Over the years of cooking, blogging, and juggling everyday family life, I’ve tested a lot of tools, products, and services. Some were great, some were forgettable and a few became absolute staples I rely on daily.
This page is a carefully curated list of resources I personally use and genuinely recommend. Whether you’re here to cook more confidently, start a food blog, or simply make life a little easier, these are the tools that have truly made a difference for me.
Some of the links below are affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use, trust, and love. Supporting through these links helps keep Oh My Simple Meals running, and I’m incredibly grateful 💛
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Kitchen & Cooking Essentials
Cooking at home doesn’t need to be complicated but having the right tools makes everything smoother, faster, and far more enjoyable. These are the kitchen essentials I use regularly when developing recipes and cooking for my family.
1 – My Favorite Dutch Oven
This is hands-down one of the most versatile pieces in my kitchen. I use it for soups, stews, braised meats, one-pot dinners, and even baking bread. It retains heat beautifully, cooks evenly, and goes straight from stovetop to oven without any fuss. If I could only keep one pot in my kitchen, this would be it.
2 – Non-Stick Baking Set
A reliable baking set is essential if you bake even occasionally. I use these pans for cookies, quick breads, sheet cakes, pastries, and roasted ingredients. The non-stick surface means less sticking, easier cleanup, and consistently good results especially when baking in a rush.
3 – High-Speed Blender
This blender gets used almost daily. From smoothies and protein shakes to creamy soups, sauces, and homemade nut butters, it handles everything effortlessly. It’s especially helpful for quick meals and snacks when time is tight but nutrition still matters.
Blogging Tools I Rely On
Running a blog involves more than just writing recipes. These tools help keep Oh My Simple Meals fast, organized, and optimized without unnecessary stress or technical overwhelm.
1 – Website Hosting with Cloudways
Reliable hosting makes a huge difference in site speed, performance, and peace of mind. Cloudways offers fast loading times, excellent uptime, and simple management even if you’re not tech-savvy. It’s been a solid foundation for my blog as it’s grown.
2 – GeneratePress Theme
This lightweight and flexible theme is what powers my site. It keeps everything clean, fast, and easy to customize without bloated code or unnecessary extras. If you care about speed, user experience, and long-term growth, this theme is a fantastic choice.
3 – Rank Math SEO
SEO can feel overwhelming, but this tool simplifies the process. Rank Math helps me optimize every post, track performance, and stay consistent with best practices. It’s a must-have for anyone serious about growing traffic through search engines.
Productivity & Lifestyle Favorites
Life gets busy especially when balancing family, cooking, and content creation. These small but powerful tools help me stay focused, organized, and sane on busy days.
1 – Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Long hours in front of a screen can be exhausting. These glasses help reduce eye strain, headaches, and fatigue during extended blogging sessions, especially in the evening.
2 – Planner for Busy Parents
This planner helps me organize meal plans, blogging schedules, deadlines, and family commitments all in one place. Writing things down keeps me focused and prevents mental overload.
3 – Audible Subscription
I love being able to learn and unwind while doing everyday tasks. Audiobooks are perfect for listening while cooking, cleaning, walking, or commuting turning idle moments into productive or relaxing ones.
Must-Read Books for Cooks & Creators
These books have shaped how I cook, think, and build habits. I recommend them to anyone who loves food, creativity, or personal growth.
1 – The Flavor Bible
An incredible resource for understanding flavor pairings and cooking intuitively. I often reach for it when experimenting with new recipes or trying to elevate simple dishes.
2 – Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat
A beautiful, practical guide to mastering the fundamentals of great cooking perfect for home cooks who want confidence in the kitchen.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally use and genuinely believe in. Your support helps keep Oh My Simple Meals running and allows me to continue sharing free recipes and resources thank you so much 💛
