thought is enough to make you long for a chilly night in a log cabin.  This particular feel is what a woodwick candle brings to your home.  Candles have gone past the birthday scene.  Having graced birthday cakes for such a long period, candles have become an item of vanity, relaxation, and tranquility for the home.  They can be used anywhere, from the dining table to the living room to the bathroom or even outside.  They have also become perfect ideas for gifts and home ornaments as well.

Nowadays, the hustle and bustle of the modern era has planted stress into the lineup of common causes of disease.  And most people have regarded relaxation as a form of release from all the stresses, one of which is aromatherapy.  The aromatherapy industry has escalated uncontrollably, and candles play a vital part in this business.  Whether it’s a luxurious spa or your marble tub at your home, candles have boxed out their perfect spots.  And through time, the innovation bug has invaded its core, incorporating wood and taking over the former cotton wicks.

Woodwick candles can be your perfect relaxation companion.  With a wide variety of scents to choose from, you can choose any scent that suits your particular mood for the day.  Their look is lovely enough with their wax or jar colors that they can stand as décor when they are not in use.  The entire collection is a delightful feast for the senses.  The most popular woodwick candle fragrances are pumpkin butter, redwood, caramel, biscotti, and trios, which feature 3 separate levels of scents built into the candle.

Find The Entire Woodwick Candle Selection Here

Woodwick Candle Prices

Woodwick candles come in a few sizes, ranging from 3.5 ounces to 22 ounces and a few in between. They also make what is called a mini- candle, that only costs around $8, so if you are looking for cheap Woodwick Candles, this is one option, although the sound won’t be as loud since the candle is smaller.  Another option is to keep your eye out for candles that are on sale at stores or look for them at discount stores such as Ross.  It is actually quite tough to find discount Woodwick candles, since this one company controls the entire market.  The good news is that candles in jars last a heck of a long time, so if you spend $15 on a large candle, it will probably last you for a few years.  They say they can burn for 150 hours, which is quite a long time, considering most people don’t leave them burning 24 hours a day!
Now, if you wish to enjoy both function and vanity merged into one package, a simple candle can do the job for you.  With its ability to please your senses and ease those trigger points and shoulder knots after a tiring day at work, you wouldn’t even need to shell out some dough for an appointment with your masseuse.  Just pick a scent from your collection and light it up.  Don’t forget your bottle of champagne – these candles also are a great idea for lighting up a bar area.  Place one or two on the bar fridge and you will give the room a great ambiance.

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Gone are the days of keeping your sparkling silverware inside drawers.  Silverware can be design elements themselves and putting them out of sight is definitely not the best way to show them off!  You may be wary about keeping them exposed due to cleanliness factors.  Of course, you want them free from dust.  But apart from those kitchen drawers, there are other things that can hold them.  These are known as utensil caddies.

A kitchen utensil caddy can be designed in numerous ways.  They can be divided into sections to separate your forks from your butter knives or you may choose to buy a couple of non-sectioned caddies for the different utensils that you need in your kitchen.  They can either be designed horizontally like boxes or make use of free vertical space and let them stand like a glass or a vase.  Put them on the counter, or on a kitchen cart or other spot.  There have been a lot of materials used for making these caddies.  Listed below are the different types which might help you with narrowing down your choices, since some people prefer a particular kind.

Ceramic – most ceramic or porcelain caddies resemble mugs without holders.  They can be hand painted with designs of your choice for a more personal feel.  The main drawback though is breakability.  It would not be advisable to fill them up all the way, since this increases the chances of falling over because of imbalance in their load.

Stainless steel utensil caddy – metal caddies earn the highest points in terms of durability.  Load them up with utensils and let them fall if they must  – it’s never a problem.  They can hold just about anything, even your soup ladles and frying turners.  A moderately sized, sectioned kitchen caddy in a round, revolving form could host a party of silverware and cooking utensils.

Plastic – A plastic untensil caddy is arguably the cheapest in terms of raw material used, but they may just be as reliable as a steel caddy, although some might not like the plastic look for their kitchen.  They can either lay flat and fit into your drawers or stand alone upright like a circular steel one.  There are other designs that enable your utensils to be suspended from hooks if your forks happen to have holes on their handles.  They can be collapsible or the assembled type as well.

Wood – a bamboo utensil caddy is the most common example.  The characteristics that wood exudes is the country or rustic feeling.  These would look good with your hand painted cookie jars and farmhouse dining setup.   The one issue of a wooden utensil caddy is that it must drain well, otherwise you can end up with too much moisture in the bottom.

Other materials – these could either be made of wicker, abaca or rattan.  All of these natural materials can be weaved into a mesh to form a durable container.  Similar to wood, their crudeness brings about a rustic feel.  In terms of durability, a wicker utensil caddy can be nearly as strong as those made out of wood or plastic.  You would not have to worry about breakage.  Care must be taken though, as woven materials are braided and the tiny crevices and undercuts formed by the juxtaposition of rattan could be perfect spots for dust, moist and mold accumulation.  Native materials must be kept dry to prevent these from happening.

With a wide range of choices, you can choose what is best for you in terms of compatibility with your kitchen theme, your budget and your taste.  You can also use them in other places outside the kitchen area. Many people get a picnic utensil caddy for use outdoors, or put one in another part of the house where food may be served.   Sticking one on top of the bar fridge is a good idea. Hold to your instinct and get hold of a caddy that suits those specifications.

Tags: Kitchen Accessories by Jeffrey
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