Calling these small units appliances may be stretching it but I use them every day and they have changed my health for the better. Coincidently both were Christmas gifts. The first one was from my dad – a single induction burner with accompanying cookware. My first reaction was “but dad, I already have a stove, a nice gas one that works really well.” “Oh but this is different, it is better, I saw it on a commercial” (two for one plus shipping and handling) he said. Reluctantly I accepted the gift bringing it to my office to experiment cooking at work. WOW! I am sold! ’ NuWave Precision Cook Top’ is better than any other cook top I have used. Plugged into a regular outlet the unit has an internal fan that keeps the fire alarm from going off. Place your pot or pan on the unit and you can boil water INSTANTLY. No more waiting for the water to warm up, induction cooking is truly instantaneous and safe. Once you remove the cookware the cook top stops heating the pan, you can touch the cook top and it is not hot, you will not get burned. I have known about induction for a while and always regulated this type of cooking to the ‘good for when you get older’ category. I knew about the safety, however I did not realize how much faster the cooking process is. Your food starts cooking immediately after turning on the burner. This cook top came with 2 non stick (safe) frying pans which make washing dishes a joy. I also received a ‘pot’ that has 3” sides that can cook an entire meal. While you are cooking your dinner, you can place the steamer unit (same size, also comes with the package) on top of the pot to steam your vegetables. A single glass lid fits both the pot, the steamer and the large frying pan. I do not need any oil to cook my food, I am eating healthier and washing less dishes. Plus it uses up to 90% less energy than the typical gas or electrical cook top. I even have a fondue accessory that fits onto the pot that holds the fondue sticks (also came with the package.) What a bargain! ($19.95 for everything). 
My second ‘appliance’ was obtained at a Christmas gift exchange from my Aunt Jane. This small blender/mixer is cute and portable. But since I didn’t really blend food, it took me a while to appreciate it. Now I use it every day and it has also changed my health. With Bella’s Rocket Blender, I can make a single serving (or half single serving) smoothie and guess what? After blending, turn the cup over, remove (unscrew) the blade and the cup turns into your drinking cup. There is also a top that you can screw onto the plastic cup if you want to take the juice to go. So, besides being very small and portable, you do not have to wash a blender AND a cup, it is one and the same! My morning breakfast has changed from a ‘breakfast burrito’ to a very yummy and healthy smoothie created from Vanilla Yogurt, Vanilla Metafuel (Univera meal replacement), 4 oz of Xtra (Univera antioxidant energy product) 3 oz of Aloe Gold (Univera immune system protectant) and 3 oz of water. When I feel wild and crazy I will add in fresh blueberries (more antioxidants) and/or cocoa nibs (more antioxidants). The last time I went through the drive through at McDonalds the cashier said, ‘where have you been, we miss you!’ ‘Sorry’, I said, 'I am working towards a healthier lifestyle!’ Between daily yoga, a healthy diet, and my life changing supplements, I am going to live forever!’ (I’m going to learn how to fly – FAME!) - I think I just dated myself,
Eating green, Christine